Amcrest View Pro not working with Android 9

[tj90]

Hi all - Been using amcrest view pro and cloud for a few years now. Ever since I got a new phone (Verizon Android 9, Samsung S9), I have been unable to access live streams of my cameras using Amcrest View Pro when outside my network. I get the "failed to connect" error.
If I am at home and WIFI is active, amcrest view pro works as expected. Amcrest cloud always works no matter where Im located. The problem with using cloud is that it takes forever to create a live connection for a camera.

Fortunately I still have my older phone (android 8) and View pro works outside my network.

I dont think its a problem with my ports or network because the only problem I am having is with view pro and android 9. I uninstalled the app and reinstalled with the latest from play store (10/10/2019 update) - no joy...

Any ideas?

[longedge]

I have had similar on my iPhone and I cured it by going into the device and selecting the "Extra" i.e. sub stream before selecting "Live View".

p.s. - Oh, and welcome to the forum .

[tj90]

@longedge thanks for the idea. I tried that and unfortunately it didnt work... When I get home, I need to make sure that the substream is active. I cant remember if I deselected it or not when I set up the camera. I appreciate you helping.

I noticed in the Device manager of Amcrest View Pro, you can import amcrestview.com devices. I setup an account there a few minutes ago. I wonder if that is another work around? I have a cloud account, but it seems that amcrestview is yet another account that you can have.

[Revo2Maxx]

Hello and welcome to the Forum..

I am not sure that is a work around would be good for the people that want access over the iDevices... Do to issues and thoughts of having my Passwords to my cameras in to many Places. I no longer have a Cloud account and deleted all my devices off the view website as well... While I am sure it was fixed there was a write up somewhere talking about the ability to hack a site like that to get more info then you ever would want someone to have... So now I keep all my things on my own Network. I use P2P but that is Secure between the camera and my device. No database of info to hack from there...

[tj90]

@Revo2Maxx You solved the problem! Your response prompted me to try to set the camera as a P2P connection. It freaking worked!! Now I can see the stream from outside my network. Setting it up using the IP address method doesnt work (obvious to think about it now since IP addresses assigned to network devices are irrelevant once you are outside the router.

I may have set up the device as P2P on my old device. I dont think so, but maybe that is why it was working before.

Thanks again!

[jack7]

@Revo2Maxx

... I use P2P but that is Secure between the camera and my device. No database of info to hack from there...

When using P2P, I don't believe you would have a secure connection between camera and device unless HTTPS is setup in camera. Is that what you are doing? Otherwise your ID, PW, video, etc. would be exposed to internet without encryption.
I believe a VPN connection can provide encryption.

https://support.amcrest.com/hc/en-us/ar ... rest-WebUI

[Revo2Maxx]

P2P only connection between 2 devices there is nothing to make a connection without Password or SN of camera They can have a SN of your camera without Password the Connection is not going to connect.. Nor does it even show that anyone tried to connect...

Also this is a Tunnel nothing outside can get in when you connect....

[jack7]

A hacker's network sniffer could possibly have access at either end of your P2P connection. I have read that data flow encryption is the best defense. I believe that's a reason why a VPN tunnel provides encryption. I can't find anything that says Amcrest P2P provides data flow encryption between the camera and remote device. Do you have anything to support that it does? It would be great if Amcrest P2P provides it.

[Revo2Maxx]

P2P is old network TECH and used to work with Cameras this isn't a NEW tech in the World of Cameras and only way P2P was bad in the Past was if the Data you were going to get form the connection was bad. Meaning you were DL a file that was Vir us or other issue as such... While I can't answer that 100% to your Question. I can tell you that there is no magic space for your data when it is over P2P.. Only thing this does it sends your SN to a Server.. This server listens for Pings of the SN it can't find the IP all the time so that is why it looks for SN pings.. Once it finds a Ping there is a Handshake of the system that says yes here is the Connection your looking for and then it is a Connection between Camera and your Device there is nothing inbetween with this data that is being sent. Once you disconnect and even while connected to be fair the system keeps the SN in Ping listen state... That is because others with the SN and Password will be able to connect over P2P even while your connected...

So as long as your Camera isn't serving Bad files that will harm your computer or phones then there should be no reason it would be bad....

So doing a search with IS P2P Secure this is the Answer off Google...
"The short answer is yes, but… P2P technology, like any other tool can be used both for good and bad (illegal) activities. It is the responsibility of the user to stay within the laws while keeping their data safe and secure. ... P2P files may contain malware or spyware." So with that said seeing your in control of the P2P Camera and the Files that are being served is your Video or playback then it is Secure....

WAY MORE SECURE THEN POSTING your Password on a Cloud Server or Camera View Service like IP Camera View or even amcrestview dot com..... ON P2P THERE IS NO STORAGE OF YOUR PASSWORD and you are not giving that to the Server that is listening to your PING for service only your camera and you are in the session....

[Revo2Maxx]

Here is an image of how P2P works... Please note the lines on the bottom is the Connection of the Camera and Device in this picture it is a Cell Phone... Can't read it right click and open image in new Tab will make it larger

P2P.jpg (43.42 KiB) Viewed 1628 times