Eufy and Continuous Recording: Everything You Need to Know
A common question from Eufy users is, "Why can't I get my camera to record continuously?" You might notice that your camera only saves short clips when motion is detected and want the peace of mind that comes with a 24/7 recording history.
The ability to record continuously with Eufy depends entirely on the specific camera model you own. This guide explains why most Eufy cameras don't offer this feature and how to enable it on the models that do.
The Core Reason: Battery Power vs. Mains Power
The vast majority of Eufy's most popular cameras (like the eufyCam and SoloCam series) are battery-powered. This is their key feature, offering incredible flexibility in placement without the need for messy wires.
However, this reliance on battery power is precisely why they cannot record 24/7.
- Massive Power Drain: Constantly recording, processing, and storing video requires a significant amount of power. A battery-powered camera attempting to record 24/7 would have its battery depleted in a matter of hours, not weeks or months.
- Designed for Efficiency: These cameras are designed to stay in a low-power "sleep" state, only waking up when their passive infrared (PIR) sensors detect motion. This "event-based" recording is the secret to their long battery life.
In short, there is no workaround or setting that will enable continuous recording on a battery-powered Eufy camera. Their hardware is fundamentally designed for motion-activated recording only.
Which Eufy Cameras DO Support Continuous Recording?
To get 24/7 recording, you need a Eufy camera that is continuously powered from the mains. These models are designed for constant operation and have the processing power to handle a non-stop video stream.
Models that typically support 24/7 recording include:
- Eufy Indoor Cam Series: (e.g., Indoor Cam C24, Indoor Cam P24)
- Some Powered Outdoor Cameras: (e.g., Floodlight Cam series, some wired SoloCam models)
Crucially, you will also need a storage medium for the footage:
- A microSD Card: Most compatible cameras have a slot for a microSD card. You must install a card (usually up to 128GB) to store the continuous footage locally.
- A NAS (Network-Attached Storage): Some models support recording to a local NAS device.
- Cloud Subscription: A paid subscription to Eufy's cloud service can also store your recordings.
How to Enable Continuous Recording (On Compatible Models)
If you have a compatible mains-powered Eufy camera and have installed a microSD card, turning on 24/7 recording is straightforward.
- Open the Eufy Security App and select the powered camera you wish to configure.
- Tap the Settings icon (the gear) in the top right corner.
- Go to Storage Settings and ensure the camera has detected your microSD card and that it is formatted correctly.
- Go back to the main settings menu and select Recording Settings or a similar option.
- You will likely see two options:
- Record motion events only: This is the default.
- Record continuously (24/7): This is the option you want.
- Select 'Record continuously'. The camera will now record everything, and you'll be able to scroll back through a complete timeline in the app, not just the motion-triggered event clips.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While 24/7 recording provides a complete history, it's important to understand the downsides. It uses significantly more storage space. A 32GB card might only hold a couple of days of continuous footage, whereas it could hold weeks of motion-only clips. It also means you have to sift through hours of non-eventful video to find what you're looking for, although the app will still highlight motion events on the timeline for convenience.
By understanding the distinction between Eufy's battery-powered and mains-powered models, you can choose the right camera for your needs and configure it correctly for either maximum battery life or complete, continuous surveillance.