Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to see its answer.
Getting started
Which cameras work with PanoPaper?
Cameras on a UniFi Protect NVR, and IP cameras that work with ONVIF or RTSP. See Getting Started.
Do I need a UniFi NVR?
No. PanoPaper also shows IP cameras on their own: it finds them on your network, or you add one by its address or its RTSP link. See Cameras Without an NVR.
Which account should I use to sign in?
A local account on your NVR, made just for PanoPaper, with the Livestream permission - add Livestream Audio for audio and PTZ Control to steer PTZ cameras. Your UI.com login won't work, as PanoPaper can't sign in with two-step verification. See Which account to use.
Why doesn't PanoPaper find my NVR or camera?
PanoPaper looks on your Mac's own network, and only once you allow it: if macOS asks to find devices on your local network, click 'Allow'. An NVR or camera on another network segment (VLAN) can be added by its address. See Troubleshooting.
How do I watch remote cameras, at another location?
Connect your Mac to the other location's network with a VPN, such as UniFi's Site Magic or Teleport, WireGuard or Tailscale, then add the NVR by its address. See Cameras at Another Location.
Does my video go through the cloud?
No. PanoPaper talks to your NVR and cameras directly on your own network, and your video stays there. See Signing In to an NVR.
Watching
How do I show a different camera on each display?
Click the PanoPaper icon in the menu bar, choose the display at the top of the panel, then click a camera. In the Web Edition, each Space can show a camera of its own too. See Choosing Cameras.
Can I see all my cameras at once?
Yes. All Cameras shows every camera in a grid, on any display: it's the last tile in the menu bar panel. See All Cameras.
How do I switch cameras with the keyboard?
While your desktop is clear, press 1 to 9 for a camera, or the key left of 1 for All Cameras. In the App Store Edition, hold ⌘ with them. See Desktop Keys.
How do I show a camera in full screen?
Click Full Screen in the menu bar panel, or give it a keyboard shortcut in Settings ▸ Shortcuts. Press Esc or click to end it. See Full Screen.
Can I hear the camera's audio?
Yes. You hear the camera your main display shows, at the volume you set in the menu bar panel; a keyboard shortcut can mute it. On a UniFi NVR, the account needs the Livestream Audio permission. See Camera Audio.
How do I zoom in on part of the picture?
In Settings ▸ Displays, scroll or pinch on the preview to zoom, and drag to look around: the wallpaper follows. On a clear desktop, +, - and the arrow keys do the same. See Zooming and Looking Around.
Can I steer a PTZ camera?
Yes, if your account has the PTZ Control permission: hold Option while you drag, scroll or press the arrow keys, and the camera itself turns and zooms. See PTZ Cameras.
How do I get a natural view from a 360° camera?
PanoPaper does it by itself: it flattens the round picture into a natural view, and can slowly look around the room. Choose the view in Settings ▸ Displays. See 360° Cameras.
Detections
How do I find out when someone is at my door?
Turn on detections in Settings ▸ Detections. When a camera detects a person or an animal, PanoPaper plays a chime and shows a note at the top of the screen: click it to watch that camera in full screen. It can also show a notification or run a shortcut. See Detections.
Live broadcasts
How do I stream a camera live on YouTube?
In Settings ▸ Broadcast, connect your YouTube account and click 'Go Live on YouTube': PanoPaper starts and ends the broadcast for you. See Broadcasting on YouTube.
How do I go live on Facebook?
Paste the stream key from Facebook Live Producer into the Facebook tab of Settings ▸ Broadcast, then click 'Go Live on Facebook'. See Broadcasting on Facebook.
Can I stream to Twitch, Kick or my own server?
Yes. In the Custom tab of Settings ▸ Broadcast, enter the service's server address and stream key. See Other Streaming Services.
Shortcuts and Siri
Can I control PanoPaper with Siri or Shortcuts?
Yes. PanoPaper's actions are in the Shortcuts app - show a camera, hide your cameras, go live and more - and Siri and Spotlight know your cameras by name. See Shortcuts and Siri.
PanoPaper Pro
What's the difference between the free version and Pro?
Nothing is locked: the free version has every feature, with “UNLICENSED” across the camera pictures. PanoPaper Pro takes it away, and your first 7 days are a free trial of Pro. See Free and Pro.
On how many Macs can I use PanoPaper Pro?
One license key works on up to three Macs. From the App Store, PanoPaper Pro works on every Mac signed in with the same Apple Account. See PanoPaper Pro.
Why do my cameras say “UNLICENSED”?
That's the free version: once the 7-day trial is over, “UNLICENSED” shows across the camera pictures until you buy PanoPaper Pro. See The free version.
Problems
Why is there no audio?
Check that the audio isn't muted in the menu bar panel, that your main display shows the camera, and on a UniFi NVR that the account has the Livestream Audio permission. See Troubleshooting.
Why do the desktop keys do nothing?
They work only while no window is in use: the display under the pointer needs a clear desktop showing a camera, with no Finder window open. See Troubleshooting.
How do I send diagnostics to support?
Choose 'Send Diagnostics…' from the PanoPaper menu. PanoPaper asks first, then puts a report into an email to support for you to send. See Troubleshooting.
