Kalay — Free remote video surveillance app by ThroughTek (TUTK) for live monitoring, two-way audio, cloud and SD card playback, push alerts, and multi-device sharing. Supports IP cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and AI boxes on iOS and Android.
Live Video Monitoring — View real-time HD video feeds from IP cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and AI boxes connected through the Kalay platform, supporting up to 16 simultaneous live streams
Two-Way Audio — Speak and listen through your camera's built-in microphone and speaker with voice intercom for real-time communication
Cloud & SD Card Playback — Review recorded footage stored on cloud servers or local SD cards, with timeline-based navigation for easy incident review
Push Notifications & Alerts — Receive instant mobile alerts when your cameras detect motion or trigger AI-enabled events like intrusion detection
Multi-Device Sharing — Share camera access with family members or team members, allowing multiple users to monitor the same devices simultaneously
Screenshot & Local Recording — Capture screenshots and save video clips directly to your mobile device for quick evidence collection
AI-Powered Detection — Leverage AI-enabled scenarios including intrusion detection, people counting, and loitering detection for smarter security monitoring
Broad Device Compatibility — Works with IP cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and AI-enabled smart boxes from various manufacturers built on ThroughTek's Kalay platform
Multi-Language Interface — Available in 8 languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), and Spanish
Introduction
Whether you're monitoring your home, managing a retail chain, or overseeing a multi-site operation, having reliable remote access to your security cameras is essential. Kalay is the official mobile app from ThroughTek (also known as TUTK), built on the powerful Kalay AI-IoT cloud platform — giving you live video monitoring, two-way audio, cloud and SD card playback, push alerts, and multi-device sharing from one unified interface.
What Is Kalay?
Kalay is a free video surveillance app designed to work with any IP camera, DVR, NVR, or AI-enabled smart box built on ThroughTek's Kalay platform. The name "Kalay" comes from an indigenous Dawu word meaning "handshake," symbolizing the seamless connection between your devices and your phone.
Unlike single-brand camera apps, Kalay supports devices from hundreds of OEM manufacturers worldwide — making it one of the most versatile surveillance apps available. With over 90 million connected devices across 190+ regions, the Kalay platform is a proven infrastructure for both consumer and enterprise surveillance.
The app has a 1.9 rating on the App Store and 2.2 on Google Play, with over 100,000 downloads. It supports 8 languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish.
Core Features
Kalay provides a comprehensive set of tools for remote video surveillance:
Live Video Monitoring — Watch real-time HD video feeds from your cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and AI boxes, supporting up to 16 simultaneous live streams
Two-Way Audio — Speak and listen through your camera's built-in microphone and speaker with voice intercom functionality
Cloud & SD Card Playback — Review recorded footage stored on cloud servers or local SD cards with timeline-based navigation
Push Notifications — Receive instant mobile alerts when cameras detect motion or trigger AI-enabled events
Device Sharing — Share camera access with family members or team members for collaborative monitoring
Kalay is a free mobile app developed by ThroughTek (TUTK) for remote video surveillance and smart device management. It provides live monitoring, two-way audio, cloud and SD card playback, push alerts, and device sharing for IP cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and AI boxes connected through the Kalay platform.
Is Kalay free to use?
Yes, the Kalay app is free to download. Core features including live view, two-way audio, device sharing, push notifications, and local SD card playback are free. Cloud recording and playback subscriptions are available as optional in-app purchases ranging from $1.99 to $47.99.
What devices are compatible with Kalay?
Kalay works with IP cameras, DVRs, NVRs, and AI-enabled smart boxes from various OEM manufacturers that are built on ThroughTek's Kalay platform. The platform supports devices across more than 190 regions worldwide.
How do I add a device to Kalay?
Open the Kalay app, tap 'Add Device', and follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code on your device or enter the device UID manually. Ensure your device is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network during initial setup.
Does Kalay support cloud recording?
Yes, Kalay offers cloud recording through optional subscription plans available as in-app purchases. Recorded footage is uploaded to cloud servers and can be reviewed through the app's playback feature. Local SD card recording is also supported at no additional cost.
Can I view multiple cameras at once in Kalay?
Yes, Kalay supports viewing up to 16 live video streams simultaneously, making it suitable for multi-camera setups in homes, offices, retail stores, or multi-site operations.
What is ThroughTek's Kalay platform?
ThroughTek's Kalay platform is an AI-IoT cloud platform built on P2P (peer-to-peer) connection technology. It provides the infrastructure for connecting and managing surveillance devices, smart consumer products, and sensors. Over 90 million devices are connected through the Kalay platform across 190+ regions.
Does Kalay work on PC or Mac?
Kalay is designed as a mobile app for iOS (12.0+) and Android (5.0+) devices. There is no official desktop application, but ThroughTek offers Cloud VMS (Video Management System) as a web-based solution for professional surveillance workflows.
Why can't I connect my camera in the Kalay app?
Common connection issues include: the camera is not powered on, the camera firmware is outdated, the device UID is entered incorrectly, or the camera is not on the same Wi-Fi network. Ensure your camera supports the Kalay platform, check your internet connection, and try restarting both the camera and the app.
How do I contact Kalay support?
You can reach ThroughTek's Kalay support team at [email protected]. For enterprise inquiries about the Kalay platform, Cloud VMS, or OEM solutions, visit the official website at www.throughtek.com.
User Reviews
Eelimarin874209
elimarin874209
App Store
Works fine with apple. Works fine with iPhone 11 max pro with all the updates.
