You've set up your blink camera, and now you want to make sure the camera is recording.
How do you know if your blink camera is recording?
All Blink cameras have a blue LED light (illuminator) on them that lights up when the camera is recording. However, the blue activity light can be turned off manually in all cameras, so if you need to check if it is recording, make sure the status LED is set to recording.
How to Tell if Blink Camera is Recording
The blue LED light (illuminator) that's on the face of all blink security cameras, called 'status LED' indicates that the camera is recording.
This LED light is present in all blink cameras including blink outdoor, indoor, mini, XT2, and XT.
If this blue light is on, it means the blink security camera has detected motion and is recording the event.
To test if your camera is recording, walk sideways in the field of view of your camera and see if the blue light turns on.
If it does turn blue, it means your blink camera is recording your movement.
After doing this, you can go back to your blink home monitor app and see the recorded footage.
But if your blink camera isn't turning blue, it's not necessary that the camera didn't record anything.
This is because the blue recording indicator can be turned off in all blink cameras, and that can trick you into believing that your camera is not recording.
To check this, open the blink app and go to camera settings.
You'll see a button to turn on the status LED.
The interface is slightly different for blink mini cameras when compared to blink indoor and outdoor cameras.
For battery-powered blink indoor and outdoor cameras, you have the option to either turn off the camera or set it to recording.
When you are checking if your camera is recording, you should make sure the status LED is set to recording.
You can turn it off later after you're done checking.
For USB-powered blink mini cameras, you have an additional option called "on".
When you set the status LED as "on", the LED illuminator in the blink mini camera can either be green or blue.
It turns green when the camera is powered and ready to record.
When it detects motion, it turns blue like the other cameras.
If you set the status LED as recording, the LED illuminator will turn blue when recording and will display no light at other times.
In any case, you want to set the status LED to off, for all blink cameras as you don't want to give away the location of your camera to strangers.
This is more important at night when the light will be clearly visible.
If the blue light does not light up when you move in view of your camera despite the status LED being turned on, it could indicate other problems with motion detection on your blink camera.
Make sure motion detection is turned on, the camera is armed and the blue running man sign is turned on.
That's how you know if your blink camera is recording motion or events.
Do Blink Cameras Record all the Time?
Do Blink cameras only record when motion is detected or does it record all the time?
Blink cameras record only when motion is detected, and not all the time. While you can always see a live view of the camera by going into the blink home app, it doesn't record unless it detects movement through its Passive Infrared (PIR) sensing technology.
Cameras like Blink are called motion detection cameras while cameras that record 24x7 are called continuous recording cameras.
Nest, Arlo, and Wyze are examples of continuous recording cameras.
With in-home security cameras like Wyze, you get the option to either record continuously or record only motion events.
However, Blink camera only supports motion detection-based recording and it simply cannot record continuously.
While continuous recording might sound like a safer choice, it's unnecessary for most homeowners.
It's also much more expensive compared to motion detection cameras.
For example, a nest outdoor camera costs twice that of a blink outdoor camera. This difference can add up quickly when you buy multiple cameras.
The amount of data storage required for a continuous recording camera is also much higher than that for a motion detection camera like blink.
You will need to subscribe to a large cloud-storage subscription plan for continuous recording cameras whereas you can use a USB flash drive (local storage) for blink cameras.
Blink cameras do not display any light when sitting idle (except the blink mini which can turn green), and lights up only when recording motion.
Does Blink Camera Record When Disarmed?
No, Blink cameras do not record when disarmed.
Since blink cameras are based on motion detection, disarming the camera tells it to not record any event.
Disarming is generally used when you have some kind of event happening with a lot of people moving around.
In such a case disarming helps in preventing motion alerts from flooding your notifications.
How do I Stop My Blink Camera from Recording?
There are several different ways to stop your blink camera from recording.
If you want to stop all blink cameras in your system to stop recording, disarm the system as a whole in the blink app.
This will turn off motion detection for all cameras in that particular system.
All cameras connected to a particular sync module are part of the same system, with the maximum number of cameras that can be added being 10.
If you just want to stop a specific camera from recording, you can press the running man icon in the blink home app to turn it grey.
This will stop that camera from recording motion.
You can also turn off the motion detection feature of a particular camera by going to camera settings and toggling enable to off.
