# zmNinja-pro

> Mobile client for ZoneMinder security camera monitoring system. (iPhone/iPad app by ZoneMinder Inc.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zmninja-pro/id1067914954 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [ZoneMinder Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1602898562)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.15/5 from 53 App Store ratings · 44 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 37 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-12-19
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zmninja-pro/id1067914954/reviews.md

## What is zmNinja?

zmNinja is the awesome and official mobile app for ZoneMinder. You need to be a ZoneMinder user to use zmNinja. zmNinja offers you a fabulous UX while easily accessing your security cameras, events and timelines. It even allows you to control ZoneMinder!

ZoneMinder is an incredible open source camera monitoring system and is used by many for home and commercial security monitoring. http://www.zoneminder.com

zmNinja needs ZoneMinder 1.34 or above because it uses the new ZM APIs.

## Key features

- Access security cameras
- View event timelines
- Control ZoneMinder system
- Fabulous user experience
- Mobile access to ZoneMinder

## Recent user reviews (10 of 44)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zmninja-pro/id1067914954/reviews.md

### 5/5 — This is AWESOME!!!

*2026-03-01*

When my $3000 NVR camera system died, I thought I was going to have to come up with some serious cash to replace it. I got online, and started looking at options. That’s when I stumbled across ZoneMinder. An open source NVR? That works with ONVIF cameras? That’s free? Nothing is free anymore, right? Well, it turns out to be one of the best finds EVER! Now don’t get me wrong… there’s definitely some learning you have to do, and I already had the computer, but this software is great! There’s a plethora of options, and you can customize it to suit your needs. I’ve had great success using my existing cameras, and this $5 app? It’s working out great as well! A sincere “thank you” to the developers at ZoneMinder. You guys saved me a TON of money, a BUNCH of hassle, and I think I actually came out better off in the end, as I have more options to set up and use my cameras without all the bloatware of store bought systems like the one I had before. Just be ready to read and learn a little. You’ll thank yourself looking back on the experience. Thanks again to the Developer(s)!

### 1/5 — App has end of life notice

*2024-12-22, version 1.6.009*

I was following some documentation on ZoneMinder and found a reference to this app. I was really excited and didn’t mind the $5 price. It was money thrown away because the app has an end of life notice and does it seem to work with my ZoneMinder v1.37.65. While I can get the app to log into my ZM machine and do get a list of my monitors, I can’t seem to get an image, video, or event list. Using the web page from my iPhone works just fine; I was hoping for the better interface of this app. Disappointed. Unless there is an update for the app that is newer than 2024, I would not recommend this app.

### 2/5 — broken

*2024-08-13*

doesn’t work, api error, the troubleshooting suggestions did not help

### 1/5 — Doesn't work with hi res cameras. Buggy overall

*2023-09-03*

Seems like it needs a lot of updates. The webui in safari works better for me. An app like this should be smoother and offer better functionality compared to using a browser. Especially when billed as "pro" with a $5 premium.

### 3/5 — It works if you can figure it out…

*2023-08-03*

I had to change the cgi path to serveraddress/cgi-bin-zm to get it to show streams.

Not recommended though unless you are a software developer and have time to mess with it.

### 1/5 — Obtuse and unhelpful

*2023-04-01, version 1.6.009*

Just like ZM itself, the UI is terrible and the documentation is useless. If it doesn’t work straight off then you’re on your own.

### 3/5 — Refund?

*2021-05-17*

Please help me get a refund. This is way too advanced for me!

### 5/5 — Works well with ZM

*2021-01-27, version 1.6.001*

I’ve had Zoneminder running for over a year, but only recently discovered this mobile app for it. 
Setting up and linking with my instance was very easy, and works flawlessly. 
I find the app easier to use than the standard website - especially for reviewing events and the timeline. 
Highly recommended if you already have ZM running. 
One point for improvement: the design is very different from the standard iOS design language, which makes the usage less intuitive. Especially the red circles that display a menu when you click on it took some figuring out.

### 2/5 — Buggy and non-native UI

*2021-01-10*

I recently installed ZoneMinder, and was quite excited to see this “official” app. However, on an iPhone 12 Pro Max with the latest OS, it is quite buggy and nearly unusable. 

For instance, the “Montage” view only lists tiny thumbnails along the left that disappear once they have all loaded. Changing the columns doesn’t affect the behavior. 

