The short answer is no—Blink cameras are designed for motion-activated recording, not 24/7 surveillance. Below, we break down how Blink cameras operate, their limitations, and potential workarounds.
Blink Cameras Are Motion-Activated
Blink cameras rely on motion detection to trigger recordings. By default, they capture clips of 5–60 seconds when movement is detected, followed by a cooldown period (minimum 10 seconds) before resuming monitoring.
This design prioritizes battery life and reduces storage demands, making them ideal for intermittent monitoring but unsuitable for continuous footage.
Key limitations:
- No 24/7 recording: Blink lacks a native continuous recording feature, even for wired models like the Blink Mini or Outdoor.
- Gaps in footage: Motion-based recording may miss events occurring during cooldown periods or subtle movements outside the sensor’s range.
Extended Live View vs. Continuous Recording
Blink’s Extended Live View (available with a subscription plan) allows live streaming for up to 90 minutes without manual intervention.
However, this feature does not save recordings and is limited to specific cameras like the Mini and Wired Floodlight. While it offers prolonged real-time viewing, it’s not equivalent to continuous recording, as clips cannot be stored during these sessions.
Subscription Plans and Local Storage
While Blink’s subscription plans (Basic or Plus) enhance functionality, they do not enable continuous recording. Benefits include:
- Unlimited cloud storage: Motion-triggered clips are saved for 60 days (30 days in the EU/UK).
- Local storage backup: With a Sync Module 2 and USB drive, clips are backed up daily, but this still depends on motion detection.
Workaround limitations:
- Local storage requires a Sync Module 2 and USB drive, which only store motion-triggered clips—not continuous footage.
- Cloud storage retains clips temporarily, requiring manual downloads to preserve important events.
Why Blink Avoids Continuous Recording
Blink’s design focuses on battery efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Continuous recording would:
- Drain batteries rapidly (for wireless models).
- Overload storage systems, requiring expensive infrastructure for 24/7 data.
- Increase subscription costs for users.
Alternatives for Near-Continuous Monitoring
Though Blink doesn’t support true continuous recording, users can optimize settings for broader coverage:
- Adjust motion sensitivity: Increase detection range to capture more events.
- Extend clip length: Set recordings to the maximum 60 seconds.
- Combine multiple cameras: Deploy several devices to cover blind spots.
- Use third-party systems: Integrate Blink with platforms like Alexa for supplementary alerts.
Blink cameras are not built for continuous recording and excel primarily as motion-activated security tools. While features like Extended Live View and local storage expand functionality, they fall short of 24/7 surveillance.
For users needing uninterrupted recording, alternatives like wired CCTV systems or cameras with built-in SD slots may be more suitable.