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Troubleshooting a USB drive

How to reformat your USB drive

Use this article to assist with formatting the USB drive you are plugging into the Sync Module 2.

Note: Legacy Blink devices: XT, XT2, and Indoor (1st Gen) cannot make use of Local Storage or Clip Backup with a Sync Module and USB flash drive.

USB drive requirements

  • Any type-A, self-powered USB flash drive in a supported format
    • If necessary, the Blink app can reformat the drive when it is first inserted into the Sync Module 2.
  • Minimum storage size: 1 GB
  • Maximum storage size: 256 GB
  • More than 375 MB of free space available

Supported formats for the USB Flash Drive

The flash drive you decide to plug into the Sync Module 2 must be formatted in order for the device to properly save clips and images to it.

USB Flash Drive Supported formats USB Flash Drive Unsupported formats
  • ExFAT
  • FAT32 (this format stores a maximum of 16,383 clips per day)
  • FAT
  • HFS+
  • EXT 2, 3, and 4
  • NTFS
  • APFS
  • MAC OS Extended

Unsupported format dialogue

If a drive with an unsupported format is inserted, the "Format USB device?" popup is displayed in the Blink app. Formatting the drive will erase all existing data on the device.

Note: If you choose to have the sync module format the drive, the server will check the software version of your sync module. An update may be necessary to complete the formatting process.

You have the following options:

  1. Tap Format and leave the drive inserted. The firmware update and/or drive formatting completes. The maximum expected time is 24 hours.
  2. Tap Cancel, then remove the drive from the Sync Module 2 and insert another flash drive with a compatible format.
  3. Tap Cancel, then remove your drive from the Sync Module 2 and use a computer to reformat it to ExFAT. If that option is not available, you can use FAT32, or FAT.

Using a PC to reformat to exFAT

If you're experiencing issues with your USB drive, ensure you are using a compatible USB drive. If your USB is compatible, reformatting your USB to exFat may solve the issue. Select the appropriate tab for steps on reformatting your USB drive to exFAT.

Mac OS

To format a drive to exFAT with Mac OS:

  1. Insert the drive into your Mac computer and open a Finder window to access the USB drive.
  2. Use Launchpad to find the app, Disk Utility.
  3. In the Disk Utility, select the USB drive and click Erase.
  4. In the Format pop-up menu, choose exFAT, leaving the other settings at their default.
  5. Name the drive whatever you'd like.
  6. Click Erase to begin formatting.
  7. When complete, click Done to close the formatting dialog. 
  8. Click the eject icon to the right of the disk in the Disk Utility or drag the drive into your trash.
  9. Unplug the drive from your Mac and place it back into your Sync Module 2.

Windows PC

To format a drive to exFAT on a PC:

  1. Insert the drive into your Windows computer and open File Explorer.
  2. Find the USB drive, and right-click on it to bring up the menu.
  3. Select Format.
  4. In the new window that appears, under the File System select exFAT and click Start.
  5. When the Format Complete message appears, you can eject the drive.
  6. Unplug the drive from your Windows PC and place it back into your Sync Module 2.

Chromebook

To format a drive to exFAT on Chromebook:

  1. Insert USB drive into your Chromebook and open the Files app.
  2. Click Settings (3 dot icon) at the top right to open a menu.
  3. Select Format device.
  4. Under Format, click the down-arrow button and select exFAT.
  5. Click Erase and Format.
  6. Watch for the Format Complete prompt to display on the bottom right of the File App.
  7. Unplug the drive from your Chromebook and place it back into your Sync Module 2.
Delete

If you're in need of further assistance, please contact Customer Service.



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