Welcome to the Blink FAQ. Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions that you may have regarding your new product. We hope you can find the answers you need.
If your question is not answered below, visit our dedicated FAQ category or use the search bar at the top of the knowledge base.
Still need help? Contact our support team. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Do I need Wi-Fi?
Yes. Wi-Fi is a main component of your Blink system. Blink requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Internet connection with a minimum of 2Mb per second upload speed (from your network to the internet).Can I access my Blink system from my computer?
The Blink mobile app contains all camera and system settings, camera scheduling, and clip sharing functions.
Can my Blink account and systems be accessed by family members?
What is a Blink system?
With Blink, there are two kinds of systems: Sync Module-managed, and camera-managed.
- Sync Module-managed systems require a Sync Module 2 and works with all Blink devices.
- Camera-managed systems are available with the following devices: Blink Mini, Wired Floodlight Camera, and Video Doorbell.
If you own cameras that require a Sync Module to manage its system, then the Sync Module is the first device to be added to your Blink account. If you are adding a camera that can manage its own system, a Sync Module is optional, and you can create a new system when adding the camera.
DeleteHow many devices can I add to a Blink system?
Blink Video Doorbell, Wired Floodlight and Mini cameras manage their own individual systems, or can be added to Sync Module-managed systems as one of its ten devices. For cameras on a Blink Plus Subscription Plan, an unlimited number of devices are covered in total, but each Sync Module manages ten devices at most.
What is the range of the Sync Module? How far away can camera units be placed?
Under normal circumstances, the Sync Module is capable of communicating with Blink cameras up to 100 ft. away in any direction.We recommend keeping the Sync Module near your wireless router for the best signal strength. Learn more about understanding Blink Wi-Fi and network requirements.
Can I power my cameras with a USB cable or solar panels?
Blink cameras are designed to be powered by size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries, or a USB power cable. All cameras ship with their own power supply. The Blink Solar Panel Mount accessory is available at amazon.com.
Some third party manufacturers claim to be compatible with Blink products. Third party power solutions are not supported because of the various problems and safety issues that may arise. Blink accessories are designed be safe for your use.
We cannot warranty devices connected to unreliable power sources, or when weather protection is removed. For the best experience, please only use the power solution that was provided in the original packaging, or authorized Blink products.
If you need replacement parts, contact Customer Support to discuss your options.
What kind of batteries does Blink use? Are they easy to replace?
Blink cameras are powered by size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries. Battery powered cameras ship with batteries, and they’re easy to replace when the time comes. Simply open the battery compartment, take out the old batteries, and insert the new pair. The device powers up and regain communications without input from you.
Blink camera batteries should be replaced with Energizer Ultimate size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries, or an equivalent.
How long do the batteries last?
Your battery life varies based on device settings, type of use, heat, cold, or other environmental factors. These things can affect battery life:
- Using alkaline, re-chargeable, or any other battery type other than the recommended type.
- Slow internet connection
- Extreme temperatures
- Weak signal strength between camera and Wi-Fi
- Weak signal strength between camera and Sync Module
Blink cameras are compatible with Energizer Ultimate size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries, or an equivalent.
How far from the camera can a person be seen?
What's the maximum distance Blink cameras sense motion detection?
Can a Blink camera detect motion through a window or glass?
Mini cameras can detect some motion through glass since they use pixel difference analysis instead of IR heat signature. However, this can only work under very limited conditions such as when light is present, with the camera positioned as close as possible to the glass, and with the recording LED and IR LED disabled to reduce reflections. The Blink Mini was not designed to detect motion through glass and the results can be unreliable.
How wide is the field of view?
Do Blink cameras pan and tilt?
For our other cameras, Blink’s included mount will allow you to easily set the positioning of a camera view, but the standard mount is not electronic or controlled remotely.
