How to Turn off Blink Camera Without App: Easy Way [2023]

Blink Cams, like many of its compeers, can be easily disarmed through the Blink app. But is there another way to turn it off without depending on the Blink app?

I have been a user of the Blink series of home security Cameras for a while now. I have always wondered if I could turn off the Blink Camera without employing the Blink App.

When I realized that many other users like me must be wondering the same, I decided to write this article outlining the different ways you can turn off your Blink Camera without using the Blink App.

To turn off a Blink Camera without the Blink app, remove the batteries. You can also power down the Sync Module to which the Blink Cam is synced. Creating schedules to disarm the cam or implementing IFTTT commands to disarm the Cam via Alexa voice commands could also achieve the same result.

For more information on how to turn off a Blink Cam without the Blink app, keep reading below:

Remove the Batteries from the Blink Camera

As with any electronic gadget, once you deprive the device of the power source, it will no longer work. The same applies to Blink Cams.

Since Blink Cams are powered through batteries, to power them down, you simply remove the batteries.

Moreover, removing the batteries to power down the Cam is an effective method to reboot the Cam which in turn helps steer clear of issues like Blink Photo Capture not working.

Depending on the Blink Camera that you own, the steps to remove the battery from the Blink Camera will differ. We will discuss the steps for the following Blink Cameras:

1. Blink Video Doorbell: The batteries for the Blink Video Doorbell, along with the QR code, are inside the case of your Blink Doorbell.
2. Outdoor and Indoor Gen2: For Outdoor and Indoor (Gen 2) cameras, the batteries and Device Serial Number (DSN) sticker are found inside the back cover.
3. XT2 and XT: On the back of the device, you will notice a grey switch with an arrow facing toward the bottom of the Camera. Slide along the direction of the arrow to open the cover and remove the battery.
4. Indoor Gen 1: For this Blink Camera, there is a latch on the bottom of the Camera. Slide this latch to release the battery cover.

You can confirm whether the Cam is recording or not by observing the status LED. If it is recording or detecting motion the LED will flash. If it's powered down the LED will not light up.

Power Down the Sync Module

The Sync Module is the hub that all your Blink Cameras connect to in order to relay commands and access the network.

As a result, your Blink Cameras enjoy longer battery life by forgoing various tasks like establishing a network connection, which all happens through the Sync Module.

The Sync Module does not have battery backup and must be actively powered through a wired source.

And so, powering down the Sync Module, too, will render a Blink Cam disarmed.

To do so, unplug the power cable from the Sync module, and you're all set.

Doing so happens to also be the simplest way to disable multiple simultaneously recording Blink Cams without the app.

Create Schedules to Disarm Blink Camera

The Schedules feature on Blink is yet another method of disarming the Cam without manually doing so from the app.

Although, you'll have to configure Schedules from the App. In doing so, you can automatically arm/disarm the Cam for a set time frame.

To set a schedule for your Blink Camera, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Blink App and navigate to 'Settings' and select 'Device and System Settings'.

2. Then choose the System you want to create a schedule for under 'Systems' located on the top of the screen.

3. Check the Set timezone tile to configure the time frame you want to disarm the Cam.

4. Next, tap on 'Scheduling'. Now, you can see your Weekly Schedule.

5. To create a schedule, tap on the '+' symbol in the upper right-hand corner of the app. You have to set a time for your system to arm and a time for your system to disarm.

6. Dragging the hand of the clock to the desired time will change the time in 15-minute increments. You also need to select the desired days of the week for when you want your system to arm.

7. Once you have set the days and the time frame, tap on 'Save' in the upper right-hand corner.

8. Once saved, you will be brought back to the Weekly Schedule view. The week will be shown in blue because you have not set a disarmed time. Tap on the '+' symbol again to set the disarm time for your system.

The process for setting disarm time is the same as setting arming time, except you will have to toggle on the left to set it to 'Disarm'.

