Blink Basic is Blink's entry-level camera subscription for cloud storage and video history
Blink Basic is a monthly subscription that stores your camera recordings in Blink's cloud servers so you can watch them later. Without it, your Blink cameras record only to local storage (if your camera model supports it) or not at all. The subscription costs $3 per month per camera or $30 per year per camera, and you can apply it to one camera or multiple cameras across your account.
The service keeps your video clips for 30 days. After 30 days, older recordings are deleted automatically. You can download individual clips to your phone or computer before they expire if you want to keep them permanently. The subscription also unlocks some features in the Blink app that are otherwise locked behind the paywall, though the camera itself will still record motion events locally if your model has that hardware capability.
Key Takeaways
- Blink Basic stores 30 days of cloud video history per camera, and recordings delete automatically after that period.
- The cost is $3 per month or $30 per year for each camera you want to cover, and you can mix and match — some cameras on Basic, others without.
- Without any subscription, most Blink cameras will not save video to the cloud, though some models can record locally to a USB drive or microSD card.
- You can download clips before they expire if you want a permanent copy outside Blink's servers.
- Blink Basic does not include person detection, package detection, or other advanced features — those require Blink Plus or Blink Plus Unlimited.
What video and features you get with Blink Basic
Blink Basic stores motion-triggered video clips in the cloud. When your camera detects motion, it records a short clip (usually 5 to 60 seconds depending on your settings) and uploads it to Blink's servers. You can watch these clips in the Blink app on your phone, tablet, or web browser. The app shows you a thumbnail and timestamp for each clip, and you can organize them by camera or date.
The subscription also unlocks the ability to set custom motion zones (areas of the frame where you want motion detection to trigger) and to adjust video quality settings. Without Basic, these options are either unavailable or limited. You also get access to the video history timeline in the app, which shows you when motion events occurred throughout the day.
Blink Basic does not include person detection, package detection, or animal detection. Those features require Blink Plus ($10 per month or $100 per year) or Blink Plus Unlimited ($15 per month or $150 per year). Basic also does not include 24/7 continuous recording — it records only when motion is detected.
How the 30-day storage window works
Every clip your camera records is stored on Blink's servers for exactly 30 days from the date it was recorded. On day 31, that clip is automatically deleted and cannot be recovered. This rolling window means you always have the last month of video available, but nothing older than that.
If you need to keep a clip longer, download it to your phone or computer before the 30 days are up. Downloaded clips stay on your device indefinitely and are not affected by Blink's deletion schedule. The Blink app makes downloading simple — tap the clip, select download, and it saves as a video file you can move, share, or back up however you want.
Pricing and how to add it to your cameras
Blink Basic costs $3 per month per camera when paid monthly, or $30 per year per camera when paid annually. You do not have to subscribe to all your cameras at once. If you have three cameras, you can put Basic on one camera and leave the other two without a subscription, or subscribe to all three. Your bill adjusts based on how many cameras have active subscriptions.
To add Blink Basic, open the Blink app, go to your account settings, and select the camera you want to subscribe to. Choose the monthly or annual plan and confirm payment. Your subscription starts immediately. If you cancel, your cloud storage stops, but any clips already downloaded to your device remain yours.
What happens if you don't have a subscription
Without Blink Basic, your camera will still detect motion and send you notifications on your phone. However, the video clips will not be saved to the cloud. Some Blink camera models (like the Blink XT2 and Blink Outdoor) can record locally to a USB drive or microSD card, so you can still access video if you have that hardware set up. Most other models will not save any video at all without a subscription.
You can still view a live stream from your camera in the app without a subscription — you just cannot watch past recordings. This means you can check on your home in real time, but you cannot go back and review what happened an hour ago or yesterday. Local storage is your only option for keeping video history on cameras without a subscription.
Blink Basic vs. Blink Plus and Blink Plus Unlimited
Blink offers three subscription tiers, each with different storage length and detection features. Blink Basic is the lowest cost and covers the essentials: cloud storage and motion recording. The higher tiers add longer storage windows and smarter detection that can tell the difference between a person, a package, or an animal.
| Feature | Blink Basic | Blink Plus | Blink Plus Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud storage | 30 days | 60 days | Unlimited |
| Motion detection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Person detection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Package detection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animal detection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly cost per camera | $3 | $10 | $15 |
| Annual cost per camera | $30 | $100 | $150 |
Blink Plus doubles your storage to 60 days and adds person, package, and animal detection. Blink Plus Unlimited keeps your video indefinitely and includes all the same detection features. If you only need basic motion recording and 30 days of history, Blink Basic is the lowest-cost option. If you want longer storage or smarter detection, the higher tiers may be worth the extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Blink cameras without any subscription?
Yes. Your camera will still detect motion and send you notifications, and you can watch live video in the app. You just will not be able to review past recordings unless your camera model supports local storage to a USB drive or microSD card. Blink Basic is optional, not required.
Do I have to pay for every camera, or can I subscribe to just one?
You can subscribe to as many or as few cameras as you want. If you have five cameras but only care about cloud storage for two of them, you can put Blink Basic on those two and leave the others without a subscription. Your monthly bill reflects only the cameras you have subscribed.
What happens to my videos if I cancel Blink Basic?
Cloud storage stops immediately, and any clips still on Blink's servers are deleted after 30 days. Clips you downloaded to your phone or computer before canceling stay on your device. If you resubscribe later, your new 30-day window starts fresh — old clips are not restored.
Can I download clips before they expire?
Yes. Open any clip in the Blink app, tap the download button, and it saves as a video file to your phone or computer. Downloaded clips are yours to keep permanently and are not affected by the 30-day expiration on cloud storage.
Does Blink Basic include 24/7 recording?
No. Blink Basic records only when motion is detected. If you want continuous recording, you would need to set up local storage on a compatible camera model or use a different security system. Blink does not offer a 24/7 cloud recording option at any subscription tier.