Support
How to Share TP-Link VIGI App Access
User Handover
Summary
Use this page when another family member, staff member or manager needs access to a TP-Link VIGI system in VIGI App without taking over the owner account.
Applies to
- TP-Link VIGI systems using VIGI App
- Owners handing systems over to staff or family
- Installers finishing final app sharing
Difficulty and time
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Estimated time: 10 to 20 minutes
What you will need
- Owner account access
- Second user phone or email
- Working device already bound to the owner account
What this guide covers
- Owner account versus shared user
- How to share access properly
- Permission choices that make handover cleaner
- Common mistakes when a second user tries to add the same recorder
Shared access is one of the most common handover issues on modern CCTV apps. People often do the hard work of getting the device online and then undo it by giving every user the owner password.
This page shows the cleaner path: one owner account, controlled sharing to other users, and a quick permissions test so each person gets the access they actually need.
Before you start
Make sure the device is already visible and working in the owner account before you try to share it.
- Check that the owner account is the correct long-term account.
- Confirm the second user has their own app account where required.
- Know what permissions the second user actually needs.
- If the device is not online yet, fix that first.
Do not hand out the owner login as a shortcut
It creates confusion later around password recovery, ownership disputes and device removal.
A shared-user path is usually easier to support and easier to clean up when staff or tenants change.
What usually causes this
- The second user tried to add the device directly instead of receiving a share.
- The owner account was never documented properly at handover.
- Permissions were too limited for what the second user expected to do.
- Everyone was placed on one login, making later support harder.
Step 1: Confirm both people have the correct TP-Link ID
The VIGI device must already be working in the owner account. The invitee needs their own TP-Link ID; do not give them the owner password.
- Open VIGI on the owner phone and confirm the required camera or NVR is online.
- Ask the invitee to sign in with the exact TP-Link ID email that will receive the invitation.
- Update the VIGI app and device firmware through the supported path if the Share option is missing.
- Some older devices or firmware may not support device sharing; the app will normally state this.
Step 2: Open Device Sharing and select the equipment
In the owner account, tap Me, then Device Sharing. Select the VIGI device you want the other person to access and tap Share.
- Use Me > Device Sharing rather than trying to bind the recorder again on the second phone.
- Select only the site equipment the invitee actually needs.
- Enter the invitee's TP-Link ID exactly and tap Next.
- If the email is rejected, confirm the invitee has completed TP-Link ID registration and verification.
Step 3: Choose Watch Video or Manage Device
VIGI presents different permission levels. Choose the least access that still lets the person do their job.
- Choose Watch Video when the user only needs live view and playback.
- Choose Manage Device only for a trusted person who must control device functions.
- For organisation-based VIGI setups, roles can include Owner, Super Admin, Admin, Operator, Viewer and Live Only User; site access must also be selected for applicable roles.
- Tap Share and confirm that the invitation was sent.
Step 4: Accept and test the invitation on the second phone
The share is not complete until the invitee accepts it and proves their access.
- On the invitee phone, open VIGI > Notifications and tap Accept on the sharing invitation.
- Open the shared device and test live view. Test playback when Watch Video or the assigned organisation role should permit it.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and repeat the test on mobile data if off-site access matters.
- If the device is missing, confirm the exact TP-Link ID used on both phones and resend the invitation only after checking the pending share.
Step 5: Review or remove access later
The owner should remove access when a staff member, contractor or tenant no longer needs it.
- Go to Me > Device Sharing > Shared Devices.
- Open the relevant device and review the people who currently have access.
- Select the person, tap Delete and confirm to stop sharing.
- Test that the former user no longer has access and record the offboarding action.
Two managers need access to one warehouse recorder
Situation: The warehouse owner wanted both managers to view cameras after hours, but did not want either one controlling the whole device account.
Solution used: The recorder stayed on the owner account and both managers were added as shared users with live view and playback rights only.
Why this was chosen: That kept ownership stable while still giving the team the access they needed.
Installation notes: One manager initially tried to add the recorder directly, which failed because the device was already bound.
Common mistakes
- Giving everyone the owner password.
- Trying to add the same device directly under a second account.
- Forgetting to test permissions from the second user side.
- Leaving shared access active after staff or tenants change.
- Granting playback or configuration rights where live view would have been enough.
Troubleshooting table
| Symptom | What to check | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Second user cannot see the device | Share not sent, wrong account, permissions not accepted | Confirm the invitation path and the exact user account used on the second phone. |
| Second user tries to add recorder directly | Device already bound to owner account | Use the share function instead of rebinding the device. |
| Second user sees live view but no playback | Playback permission not granted | Review the share permissions from the owner account. |
| Owner forgot which login controls the site | Account records missing | Check the owner account details before making further changes. |
When to contact support
Contact SecurityWholesalers support when the device is clearly online and owned by the correct account but the supported share path still fails.
Send the order number, model, screenshots of the share screen, and a note on what the second user can or cannot see.
Do not reset, format or unbind as an early step
A factory reset, storage initialisation, format or cloud unbind can erase configuration, recordings or ownership information. Use those actions only with a current backup, known credentials and a model-specific recovery plan.
Change one item, then repeat the same test
Keep a baseline screenshot, change one relevant item, save it and repeat the original test. This makes the result reversible and prevents an unrelated change from hiding the true cause.
Related support guides
- TP-Link VIGI Support Guides - Return to the brand support hub.
- Tech Support Guides - Browse the full support section.
Related buying guides
- TP-Link VIGI Buying Guide - Brand planning and system-design guide.
Relevant product categories
- TP-Link VIGI CCTV Products - Relevant recorders and cameras.
- CCTV Products - General CCTV categories.
Still stuck?
Need help choosing or setting up a system? Contact SecurityWholesalers support with your order number, product model and a clear description of the issue.
Frequently asked questions
-
Can two people use the same VIGI App login?
They can, but it is usually a poor handover method. Separate user access is cleaner for accountability, future support and password recovery.
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Why should I share access instead of giving out the owner login?
Because the owner account controls the device and should stay with the site owner or responsible business contact. Sharing access is safer and easier to manage later.
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Why can the second user not add the device directly?
Because the recorder is usually already bound to the owner account. The second user should receive a share rather than trying to claim ownership of the same device.
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Should every user get playback rights?
Not always. Give playback only where it is genuinely useful. Many casual users only need live view.
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What if staff change later?
The owner account should remove or update shared users as part of the normal handover and offboarding process.
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Can the owner remove a shared user later?
Normally yes. Use the owner account to revoke the individual share, then test that the former user no longer has access. Do not delete the recorder from the owner account merely to remove one person.
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Why can a shared user see live view but not playback or alerts?
Sharing permissions are often separate. The owner should review playback, event and notification permissions, then the shared user should close and reopen the app or accept an updated invitation where required.
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What should be checked before a staff or tenant handover?
Confirm the owner account remains controlled by the responsible person, remove departed users, add each new person under their own account, grant only necessary permissions, and test access away from the site Wi-Fi.