Support Home Blink Devices (1st Gen) XT2 and XT Getting Started

Blink XT and XT2 Camera Setup Guide

Use this guide to set up the XT and XT2 cameras.

Note: The XT and XT2 cameras require a Sync Module (sold separately) and also connect to your home Wi-Fi network.

Getting Started

New to Blink? If so, welcome! Follow the next steps to create a Blink account. If you already have a Blink account, please go to the Setting up your new camera section.

Create an account with the Blink app

Important: If your phone number has changed or you can no longer access the phone number associated with your Blink account, contact Blink Support for assistance. You must be physically present with your Blink devices in order for support agents to assist you with account recovery.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication

At Blink, we take the security of your account seriously. That's why we've implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA), also known as two-factor authentication or two-step verification. This extra layer of security helps prevent unauthorised users from gaining access to your Blink account.

How it works

When you sign in to your Blink account, you'll be prompted to receive a six-digit verification code to confirm your identity. By default, codes are sent via text message (SMS), but you can also choose to receive codes through WhatsApp.

To generate a code via WhatsApp:

  1. Log in to your Blink account.
  2. When the verification screen appears, tap Send code via WhatsApp.
  3. Open the WhatsApp application to collect the passcode.
  4. Return to the Blink app, enter the passcode, and tap Verify.

Important: Ensure the phone number on your Blink account matches the phone number used in WhatsApp.

Verification codes are sent directly to the main account holder to ensure only authorised users can access the account.

Need to set up your account on another device? Learn more about how to set up your Blink account on another device.

Multi-Factor Authentication FAQ

At Blink, we value your security and privacy. To ensure that important account changes are authorised by the account owner, we require your phone number as part of our security verification process. Please rest assured that your phone number remains confidential and is never sold or used for marketing purposes.

We use phone number verification to authorise the following actions on your Blink account:

  • Log in to your Blink account
  • Reset, change, or recover your password
  • Log in to a new device
  • Change your phone number
  • Change your email address

To make authorisation quick and convenient, Blink sends a one-time PIN via SMS text message to the phone number registered on your account. Simply enter this code to confirm your identity and complete your action.

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What is a verification code?

A verification code is used to authenticate your identity. As part of our verification policy, Blink sends an SMS text to your mobile device containing a six-digit verification code. Once you enter or share the six-digit number code, you can complete your account setup, changes in the Blink app, or customer service can continue your support call. 

Verification codes can also be sent via WhatsApp, or can be read to you by an automated voice call.

Note: Charges may apply for receiving SMS text messages. We recommend checking with your phone service provider for more information.

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What steps can I take if I'm not receiving a verification code or PIN?

If you are not receiving your verification code (also known as a PIN), please follow these steps:

  • Check if your mobile device carrier is flagging your code notification as spam.
  • If you are receiving your PIN via email, kindly check your email's spam/junk, bin, and promotions folders. If you still cannot find it, try accessing your email on a different mobile device or computer.

If you're not receiving your verification code (PIN), try these solutions:

  • Check spam filters. Your mobile carrier or email provider may be blocking the code. For SMS, check your phone's spam folder. For email, check spam, bin, and promotions folders, or try accessing email from a different device.
  • Wait 2-3 minutes. Codes can be delayed. Wait before requesting a new one.
  • Verify your contact information. Ensure your phone number or email address on your Blink account is current and correct.
  • Switch delivery methods. If text messaging isn't working, try WhatsApp. If using WhatsApp, ensure that the phone number on your Blink account matches the phone number used in WhatsApp.
If you still experience issues, contact Blink Support for assistance with troubleshooting.
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How do I receive my verification code by voice call instead of SMS?

If you can't or prefer not to receive your verification code via text message or WhatsApp, you can have it read to you through an automated voice call.

To switch your verification method:

  1. Tap Settings at the bottom of your home screen.
  2. Tap Account and Privacy. 
  3. Tap Account Management.
  4. Tap Phone Number.
  5. Enter your Blink account password when prompted.
  6. On the Change Phone Number screen, under Receive code by tap Voice call.

Both mobile and landline numbers work with the voice call option. Contact Blink Support if you have any questions or concerns.

