Contact
Questions, bugs, or feature ideas? Email us and we'll get back to you, usually within a couple of days.
hello@quickprotect.appGetting started
What does QuickProtect do?
QuickProtect is a lightweight macOS menu-bar app for viewing live camera feeds from your own UniFi Protect controller. Click the menu-bar icon to see all your cameras in a resizable grid — no browser or separate app needed. Click a camera to focus it, press F for fullscreen, and use the arrow keys to pan and tilt PTZ cameras.
How do I connect to my controller?
Open Settings, enter your controller's local IP address and an API key, and your cameras appear in the grid. Generate the API key in your UniFi Protect controller's settings (Control Plane → Integrations / API). The key is stored securely in the macOS Keychain.
What do I need?
A Mac running macOS 13 or later, a UniFi Protect controller reachable on your local network, and an Integration API key from that controller. For PTZ control you'll also need a local admin account on the controller.
PTZ & controls
How do I control a PTZ camera?
Focus a PTZ-capable camera (it shows a directional ↔ badge), then pan and tilt with the arrow keys or the on-screen pad — hold to move continuously, release to stop. PTZ requires a local admin username and password under Settings → PTZ.
Why does PTZ need a separate login from the API key?
The Integration API (your API key) handles the camera list and live streaming but does not support PTZ. PTZ control uses the classic Protect API, which authenticates with a local admin account. Both credentials are stored in the macOS Keychain.
What are layout profiles and floating windows?
Layout profiles let you save different camera arrangements and window sizes and switch between them. Floating windows let you pin one or more cameras as always-on-top windows that stay visible while you work in other apps.
Troubleshooting
No cameras appear after I enter my details.
Confirm the controller's IP address is correct and reachable from your Mac (try opening https://<controller-ip> in a browser on the same network), and that the API key is valid and hasn't been revoked. QuickProtect needs to reach the controller directly on the local network.
Can I use QuickProtect when I'm away from home?
Yes — connect to your home network first with a VPN, then QuickProtect works as if you were at home. Tailscale (with subnet routing) and UniFi Teleport both work well. UniFi Protect has no public cloud streaming API, so a route to your controller's local IP is required.
A stream looks frozen or won't load.
Try clicking another camera and back, or quitting and reopening QuickProtect to re-establish the RTSP session. If a single camera never loads, check that it's online in UniFi Protect and that RTSP/RTSPS streaming is enabled for it.
Privacy
QuickProtect collects no personal data — no account, no analytics, no ads, and no developer-operated servers. The app talks only to the controller you configure, and your video never leaves your network. Read the full privacy policy.
Trademarks
QuickProtect is an independent app and is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by Ubiquiti Inc. UniFi and UniFi Protect are trademarks of Ubiquiti Inc., used here only to describe compatibility.