A baby monitor without Wi-Fi, over 4G or 5G
Yes, that works. Moonside runs over mobile data (4G or 5G) as well as over Wi-Fi, and the two phones do not need to be on the same network. A whole night of live audio uses about 170 MB. What both phones do need: a network connection all night, and a charger for the Baby phone.
Which combinations work
| Baby phone | Parent phone | How they connect |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | The same Wi-Fi | They find each other on the local network and connect directly. |
| Wi-Fi | Mobile data | Over the internet, directly when the networks allow it, otherwise through our encrypted relay. |
| Mobile data | Mobile data | The same: over the internet, directly or through the relay. |
| No connection | Anything | Does not work. When the Parent phone stops hearing the Baby phone, it sounds an alarm after about 30 seconds. |
In every case the live audio is end-to-end encrypted between your two phones, also when it goes through our relay. How it works
When you need this
- On holiday, in a cottage without Wi-Fi or with Wi-Fi that only reaches the living room. Moonside on holiday
- In the garden or at the neighbours', when your own Wi-Fi does not reach that far.
- At a campsite or in a caravan, where a plug-in monitor has a short range and there is no Wi-Fi.
- When the Wi-Fi does not reach your side of the house: the Baby phone stays on Wi-Fi and the Parent phone goes on mobile data.
What to watch
- Data. About 170 MB a night with the normal filter, about 460 MB with Hear Everything. Measured on our relay.
- Mobile coverage. Put the Baby phone where it has good reception, not in a corner with one bar.
- Battery. A night of listening over mobile data drains a battery. Put the Baby phone on its charger; Moonside warns when it is nearly empty.
- Check before you sleep. See that the Parent phone says Listening.
Questions
Does a baby monitor app work without Wi-Fi?
Yes, over mobile data. Moonside works over 4G or 5G as well as over Wi-Fi, and the two phones do not need to be on the same network: the Baby phone can be on Wi-Fi and the Parent phone on mobile data, or both on mobile data. Both phones do need a network connection all night.
How much mobile data does Moonside use per night?
A whole night of live audio is in the order of 170 MB with the normal filter and about 460 MB with Hear Everything, the setting that lets soft sounds through. On a small data plan that is worth knowing.
What happens if the mobile network drops?
When the Parent phone hears nothing from the Baby phone for about 30 seconds, it sounds an alarm and shows a notification. Then it reconnects by itself as soon as it can.
What is the range of a baby monitor app over 4G?
There is no range in the usual sense: Moonside works wherever both phones have a connection, from the garden to another country. It is still a baby monitor, so stay close, as with any baby monitor.
Try it on your own network
The Baby phone is free. The Parent phone is free for 3 days after pairing, then €5.99 once.
