Blink Video Doorbell FAQ
What is the Blink Video Doorbell?
The Blink Video Doorbell is a battery powered camera that connects to your Wi-Fi and brings you 1080p HD video, two-way audio, and live view in the Blink app. See or speak to visitors at your door using the Blink app or Alexa compatible device. Install wired or wire-free to receive motion notifications in the Blink app. Connecting to your compatible chime wiring sounds your in-home chime for doorbell presses.General
No, the Video Doorbell does not require a Sync Module.
Without a Sync Module, Live View and two-way audio are only available by tapping the motion notification for a doorbell press or motion event within 60 seconds of receiving the notification on your mobile device.
With a Sync Module, these features are available anytime on-demand. Learn more about adding a Sync Module system.
Yes, the Video Doorbell requires the following Wi-Fi network requirements.
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Network 802.11b/g/n
- A high-speed internet connection (DSL, Cable, Fiber) with a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbit/sec.
- IP Configuration: DHCP
- Wi-Fi Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2 with TKIP SSID
Note: If the available bandwidth is too low, Live View may not load and motion clips may take longer than usual to load and view.
Yes. While you’re in Live View, press Tap to unmute
and the button turns blue.
- An animation appears above the button indicating your mobile device’s microphone is active and your audio will play through your camera’s speaker.
- When you’re finished talking, press Tap to mute.
- Your Live View stops after five minutes. To start another Live View session, return to the Home screen and tap the play icon.
The Blink Video Doorbell supports two-way audio on Alexa compatible devices like the Echo Show. Learn more about Alexa Skills and Features.
Yes, the doorbell is rated IP-54 weather resistant to rain, dust, cold and heat, within typical limits. For more details, visit the Blink Video Doorbell Technical Specifications page.
Note: The doorbell is not designed to be immersed in water.
Once you arm your Blink system and Enable Motion Detection, you will receive motion notifications on your mobile device. To ensure you receive motion notifications on your mobile device, follow these guidelines:
- Arm your system.
- Turn on Motion Detection by tapping the More button
on the bottom right-hand corner of the doorbell’s thumbnail. - Tap Motion Detection
to turn the Motion Detection setting On. To learn more, visit Understanding Motion Detection. - Check your mobile device’s system-level settings that control notifications. Visit the following articles for more information:
- Android: Control notifications on Android.
- iOS: Change notification settings on iPhone.
Battery life will vary based on device settings, use, and environmental factors.
- When paired with a Sync Module, a Video Doorbell can achieve up to two years of battery life with default settings and normal use.
- You will be notified when your battery power drops to Low. A battery level indicator displays on the home screen of the Blink app and on the doorbell Settings screen.
- You should not use rechargeable batteries with your doorbell. Use one pair of non-rechargeable, Lithium Metal, size AA, 1.5v batteries. Visit Amazon.com for recommended batteries.
No. The Video Doorbell needs a working Wi-Fi connection to send notifications and record motion events. Without a Wi-Fi connection, sound will play from the doorbell when the ringer button is pressed, but you will not receive notifications and motion events are not recorded until your doorbell reconnects to your Wi-Fi.
If your doorbell is wired to your compatible chime wiring and you lose power to the chime system, a doorbell press plays sound from the doorbell, but not from your in-home chime. When power to the chime system is restored, a doorbell press plays sound from the doorbell and your in-home chime.
For a list of compatible Alexa devices, visit the Alexa FAQ. To learn more about Blink and IFTTT, visit How Do I Use IFTTT Applets with Blink?
Mounting
After you’ve downloaded the Blink app and added the doorbell to your account, you’re ready to mount your doorbell. The app will walk you through the installation. You can visit Mounting the Blink Video Doorbell for a video tutorial and detailed instructions.
Yes, the Video Doorbell can be installed wired or wire-free.
When wired, the doorbell battery life is extended up to two years and rings your existing in-home chime. Even when wired, the doorbell is always powered by size AA, 1.5 volt, lithium non-rechargeable batteries.
When wired, Live View and two-way audio are available anytime on-demand.
When not wired, your doorbell will chime, but your in-home chime will not ring.
When not wired, Live View and two-way audio are only available by tapping the motion notification for a doorbell press or motion event within 60 seconds of receiving the notification on your mobile device.
- If you wire your doorbell to compatible chime wiring, your in-home chime will sound for doorbell button presses. Learn about Blink Video Doorbell wired installation.
- When wired, doorbell battery life is extended up to two years. Even when wired, the doorbell is always powered by size AA, 1.5 volt, lithium non-rechargeable batteries.
- Mechanical or digital chime systems must provide 16 – 24 volts AC at 50 – 60Hz, and 40VA maximum to the doorbell. If your chime system provides less than 16 volts AC, the doorbell enters Event Response mode and your in-home chimes will not sound with doorbell presses.