Can you Use a Blink Camera Without a Subscription?
Yes, you can use a blink camera without a subscription by opting for local storage instead of cloud storage if you are using blink Video Doorbell, Outdoor, Indoor (gen 2), and Mini cameras.
The local storage option is not available for the older blink cameras- XT2 and XT.
USB storage is a highly preferred option by many because it's much cheaper than a blink subscription.
A great option for local storage is the 64 GB USB flash drive sold by blink.
A negative of local storage is that you need to manually delete the clips in your USB drive when it gets full.
However, a 64 GB drive will last a long time before it gets full.
Note that you need a sync module to use local storage to save your clips.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does red light on a Blink camera mean?
In blink cameras, red light indicates no connection to the internet or WiFi issues.
In the blink mini camera, a continuous red light will show in the illuminator indicating that the camera is not connected to the internet.
For blink outdoor, indoor, XT2, and XT cameras, red light will flash every 3 seconds to indicate no internet connection.
What does blinking green light on Blink mean?
One of the leads in the blink sync module will indicate a solid green color when its working correctly.
The green light is nothing to be worried about and rather tells you that the sync module is working as it should.
A green light can appear in blink mini cameras as well. In that case, it indicates that the camera is active and ready to record.
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FAQs
How to Tell if Blink Camera is Recording: Easy Trick! - BlinqBlinq? ›
Always On - Displays a green light on the front of the Mini camera when it is active and ready to use, then shows a blue light while recording.
How do I know if my Blink camera is recording? ›Always On - Displays a green light on the front of the Mini camera when it is active and ready to use, then shows a blue light while recording.
How do I get my Blink camera to record motion? ›Go to Device Settings and then tap Motion Settings. The first setting is Motion Detection. The Motion Detection setting allows you to change your camera's motion detection without having to Arm your system. Tap Motion Detection off and that camera does not detect motion.
Why is my Blink camera recording when there is no motion? ›My camera is recording motion clips when there isn't any motion. If your camera is recording motion clips when no movement occurs, you may need to adjust the camera or its settings. Consider these factors for optimal motion clip capture. Thermal detection.
How do you tell if a camera is recording? ›How do you know if a security camera is recording? A security camera is on and recording if it has a light blinking. This is usually red, but may also be green, orange, or some other color. The light is known as a 'status LED'.
Does Blink cameras only record when motion is detected? ›The Blink XT2 will record when motion is detected or Live View is active. Blink cameras do not offer continuous recording, though you can leave the system armed for any interval of time. Helpful?
Does Blink record when disarmed? ›Generally, Blink cameras shouldn't record when disarmed. They should only do so when armed. So, if your camera is recording when disarmed, it could be that Motion Detection is enabled. Remember that Motion Detection automatically becomes active when the camera is armed.
Can Blink camera stay on Live View? ›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.
What is the running man symbol on Blink? ›A solid blue "Running man" icon means the camera is actively watching for motion. A lighter grey "Running man" icon means the camera has motion detection turned off.
What is the trigger time for Blink camera? ›When you arrive home to your Armed Blink system, you can trigger a motion alert by walking past your camera. The delay between clips or retrigger time provides enough time to Disarm your system. By default, the system will capture a five second clip, and wait for the retrigger time of 30 seconds.
What does it mean when a Blink camera flashes red? ›
When the batteries are failing, the camera LED flashes Red 5 or 6 times after the Blue recording light goes out. Please make sure you have 2 fresh size AA 1.5 volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries installed. The blink XT2 and XT cameras activate a shared 7200 seconds of storage when they are set up.
How far does a Blink camera detect motion? ›The maximum motion detection range is approximately 20 feet for all blink cameras. Some factors that influence motion detection are the app sensitivity setting, camera placement, object size, infrared illumination and object temperature.
What does the blue light on the blink camera mean? ›The blue LED light (illuminator) that's on the face of all blink security cameras, called 'status LED' indicates that the camera is recording.
How do I block my neighbors security camera? ›Block Off Security Cameras with Grown Trees, Fences or Curtain. Another good way to blind your neighbor's security cameras is to plant a grouping of shrubs or grown trees that are tall enough to block off where the camera is aimed. Also, you can close the curtain or shade on the window to block security cameras.
