How to Set up Mac video streaming

Download AtHome

There’s more about the app at its website, ichano.com. The easiest way to get it is as a free download from the Mac App Store, so download and install it from there.

Add a streamer

Tap “Add First Streamer” or tap the + button to add an AtHome Video Streamer camera. Tap “Add Camera by QR Code” and then point the iPhone at the Mac’s screen to add the Mac.

Change settings

Exit back to the camera list and tap the down arrow next to a camera. The Videos button is used to watch videos that have been saved. First though, tap the Settings button.

Start the app

Open the app. The Mac’s screen doesn’t need to be on during use, but go to the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences and set Computer Sleep to “Never” to keep it awake.

The camera status

It takes almost no time at all to add the Mac’s camera; you can then add more cameras if you like. Install AtHome Video Streamer on your iPad and then add it in the same way.

Configure camera

There are no controls in the Mac app, and everything is configured remotely using the iPhone or iPad app, including motion alarms and scheduled recordings. Tap Motion Alarms.

Use your iPhone

On your iPhone or iPad, download the complementary AtHome Camera app (not AtHome Video Streamer). This is used to view the video feed from the Mac app.

Watch your pets

Tap a camera to connect to its video stream and see what your Mac can see. Tap “Hold to Talk” to speak to your confused cat, or press Record to save a video of whatever’s going on.

Record the action

You can’t watch constantly, so capture interesting events by enabling motion detection. Turn it on and set the hours it’s active and its sensitivity. You can opt in to receive notifications.