ADT's camera articles give setup steps. For the doorbell camera, the box holds the camera with a flat mounting plate, an angled bracket, a USB charging cable, a wire extension kit, a security latch pin and a screw kit; charge a battery doorbell fully first, then in the ADT+ app tap Devices, the plus sign, Camera, ADT Doorbell Camera and follow the prompts with Bluetooth on: insert the release pin into the hole at the top until it clicks to free the doorbell from its plate,
The checks in more detail
then use the pin to press and hold the pairing button for three seconds until the front light flashes blue. For the indoor camera, plug it in, then in the app choose Devices, plus, Camera, ADT Indoor Camera and pair it over Bluetooth. For the outdoor camera, charge it, then Devices, plus, Camera and pair, then mount. Choose a spot with strong wifi, head height and no backlight, and check the app shows the full scene.
Drill with a 6 mm bit for wall anchors. ADT lists a setup support phone line. If pairing fails, check Bluetooth, the battery, wifi and that the phone is nearby. Charge the battery fully before you begin, since a half-charged camera is the commonest reason pairing stalls. If pairing works on another phone, the first phone's Bluetooth permission was the cause. Set up when you are not rushed.
The doorbell's release pin frees it from its plate, and the same pin holds the pairing button, so keep the pin somewhere you can find it later for removals. Keep the phone near the camera during Bluetooth pairing, since the link is short range and walking away mid-setup is a common reason it fails. Keep the packaging insert that shows the model number, since ADT support asks for it and it is printed on the box as well as in the app.
Differential
Likely causes of “ADT cameras and doorbell camera will not complete setup or pairing”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An uncharged battery
What separates it Pairing fails because the outdoor camera or doorbell battery has not been charged enough for setup
How to confirm Charge the battery indoors until the LED is solid blue and then start the pairing again
- 2
Bluetooth off
What separates it The app cannot find the camera during setup because Bluetooth is switched off on the phone
How to confirm Turn Bluetooth on for the phone, since the app uses it to discover and pair the camera
- 3
A weak wifi signal
What separates it Setup stalls part-way through because the wifi signal at the camera's location is weak
How to confirm Move the camera closer to the router while you pair it, then place it once it is added
- 4
A blocked view
What separates it The camera gives poor coverage after mounting because something blocks its view of the area
How to confirm Adjust the position of the camera so that nothing blocks the scene you want to watch
- 5
A device paired elsewhere
What separates it The camera will not add because it is still paired with another account or an earlier owner
How to confirm Remove it from the old account, or ask the old owner to, then add it to yours
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model of the camera you are setting up
- Whether Bluetooth is on for the phone
- The strength of the wifi where the camera will sit
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCharge the battery
ReversibleCharge the battery before setup until the LED is a solid blue, since the outdoor camera and the doorbell arrive only partly charged.
Open Devices, plus, Camera
ReversibleOpen Devices in the ADT+ app, tap the plus button and choose Camera, so that the app can begin the pairing steps.
Choose your camera
ReversibleChoose your camera type, whether doorbell, indoor or outdoor, so that the app shows the right steps and pictures.
Pair over Bluetooth
ReversiblePair the camera over Bluetooth, holding the pairing button for about three seconds until the LED shows it is pairing.
Choose the spot
ReversibleChoose the spot with a strong wifi signal at about head height, because a weak signal causes lag and dropped video.
Mount it
ReversibleMount it with the plate and screws supplied, using a 6 mm drill bit if you need holes for anchors in brick or masonry.
Check the view in the app
ReversibleCheck the view in the app to make sure the full scene is visible, and adjust the camera if any of it is blocked.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Doorbell
- Uses a release pin and pairing button.
- Indoor
- Plugs in.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Doorbell Camera, Outdoor Camera.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If pairing keeps failing, contact ADT through chat
- !If the doorbell will not release, use the pin
- !If wifi is the issue, improve signal first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Doorbell setup.
Indoor camera setup and placement.
Outdoor camera setup and charging.
Removing and adding devices.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What do I need for setup?+
You need the ADT+ app and Bluetooth on your phone, because the app pairs the camera over Bluetooth and then joins it to wifi.
How do I pair the doorbell?+
To pair the doorbell hold the pairing button for about three seconds, until the camera starts pairing with the app.
What does a flashing blue light mean?+
A flashing blue light means the camera is in pairing mode, ready for the app to find it and connect.
What drill bit?+
ADT suggests a 6 mm drill bit, which is 15/64 inch, for the mounting holes when anchors are needed.
Must the battery be charged first?+
Yes, the battery must be charged first, because a camera with a low battery may not complete setup.
Where do I mount?+
Mount the camera where the wifi signal is strong, because reliable performance depends on the signal at the camera.
What are the camera-only plans?+
Video Connect is the plan for cameras without a full security system, giving you the camera and its recordings.
Where do I set camera notifications?+
Set camera notifications in the app under Notifications and then Cameras, where each event type has its own switch.