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Setting up your new camera

Add a Sync Module and create a system

Add a Sync Module and create a system

  1. From the Home screen, tap the + icon to add a device.
  2. On the Add Device screen, tap Sync Module.
  3. Scan the QR code on the back of the Sync Module or enter your Sync Module's serial number manually. 
    • Note: The Blink app may ask permission to access the camera on your mobile device in order to scan the QR code. If it asks, select Allow.
  4. Once the serial number is recognized, you are asked to create a new system. Tap the text entry box and provide a unique name for your system. If you have other existing systems, this name must be different from other system names you may have in your Blink account. Tap Continue after your new system name is entered.
  5. The Add Sync Module screen will instruct you to plug in your Sync Module and then wait for the light pattern of blinking blue and steady green. Tap Discover Device when you see this pattern on your Sync Module.
    • 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.
  6. 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. It's named “BLINK-_ _ _ _" where the last 4 digits are from your Sync Module's serial number. Tap Join.
  7. After joining is successful, you are asked to join your local Wi-Fi network. Enter the Wi-Fi password and tap Join.
    • The Add Sync Module screen displays 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks within range. If you do not see your local Wi-Fi network, tap Refresh List at the bottom of the screen. The Sync Module stores network information for devices that are added to its system. Learn more about how to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connections.
  8. When your Sync Module has been added to your new system, you will receive a completion screen. Tap Done to finish the process. You're now ready to add your new camera. The new system name displays at the top of your Home screen and you will also see the Sync Module. A cloud icon with a green connection line shows the Sync Module is successfully communicating with the Blink servers.

Remove the back cover and install batteries

This article will show you how to remove the battery cover from your Blink XT2 camera.

1. Hold the camera so that the back is facing you.



2. You'll notice a grey switch with an arrow facing toward the bottom of the camera. Slide and hold that in the direction of the arrow.



3. While doing this, pull up on the battery cover with your thumb. This may require some force as the camera is air tight.



4. Lift the battery cover off of the camera.


That's it, you can now insert the batteries.

Add one or more cameras

  1. From the Home screen, tap Add Device +.
  2. The Add Device screen displays the devices you can add to your system.
    The Wired Floodlight, Mini, and Video Doorbell do not require a Sync Module; however, they can be added to a Sync Module system. Tap your device to continue the setup process.
  3. On the Scan QR Code screen, use your mobile phone or device's camera to scan the QR code.
    You may be prompted to allow the Blink app to access your mobile phone or device's camera. Scanning the QR code is the only time Blink will access the camera on your mobile device. If you prefer to not use your device camera, or if your camera is unable capture the QR code, tap Enter Serial Manually and manually enter the DSN.
  4. When the serial number is accepted as valid, the setup process begins and you are shown the Camera Added screen with tips on camera placement. When setup is complete, a notification appears and you can tap Done. 
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Setup error

If you receive an error "Unable to Connect to Sync Module" when adding cameras to a system, learn more about troubleshooting this error.

Optional: Linking accounts

If your Blink and Amazon accounts are not already linked, you are asked to link them by tapping on the Link Accounts button. You should link accounts to take full advantage of subscription features. 

Note: You also have the option to select Skip which sends you to the home screen without linking your accounts. Learn how to link your Blink and Amazon accounts later.

The Link Accounts screen asks you to sign into your Amazon account, or create a new one if needed. When the "Success! Accounts linked." message appears, tap Next to go to the Home screen.Delete


  1. Congratulations, your camera has been added to the account. The Home screen shows a blank thumbnail and the serial number as its camera name.

Helpful tips

The following articles can guide you to enhance your Blink experience.

Mounting the camera

This article will show you how to mount your new Blink XT2 camera.

Your Blink XT2 comes with a camera mount, mount riser and two screws in the box. If you’d like to order more, you may do so at Amazon.com.

The mount riser is used to increase the distance from the mounting surface to the camera, allowing for a wider range of motion when positioning the camera. The two provided screws are wood screws. If you’re attempting to mount onto a different surface or any type of masonry, consult your local hardware store on the proper screw type.

We recommend holding the camera where you want to mount it, and try a Live View by pressing this icon in the app. This way, you can verify the camera has a good view and good signal strength in that location. The best motion detection occurs when a subject walks across the field of view horizontally rather than directly towards or away from the camera. Please keep this in mind when choosing a mounting location.

Once you’ve decided on a location, put the mount and the riser together. (Using the mount riser is completely optional)


You’ll see that the screw holes line up on these two accessories. Next, use the two provided screws to attach the mount at your desired location. Please note, use of the included screws for the mount will create two holes in the surface of the wall.


Once the mount (and optional mount riser) is securely in place, snap the camera onto the mount. The circle portion of the mount connects to the centre circle on the back of the XT2 camera.


Once mounted, you can rotate the camera on the mount itself to get the perfect viewing angle. When positioning your camera, remember the best motion detection occurs when a subject walks across the field of view from one side to another rather than directly towards or away from the camera.

Other examples:

Name your camera and set the thumbnail

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

  1. Tap the More button (...) in the lower-right corner of the device thumbnail image.
  2. Tap Device Settings.
  3. Tap General Settings.
  4. 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

Auto-Update Thumbnail is available when you have the latest version of the Blink app. Learn more about current Blink app versions.

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.

  1. Tap the More button (...) in the lower-right corner in the thumbnail image for your camera on the Home screen.
  2. Tap Device Settings.
  3. 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.

Related articles:


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