UniFi ☁️ Installation with Cloud, UDM or UDR 📶 - New Interface

Setting Up CaptiveWiFi on UniFi (Cloud, UDM or UDR) — New Interface

This guide walks you through connecting your UniFi network to CaptiveWiFi's guest authentication platform. There are three main stages: preparing your network, configuring the UniFi Hotspot Portal, and linking your CaptiveWiFi dashboard.

Before You Start

Using a UDM (UniFi Dream Machine) or UniFi Cloud? You're ready to go — skip to Step 1.

Using a self-hosted UniFi Controller or Cloud Key? You'll need to make sure the following TCP ports are open and forwarded on your firewall to your controller before continuing:

Note: If you are using a UDM or Cloud Key, use port 443 instead of 8443.

Cloud Key users — also confirm the following:

• Firewall ports are forwarded to the Cloud Key's internal IP

• The Cloud Key has a static internal IP (or a DHCP reservation)

• Your ISP provides a static external IP address

• You can access the Cloud Key remotely from outside your network

Step 1 — Create a Guest WiFi Network

1. Log in to your UniFi Controller at unifi.ui.com or via your local controller address

2. Go to Wireless Networks and click + Create New

3. Name your network — we recommend something like _Your Business Name FREE WiFi (the underscore pushes it to the top of the device's network list)

4. Select Manual configuration

5. Enable Hotspot Portal ✅

6. Enable Client Device Isolation ✅ (this prevents guests from seeing each other's devices on the network)

7. Click Add WiFi Network

Need to limit guest speeds? If your venue has a slower connection, you can set bandwidth limits. See our separate guide on speed limitations.

Step 2 — Configure the Hotspot Portal

1. In the left-hand menu, click Hotspot Manager

2. At the top of the page, select Landing Page

3. Click Authentication

4. Enable External Portal Server ✅

5. Click Edit next to External Portal Server and enter: 138.68.152.191

Step 3 — Configure Hotspot Settings

1. Click the Settings button within Hotspot Manager

2. Ensure all checkboxes are enabled ✅

3. Set the Domain to: getonline.captivewifi.io

4. Click Add Hostname, IP or Subnet and add each of the following — these must be set as Pre-Authentication access (meaning guests can reach them before logging in):

captivewifi.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com
getonline.captivewifi.io
5.101.109.44
138.68.152.191

What is pre-authentication access? These are addresses your guests' devices need to reach in order to load the CaptiveWiFi login page — before they've signed in. Without them, the portal won't display correctly.

SSL / HTTPS Error? Use These Settings Instead

If guests see a security warning or SSL error when connecting, your controller likely doesn't have a valid SSL certificate. Switch to these Landing Page settings:

Also add connected.captivewifi.io to your pre-authentication access list.

Step 4 — Connect to the CaptiveWiFi Dashboard

1. Log in to your CaptiveWiFi Dashboard

2. Go to Integrations → WiFi Hardware

3. Select UniFi Automated

4. Enter your UniFi controller login credentials

5. Once verified, your MAC addresses and Site ID will populate automatically

Important notes:

• Use a local admin account — not your Ubiquiti/UI.com email login. UniFi is rolling out mandatory MFA on cloud accounts, which will break the API connection. A local username and password is required. Guide: How to create a local UniFi user →

• Use your controller's direct URL or IP — not https://unifi.ui.com. The CaptiveWiFi API needs a direct connection to your controller. Port forwarding must be enabled.

• Do not add a trailing slash to the URL (e.g. use 192.168.1.1 not 192.168.1.1/)

Need Help?

We recommend putting the guest WiFi on a separate LAN/VLAN — your IT team can handle this, or our support team can set it up for you in minutes.

📧 support@captivewifi.io — email us and we'll get you sorted.