Remember to tap on 'Save' once you have set the desired time and selected the days of the week.

You can also modify saved schedules by tapping on the arm-disarm toggles and further changing days or times.

You can disable your schedule temporarily by toggling on Scheduling in the system menu.

And to delete a schedule, go into the Schedule view. On top of the screen will be a trash can icon.

Tapping on it will result in a prompt asking you to confirm your choice to delete your Schedule.

Deleting a set Schedule can also help you resolve issues with Schedules not working on your Blink Cam.

A note to remember is that Scheduled arming and disarming of your system takes precedence and overrides any manually set or IFTTT/Alexa-triggered settings.

Use Voice Commands through Alexa

Thanks to the Blink SmartHome Skill, Blink devices work seamlessly with Alexa to execute crucial commands like arming/disarming the Cam through voice commands.

And we will be making use of this functionality to disarm the Cam without depending on the Blink app.

When prompted to disarm a home security system, Alexa will prompt for a voice code, which you'll have to create during the setup.

Keep in mind that the voice code that you create in the Alexa app is different from the Blink code.

If you have not configured Alexa to disarm your system, follow the steps below to set up your four-digit voice code in the Alexa app:

• Go to the Alexa App and tap on 'All Devices'.
• You can find the Blink System near the shield icon.
• Tap the System you want to enable for the Alexa Disable command.
• From the system device settings, toggle the 'Disarm by Voice'.
• A pop-up will ask you to confirm if you want to allow Alexa to disarm your security system by using voice. Tap on 'OK' to accept.
• Now, create your voice code by typing in four digits of your choosing. Alexa will prompt you for this code every time you make a request to disarm the system.
• Confirm the code by typing in the code again.
• You will be navigated to a confirmation screen that shows the control phrase to use with this system. Tap on 'Continue' to finish the setup.
• Keep in mind that Alexa requires you to say the exact name of the system or device that you want to control except if your security system has only one Camera on the account.
• To enable this feature, the 'Disarm by voice' option in the System settings also needs to be enabled.

Check below for the exact prompt you will have to say to arm or disarm your system:

If you have only one Blink security system added to your Alexa account with only one camera, the following are the prompts.

Action	What to say	Result
Arm	"Alexa, Arm."	The camera system is armed.
Disarm	"Alexa, Disarm."	Alexa asks "What's your voice code for <System Name>?"

If you have more than one system, then you will have to say the exact system or camera name that you have assigned.

Action	What to say	Result
Arm	"Alexa, Arm <System Name>."	The camera system is armed.
Disarm	"Alexa, Disarm <System Name>."	Alexa asks "What's your voice code for <System Name>?"
	"Alexa, Disarm <System Name>, my pin is ####."	Alexa disarms the system.
Status	"Alexa, ask Blink to get my status" "Alexa, ask Blink what's my status" OR "Alexa, is <System Name> armed?"  "Alexa, is <System Name> disarmed?" This functionality does not work for Cameras that use local storage to record directly onto Sync Module 2 using a USB drive.
Detailed Status	"Alexa, ask Blink what my detailed status is."  "Alexa, ask Blink to get my detailed status." (last motion clip details for each system included) This functionality does not work for Cameras that use local storage to record directly onto Sync Module 2 using a USB drive.
Schedule	"Alexa, ask Blink to list my schedule." "Alexa, ask Blink what my schedule is."
Motion Clip	"Alexa, ask Blink when was the last motion clip." "Alexa, ask Blink when was my last motion alert." This functionality does not work for Cameras that use local storage to record directly onto Sync Module 2 using a USB drive.
Motion Clip Count	"Alexa, ask Blink, how many motion clips do I have?"  "Alexa, ask Blink, how many recordings do I have?" This functionality does not work for Cameras that use local storage to record directly onto Sync Module 2 using a USB drive.

The following commands are for Alexa-enabled devices with a screen. These devices can receive audio only from Blink Cameras.