What does blue light on camera mean? ›LED setup reference guide
A flashing blue light on a security camera means you are ready for the WiFi protected setup.
Scroll down to the 'Voice & Audio activity' section and click that. There you'll find a chronological list of all the voice and audio recordings which will include any recorded without you knowing.
How do you know if there is a recording device in your room? ›Telltale signs of a listening device in the home include buzzing or ringing sounds, unusual placement of moveable objects, and damage done to electrical devices and sockets. If the device is hardwired, wires might be partially visible.
How can you tell if someone has a recording device? ›- Try searching the room late at night to reduce the ambient sound in the room. ...
- There are plenty of different mechanical and electrical devices that can make quiet buzzing and clicking noises.
All Blink cameras record audio as well as video on the motion clips. However, the Blink indoor cameras do not have two-way (ability to speak into). This feature has been introduced into the XT2 camera.
Can someone disable my blink camera? ›Well, the answer is a Yes! According to Tenable Inc, one of the leading Cyber security firms, these cameras are vulnerable to hacking.
How long does Blink hold recordings? ›
Blink Subscription Plans allow you to store all motion detection and live view recordings in the cloud. Clips stay viewable until they're manually deleted or automatically when 60 days old (30 days in the EU/UK).
What happens when you arm your blink camera? ›Arm your system by tapping Armed at the bottom of the Home screen. A message will display confirming that your system has been Armed or Disarmed. Once your system is Armed, any motion detected by your cameras will send a notification to your mobile device.
What does the camera icon mean on Blink clips? ›The Photo Capture feature is turned on and off in the Camera Settings > Video and Photo Settings screen. Tap the Photo Capture setting to turn on and off. Photo Captures appear as a clip in the clip list with a blue camera icon as shown here between the video thumbnail and the camera name.
Why does my Blink camera click when Live View? ›If your Blink Camera makes a clicking sound, turn off Night vision and disable the photo capture on your Cam. Check and replace batteries if they have dried out. Reducing motion detection sensitivity during the night could also help. Power cycle and reset the Blink Cam if you can't get over the issue.
How do I hide my Blink camera in my house? ›CAMASKER covers your Blink Mini Cam and turns it into a plant decoration. Also includes a sticker pack that can be used to hide that annoying BLUE LED Light on your indoor/outdoor security camera. CAMASKER is the #1 Way to decorate & cover your Blink Mini Camera.
What is green light on Blink? ›If a Blink camera has a solid green light, that means the camera is connected to its local and internet networks without any problem. If that green light starts flashing, however, it means there's an issue with the camera's internet connection.
Can two Blink cameras record at the same time? ›Two Blink cameras can record at the same time. To do this, pair both Cams to the Blink app. Then, arm both the Cameras to enable motion detection and event recording. You can also view the Live View feed of either of the Cams from the Blink app.
What is the most sensitive setting on Blink cameras? ›Your camera's Sensitivity setting adjusts how much input it takes to send you a notification. Low sensitivity is less responsive, so a larger amount of heat and motion are needed to cause a notification. The highest setting may cause alerts from blowing leaves or even shadows.
Why does my Blink camera only record 1 second? ›Please make sure the Blink companion app is updated to the latest software version. Try reconnecting and reinstalling the Sync Module and the Camera and try again.
What is the best retrigger time on Blink? ›Retrigger Time
Blink allows you to choose between 10 seconds and one whole minute. The 10-second setting is the way to go. That way, you won't miss a beat, and you'll be able to capture all the action without any delays.
Do fake security cameras Blink red? ›
Many fake security cameras will feature blinking red lights to mimic the status light of a real security camera. IP cameras rarely feature a light that constantly blinks. If they feature a status light, it usually is steady, or may switch between green and red to communicate various status changes.
Do fake cameras Blink red? ›A lot of fake security cameras have blinking red lights on them. This is meant to attract attention to the fake camera so people know they are there.
Do all security cameras Blink red? ›Most security cameras do not have a flashing red light. A red light gives away where a camera is positioned and the fact that it is there in the first place. Some older security cameras may have included this as a feature but you would be hard pressed to find one that still does.
What does sensitivity mean on Blink? ›Your camera's Sensitivity setting adjusts how much input it takes to send you a notification. Low sensitivity is less responsive, so a larger amount of heat and motion are needed to cause a notification. The highest setting may cause alerts from blowing leaves or even shadows.