- To check your chime system’s voltage, visit How do I find my doorbell’s system voltage?
Wedge: Provides a 5° vertical tilt (up or down)
Corner Mount: Provides a 25° horizontal tilt (side-to-side)
To adjust your camera position in the opposite direction, flip your Wedge or Corner Mount 180º so that the top and bottom switch positions.
We have provided spare mounting screws and weatherproofing washers in the box. However, if you need additional mounting screws, please contact Customer Support to request additional mounting screws.
Storage
No, you can use all Blink products without a Blink Subscription Plan.
You can save clips to Local Storage for no monthly fee by adding your doorbell to a Sync Module 2 system with USB flash drive (sold separately).
Note: If your account was created on, or before April 15, 2020, you receive two hours of free cloud storage.
Yes. To use Local Storage with your doorbell, add your doorbell to a Sync Module 2 system with a compatible USB flash drive inserted. Learn more about Local Storage.
No, the Video Doorbell has no way to store clips by itself.
You can store motion clips with Local Storage without a subscription by adding your doorbell to a Sync Module 2 system with a recognized USB flash drive inserted (sold separately).
- With a Blink Subscription Plan, you receive unlimited video recording cloud storage for 60 days for each clip (30 days in the EU/UK). You receive a free 30-day trial of the Blink Subscription Plus Plan with the purchase of a new Video Doorbell. This free 30-day trial will cover all devices in your Blink account.
- With Local Storage, you can store videos without a subscription by adding your doorbell to a Sync Module 2 system with a recognized USB flash drive inserted (sold separately).
Learn more about Blink storage options for motion clips.
Note: If your account was created on, or before April 15, 2020, the doorbell saves to your free cloud storage.
We have provided spare mounting screws and weatherproofing washers in the box. However, if you need additional mounting screws, please contact Customer Support to request additional mounting screws.
Alexa
Yes With a compatible Alexa-enabled device, you have the following features with your Video Doorbell.
- Alexa can announce that someone is at your door
- Use two-way audio to answer your door
- Access your doorbell’s Live View
- Select a custom chime sound
- Add your doorbell to an Alexa routine
No. Your Video Doorbell does not support auto Live View for doorbell presses or motion events for your Alexa compatible devices. When the doorbell is connected to compatible powered chime wiring or a Sync Module, you can start a Live View by saying “Alexa, show me the [doorbell name].”
Learn more about Supported Alexa features.
Note: When a doorbell is in Event Response mode, Alexa cannot initiate a Live View using a voice command.
Yes. When you enable the Blink SmartHome Skill, your Echo device can alert you with Doorbell Announcements when the doorbell ringer button is pressed.
Instead of a chime sound, Alexa announces “Someone is at your [doorbell name].”
You can also customize the doorbell sound your Alexa device. Visit using Alexa with your Video Doorbell to learn how.
Chimes
From the doorbell
When the doorbell button is pressed, the doorbell sound is played from the doorbell speaker.
From the Blink app
When the doorbell button is pressed, the Blink doorbell sound also plays in the Blink app.
From your in-home chime
If your doorbell is connected to your existing chime wiring, your in-home chime will ring inside with doorbell presses.
From your Mini camera
If your Mini camera shares the same Sync Module 2 system as your doorbell, the Mini can chime sound for doorbell presses. Normal chime sounds and notifications still happen in the Blink app.
Learn more about using your Mini camera as a chime.
From your compatible Alexa enabled device
When the doorbell button is pressed, the doorbell sound plays from your Alexa device. To learn more, visit using Alexa enabled devices with the Blink Video Doorbell.
No. Your Video Doorbell does not support auto Live View for doorbell presses or motion events for your Alexa compatible devices. When the doorbell is connected to compatible powered chime wiring or a Sync Module, you can start a Live View by saying “Alexa, show me the [doorbell name].”
Learn more about Supported Alexa features.
Note: When a doorbell is in Event Response mode, Alexa cannot initiate a Live View using a voice command.
Yes. If your Mini camera shares the same Sync Module 2 system as your doorbell, the Mini can chime sound when the doorbell button is pressed. Normal chime sounds and notifications still happen in the Blink app.
Learn more about using your Mini camera as a chime.
Yes, the Video Doorbell can be connected to chime systems rated from 16-24 volts AC (vAC). Learn more about Wired installation. If your doorbell is connected to compatible chime wiring, your in-home chime will ring with doorbell presses.
Even when wired, the doorbell is always powered by size AA, 1.5 volt, lithium non-rechargeable batteries.
If your existing chime has less than than 16 vAC, the doorbell enters Event Response mode.
Third-party wireless chimes are not compatible with the Video Doorbell.
Yes, you can adjust the chime volume during setup. To change your chime volume after setup, visit changing your chime volume.