How to Make Wyze Camera Record Longer

Wyze cameras have become a popular choice for homeowners and businesses looking to set up an affordable and reliable security solution. However, one limitation faced by some users is the default recording length, which often leaves people wanting more from their devices. Fortunately, there are ways to extend the recording time and get the most out of your Wyze cam.

One such method that users can take advantage of is utilizing local storage through an SD card. This allows for continuous or longer recordings that bypass the usual cloud storage limitations. Alongside the local storage option, Wyze offers paid subscription services that provide extended cloud recording durations for added convenience.

Key Takeaways

• Utilize SD cards to enable longer and continuous local recordings
• Paid subscriptions offer extended cloud storage
• Adjust Wyze app settings to optimize recording and storage preferences

How to Setup Wyze Camera Continuous Recording

In this section, we will explore two primary ways to make your Wyze camera record longer: Continuous Recording and Event Recording. These options can be adjusted to capture more extended periods and important events more effectively.

Continuous Recording

Continuous Recording allows your Wyze Cam to record everything non-stop, regardless of motion detection or sound triggers. To enable this feature, you will need to install a microSD card in your Wyze Cam. It is recommended to use a class-10, 32GB microSD card formatted in FAT32 for the optimal performance.

To set up Continuous Recording, follow these steps:

1. Insert the microSD card into your Wyze Cam.
2. Open the Wyze app and select your camera.
3. Tap on the Settings (gear icon) in the top right corner.
4. Go to Advanced Settings and choose Local Storage.
5. Toggle on the Local recording to microSD card option.
6. Select Continuous recording from the available recording options.

With Continuous Recording enabled, your Wyze Cam will record 24/7, and you can still view live streams and use other features like Time Lapse videos. Keep in mind that the storage capacity of your microSD card will determine the length of recorded footage you can store.

Event Recording

Event Recording is another option for making your Wyze Cam record longer. This feature allows your camera to record specific events based on triggers like motion and/or sound detection. To set up Event Recording, follow these steps:

1. Open the Wyze app and select the desired camera.
2. Tap on Settings (gear icon) in the top right corner.
3. Navigate to Event Recording and toggle on Schedule.
4. Select which triggers you want to activate (Motion, Sound, or both).
5. Customize the recording schedule based on your preferences (e.g., specific days or times).

Event Recording can be further improved by subscribing to Wyze Cam Plus, which extends the length of cloud recordings. This subscription also removes the cooldown period between event-triggered recordings, ensuring that you capture more extended and more complete events with fewer gaps in the footage.

By combining Continuous Recording and Event Recording, you can make your Wyze Cam record longer and capture important events as efficiently as possible. Adjust these settings according to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring you always have access to the footage you require.

Optimizing Storage for Longer Recordings

Selecting the Right SD Card

In order to ensure that your Wyze camera can record for extended periods of time, it is essential to select the appropriate microSD card. We recommend choosing a card with a storage capacity between 32GB and 256GB, depending on your needs and budget. A 32GB microSD card can store up to 3 days of continuous HD footage or 7-8 days of SD footage. Alternatively, a 256GB microSD card can store much longer video footage, allowing you to capture and review more data.

It is crucial to use a high-quality and reliable microSD card from a reputable brand. This will help to ensure that your videos are recorded properly and can be saved and accessed without any issues.

Formatting the SD Card

When you install a new microSD card in your Wyze camera, it is typically necessary to format the card. Formatting ensures that the card is properly set up for use with your camera and will be compatible with the video file format used by Wyze.

Wyze cameras support the FAT32 file system, which is the most common file system used by microSD cards. However, for larger cards (over 32 GB), you might need to format them with the exFAT file system, which is also supported by recent Wyze camera models.

To format your microSD card directly through the Wyze App, follow these steps:

1. Insert the microSD card into the camera after powering it off.
2. Power the camera back on and allow it to recognize the card.
3. Open the Wyze App, tap on the specific camera, and then tap on the settings icon (gear icon) in the top right corner.
4. Scroll down and tap “Advanced Settings.”
5. Tap “Local Storage.”
6. Tap “Format microSD card.”
7. Confirm the formatting process by tapping “Erase.”

Once the process is complete, your Wyze camera will be ready to record longer videos using the optimized storage provided by your chosen microSD card. Note that the formatting process will erase any existing data on the card, so always ensure your data is backed up before proceeding.

Local and Cloud Storage Options

SD Card Storage

Wyze cameras allow you to use a microSD card for local storage, enabling continuous recording and event-triggered recordings directly on the card. Any microSD card can be used, but Wyze recommends their own 32GB MicroSDHC card available in the Wyze Shop.

To set up SD card storage, follow these steps:

1. Open the Wyze Cam App and click on the top-right gear icon.
2. Click on Advanced Settings > Local Storage > Local recording to micro SD card.
3. This menu shows the available space on the SD card and allows you to format the card if necessary (recommended when installing for the first time).

With local SD card storage, your Wyze camera will be able to record Time Lapse videos as well.

Cloud Storage

Wyze offers cloud storage options to store your recorded events securely. With a subscription to Cam Plus, you can extend the length of your cloud recordings and access them directly from the Wyze app. To learn more and upgrade, visit the Cam Plus article on the Wyze website.

To access your cloud storage, follow these steps:

1. Open the Wyze app on your mobile device.
2. On the bottom right, click on “Account.”
3. Click on “Wyze Service.”

On the Events tab in the app, you can access and view your recorded cloud events. The camera does not need to be online for you to view these recordings. Please keep in mind that Continuous or Events only settings apply to SD card recordings and not to your cloud storage.