SSurveillancePro_TW
SurveillancePro_TW
SSmartHomeTech22
SmartHomeTech22
RRetailMonitor_UK
RetailMonitor_UK
HHomeCamUser2024
HomeCamUser2024
MMichael T.
Michael T.
SSarah K.
Sarah K.
CCamInstaller_Pro
CamInstaller_Pro
DDavid L.
David L.
TTechReviewer88
TechReviewer88
Changelog
Version 4.2.034 — Oct 14, 2025
Updated underlying player
Fixed an issue where cloud recordings could not be generated
Fixed an issue with deleting devices
Fixed known UI issues
Version 4.2.030 — Aug 21, 2025
Fixed device adding failures and connection issues
Version 4.2.026 — Jan 23, 2025
Bug fixes
Version 4.2.025 — Jan 21, 2025
Updated UI and icons
Device reset on deletion
Updated policy links
Version 4.2.024 — Dec 5, 2024
Liveview and playback screen fill mode modifications
Pricing InfoFree to download with optional cloud recording subscriptions available as in-app purchases ($1.99–$47.99). Core features including live view, two-way audio, device sharing, and local SD card recording are free.
Solid app for managing multiple TUTK cameras. The 16-stream view is impressive for a free app. Cloud recording subscription is fairly priced compared to competitors. Interface could use a modern refresh.
App Store
Basic functionality works — live view, alerts, and two-way audio are all functional. The app UI feels a bit dated but it gets the job done. Wish they would update the design to feel more modern.
App Store
We use Kalay for our retail chain with 12 cameras across 3 locations. The multi-stream view is very useful and the push alerts are reliable. Cloud playback quality is good. Would appreciate landscape mode on iPad.
App Store
Does what it says — live view and playback work. Device sharing feature is handy for my family. Sometimes takes a moment to connect but once connected the stream is stable. Good enough for basic home monitoring.
Google Play
Good surveillance app that works with my TUTK-based cameras. Connection is stable and the P2P technology means no port forwarding needed. Cloud storage plans are reasonable. Overall a reliable monitoring solution.
Google Play
App does what it needs to — connects to cameras, shows live feeds, sends alerts. The interface is functional but not pretty. Two-way audio works but has some delay. SD card playback is a nice free feature.
Google Play
As a security installer, I recommend Kalay for clients with TUTK-based systems. Supports many different camera brands through the Kalay platform. The 16-camera view is a major selling point for commercial clients.
Google Play
Decent free camera app. Push notifications work most of the time. The cloud recording is optional which is nice — you can just use SD card for free. Took a bit to figure out the device adding process but works after that.
Google Play
Best free surveillance app for TUTK cameras. Supports tons of different brands, P2P connection is fast, and the multi-camera view handles all my 8 cameras smoothly. Cloud VMS integration is the cherry on top for professional use.
2.0
Google Play Downloads100K+
Version4.2.034
Size91.2 MB
Last Updated2025/10/14
Age Rating4+
Supported DevicesIP cameras, DVRs, NVRs, AI-enabled smart boxes, and any ThroughTek Kalay-compatible surveillance devices from various OEM brands across more than 190 regions
Supported LanguagesEnglish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese
CompatibilityiOS 12.0+, Android 5.0+
Published date2026/04/08
AI-Powered Detection — Leverage intrusion detection, people counting, and loitering detection for smarter security
Screenshot & Local Recording — Capture screenshots and save video clips to your phone for quick evidence collection
Multi-Camera Support — Monitor up to 16 cameras simultaneously from a single dashboard
How to Set Up Kalay
Setting up Kalay with your cameras takes just a few steps:
Download the Kalay app from the App Store or Google Play
Create an account or log in with your existing credentials
Power on your camera or surveillance device and ensure it's connected to your network
Tap "Add Device" and scan the QR code on your device or enter the device UID manually
Start monitoring — your camera's live feed appears on the main screen
Kalay uses ThroughTek's P2P (peer-to-peer) connection technology, which means no complex port forwarding or network configuration is required.
Cloud Recording & Storage
Kalay offers optional cloud recording subscriptions available as in-app purchases ($1.99–$47.99). When your camera detects motion, video clips are automatically uploaded to secure cloud servers. You can review, download, and manage cloud recordings through the app's playback feature. For users who prefer free storage, local SD card recording is supported at no additional cost.
Platform Scale & Technology
ThroughTek's Kalay platform is more than just a mobile app — it's a full AI-IoT cloud infrastructure:
P2P Connection — Core technology enabling direct device-to-app connections without port forwarding
Cloud VMS Integration — Professional video management system for enterprise surveillance workflows
90+ Million Devices — Connected across 190+ regions globally at the platform level
OEM Flexibility — Supports hundreds of camera brands built on the Kalay SDK
Who Uses Kalay?
Kalay serves a wide range of users and use cases:
Homeowners monitoring entry points, backyards, or baby rooms with live alerts
Retail operators managing multi-camera setups across store locations with AI detection
Security installers deploying TUTK-based systems for commercial clients
Enterprise teams using Cloud VMS for multi-site surveillance operations
OEM manufacturers building branded camera apps on the Kalay platform
Developer Background
Kalay is developed by ThroughTek Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., the Shenzhen subsidiary of ThroughTek Co., Ltd. (TUTK), a Taiwanese IoT technology company founded in 2008. ThroughTek specializes in P2P connection technology and AI-IoT cloud platforms for video surveillance and smart device ecosystems. The company partners with leading manufacturers worldwide, with its Kalay platform powering devices across consumer, commercial, and enterprise markets. Technical support is available at [email protected].
