Photo Capture FAQ


Blink Subscription Plans enable many premium features including Photo Capture - exclusively for the Blink Mini 2, Outdoor 4, Indoor and Outdoor (3rd Gen) cameras and the Video Doorbell. When Photo Capture is enabled, your eligible Blink camera takes a thumbnail photo every hour, once a day. These thumbnails are then converted into a brief video clip that you can view in your Blink app. 

Photo Capture is ONLY available in Blink Basic, Blink Plus and free trials of the subscription plans. Learn more about Blink Subscription Plans.

If there is no motion detection, Live View, or doorbell press events in 24 hours, the Photo Capture images are converted to a short clip that you can view in the Blink app.

When there is motion detection, Live View, or doorbell press event, any Photo Capture images that have already been taken are converted to your clip list, so the new event can be processed right away. Clips from a new event may appear in the Blink app before the Photo Capture clip displays.

Eligible Blink cameras:
Mini 2, Outdoor 4, Indoor and Outdoor (3rd Gen) cameras (Photo Capture is on by default)
Video Doorbell (Photo Capture turned is off by default)

Note: Photo Capture is not available for the Blink Wired Floodlight, Mini, XT2, XT, or Indoor (1st Gen) cameras and does not work with Local Storage.

How do I get Photo Capture?

Photo Capture is ONLY available in Blink Basic, Blink Plus and free trials of the subscription plans. Learn more about Blink Subscription Plans. Local Storage is not supported.

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How do I use Photo Capture?

  1. Make sure your system is armed for Motion Detection.
  2. Go to Device Settings > Video and Photo Settings > Photo Capture and ensure the feature is on. Tap the Photo Capture setting to turn on and off.

Note: Photo Captures respect Privacy Zones, but there may be other privacy considerations in your local laws and regulations, so please consider whether taking a regular photo is appropriate based on the camera's field of view.

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How is Photo Capture different than capturing video clips?

Capturing a video clip involves the camera taking a video in real time, as events occur. 

Photo Capture is a clip made from images taken once an hour all day, then placed in your Clip List. You will see  next to the timestamp letting you know that clip is a Photo Capture.

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When can I see my Photo Captures?

Photo Captures are sent to your clip list right after they are made. A motion event or Live View session will force the Photo Capture to be created at that point and sent to your clip list. If the camera has Motion Detection turned off, and the system is armed, motion alerts do not occur and the Photo Capture is created at the end of every day.

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How long are Photo Captures stored for viewing in the cloud?

Photo Capture clips are stored in the cloud up to 60 days before they are automatically deleted. This will not affect any of your motion events or Live Views. For the EU and UK, the maximum storage time is 30 days.

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Why are Photo Captures taken at a 640x360 resolution rather than at 1920x1080?

This resolution supports long-lasting battery life and image load speeds to provide an optimal viewing experience.

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What happens when my camera is offline?

If your camera loses internet connectivity, it continues to capture images every hour. When your camera returns online the most recent 24 images are turned into a new Photo Capture. The internal camera storage keeps images safe even when changing the batteries.

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Can I still use Photo Capture and not get motion notifications?

Yes, Photo Capture and Motion Detection are separate functions. You can arm a system, enable Photo Capture, and disable motion detection for one or all devices in your Blink system. Disabling motion notifications means motion events are not recorded and you will not receive motion notifications for motion events. Because Photo Captures is enabled, your eligible Blink camera takes a thumbnail photo every hour, once a day. These thumbnails are then converted into a brief video clip that you can view in your Blink app. This allows you to monitor camera activity through Photo Capture instead of motion alert or Live View.

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Can photos be taken when motion is being recorded?

When motion is being recorded, Photo Capture images are not stored. At the moment motion is detected, the Photo Captures already taken are uploaded and a clip is created. After the motion recording is complete, Photo Capture begins taking images again in the hour after the event.

Note: Please use Photo Capture in compliance with applicable laws and respect the privacy of others. To protect certain areas of the camera view from any kind of recording activity, use Privacy Zones.

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