Use this article to understand how Local Storage functions with the Sync Module 2.

The Sync Module 2's USB port is compatible with most USB flash drives, allowing you to store video clips locally. Once this is installed, your clips are saved there without having to subscribe to a Blink Subscription Plan.

The Sync Module 2 will use the drive in one of two ways:

1. If you are not subscribing to a Blink Plan, motion clips are saved to the drive and it is used as a local storage device.
2. If you are subscribing to a Blink Plan, motion clips are backed up to the drive every 24 hours from the moment it was plugged in. We refer to these types of clips as backup clips.
   • Note: Backup clips are not viewable in the Blink app. Learn more about how to view backup clips.

USB drive requirements

• Any type-A, self-powered USB flash drive formatted to ExFAT (preferred), FAT32, or FAT
  • 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

How to view Cloud Storage or Local Storage clips

In the footer of the Blink app, tap Clips  to access your saved motion clips.

Cloud and Local Storage tabs

Within Clips, your saved motion clips are organized by storage method. There are two types of storage tabs: the Cloud Storage tab and the Local Storage tab.

• If there are multiple storage methods being used and they contain saved clips, they will be separated with tabs. 
• If you are using a single storage method (ex. Cloud storage), then you will not see multiple tabs appear in Clips.
• Each tab displays a list of the clips that are saved to that storage location. They are listed by camera name and sorted by the time the clip occurred.
• The Speaker icon  allows you to enable or mute audio from the selected clip. This setting remains until you change it back.

Cloud Storage tab

This tab is always named Cloud in the app. Tapping this tab shows you all of the clips that are currently saved to your Cloud Storage, whether you are subscribing to a Blink plan or not. Clips in Cloud Storage are not saved permanently. They will auto-delete after a set period of time.  The maximum time a clip can be stored in Cloud Storage is 60 days. Learn more about auto-delete settings in Troubleshooting Motion Clips. Tap Filter in the lower right corner to select events, systems, or cameras to display on the Clips. To delete multiple clips at once, either tap Edit (iOS) or long press on a clip (Android) to select it. Tap additional clips in the list to select them and then tap the trash can at the top of Clips to delete them.

Local Storage tab

A subscription is not required to use Local Storage. This tab shares the name of the system that the Sync Module 2 is attached to.  Example: If your system is named "my home" then this tab would also be named "my home." This tab appears when: You have clips saved in both your Local Storage USB drive as well as your Cloud Storage. You have multiple Sync Module 2's and a USB drive is connected to each one. Local Storage displays the last 30 days of clips - up to 1000 total. Local Storage clips do not auto-delete, but are limited by the storage capacity of the drive. You may delete one clip at a time while viewing clips in Local Storage.  Edit (iOS) and Filter options do not appear in the Clips.

Local Storage with or without a Blink subscription plan

Depending if you are subscribed to a Blink plan or not, your local storage method is handled differently. Use the following to understand how each situation interacts with the Sync Module 2 equipped with local storage.

Local Storage with Early Notification setting

• If you're using Local Storage with Early Notification on and access a motion notification, clip recording stops immediately.
• If you're using Local Storage with Early Notification off, the entire motion clip saves to the USB drive before you can use Live View. 
• Clip length and Early Notification can be adjusted in Camera Settings.