Baby monitors are an essential tool to keep an eye on your young one from a distance. You can hear if your child needs you, even if you’re in another area of the house. They’re convenient, but you want to ensure they work at all times, even if the WiFi in your home goes out.
You can use a VTech baby monitor without WiFi. While you can still set it up with a normal WiFi connection, you can also use the Direct WiFi Mode which forgoes the need for an external internet connection. This mode runs by default and pairs the parent and baby units using internalized WiFi, so you don’t need to use your router.
In this article, you’ll learn more about how to use your VTech baby monitor without a WiFi connection. It’s essential to know how to do it so you can still use the device to watch your baby, even when you don’t have access to WiFi. Let’s get started!
Does a VTech Baby Monitor Need WiFi?
You can use your VTech baby monitor with or without WiFi. However, you may need WiFi to access certain features like pairing with extra devices or using the in-app monitor.
Still, you shouldn’t need an external WiFi connection to run the device. The VTech baby monitor has an internalized WiFi system, allowing it to run a link independent of your home WiFi.
So, even if your home’s router goes out, you can still see the footage from your VTech. This feature is perfect for monitoring in all situations. It’s also much more convenient since you don’t need an external network to use the monitor.
You can also use the VTech connection as a backup incase your WiFi stops working. If the device loses connection to external WiFi, it automatically switches to the internal WiFi in the system.
Overall, you don’t need access to WiFi to get the baby monitor to work. However, it will need access to your router in specific modes, usually when you want to use the monitor with the app.
VTech Connection Modes Explained
There are three primary connection modes that your VTech can use to help you keep an eye on your little one. These include:
- Direct WiFi Mode. This mode is the default for your VTech device. The parent unit communicates directly with the baby unit. There’s no need for you to pair the device with your home’s WiFi since the monitor uses its own connection.
- Router Mode. In this mode, the parent unit communicates with the baby unit through your WiFi router. You’ll need to use this mode to connect the device to the phone app. If the router turns off, the baby monitor automatically changes to Direct WiFi Mode, so you can keep watch on your little one.
- Remote Access Mode. This mode uses your WiFi to connect the parent and baby units. However, it might also use your phone’s data to communicate via the app . You’d use this option if you wanted to check on your baby while out of the house. It’s convenient and comforting to know you can see your child anytime you have to be away.
It’s straightforward to switch between these features too. Most VTech baby monitors do it automatically, depending on what features you try to access.
That said, you can always change the mode manually if you need to.
Finally, VTech offers a service to store and send captured footage to your smart device. It works similarly to ADT security cameras, giving parents more peace of mind. However, you can’t use this feature without a WiFi connection.
How To Connect VTech Baby and Parent Units Without WiFi
Since Direct WiFi Mode is the default, you don’t need to do anything to set it up. Once the monitor is up and running, it should use this connection by default.
However, you can easily connect the baby and parent unit if there are issues. All you need to do is open the menu on the parent unit (the one with the screen) and go to settings. From there, follow these instructions:
- Use the arrow buttons to open “Viewer WiFi Connection” or “Parent Unit WiFi” on some models.
- Press the right arrow button to turn the feature on.
- You’ll receive prompts on the screen.
- Keep the parent and baby units close to each other while they pair.
While you shouldn’t have to do this very often, it’s a quick and straightforward process. You can also switch between the other two modes through this menu if you don’t have access to the app.
Keep in mind the settings can be slightly different between the VTech models, but the company typically keeps pairing the units simple for parents.
Is It Worth Connecting VTech Baby Monitor With WiFi?
Since there’s a direct WiFi connection between the baby and parent units, you might think you never need to pair the monitor with your home’s WiFi. However, you should do so occasionally.
There’s no way for the baby monitor to receive essential updates when you only use the Direct WiFi Mode. You’ll want to connect it to WiFi occasionally to ensure you get important security and app updates.
Otherwise, you don’t need to pair the VTech baby monitor with your router’s network unless you want to access the Remote Mode or do something in the app.
I’d say it’s worth connecting to WiFi when you can, but you don’t need to stress out about it. Since the VTech starts in Direct WiFi mode, you can use it right away and deal with connecting it to your home’s network later.
Final Thoughts
In short, you can easily use a VTech baby monitor without connecting it to your WiFi router. The device starts in Direct WiFi Mode, which uses internalized WiFi to keep the units paired together. You can always access other modes but must use your home’s WiFi.
Baby monitors are essential to have, especially for newborns. Knowing your VTech will always have a reliable connection between the baby and parent units, even if something happens to your router, is a huge relief!
