Gear Public Mode and Incognito Mode
Incognito Mode is a privacy feature which helps ensure that only the owner of Gear may add it
to their mobile device(s) and that Gears are not visible to people who should not have access to
them.
By default, Gear is set to Incognito Mode. While in Incognito mode, Gear will be invisible on the
Device Scan list during onboarding and adding to the AXIS app will not be possible. To make
Gear visible on the Device Scan screen, it must be put into Public Mode. Public Mode can only
be entered if the user has physical access to Gear or has previously added Gear to the AXIS
app. This ensures that the rightful owner of Gear has control over which mobile devices can
control Gear.
To put Gear into Public Mode, press PAIR on Gear or put Gear into Public Mode from the Gear
Settings screen of the AXIS app. While in Public Mode, any mobile device running the AXIS app
can then discover Gear on the Device Scan list and add Gear to their Gears Dashboard. Public
Mode expires after 60 seconds. After 60 seconds have passed, Gear will go back into Incognito
Mode and will be invisible to other mobile devices that attempt to add Gear.
Public Mode and Incognito Mode only affect the AXIS app during the onboarding of Gears.
Once a Gear has been added to the AXIS app, that app install will always be able to see and
control Gear until it is deleted from the app or the Gear has been factory reset.
In summary, PAIR must be pressed on Gear or the Public Mode command must be sent from
the AXIS app every time the owner wishes to add Gear to the AXIS app. Public Mode must be
entered each time Gear is added to a new mobile device. Once added, that mobile device will
be able to control Gear without entering Public Mode again.
