Connecting to UniFi

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

Connect Through a Web Browser

It’s easy to connect to your UniFi OS Host through your preferred browser. We generally recommend using the UniFi Portal for the simplest, most convenient way to manage your UniFi deployment from anywhere in the world using a web browser.

The UniFi Portal (Remote Management)

The UniFi Portal at unifi.ui.com* is a convenient way to manage all UniFi deployments associated with your UI Account. This is recommended for most users because it is secure, requires zero configuration, and automatically optimizes your session, whether you are on the host’s network or connecting from a remote location (see “Direct Connections” below, for more information).

The UniFi Portal requires Remote Management to be enabled. This happens by default when you set up a UniFi Host using your UI Account, but it can also be configured from your UniFi OS settings*.

*Legacy Cloud Keys and self-hosted UniFi Network Servers can find this in Settings > System > Administration. These require the Legacy Web Portal, located at network.unifi.ui.com.

The Local Portal (Local-only Management)

The Local Portal can be reached by accessing your UniFi Host in a web browser via its IP address while locally connected to its network. This is convenient if your ISP experiences an outage which prevents remote connectivity through the UniFi Portal mentioned above. You may also experience improved UniFi dashboard load times and lower latency when viewing high-bandwidth recordings from UniFi Protect.

To access the Local Portal:

1. Enter the IP Address of your UniFi Host into your browser’s address bar.
   
   1. Users with a UniFi OS Console or gateway (e.g., Dream Router, Dream Machine, Dream Wall, Next-Gen Gateway Pro, etc.) can also simply enter "unifi/".
2. If you receive a privacy or security warning, this is normal. Select the option that allows you to proceed.
   
   1. Log in using your UI Account or appropriate local credentials*.

*If you set up your UniFi OS Host (Dream products, Cloud Key G2+, etc) offline without a UI Account, the default username is 'user'.

Connect Through a Mobile Device

The UniFi Mobile App (iOS / Android) is the simplest way to manage your UniFi deployment. Simply sign in using your UI Account and you will automatically see all UniFi Hosts associated with that account. If you have not enabled Remote Management, you can do so within your UniFi OS settings*.

*Legacy Cloud Keys and self-hosted UniFi Network Servers can find this in Settings > System > Administration. These require the Legacy Web Portal, located at network.unifi.ui.com.

Local-only Access

Some users may optionally add a local-only connection. This is done by manually specifying your UniFi Host’s IP Address, Port (8443 by default), Username*, and Password. Please note that restrictive network configurations or firewall rules may inhibit your ability to connect using this method.

*If you set up your UniFi OS Host (Dream products, Cloud Key G2+, etc) offline without a UI Account, the default username is 'user'.

Direct Connections

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

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

Direct Remote Connections

It is also possible to establish a Direct Connection when remotely connected through the UniFi Portal 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 utilizes Port 443 and requires a UniFi OS Console or UniFi Gateway with a public IP.

Remote Access Privacy and Security

Remote access is a secure method of connecting to your UniFi Host from anywhere using your UI Account credentials. We prioritize facilitating direct connections with your local UniFi host 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.