How far can Blink cameras see at night? ›How far can Blink cameras see in the dark? Blink cameras can detect motion from up to 26 feet away.
Can the blink camera move? ›Tapping one of the arrows on the pad moves the camera incrementally in that direction while long pressing moves it continuously until you release the button or it reaches the limit of its rotation.
Why is my blink camera not blinking blue? ›Note: If you don't see the blinking blue light pattern, then you may need to reset the Sync Module. Learn more about how to reset the Sync Module. In order to connect to your network, the Blink app uses your mobile device to first connect to the Sync Module's temporary Wi-Fi network.
Can you disable a security camera with a laser pointer? ›Can You Disable a Surveillance Camera with an Infrared Laser? Unfortunately, the answer is yes and it applies to all surveillance cameras. If the criminals using infrared illuminator, powerful LED torch light or even a reflective board, the camera cannot catch the image during the nighttime.
Can a magnet disable a security camera? ›A security camera can be disabled with a magnet if the wrong kind of magnet is used. First, The magnetic field generated by the magnet will disrupt the electrical current in the camera, causing it to stop working.
Can someone stop my security camera from recording? ›As long as their security cameras are not recording private information, there is nothing stopping them from recording your property in their camera's field of view.
Should blue light be on or off? ›
Blue light protection is most valuable if you are exposed to screen time after the sun has set. Whether this is a late night social media scroll or watching a movie to unwind after a long day - wear blue light blocking glasses to protect your eyes.
Are hidden camera lights blue? ›Most of the hidden cameras have night vision function to watch in a low-light or dark environment. To do that, hidden cameras usually equipped with red or green LED light. When in the low-light environment, the LED will automatically turn on to enhance visibility.
What do lights on blink camera mean? ›Battery powered Blink cameras quickly flash a red LED every 3 seconds when disconnected from the internet. When you first insert batteries, the red LED shows 5 long flashes and then repeats a short flash every three seconds, until an internet connection is established.
Why is the red light on my blink camera when recording? ›Blink Camera Red Light When Recording
If your camera is flashing red while recording, it usually means that the batteries are low and need to be replaced. You can also sometimes have issues with your wi-fi connection causing this. If that is the case, you can try resetting the wi-fi connection in your router.
If a Blink camera has a solid green light, that means the camera is connected to its local and internet networks without any problem. If that green light starts flashing, however, it means there's an issue with the camera's internet connection.
Why is my blink camera flashing blue? ›The blinking blue light indicates that your camera has already acquired the router information, but the network is poor.
Does the Blink camera turn blue when someone is watching? ›All Blink cameras have a blue LED light (illuminator) on them that lights up when the camera is recording. However, the blue activity light can be turned off manually in all cameras, so if you need to check if it is recording, make sure the status LED is set to recording.
What is the difference between red and blue light on Blink camera? ›A blinking blue light indicates that the camera has lost connection to the Internet and is trying to reconnect. A red light indicates that the camera has been factory reset and is in pairing mode.
What is orange light on Blink camera? ›The orange boot light indicates the camera is waiting for connection from the computer. Follow our Loading Cameras – Troubleshooting Guide for help loading cameras. This entry was posted by lgreenwood14.
Is Blink recording when disarmed? ›Generally, Blink cameras shouldn't record when disarmed. They should only do so when armed. So, if your camera is recording when disarmed, it could be that Motion Detection is enabled. Remember that Motion Detection automatically becomes active when the camera is armed.
Why is my Blink camera not recording in color? ›
If your camera images, thumbnails, motion clips, and Live View are not showing up in color, it is likely that the Night Vision Control is on. When Night Vision is on, an infrared (IR) LED shines in a spectrum outside of the visible light spectrum. IR cameras register heat, which shows up in video as shades of white.
What does the blue person on Blink mean? ›A solid blue "Running man" icon means the camera is actively watching for motion. A lighter grey "Running man" icon means the camera has motion detection turned off.
How do I hide my Blink camera? ›CAMASKER covers your Blink Mini Cam and turns it into a plant decoration. Also includes a sticker pack that can be used to hide that annoying BLUE LED Light on your indoor/outdoor security camera. CAMASKER is the #1 Way to decorate & cover your Blink Mini Camera.