- What is the difference between UniFi Protect and traditional CCTV systems?
- Traditional CCTV often means separate recorders and a separate access control system, each managed on its own. UniFi Protect puts AI detection, recording and access control in a single dashboard with no licence fees. Each camera installs on a single PoE cable.
- Does my video data leave my building?
- No. All video recording, storage, and AI detection happen locally on your UniFi NVR or Enterprise NVR within your building. Video never leaves your network unless you explicitly configure cloud archiving to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for backup.
- Can I manage UniFi Protect across multiple locations?
- Yes. Each site keeps its own recordings on a local UniFi recorder, and every site can be reached remotely through UniFi Site Manager or the mobile app. Vantage Point shows cameras from up to five recorders together in one view, with live feeds and playback.
- Can UniFi Protect integrate with my existing cameras?
- Often, yes. UniFi Protect can adopt ONVIF-compatible third-party cameras, which helps you move to UniFi in stages. Those cameras record, but they do not get UniFi's smart detections, so we usually replace them over time. We check which of your cameras are compatible first.
- How much video can I store and for how long?
- Storage depends on your NVR capacity, camera resolution, and frame rate. Enhanced Retention reduces older footage quality to extend retention to months or years. We size storage to the retention period you need. Off-site archiving to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox or a network storage drive keeps copies beyond what the recorder holds.
- Does UniFi Access work with my existing door locks and readers?
- UniFi Access supports electric strike, electric bolt and magnetic locks, in fail-safe or fail-secure setups. The hub powers locks that draw 12V DC at up to 1A, and higher-voltage locks connect through a dry relay with an external power supply. The UniFi Retrofit Hub can reuse compatible third-party Wiegand readers and existing wiring. It does not currently support OSDP readers.
- What unlock methods does UniFi Access support?
- UniFi Access supports NFC cards, PIN codes, mobile app unlock and Touch Pass, which adds a door key to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Users can unlock doors with their iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android phone. Pocket Keyfobs provide physical backup access.