Action	Command
Live View	"Alexa, show me <Camera Name>" You will be shown the live view of the Camera for a period of 5 minutes.
Exiting Live View	"Alexa, hide my <Camera Name>"
To View the Last Motion Clip	"Alexa, show me the last activity on <Camera Name>." This functionality does not work for Cameras that use local storage to record directly onto Sync Module 2 using a USB drive.

Use IFTTT to Disarm the Camera

Blink allows users to enable IFTTT support. In doing so, you could even pair your Blink Cam with Smartthings and other third-party SmartHome solutions.

However, this feature is active only in North America and some European countries.

With that said, let's now look at how to enable and use IFTTT with Blink.

To pair and use Blink with IFTTT, you will first have to configure a corresponding IFTTT applet. You can find the Blink applet on the IFTTT website.

Follow the instructions below to use Blink Cameras with IFTTT applets:

• To enable IFTTT support, first, download the IFTTT app from the Apple store or the Google Play store. Once installed, you will have to create or sign into your IFTTT account.
• Once signed in, from the welcome screen, you can personalize your applet by clicking on the 'Explore' button to access the search screen.
• Search for 'Blink' and tap on the Blink logo from the search result.
• If you are residing in Europe, search for 'Blink (Europe)'.
• Now, you have to connect your Blink account with IFTTT. Click 'Continue' to sign into your Blink Account.
• Keep in mind that you have to sign in using the same email id and password that you used for your Blink system.
• Enter the PIN sent to your mobile device or email id.
• You have to grant access in order to connect to pre-made applets.
• These applets allow for IFTTT to use your mobile device's GPS to arm and disarm your system when you leave or arrive at the location of the Cameras.

To arm your system when you leave the location of the Camera, follow the steps below:

• Once granted access, you will have the option to connect the applet to your Blink system.
• Allow IFTTT to push notifications to ensure that you get notifications.
• The next screen that you are taken to will have the option to set the location for the applet and the system you wish to arm.
• To set the location, you can manually enter the address or use your current location using your GPS. Make sure you fine-tune the radius.
• Once set, tap on 'Save' and you will see the Applet is connected.

To disarm the system when you arrive, follow the steps below:

• Find and select the 'Disarm your Blink System when you get home' applet.
• Once selected, connect to it.
• You will be prompted as before to toggle notifications on or off.
• You will also have to set the location for this applet and the system you wish to disarm.
• Tap on 'Save' to confirm your choices.
• You can check under 'My Services' in the IFTTT app to see if these functions are indeed turned on.

Blink recommends the use of the Blink Applet over other applets as Blink has disabled many other third-party services.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a comprehensive article elaborating on a multitude of ways to creatively turn your Blink Camera on and off without using the Blink App.

Apart from disabling the Blink cam, the IFTTT applet integration lets you configure many other useful functions too.

Hopefully, the information in this article has helped configure your Blink device as per your requirements.

Have a good day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use my Blink camera without a subscription?

Blink products do not require a paid subscription to use. Standard features like motion alerts, live view, and two-way audio are available for all Blink users. However, there are subscription plans which offer additional features.

What happens when a Blink camera is offline?

If you receive a notification that your Blink Camera is offline, it means that the blink server has lost communication with the camera. It could be due to network issues. When the network is restored, the Camera automatically comes back online.

Can I access my Blink system from my computer?

No, you cannot access the Blink system from your computer. However, if you are using Sync Module 2, you can store files up to 256 GB on a removable USB drive. You can access these files by plugging the USB drive into a computer. You can also access Camera and system settings, scheduling, and clip-sharing functions on the Blink App.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

• Blink Camera Not Connecting to WiFi: How to Fix [2023]
• Blink Camera Thumbnail Failed: How to Fix [2023]
• Blink Camera Only Recording 1 Sec/5 Sec/20 Sec: How to Fix [2023]
• Is IFTTT Safe? We Did the Research [2023]
• Do Blink Cameras Record Audio? Answered!