Connecting a Blink Camera to Alexa is a pretty simple process. Before you get started, make sure your Blink Camera and Alexa device aren’t already paired with something else. That’ll save you a lot of troubleshooting later.
How to Connect Blink Camera To Alexa
Step 1: Get the Alexa app and set up an account
First, install the Alexa app on your phone. Log into your Amazon account and tap the menu in the lower right corner.
Select Skills and Games. If you’re new to Alexa, you can grab the app from the Play Store or App Store.
Use the search bar to find the Blink SmartHome skill. Tap Enable to Use, and you’ll be taken to the Blink sign-in page.
Step 2: Connect your Blink camera to the Alexa device
If you don’t have a Blink account yet, create one first. You’ll need to set up a four-digit PIN to unlock smart home features in Alexa.
This PIN gives you access to voice control over your Blink devices. It’s especially handy if you have a Blink security system you want to arm or disarm by voice.
Follow the prompts in the app to make sure your Blink Outdoor Camera is detected and connected. If it doesn’t show up, try hitting Discover Devices from the top menu.
Got multiple cameras? Give each one a unique name so you can tell them apart when giving voice commands.
Why would you want to connect your Blink camera to Alexa
Pairing your Blink Camera with Alexa opens up some handy features:
To pull up a live feed, just say “Alexa, show me [camera name].” The stream pops up right away.
Our how to connect Alexa to WiFi walkthrough covers this from a different angle.
To watch the most recent recorded clip, say “Alexa, show me the latest activity from [your Blink camera name].”
To check when your camera last detected motion, ask “Alexa, ask Blink when my last motion alert was?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecting Blink Camera to Alexa
What exactly is the PIN
The first time you enable the Blink SmartHome skill, you’ll log in with your Blink credentials and create a PIN code.
This PIN is needed when you ask Alexa to disarm your system.
It’s separate from the Blink app’s PIN codes for account activity, and it’s not the same as your Blink password.
To reset the Blink SmartHome skill PIN, disable the skill in the Alexa app and then re-enable it.
If your PIN has been inactive for more than 60 days, you’ll be prompted to update it for security purposes.
Looking for more? We have a dedicated guide on how to connect Ring doorbell to Alexa.
Just disable and re-enable the Blink SmartHome skill to set a new one.
After three failed PIN attempts, the Blink SmartHome skill gets automatically disabled. Disable and re-enable it to create a fresh PIN.
How do you enable Alexa’s motion-detection notifications
Once you enable the Blink SmartHome Skill, Alexa can announce Motion Alerts and show camera views for Blink Video Doorbell, Outdoor, Indoor (gen 2), Mini, and XT2 cameras.
This feature is currently available only for English-speaking Alexa devices in North America (US and Canada). Alexa motion announcements won’t work in these situations:
- Devices recording directly to a Sync Module 2 with a USB drive using Local Storage.
- Devices without Cloud Storage or Local Storage.
- Cameras with “Motion Recording” turned off.
- Indoor (gen 1) or XT cameras.
Alexa Routine Motion Announcements let your Blink cameras talk to Alexa’s voice services. They send motion alerts when a device has “Motion Recording” enabled and belongs to an “Armed” system.
Cameras that record locally to a Sync Module 2 with a USB drive won’t trigger Alexa announcements.
Why are Live Views saved as clips when that setting is disabled in the Blink App?
Starting a Live View session with “Alexa, show me [camera name]” saves the session from a Cloud Storage camera unless you manually cancel it. Sessions can last up to five minutes.
Does the Blink SmartHome Skill support Auto Live View with Doorbell Press or Motion Detection
No. The Blink SmartHome skill doesn’t automatically stream live video when someone presses the Blink Video Doorbell or when motion is detected.
You have to ask Alexa directly by saying “Alexa, show me [camera name].”
Live View also isn’t available through Alexa commands when the Blink Video Doorbell is in Event Response mode.
Is it possible to use Alexa routines with older Blink devices
Older Blink devices like the XT and Indoor (gen 1) cameras aren’t supported by some newer Alexa Built-in devices,
including smart TVs, the Alexa PC app, and clients using the Alexa web player.
Bottom Line for Connecting Blink Camera to Alexa
If you run into trouble with any of these steps, reach out to Blink support. Double-check that your device isn’t already linked to another app or system. A clean setup makes everything go much smoother.