Another complaint is the overall UI. It is designed as one of those “universal” apps that use third-party tools to easily compile for other operating systems. This means they are the same button-for-button. This has the affect of some touch-objects not being clickable, as they are below the icon on modern iPhones to to swipe the screen up, etc. If this app was written from the ground up with native APIs in XCode, then it would be a MUCH better app. 

Also, (and yes, this is more of a fault of ZoneMinder itself), the website states that it is “industrial and commercial” and the “most scalable NVR/DVR system available”. If that is the case then why does it only show 6 monitors on the web browser in the montage view? Why in the app on the review does it say “browser limit to 5”? I work in the enterprise and do not see the same limitations on competing systems. 

Overall, it’s a good attempt at creating a compelling product, but seems to have many of the downfalls of other open-source products. That is, being designed by programmers for programmers, with little thought being put into the overall use of the intended demographic.

### 2/5 — Expensive but unpolished.

*2021-01-08, version 1.6.001*

After viewing a video the thumbnails are not reloaded meaning you have to swipe the app out of memory and restart.

When you get to the end of a set of events it frequently does not load the next batch so you might only see two hours of events despite there being many more in the selected time period.

If you switch away from the app it does not remember where you were so if you were reviewing a large number of events in the event list and switch away, when you return your place is lost.

Event filters are still not honoured when swiping left from viewing an event.

When deciding to report a bug you are met with a github page requiring you to sign up then are met with a lengthy template and a statement that you may well be ignored if you don’t fill it out. Better apps use an in-app reporting button that pre-fill details rather than putting up barriers to getting feedback.

Basically if this was a free app or cheap maybe this would be ok but for an app it’s expensive but this is not reflected in quality of the app.

## Frequently asked questions about zmNinja

### What is zmNinja-pro?

zmNinja-pro is the official mobile application for ZoneMinder, an open-source camera monitoring system. It provides users with a convenient way to access and control their ZoneMinder setup directly from their smartphone or tablet.

### What are the key features of zmNinja-pro?

The app allows you to easily access your security cameras, view event timelines, and even control your ZoneMinder system. It is designed to offer a fabulous user experience for managing your surveillance.

### Is zmNinja-pro free to use?

Yes, zmNinja-pro is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in its description. However, it requires a pre-existing ZoneMinder installation to function.

### What version of ZoneMinder is required?

zmNinja-pro requires ZoneMinder version 1.34 or above. This is because it utilizes the newer ZM APIs that were introduced in this version of the ZoneMinder system.

### Who is the target audience for zmNinja-pro?

This app is intended for existing users of ZoneMinder, whether for home or commercial security monitoring. It's for individuals who want to manage their security cameras and monitoring system remotely via a mobile device.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.009 — 2021-07-15

Full CHANGELOG https://github.com/pliablepixels/zmNinja/blob/v1.6.009/CHANGELOG.md

Fixed bugs:

Adding new monitors seems to mess up organization and always get turned off #1067
Montage profiles #1057

### 1.6.008 — 2021-04-30

Full CHANGELOG https://github.com/pliablepixels/zmNinja/blob/v1.6.008/CHANGELOG.md

Implemented enhancements:

add traditional chinese translation (正體中文) #1059 (civita)


Fixed bugs:

Montage profiles #1057
Monitors that don't have analysis enabled are not shown in zmNinja #1055
Issue when disabling all cameras in zmES settings of zmNinja #1050
Monitors not updating in zmNinja after RUN state change. #1047
ZM Multi Port breaks individual feed views. #1046
Video will not rotate to landscape in iOS 14 when tilted left after update to 1.6.006 #1045
Timeline tap broken in 1.6.006 for mobile devices #1044

### 1.6.007 — 2021-02-23

- Fixes a bug in 1.6.006 where timeline taps stopped working

### 1.6.006 — 2021-02-22

- Various bug fixes 

Full CHANGELOG https://github.com/pliablepixels/zmNinja/blob/v1.6.006/CHANGELOG.md

### 1.6.001 — 2020-10-13

Lots of updates and bug fixes. If you are using push notifications, this release needs ES 6.0.1 or above
- multiple thumb sizes in events list
- notch support
- migrate to FCM v1 for better push support and newer features (future)

Full CHANGELOG here https://github.com/pliablepixels/zmNinja/blob/v1.6.000/CHANGELOG.md

## More apps by ZoneMinder Inc

- [zmNinjaNG](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zmninjang/id6759469535)

All apps by ZoneMinder Inc: https://appshunter.io/developer/1602898562

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
