Unifi Controller Setup Guide

UC-CK and UDM-Pro devices come pre-installed with the UniFi Network application, so there is no need for manual installation. To get the most out of UniFi Network, we recommend using one of these consoles.

As an alternative, you can download and host the Network application software yourself on a local device or a server.

Install, configure, and manage the UniFi Network application to self-host your UniFi Network in this article.

Host your own UniFi Network application

The first step is to install the software version for your platform. Check your system requirements first.

Windows

1. Download and install the UniFi Network software

You can download the latest Windows software version from our Software Downloads page.

2. Run the installer

Run the installer and follow the setup instructions to install the software.

If you encounter the "This application requires Java" error, install Java 8 before rerunning the installer.

3. Open the UniFi Network application

If it does not start automatically, launch the UniFi application from the Start menu.

When the application has started, you will see a success message and you can begin configuring it with your browser by clicking "Launch a Browser to Manage the Network".

macOS

1. Download UniFi Networking software for macOS

Software Downloads has the latest version of the macOS software.

2. Run the installer

Follow the setup steps in UniFi.pkg to install the software.

It may not be possible to open UniFi.pkg if Apple cannot screen it for malicious software. Review your security settings.

1. Connect to the UniFi Network host using a shell

The UniFi Network application host can be accessed via SSH or a console.

You can switch to the /tmp/ directory by typing cd /tmp/.

2. Copy the UniFi Network software download link for Debian/Ubuntu Linux

Our Software Downloads page provides the latest version of Debian/Ubuntu Linux.

3. Download the software

With wget, download the .deb file from the Downloads page, then paste the link into the .deb file.

4. Install the software

Once the download has completed, use sudo dpkg -i unifi_sysvinit_all.deb to unpack the .deb and install the application.

If an error about missing dependencies is received, input the command sudo apt-get install -f to solve.

5. Installation complete!

Upon completion of the process, the command prompt will return to entry. You should now have successfully installed the application.

Here are some useful commands:

1. In case the webpage prompt does not appear: sudo service unifi start
2. Stop the UniFi service with sudo service unifi stop
3. Run sudo service unifi restart to restart UniFi
4. You can check the status of UniFi by running sudo service unifi status

The UniFi Network application must be configured

In the case of UniFi OS Consoles, setting up the device includes setting up the application, so all you need to do is launch the application and adopt your connected devices. The following section applies only if you are using an older network version or a software install. By typing https://*IP_of_Network_Application_host>:8443 into the navigation bar of a browser, you can access the configuration page at any time.

1. Give your instance a name

To make it easier to identify your UniFi Network instance when managing multiple networks, assign it a name.

2. Log in to your Ubiquiti account

To manage your application, you will need to sign in with your Ubiquiti Account. Click here to create an account.

3. Configure the basics of your network

You can enable or disable automatic network optimization and backups (we recommend enabling both).

4. Set up your UniFi devices

At this point, you will be able to configure any unadopted UniFi devices connected to your network.

5. Create a WiFi network

Create a new wireless network name and password.

6. Complete the setup

Before completing the setup, review your configuration to ensure it is correct.

Questions & Answers

What is the process for installing the Network application on my UniFi Dream Machine or UniFi Cloud Key?

The UniFi Network application is pre-installed on all UDM, UDM-Pro, and UCK models.

During the initial device setup and configuration, you will configure the UniFi OS Console on these devices and then you can launch the Network application and add your UniFi devices.

What can I do if I encounter an error related to Java during setup?

You will need to install Java 8 for your specific platform before re-running the installer.

What could be causing the install not to complete successfully?

All system requirements should be met and all ports used for UniFi should be open. Once this is all in order, check the ethernet cables' condition and, if necessary, swap them with others

I'm not sure my UniFi OS Console's IP address. How do I access it?

If you haven't set up your console yet, you can access it at setup.ui.com or one of the common addresses: localhost:8443 or 192.168.1.1:8443

Alternatively, you can use commands like ipconfig/ifconfig or other tools like Ubiquiti's WiFiman to find the address of your gateway.