How to find the RTSP URL for a TP-Link Tapo camera

This applies to Tapo's mains-powered and plug-in cameras, the C1xx and C3xx series among them, which is where TP-Link documents RTSP directly. Battery and solar models, the C4xx range and similar, generally don't expose RTSP, because they're built around short wake-and-stream cycles rather than a continuous local feed; a couple of hybrid models support it only when hardwired and left in always-on mode.

Finding it

In the Tapo app, open the camera's live view, tap the settings gear, then Advanced Settings > Camera Account, and create a local username and password. This account is separate from your TP-Link cloud login, and it's what the RTSP URL authenticates with, not your usual sign-in. The camera's IP address is in the app's device details or your router's device list. TP-Link's own documented format is rtsp://<username>:<password>@<ip>:554/stream1 for the high-quality stream or /stream2 for the lower one, current and confirmed on TP-Link's support site, with 554 as the default port. Dual-lens models add /stream6 and /stream7 for the second lens, so check your model's exact stream numbers if the basic pattern doesn't cover it.

1. 01

   Create a camera account

   In the Tapo app, open the camera, tap the settings gear, go to Advanced Settings > Camera Account, and set a local username and password.

2. 02

   Find the camera's IP address

   Check the app's device details, or your router's connected-device list.

3. 03

   Build the URL

   Use rtsp://username:password@ip:554/stream1 for the main stream, or /stream2 for the lighter one.

4. 04

   Test it

   Open the URL in VLC's network stream option to confirm it connects.

Using it with Svid

Once the camera account is set up and the URL connects, adding it to Svid is the same as for any brand: Svid captures the stream server-side, so there's no new hardware and no separate viewer to run. It becomes a live feed like any other input, described frame by frame, and searchable and checkable the same way footage from a phone or an upload would be. The general RTSP connection guide covers the account setup and what happens once the stream is added.

Does my Tapo camera need to be on the same network as Svid?

Only while you're setting up the camera account and testing the URL locally. Once Svid is capturing the stream server-side, the camera just needs a reachable route to it, not a network shared with your own device.

What port does Tapo use for RTSP?

554 by default, confirmed on TP-Link's own support pages, the same port used across most of its supported camera models.

Do I need a Tapo Care subscription to get an RTSP URL?

No. RTSP works with the free local camera account once it's set up in the app. Tapo Care, the paid cloud plan, is unrelated, though on some models only two of Tapo Care, microSD recording and local RTSP can run at the same time, so check that if you use more than one.