Setting up your UniFi access point

HeidiFi runs the UniFi controller for you — you never touch UniFi software or network settings. Getting a new access point online is fully self-serve: plug it in, grab your setup code from the dashboard, and run our small desktop app once. The app finds the device, registers it, and switches your guest WiFi on — usually in one to two minutes, while you watch.

What you'll need

• A Ubiquiti UniFi access point — U6-Pro and the whole UniFi family are supported; see the full model list on our homepage.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) — either a PoE switch port or the PoE injector that shipped with your access point.
• A computer (macOS or Windows) on the same network as the access point, to run the Adoption Helper once.
• Your HeidiFi dashboard login.

1. Plug in your access point

1. Connect the access point's Ethernet port to your PoE switch, or to the PoE injector's "PoE" port and the injector's "LAN" port to your router.
2. Wait for the status light — a steady white (or slowly blinking) light means it's powered and looking for a network.
3. Make sure the network it's plugged into has internet access.

2. Get your setup code

Sign in at portal.heidifi.ai, open Access Points, click Add Access Point, and pick Ubiquiti UniFi:

The next screen shows your setup code — an 8-character code like H7K2-M9QX. It's one code for your whole account: it works for every access point, at every location. Keep this dialog open; it also shows live status while the helper runs.

3. Download the Adoption Helper

The HeidiFi AP Adoption Helper is a small desktop app that finds your access point on the local network and sets it up end to end. You run it once per access point.

4. Run the helper

Open the app with your access point powered on and your computer on the same network:

Click Find my device. The helper scans your local network for UniFi access points:

Select your access point and click Continue:

Enter the setup code from your dashboard:

Then choose the location, optionally name the access point, and check the WiFi network name — the name guests will see and tap on their phone. It applies to all access points at this location, so every AP broadcasts the same guest network. Click Set up my access point:

5. Watch it finish

The helper walks through the whole setup while you watch — registering the device, connecting it to HeidiFi, and turning on your guest WiFi:

This normally takes one to two minutes. A brand-new access point sometimes installs a firmware update first — the helper says so and it can take up to ten minutes; just leave everything plugged in. When it's done:

The dashboard dialog you left open mirrors the same progress and ends with a green confirmation:

That's it — no MAC addresses to copy, nothing to approve, no waiting on us.

6. Your access point in the dashboard

In the Access Points list, your new AP looks like this:

Two separate badges tell you two different things:

• Online (blue) — the UniFi controller can see your device. This is the one that confirms your setup worked.
• No guests yet / Active — guest activity. It reads No guests yet until the first guest signs in through the splash screen, then flips to Active:

Troubleshooting

• The helper can't find my device — Make sure the AP is powered (status light on), your computer is on the same network, and you're not on a guest/VLAN-isolated WiFi. Then click Scan again.
• "We don't recognise that code" — Codes never contain the letters I, L, O or the numbers 0, 1 — a mis-read O for Q is the usual cause. Copy the code from the dashboard rather than typing it.
• "Your access point hasn't checked in yet" — It's still starting up. Leave it plugged in, wait about a minute, and try again.
• "It's installing a software update first" — Normal on first setup. Leave everything plugged in; the helper allows up to ten minutes for it.
• "We've lost contact with your access point" — Check the power and the network cable; it reconnects on its own once it's back. Click Keep waiting.
• "This is taking longer than usual" — Not a failure: the access point is registered and HeidiFi finishes the remaining steps automatically. Check your dashboard in ten minutes.
• Online, but guests don't see the WiFi name — Give it a couple of minutes; the network name can take a moment to appear on phones. If the WiFi column in the dashboard shows an Apply to controller button, click it.
• No setup code / "I don't have a code" — The helper's fallback sends the request to the HeidiFi team instead, and we finish the setup for you — usually within one business day.

Still stuck? Contact us and we'll get you online.