Install the AI camera box
The Prism security box is a small PC that lives at your gym. It records your cameras around the clock, runs the AI detection (tailgating, wrong-way entry, reception rules and more), and talks to Prism using outbound connections only — no port forwarding, no VPN, no static IP. Footage stays on the box; the app reaches it securely when you need to watch.
Setting it up needs no keyboard and no passwords: the box shows a code on its own screen and you pair it from the app.
Not sure which level of box your site needs? See AI camera box tiers and specs.
What you'll do
Plug the box in, let it install itself, pair it to your branch from the app, then add its cameras.
You'll need: the box, a screen (only to read the pairing code), an internet cable, and a staff account with the camera-configuration permission. Ideally a small UPS.
Steps
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Plug the internet cable into the box's INTERNET port and connect a screen. Boxes shipped by Prism are already set to switch themselves back on after a power cut.
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Power it on. A fresh box installs itself — the screen shows "Setting up this box" for 5 to 15 minutes. Nothing needs to be typed.
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When it is ready, the screen shows a large 6-character code, like K7Q-4MX. Codes change every 15 minutes; always use the one on screen.
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In the app, signed in to the branch the box belongs to, open Settings → Devices & access → Security Cameras and tap Add security box. Type the code and tap Pair box. The box always pairs to the branch you are signed in to.
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Within a few seconds the box's screen shows "Paired to <your branch>". Add your cameras from the same screen with Add camera.
Wi-Fi backup
A box can use Wi-Fi as a backup for when the cable goes down. On the box's card, tap ⋮ → Wi-Fi backup, enter the Wi-Fi name and password, and Save. The box always prefers its cable, uses Wi-Fi only while the cable is down, and switches back by itself. Before saving, it checks it can still reach Prism — a mistyped password puts the old setting back rather than taking the box offline.
A second network port for cameras
A box with two network ports (or one port plus a USB network adapter) can run the cameras on their own private network. Plug the internet into one port and the camera switch into the other: within about two minutes the box sets up the camera port by itself. It only does this when it is certain which port is which; otherwise it waits and changes nothing, so it can never hand out addresses on your gym's network.
Moving or unpairing a box
- Move to another site (⋮ on the box card) moves the box and its cameras to another branch you manage. Past alerts stay with the branch where they happened. A box holding member faces must have them removed first.
- Unpair box removes the box and its cameras from the branch. Its footage stays on the box, and its screen shows a new pairing code so it can be paired again. Unpaired by mistake? It stays under Recently unpaired for 30 days with a Restore button — nothing is needed on site.
What you should see
The box online on the Security Cameras screen with its recorder version, free disk space and retention setting; its screen showing Paired to <branch>; and, once added, your cameras live.
If something goes wrong
- The screen says "No network" — the internet cable is not in the INTERNET port, or the router has no internet. The CAMERAS port is only for cameras.
- "That code wasn't found" — the code expired (they last 15 minutes) or was mistyped; use the one on screen now.
- Setup keeps retrying — check the cable; the box retries by itself. If it keeps failing, contact Prism support with a photo of the screen.
- The box shows offline — check power and the cable. The box only connects outward, so no router changes are needed; if your firewall filters outgoing traffic, allow outbound HTTPS.
Still stuck? Email hello@prismgym.com — include your gym name, the device, and a photo of what you see.