Frequently Asked Questions

This article lists common questions that will help you get started with Blink. If your question is not answered below, visit our FAQ category or enter a keyword in search bar at the top of the support site.

If you still need help please contact our support team. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Features

Can I access Live View whenever I want?

Yes, using the Blink app with your smartphone, you can access your camera's view by tapping the Live View play button. To learn more, visit How to use Live View.

You can access live views from your Blink cameras on Alexa-enabled devices such as Amazon Echo, Fire TV, and Fire Tablet devices. To learn more, visit the Alexa Smart Home page.

Note: If your Video Doorbell is in Event Response Mode, Live View is only available by tapping the motion notification for a doorbell press or motion event within 60 seconds of receiving the notification on your mobile device. With a Sync Module, these features are available anytime on-demand. Learn more about adding a Sync Module to a system.

Blink Subscription Plans enable many premium features including Extended Live View - exclusively for Blink Wired Floodlight and Mini cameras! This feature provides images and sound directly from a camera to the Blink app, up to 90 minutes at a time without user intervention. In addition, you can view regular Live View sessions up to five minutes without tapping Continue. To learn more, visit Extended Live View.

Note: Extended Live Views cannot be saved.

Delete

Do Blink cameras support two-way audio?

Yes, the Mini 2, Min, Outdoor 4, Wired Floodlight, Video Doorbell, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen), and XT2 cameras have two-way audio. 

From the Blink app, open a Live View through your mobile device to speak and hear through the camera's speaker and microphone. To learn more, visit Two-way audio.

Note: If your Video Doorbell is in Event Response Mode, two-way audio is only available by tapping the motion notification for a doorbell press or motion event within 60 seconds of receiving the notification on your mobile device. With a Sync Module, these features are available anytime on-demand. Learn more about adding a Sync Module to a system.

Delete

Do Blink cameras offer Person Detection?

Yes, with a Blink Subscription Plan, the Mini 2, Outdoor 4, and Wired Floodlight camera have embedded computer vision which can detect the difference between people versus an object or animal. When a person is detected, you'll receive a person detection alert in the Blink app. For example, if your backyard camera name is "Backyard," your alert will display as "There is a person at your Backyard."

To learn more, visit Using Person Detection.

Delete

Can Blink cameras send motion notifications to my mobile device?

Yes, once your Blink system is armed and Motion Detection is on, motion notifications are sent to your mobile device when your Blink camera detects a motion event. To learn more, visit Arming and Disarming your Blink System.

Delete

What are my video storage options?

Cloud storage with a Blink Subscription Plan
With a Blink Subscription Plan, all motion detection and live view recordings are stored in the cloud. Clips stay viewable until they're manually deleted or the clip reaches its auto-deletion time (up to 60 days US/CA or 30 days in the EU/UK). With a Blink Subscription plan, you also have unlimited cloud video recording. To learn more, visit the Subscriptions FAQ.

Local storage with a Sync Module 2
Local storage is an optional feature that stores motion clips to a compatible USB drive for eligible Blink devices. Once your Sync Module 2 has been added to your system with an inserted USB drive, your camera’s motion clips are stored onto the connected USB drive. To learn more, visit Local Storage with a Sync Module 2

Note: For users with a Blink Subscription Plan or trial, Clip Backup becomes automatically available and saves a daily backup of your Cloud Storage clips to the inserted USB drive once every 24 hours with a Sync Module 2. To learn more, visit the Subscriptions FAQ.

Delete

What is a Blink system?

A system is a compilation of one or more cameras. When multiple cameras are added to the same system, they are linked together so that when you arm your system, all of the cameras in that system will arm at the same time.

  • A Blink system can contain up to ten different cameras and one Sync Module. 
  • Wired Floodlight Cameras, Mini cameras, Video Doorbells, and Sync Modules can all create their own systems. 
  • When multiple cameras belong to the same system, you can arm or disarm a system, which affects all cameras in that system at the same time.

Note: Battery-powered cameras can only be added to a system with a Sync Module. Learn more about adding a Sync Module system.

Delete

What is required for a Blink system?

To setup your devices and manage your cameras in the Blink app, the following is required.

General requirements

  • A Blink account and current version of the Blink app.
  • A valid email to receive time-limited account verification codes, password reset links, and communication regarding any account or camera issues.
  • 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network with a minimum of 2 Mbps per Blink device.
  • One of the following mobile devices:
Delete

How many devices can I add to a Blink system?

A Blink system can contain up to ten different cameras and one Sync Module, and you can have multiple systems in one Blink account.

Note: Battery-powered cameras can only be added to a system with a Sync Module. Learn more about adding a Sync Module system.

Delete

Can I have more than one system on my account?

You can have multiple systems in one Blink account. The Blink app allows you to manage multiple systems and their connected Blink devices from a single account. 

For example, you can arm and disarm cameras on one system, and arm and disarm cameras on a second system. To learn more, visit Can I have multiple Blink Systems on one Blink account?

Note: A single camera cannot belong to multiple systems or accounts.

Delete

Do Blink cameras require Wi-Fi?

Yes, Blink cameras require a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi internet connection. 