Please visit the appropriate article for more information:
Mounting your Outdoor 4 Camera
Mounting Your Blink Wired Floodlight Camera
Mounting Your Blink Mini Camera
Mounting the Blink Video Doorbell
Mounting Your Blink Indoor (3rd Gen) and Outdoor Camera
Mounting Your Blink XT2 Camera
Mounting Your Blink XT
Mounting Your gen 1 Indoor Camera
What is the camera resolution for Blink cameras?
Blink cameras can record up to 1080p resolution, except for the Blink Indoor (1st Gen) which has a resolution of 720p. The resolution can be changed in camera settings in the Blink app.
The camera frame rate ranges from 7.5 frames per second in low light situations to 30 frames per second in good lighting. The decreased frame rate in low light allows the camera to capture more light and present a clearer picture. Learn more about how to set up your camera to record in low light.
What is Instant-On?
How long can I set the camera to record for?
How much data does a single clip use?
With just five-second motion clips, a 256 GB USB drive will be full after approximately three-hundred and forty thousand (340,000) clips are stored.
Where are motion clips stored?
Note: If your account was created on or before April 15th, 2020, you will continue to have access to free cloud storage and other features for any devices set up on your account. You are allotted 7,200 seconds of recording per Sync Module.
You can upgrade to saving an unlimited number of clips by purchasing a Blink Subscription Plan at any time.
Is there Local Storage?
The Sync Module 2 has an active USB 2.0 port that accepts a USB drive between 1 GB and 256 GB in size, with at least 375 MB of free space available.By default, the USB drive directly records motion clips from Blink Outdoor 4, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen), and Mini cameras that are attached to the Sync Module 2 system. These clips are available in the Blink app Clip List. Local Storage does not need to be configured other than to set up the Sync Module 2 with a USB drive and connect one or more of the cameras mentioned. Live Views are never saved to the USB drive.
When Cloud Storage is active either with a subscription or free trial, Live View sessions and Motion Clips from Blink Outdoor 4, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen), and Mini cameras are saved to the Cloud. If there is a USB drive available, all unsaved clips will be stored in a Clip Backup once per day.
How much storage do I get for recorded clips?
For older cameras - Blink XT2, XT, and Indoor (1st Gen) - Blink provides 7,200 seconds (2 hours) of free storage space for the life of the product.
Can my system automatically arm/disarm?
For Schedules to work, each camera must have motion detection enabled.
What’s Live View?
Enter Live View from the Motion Alert system notification on your mobile device. Learn how to access Live View.
Some Alexa devices can access Live View as well as two-way audio from your voice command. Learn more about using Alexa devices with your Blink cameras.
- Alexa devices allow Live View for five minutes.
- Live Views are never saved to the local storage USB drive.
- Learn more about Extended Live View, one of the benefits of having a Blink Subscription Plan.
Can I record when I’m in Live View mode?
If you have a subscription, Live View sessions can be saved in Clips. Learn more about saving Live View sessions.
Do I need to run software updates on my Sync Module and camera(s)?
Does Blink have Alexa or IFTTT functionality?
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The Alexa Skill is available in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
- Learn more about the latest Alexa features.
- Other third party scripts are not compatible with Blink products at this time.
- Alexa Motion Announcements and Clip Viewing/Clip Status are not supported on cameras without an attached subscription or legacy devices with free cloud storage.
Do Blink devices use Bluetooth?
Can a Siren still be added to a Blink System?
Can a single camera exist in multiple systems or accounts?
Cameras must first be deleted before added them to different systems within the same account, or to a different account. Learn more about deleting cameras from the Blink app.
Can my battery powered camera operate during a power outage?
Battery powered cameras require a connection to a Sync Module and Wi-Fi. Blink Outdoor 4, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen) cameras will attempt to record the first motion event after a power loss and upload that clip to the cloud once the system is back online. The offline or power-out recording feature is not reliable, however. Power and internet outages are a cause of system problems, for consistent clip recording, make sure both are always available. Learn about setting up Blink cameras.
Are Blink systems eligible for home insurance discounts?
No. Blink systems are not eligible. In order for a discount, most home insurance companies require your surveillance security system to be wired and be able to trigger an alert to 9-1-1 dispatch.
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