How do I get Photo Capture?

Photo Capture is ONLY available in Blink Basic, Blink Plus and free trials of the subscription plans. Learn more about Blink Subscription Plans. Local Storage isn’t supported.

How do I use Photo Capture?

1. Make sure your system is armed for Motion Detection.
2. Go to Device Settings > Video and Photo Settings > Photo Capture and ensure the feature is on. Tap the Photo Capture setting to turn on and off.

Note: Photo Captures respect Privacy Zones, but there may be other privacy considerations in your local laws and regulations, so please consider whether taking a regular photo is appropriate based on the camera field of view.

How is Photo Capture different than capturing video clips?

Capturing a video clip involves the camera taking a video in real time as events occur. 

Photo Capture is a clip made from images taken once an hour all day, then placed in your Clip List. You’ll see  next to the timestamp letting you know that the clip is a Photo Capture.

When can I see my Photo Captures?

Photo Captures are sent to your Clip List right after they’re made. A motion event or Live View session will force the Photo Capture to be created at that point and sent to your Clip List. If the camera has Motion Detection turned off and the system is armed, motion alerts don’t occur and the Photo Capture is created at the end of every day.

How long are Photo Captures stored for viewing in the cloud?

Photo Capture clips are stored in the cloud for up to 60 days before they are automatically deleted. This won’t affect any of your motion events or Live Views. For the EU and UK, the maximum storage time is 30 days.

Why are Photo Captures taken at a 640 x 360 resolution rather than at 1920 x 1080?

This resolution supports long-lasting battery life and image load speeds to provide an optimal viewing experience.

What happens when my camera is offline?

If your camera loses internet connectivity, it continues to capture images every hour. When your camera returns online, the most recent 24 images are turned into a new Photo Capture. The internal camera storage keeps images safe even when changing the batteries.

Can I still use Photo Capture and not get motion notifications?

Yes, Photo Capture and Motion Detection are separate functions. You can arm a system, enable Photo Capture and disable Motion Detection for one or all devices in your Blink system. Disabling motion notifications means motion events aren’t recorded, and you won’t receive motion notifications for motion events. Because Photo Capture is enabled, your eligible Blink camera takes a thumbnail photo every hour once a day. These thumbnails are then converted into a brief video clip that you can view in your Blink app. This allows you to monitor camera activity through Photo Capture instead of motion alert or Live View.

Can photos be taken when motion is being recorded?

When motion is being recorded, Photo Capture images aren’t stored. When motion is detected, the Photo Captures already taken are uploaded and a clip is created. After the motion recording is complete, Photo Capture begins taking images again in the hour after the event.

Note: Please use Photo Capture in compliance with applicable laws and respect the privacy of others. To protect certain areas of the camera view from any kind of recording activity, use Privacy Zones.