Wi-Fi Network Requirements

  • Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network 802.11b/g/n 
  • Internet: A high-speed internet connection (DSL, Cable, Fiber) with a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per Blink device
  • IP Configuration: DHCP 
  • Wi-Fi Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2 with TKIP SSID
 Important Information
  • Blink products are unable to access the internet on networks that require authentication through a third-party login website. For example, hotel or school Wi-Fi.
  • If you use a VPN, try disabling your VPN on your mobile and uninstall any conflicting apps before downloading the Blink app. Learn more about conflicting apps.
  • The use of mobile hotspots are not recommended as their connections can be unreliable. 
  • If using a Mi-Fi router, make sure all Blink devices have the strongest connection possible and are connected to a 2.4GHz band. To learn more, visit Understanding Blink Wi-Fi Requirements.
  • Blink does not recommend using satellite internet due to high latency issues.


Delete

Can I access my Blink cameras and systems from my computer?

No, you cannot access your Blink cameras and systems from a computer. A mobile device is needed to use the Blink app where you can access your Blink cameras and system settings. To learn more, visit Blink app and Mobile Device Requirements.

If you have a Sync Module 2, you can store up to 256GB of video files on a removable USB drive. For eligible cameras, visit the Sync Module 2 FAQ.

You can view the video files on a computer by removing the USB from the Sync Module and inserting it into your computer. To learn more, visit Accessing clips on your USB from your PC.

Can I share my Blink account and systems with my family members?

Yes, each family member can download the Blink app to their iOS or Android device. Using the same account login information, each family member can access your Blink account on their mobile device. This allows the entire household to receive notifications and view systems. To learn more, visit How to manage mobile devices with Account Access.

To ensure only authorized users can access your Blink account, a multi-factor authentication process must be completed for each log in. Learn more about securing you Blink account with multi-factor authentication.

General

Do Blink cameras work with Alexa?

Yes, if you download the Blink SmartHome Skill, you can monitor and control your Blink system with hands-free voice commands through compatible Alexa-enabled products. For a list of compatible Alexa devices, visit the Alexa FAQ.

Delete

What is a Blink Subscription Plan?

Blink's optional Subscription Plans enable exciting features including:

  • Unlimited cloud video recording
  • Unlimited cloud storage (60 days US/CA or 30 days in the EU/UK)
  • Live View recording
  • Extended Live View (Wired Floodlight and Mini cameras)
  • Photo Capture (Mini 2, Outdoor 4, Video Doorbell, and Indoor and Outdoor (3rd Gen) cameras) 
  • Person Detection (Mini 2, Outdoor 4 and Wired Floodlight cameras)

Learn more about Blink Subscription Plans.

Delete

How do Blink cameras detect motion?

Blink cameras use either Passive Infrared (PIR) or Pixel Difference Analysis (PDA) to detect motion. Both technologies provide similar motion detection. Blink cameras detect motion best from about 7 to 19 feet (2m to 6m) away, and can respond to motion at 30 feet (10m). Other factors affect what motion is detected like camera placement, object size, and temperature. 

Motion Detection using Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors
The Mini 2, Outdoor 4, Wired Floodlight, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen), Indoor (1st Gen), XT2, and XT use Passive Infrared sensors.

Motion Detection using Pixel Difference Analysis (PDA)
The Mini uses Pixel Difference Analysis (PDA) which compares every frame of video to the next one, looking for a certain amount of difference. 

To learn more, visit Understanding Motion Detection.

Note: Blink cameras were not designed to function correctly while viewing through glass. Motion detection and night time image quality can be impacted; therefore, we do not recommend placing your camera to view through glass.

Delete

What kind of batteries do Blink cameras use? 

Blink cameras are powered by and shipped with size AA 1.5 volt lithium non-rechargeable batteries. When its time to replace them, we recommend using Energizer Ultimate size AA 1.5 volt lithium non-rechargeable batteries or an equivalent.

Delete

How long do batteries last?

Battery life of up to two years is expected based on default settings. Your battery life varies based on device settings, type of use, heat, cold, or other environmental factors. Battery life is affected by:
  • Using alkaline, rechargeable, 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
Delete

How are Blink cameras powered?

Depending on your Blink camera, your device is either powered by AA 1.5 volt lithium non-rechargeable batteries, micro USB cable, USB-C cable, or hardwired to a 100VAC-240VAC 50/60Hz power source. To learn more, visit How are Blink cameras powered?

Delete

What is a Sync Module?

The Sync Module is the system hub that relays commands and network details to Blink cameras in the system it shares. To learn more, visit the Sync Module FAQ.

Do I need a Sync Module?
Yes, if you have an Outdoor 4, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen), XT, XT2, and Indoor (1st Gen), a Sync Module is required.

If you have a Mini, Wired Floodlight Camera, or Video Doorbell, a Sync Module is optional. When one of these cameras connects to a Sync Module, they can share the same system with a group of cameras (up to 10), or store clips locally when the Sync Module has a recognized USB drive inserted. To learn more, visit Local Storage

When a Video Doorbell and Sync Module share the same system, Live View and Two-Way Audio are available anytime on-demand. Learn more about adding a Sync Module system.

Delete

Are Blink cameras eligible for home insurance discounts?

No, Blink systems are currently not eligible for home insurance discounts. Each home insurance company has specific discount requirements for security cameras. In most cases, security cameras need to be wired and have a monitored security alarm system.

Delete

Does Blink work with IFTTT?

Yes, Blink products work with IFTTT. To learn more about Blink and IFTTT, visit How Do I Use IFTTT Applets with Blink?

Delete

Will my battery-powered camera work during a power outage?

No, battery powered cameras require a connection to a Sync Module and Wi-Fi that are receiving power. Once power is restored and your camera is online, the Outdoor 4, Video Doorbell, and Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen) cameras will attempt to record the first motion event after a power loss and upload it to the cloud.

Delete

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Contact Support