When you first set up your Blink camera, the default name includes the model and last four digits of its serial number (for example, ‘Mini 2 - XXXX’), and the thumbnail (camera view) appears as a default image. You can personalise the camera name and thumbnail to better identify your camera's location and view. Customise the following settings at any time.
Changing your camera's name
- Tap the More button (...) in the lower-right corner of the device thumbnail image.
- Tap Device Settings.
- Tap General Settings.
- Tap the camera's current name, enter a new name (such as Back Door) and tap Save. Your new camera name now displays.
Important: When you update the name of your camera, clips recorded prior to the name change will appear in your Clip List as that previous name.
Refresh thumbnail
From the Home screen, tap the More button (...) and select Refresh Thumbnail. The camera takes a screenshot of the current live view and replaces the blue image with this screenshot. The thumbnail remains the same until you refresh it using Refresh Thumbnail. The timestamp in the lower-left corner of the thumbnail shows when the thumbnail was last updated. Learn more about using the Blink app.
Note: This process doesn't apply to the Video Doorbell (1st Gen) when it's in Event Response Mode, since the thumbnail is updated automatically each time the doorbell ringer button is pressed or a motion event occurs. Learn more about Event Response Mode.
Auto-Update Thumbnail
The Auto-Update Thumbnail feature allows you to refresh your thumbnail image on the Home screen in the Blink app with each camera motion event, doorbell press or Live View session. Updating the thumbnail automatically provides you with information about the latest activity on your camera. Even if you move your camera, the Blink app will automatically capture a new thumbnail image, so you can easily identify each camera’s location. See what’s happening at a glance, right on your Home screen.
The Auto-Update Thumbnail is available when you have the following:
- An active Blink Subscription Plan or no-cost trial.
- Mini 2, Mini, Outdoor 4, Wired Floodlight, Video Doorbell, Indoor and Outdoor (3rd Gen) cameras.
Learn more about Blink Subscription Plans and features.
Setting up Auto-Update Thumbnail
When you add a new eligible camera (as listed above) to your system, Auto-Update Thumbnail is enabled by default. However, this feature is initially turned off for any eligible cameras that were already in your system. Auto-Update Thumbnail can be turned on or off using the following steps.
- Tap the More button (...) in the lower-right corner in the thumbnail image for your camera on the Home screen.
- Tap Device Settings.
- Next, select Video and Photo Settings. The Auto-Update Thumbnail setting appears at the bottom of the screen, which can be toggled on or off for that device.
When you have Auto-Update Thumbnail enabled, you also have the option of manually setting your thumbnail for all devices on your account. The timestamp in the lower-left corner of the thumbnail shows when the thumbnail was last updated. Learn more about how to manually set your thumbnail.