Wyze App Settings

Advanced Settings

The Wyze App allows you to configure various settings for your Wyze Camera. Under the Advanced Settings menu, you can adjust options such as enabling or disabling night vision mode, adjusting the video quality, and selecting whether your camera should record audio along with the video.

To extend the recording length, choose the “Local Storage” option within the Advanced Settings menu. Access ‘Local Recording to Micro SD Card’ option, and make sure it’s set to “Record on event” or “Continuous recording,” depending on your preference. Having a Micro SD card inserted in the camera is essential for these recording options.

Events Tab

To better manage the recording length of your Wyze Camera, pay attention to the Events Tab in the app. This is where you can customize the recording parameters. You can set the Wyze Cam to record an event video when it detects motion and/or sound. To do this, enable the “Event Recording” option in the app, under the Events Tab for your Wyze Camera.

In this section, you can also create schedules for your recording, which is helpful in setting specific timeframes for your camera to monitor and generate event videos. This is useful if you want to focus on recording during specific periods throughout the day or night.

Livestream

The Livestream feature in the Wyze App allows you to view your camera’s live feed in real-time. Keep in mind that the Livestream is separate from the Event recording feature. Consequently, the Livestream is not saved unless you manually press the ‘Record’ button within the app during the Livestream. The recording will then be saved directly to your smartphone’s gallery.

Wyze Camera Overview

The Wyze Camera is a popular, affordable smart home security device that allows users to keep an eye on their property with ease. Available in different models such as Wyze Cam v1, v2, and Wyze Cam Pan, these cameras offer a range of features to provide versatile indoor monitoring solutions.

One of the key selling points of Wyze cameras is their ability to record and store footage through cloud storage, with a free 14-day service that removes the need for a monthly subscription. However, this free cloud storage service comes with a 12-second recording limitation, which may not be sufficient for all users. In addition, there is an option to record locally using a microSD card, allowing for longer recording times.

To make your Wyze Camera record longer, you can either use a microSD card or opt for a paid subscription called Cam Plus. By installing a microSD card into the camera, you can enable continuous recording or select event-based recordings. This provides you with the flexibility to customize your storage and monitoring preferences.

Wyze Cam Models

Wyze Cam V2/V3

The Wyze Cam V2/V3 is a popular indoor security camera with a wide range of features. It is important to keep its firmware up-to-date to ensure optimal performance and access to the latest features. You can check the camera’s current firmware version in the Wyze App, and if there is an available update, you can download and install it with ease.

Some notable features of the Wyze Cam V2 include:

• 1080p Full HD video recording
• Night vision capabilities
• Two-way audio communication
• Motion and sound detection
• MicroSD card storage for continuous recording

To enable continuous recording on your Wyze Cam V2, you will need a microSD card (up to 32GB). Insert the card and format it to FAT32, then configure the camera settings to record continuously in the app.

Wyze Cam Outdoor

Unlike the Wyze Cam V2/V3, the Wyze Cam Outdoor does not support continuous recording due to its battery-powered design. To extend the recording times, you can adjust the settings in the Wyze App to record only when motion or sound is detected, saving battery life.

Subscriptions and Benefits

Cam Plus

Cam Plus is a subscription service offered by Wyze that allows you to extend the length of your cloud recordings beyond the default limitations. With a Cam Plus subscription, you can enjoy longer video recordings on the cloud, providing you with more comprehensive coverage of events captured by your Wyze Camera.

The benefits of Cam Plus include:

• Extended recording length: Overcome the default 12-second limit on cloud recording to capture more of your motion-triggered events.
• Faster notifications: Receive alerts on your device more quickly, so you can stay aware of what’s happening in real-time.

Complete Motion Capture

Wyze also offers a feature called Complete Motion Capture, which can be used in conjunction with an SD card. By installing a class-10, 32GB microSD card (formatted in FAT32), you can enable continuous recording on your Wyze Camera. This allows you to record all motion events in their entirety, without worrying about the cloud storage limitations or subscription costs.

When using Complete Motion Capture, it’s essential to consider the following:

• Storage capacity: With a 32GB microSD card, you can store a significant amount of footage locally. However, be prepared to manage recordings and free up space as needed.
• Accessibility: Footage recorded on the SD card is stored locally, so you can access it directly from your Wyze app, even if your internet connection is down.

By utilizing the subscription-based Cam Plus service and/or the Complete Motion Capture feature with an SD card, you can effectively extend the recording capabilities of your Wyze Camera to meet your needs more accurately.

Troubleshooting Continuous Recording Issues

Wyze cameras offer several options to extend recording time, including a subscription to Cam Plus or using a microSD card with the ‘Record events only’ feature. However, if you are experiencing difficulties with longer recordings, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your internet connection:
Ensure that your camera is connected to the internet. You can verify this by accessing the live stream of your camera through the Wyze app. If the live stream is not working, check your Wi-Fi signal strength and restart your camera and router if necessary.

2. Verify motion detection settings:
Ensure that motion detection is enabled. To do this, tap on your camera in the Wyze app, click the settings icon on the top right, and select the Event Recording tab. Make sure the toggle is turned on for motion detection.

3. Inspect your Cam Plus subscription:
If you have a Cam Plus subscription and the camera isn’t recording long videos, ensure that your subscription is active and applied to the correct camera. Visit the Wyze app’s services section to verify your subscription status.

4. Examine your microSD card:
If you are using a microSD card for ‘Record events only’ or continuous recording, ensure that the card is properly inserted and working. Additionally, check the available storage on the card; if it’s full, you’ll need to delete some files or use a higher-capacity card.

5. Update your Wyze camera firmware:
An outdated firmware version might cause recording problems. To update your Wyze camera’s firmware, go to the settings, select Device Info, and tap on Firmware Version. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to perform the update.

Frequently Asked Questions