Can i retrieve deleted blink videos​?

The Blink camera system, an affordable and reliable option for home security, has gained widespread popularity due to its wireless design and ease of use. These cameras allow users to record, store, and view video footage from their smartphones or computers. However, one issue that many users face is accidentally deleting video footage, whether it’s a specific video of an important event or an entire series of clips. The anxiety that comes with losing security footage can be stressful, especially if it’s evidence of a break-in, an incident, or an important moment that you might want to refer to later.

1. Blink Video Storage

Before diving into recovery methods, it’s essential to understand how Blink stores video footage and the role cloud storage plays in the process.

Cloud Storage

Blink cameras store videos in the cloud, which means that the footage is uploaded to Blink’s servers for a specified duration, depending on your subscription plan. Typically, Blink offers cloud storage for up to 60 days for videos recorded on a Blink Subscription Plan. If you are using the free cloud storage that comes with the Blink camera system, you might not have as much time to access your videos. After this retention period, the videos are automatically deleted from the cloud.

Local Storage (USB Drive)

For users who own the Blink Sync Module 2. there is the option to store videos locally on a USB flash drive. This is an added feature for those who wish to avoid using cloud storage. If you have videos saved locally on a USB drive, you have the ability to access these files even after they’ve been deleted from the cloud.

App and Device Management

Videos can also be managed and downloaded via the Blink Home Monitor app on your mobile device or through the Blink website. The app allows users to review, delete, and download videos, but once deleted, videos cannot be easily retrieved from the app, as the deletion is permanent within the app’s interface.

2. Recovering Blink Videos from the Cloud

If you have deleted Blink videos that were stored in the cloud, your chances of recovery are limited, especially once the videos have passed the 60-day retention period. However, there are still some avenues worth exploring:

Contact Blink Support

While there isn’t a guaranteed way to retrieve deleted videos from the cloud, reaching out to Blink customer support is a good first step. In rare cases, they may be able to assist with restoring lost or deleted videos, especially if there’s a technical issue involved with your account. Be sure to provide them with all the relevant details such as the time and date the videos were deleted and any other pertinent information.

Review Cloud Backup Services

If you had set up an external cloud backup service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to automatically back up your videos, you may be able to retrieve deleted videos through those services. For example, if you set up an automation rule or downloaded videos to a cloud service via the app, the footage may be recoverable from the backup.

How to Check Cloud Backups:

Open your preferred cloud storage service (e.g., Google Drive).

Search for the Blink folder or video file name.

Look through the backup history to see if the deleted footage was saved.

If found, download the video back to your device.

Use Blink Video Management Features

If you have a Blink Subscription Plan, Blink has some built-in features that may allow you to retrieve videos before they are permanently erased:

Download videos immediately after recording: In the Blink app, you can download videos directly to your phone or computer as soon as they’re recorded. If you have a habit of downloading footage right after events happen, it may be possible to recover deleted videos from your local storage device (smartphone or computer).

Check for Videos in the “Recently Deleted” Section: While the app may not have a full recovery option, it’s worth checking if the deleted videos appear in a temporary “Recently Deleted” section of the app. Some systems offer a grace period before permanent deletion.

3. Recovering Blink Videos from Local Storage

For users who are using Blink’s Sync Module 2 with local storage, retrieving deleted videos becomes a bit easier, especially if the footage was stored on a USB drive.

Check Your USB Storage Device

If you’re storing videos locally on a USB drive, check the device for any folders or files that may contain the deleted footage. Sometimes, deleted files may not be fully erased immediately and can still be retrieved using a data recovery tool.

Connect the USB Drive to a Computer: Plug the USB flash drive into your computer and open it.

Browse Folders: Check the folder structure on the USB device to see if the deleted videos are still available.

Run Data Recovery Software: If you cannot find the videos directly, using data recovery software might help. These tools can scan the USB drive for deleted files that haven’t been overwritten.

Popular Data Recovery Tools:

Panda Assistant is a data recovery software that can assist in recovering deleted files, but it does not directly support retrieving videos from Blink’s cloud storage, as Blink operates with its own system for video management. If you’ve deleted Blink videos from the cloud, recovery is not possible through Panda Assistant alone, as once videos are deleted from Blink’s cloud, they are typically not retrievable.

To retrieve Blink videos, follow these steps:

Connect the Storage Device: If the videos are on a USB drive, plug it into your computer.

Use Panda Assistant: Open the Panda Assistant software and scan the drive for recoverable files.

Recover Files: If the deleted Blink videos are found, Panda Assistant will allow you to restore them.

4. Third-Party Cloud Services for Future Backup

While recovery options for deleted Blink videos are limited, there are ways to set up an automated backup solution in the future to prevent video loss:

Integrate with Google Drive or Dropbox

One way to protect your Blink footage from accidental deletion is by integrating your Blink system with a cloud backup service such as Google Drive or Dropbox. Blink allows users to configure cloud storage to save videos after they are recorded.

Google Drive: Set up your Blink app to save videos directly to your Google Drive account. This gives you the added advantage of Google’s extensive cloud backup system, allowing you to access your videos from any device.

Dropbox: Dropbox is another great option for backing up Blink videos. Configure your Blink system to automatically upload videos to your Dropbox account for additional protection.

By using these services, you can ensure that your videos are safe and secure, even if they are accidentally deleted from Blink’s cloud storage.