Connecting to UniFi and Remote Management

UniFi allows you to access and manage your UniFi ecosystem from a web browser or our UniFi Mobile Apps, with ease and security.

Using a Web Browser

It’s easy to connect to your UniFi Console through your preferred browser. We generally recommend using the UniFi Site Manager for a simple, secure, and convenient way to manage all UniFi deployments associated with your UI Account.

How to Connect Remotely (UniFi Site Manager)

1. Enable Remote Management from your UniFi OS settings. This is enabled by default when you set up a UniFi Console using your UI Account.
   • Legacy Cloud Keys and self-hosted Network Servers can find this in Settings > System > Administration.
2. Go to the UniFi Site Manager and sign in with your UI Account credentials.

How to Connect Locally (Local Site Manager)

The Local Site Manager is great when the remote UniFi Site Manager is unavailable, for example during an Internet outage. You may also note improved UniFi dashboard load times and lower latency when locally viewing high-bandwidth recordings from UniFi Protect.

1. Enter the IP Address of your UniFi Console into your browser’s address bar.
   
   • If you don’t know your UniFi Console's IP address, use the WiFiman app (iOS / Android) to locate it on your network.
   • Users with a UniFi Console or Gateway (i.e., Dream Router, Dream Machine, Dream Wall, Next-Gen Gateway Pro, etc.) can simply enter unifi/ into the address bar.
2. If you receive a privacy or security warning, this is normal. Select the option that allows you to proceed.
3. Log in using your UI Account or local credentials.
   • If you set up your UniFi Console (Dream products, Cloud Key Gen2 Plus, etc.) offline without a UI Account, the default username is 'admin'.

Using a Mobile Device

Download our UniFi Mobile App (iOS / Android) and sign in using your UI Account to automatically see all UniFi Consoles compatible with UniFi OS associated with that account. If you have not enabled Remote Management, you can do so within your UniFi OS settings*.

*UniFi Consoles that are not compatible with UniFi OS, such as legacy Cloud Keys and self-hosted Network Servers can find this in Settings > System > Administration.

Local-only Access

Some users may optionally add a local-only connection. This is done by manually specifying your UniFi Console's IP Address, Port (8443 for self-hosted Network Servers, and 443 for consoles running UniFi OS), Username*, and Password. Please note that restrictive network configurations or firewall rules may inhibit your ability to connect using this method.

*UniFi Console (Dream products, Cloud Key Gen2 Plus, etc.) offline without a UI Account, the default username is 'admin'.

Direct Connections

Direct Connections establish a higher-performing management session when connecting with your UniFi Console. This is useful for any remote admin who regularly checks video footage, or manages a very large network with multiple access points. You can learn more here.

For your convenience, the UniFi Site Manager automatically establishes a Direct Connection when you are on the same local network as your UniFi Console.

Direct Remote Connections

It is also possible to establish a Direct Connection when remotely connected through the UniFi Site Manager from outside of your network. The Direct Remote Connection setting can be enabled in either your UniFi OS settings, or your UniFi Network Advanced Settings.

Note: This setting requires a UniFi Gateway with a public IP. Additionally, TCP Port 443 must be open and not used in a port forward rule. 

Remote Access Privacy and Security

Remote access is a secure method of connecting to your UniFi Console from anywhere using your UI Account credentials. We prioritize facilitating direct connections with your local UniFi Console as a means of bolstering data security and optimizing low-latency connectivity. A new admin must be invited by the UniFi Owner in order to gain access. Once granted access, our UI Accounts support multi-factor authentication to ensure maximum security.