To add a phone to your Blink camera, you need to install the Blink app on that phone and sign in to the Blink account that already manages your camera system. This gives you immediate access to view live streams, receive motion alerts, and control your existing cameras from the new phone.
How to add a phone to your Blink camera system
There are two main scenarios for adding a phone to your Blink system. The most common is signing into your existing Blink account on a new phone, which instantly connects that phone to all cameras already installed on the account. The less common scenario is adding a brand-new Blink camera to your system using your phone, which requires the phone to already be signed into the account that will manage the new camera. Alternatively, you can add a phone by inviting an Authorized User via email through Settings > Manage Account > Authorized Users, which is a different method than simply signing into the same account. To remove a phone, go to Settings > Manage Account > Authorized Users, select the phone, and tap 'Remove Access'.
Install the Blink app and sign in
Download the Blink app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app and sign into the Blink account that manages your camera system. Once signed in, the app’s Home screen becomes your starting point for all camera management.
Add a new Blink camera using your phone
The documented setup path for adding a new camera is straightforward. Follow these steps in order:
- From the app’s Home screen, tap Add Device +.
- On the Add Device screen, tap the camera type you are adding (for example, Blink Outdoor or Indoor 3rd Gen).
- On the Scan QR Code screen, use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code located on the camera or its packaging. The app will request access to your phone camera for this step, and Blink states this is the only time it accesses the camera during setup.
- If the QR code will not scan, tap Enter Serial Manually and type the DSN (Device Serial Number) found on the camera or its box.
What to expect after adding the camera
Once the serial number is accepted, the app displays a Camera Added confirmation screen. This screen includes tips on optimal camera placement, such as positioning the camera for a clear field of view and ensuring it is within Wi-Fi range. Tap Done to complete the setup. The camera is now active on your account and accessible from any phone signed into that account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the phone camera to add a Blink camera?
Yes, for the normal QR scan flow. The app will request access to your phone camera, and scanning the QR code is the only time the app accesses it during setup, according to Blink’s documentation.
What if the QR code will not scan?
Tap Enter Serial Manually and enter the DSN (Device Serial Number) printed on the camera or its packaging. This is the documented fallback when scanning fails.
Where do I start in the app to add a camera?
From the app’s Home screen, tap Add Device +. This is the starting point for adding any new Blink camera to your system.
Can I add multiple phones to my Blink camera system?
Yes. Any phone that signs into the same Blink account will have access to all cameras on that account. There is no documented limit to the number of phones that can be added, and no option to assign different access levels per phone within the app. Sharing account login credentials is an alternative if you need to restrict access or assign different permissions, since the app does not support access levels per phone.
Is the Blink app compatible with both iPhone and Android?
The Blink app is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store.
For the wider topic, see managing and transferring photos.
