Can You Save Skybell Video Footage Locally?
When you own a security device like the Skybell video doorbell, having control over your video footage is a top priority. A common question from new users is, "How can I save my video recordings locally?"—for instance, to an SD card, a computer, or a network drive.
The short and direct answer is that Skybell devices do not support local recording. They are designed from the ground up to be cloud-storage devices. This guide explains what that means and why your device works this way.
The Cloud-First Design Philosophy
Unlike some other brands that offer a choice between local and cloud storage, Skybell has focused on a single, streamlined approach. This isn't an oversight, but a deliberate design choice intended to provide specific benefits.
- Enhanced Security: The primary reason for a cloud-only model is security. If your doorbell is stolen or vandalised, any footage stored on an internal SD card would be lost with it. By immediately uploading video clips to a secure cloud server, Skybell ensures that your important evidence is preserved off-site and accessible only to you.
- Global Accessibility: Cloud storage allows you to view, manage, and download your video clips from anywhere in the world through the Skybell app. You don't need to be at home or have access to a physical storage device.
- Simplicity and Reliability: A cloud system removes potential points of failure. There are no SD cards to format, corrupt, or replace. The user experience is simplified to opening the app and viewing your history, with all storage management handled in the background.
How Video Recording Works on a Skybell
Understanding the process helps clarify why local storage isn't an option.
- Motion is detected, or the doorbell button is pressed.
- The Skybell device wakes up and begins recording.
- The video clip is immediately and securely uploaded over your Wi-Fi network to Skybell's cloud servers.
- If you have a subscription plan, this clip is saved to your account's video history.
- You receive a notification on your phone and can then view, download, or share the clip from the app.
As you can see, local storage is never part of the equation. The device is built to transmit, not to store.
How to Save a Local Copy of Your Videos
While you can't record directly to a local device, you can still create local copies of important clips. The intended method is to download them from the cloud.
- Open the Skybell app and navigate to your video history.
- Find the specific event you want to save.
- Select the "Download" option.
- The video clip will be saved from the cloud directly to your smartphone or tablet's internal storage (e.g., your photo gallery).
- From your phone, you can then transfer the video file to a computer, external hard drive, or share it as needed.
This method allows you to permanently keep any crucial footage while still benefiting from the security of the cloud-based system for all your day-to-day recordings.