Geeni Camera Not Saving to SD Card? A Fix-It Guide
One of the best features of Geeni smart cameras is the ability to save recordings locally to a microSD card, saving you from mandatory monthly cloud subscription fees. However, when your camera stops saving to the card, it can be a major source of frustration. This guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to resolve this common issue.
## Why Local Recording is Important
Saving locally means that video clips from motion alerts are stored on a physical card inside your camera. This gives you direct access to your footage and ensures you have a record even if your internet connection is temporarily down. When this function fails, you might get notifications but have no video to review.
## First Steps to Fix Recording Issues
Let's start with the most common and simplest fixes.
- Restart Your Camera: The classic "turn it off and on again" works wonders for smart devices. Unplug your Geeni camera from the power source, wait a full minute, and then plug it back in. This can resolve many temporary software glitches.
- Check the Recording Mode: Open the Geeni app, select your camera, and go into its "Settings". Find the "Recording Settings" menu. Ensure that recording is enabled. You can typically choose between "Event Recording" (only records when motion is detected) and "Continuous Recording". Make sure your desired mode is selected.
- Update the Geeni App: An outdated app can cause compatibility issues. Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and check if there is an update available for the Geeni app.
## Solving SD Card Specific Problems
If the basics don't work, the issue almost certainly lies with the microSD card itself or how the camera is interacting with it.
### 1. Ensure You're Using a Compatible SD Card
Geeni cameras can be particular about the type of SD card they use.
- Type and Capacity: Most Geeni cameras support microSD cards up to 128GB.
- Class: You must use a card that is Class 10 or higher. This is indicated by a "C" with a "10" inside it on the card's label. A slower card cannot handle the data rate of video recording and will fail.
- Brand: Stick with well-known, reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston. Cheap, unbranded cards are unreliable and a common point of failure.
### 2. Format the SD Card Within the Geeni App
Even if the card is new, it needs to be formatted by the camera to ensure it has the correct file structure.
- Open the Geeni app and go to your camera's live view.
- Tap the "Settings" icon (usually a gear or three dots) in the top right corner.
- Find and tap on "SD Card Settings" or a similar menu.
- You should see the card's capacity and an option to "Format SD Card".
- Tap "Format" and wait for the process to complete. This will erase all data on the card.
- After formatting, restart the camera.
This is the single most effective step for solving recording issues. If the app gives you an error during formatting, the card may be faulty or incompatible.
### 3. Physically Inspect and Reseat the SD Card
A poor physical connection can prevent the camera from detecting the card.
- Unplug the camera from power. This is very important to avoid data corruption.
- Carefully eject the microSD card from its slot.
- Check the gold contacts on the card for any dirt or grime. Wipe them with a clean, dry cloth if necessary.
- Re-insert the card firmly into the slot until you feel it click into place.
- Plug the camera back in and check the "SD Card Settings" in the app again to see if it's now recognised.
### 4. Test the SD Card Itself
If the camera still won't recognise or format the card, you need to determine if the card is the problem.
- Insert the microSD card into a computer or another device.
- Can the device see the card? Can you copy a file to it and then read it back?
- If the card doesn't work in your computer, it has failed and needs to be replaced.
By following these steps, you can systematically identify the reason your Geeni camera isn't saving locally and get it working again, ensuring your important moments are always captured.