What to Do When Your Somfy Camera Storage is Full
A "Storage Full" notification from your Somfy security camera is a critical alert. It means your camera can no longer save new motion-triggered recordings, potentially leaving you without evidence of an important event. This issue can occur whether you use Somfy's cloud storage subscription or a local microSD card for your recordings.
This guide will explain how to effectively manage your storage, delete unwanted clips, and ensure your camera is always ready to record.
## Understanding Your Somfy Storage Options
Your Somfy camera stores video in one of two ways:
- Somfy Protect Cloud Storage: This is a subscription-based service where your video clips are securely uploaded and stored on Somfy's servers. Storage is usually based on a time limit (e.g., clips are stored for 7 or 30 days) rather than a data size limit.
- Local MicroSD Card Storage: Some Somfy camera models have a slot for a microSD card. The camera records directly to this card, and when it's full, it will either stop recording or overwrite the oldest footage.
The steps to resolve a full storage issue will depend on which method your camera is using.
## Managing and Clearing Somfy Cloud Storage
If you have a cloud subscription, a "storage full" message is uncommon, as these plans typically work on a rolling-time basis (e.g., a 7-day plan automatically deletes clips on the 8th day). However, if you are on a very limited plan or if there is a system glitch, you may need to manually manage your files.
### 1. Download Important Clips
Before you delete anything, make sure to save any important video evidence.
- Open the Somfy Protect app.
- Navigate to the "Video" or "Timeline" section.
- Scroll through your recordings to find the clip you want to save.
- Select the clip and look for a download icon (often an arrow pointing down into a tray).
- Save the video directly to your smartphone's photo gallery.
### 2. Delete Unnecessary Recordings
Once you have saved what you need, you can clear space by deleting old or unimportant clips.
- In the video timeline, find the clip(s) you want to remove.
- There is usually a "Select" or "Edit" button that allows you to choose multiple files.
- Tap to select all the clips you wish to erase.
- Press the trash can icon to permanently delete the selected recordings from the cloud.
## Managing a Full MicroSD Card
Local storage is more likely to become full, especially if the "overwrite" feature is not enabled.
### 1. Enable Loop Recording (Overwrite)
The best way to manage an SD card is to let the camera manage it for you. "Loop Recording" or "Overwrite" is a feature that, when the card is full, automatically deletes the oldest recording to make space for the newest one.
- Open the Somfy Protect app and go to your camera's Settings.
- Look for a "Storage" or "SD Card Management" menu.
- Ensure that the "Loop Recording" or "Overwrite" option is toggled ON.
### 2. Formatting the SD Card
If you want to wipe the card completely and start fresh, you can format it directly through the app. Warning: Formatting will permanently erase all recordings on the card.
- Navigate to the "Storage" or "SD Card Management" settings in the app.
- Make sure the app recognises the SD card and shows its capacity.
- Look for a "Format" or "Erase" button.
- Confirm the action. The process will take a few moments.
### 3. Check SD Card Health
MicroSD cards have a limited lifespan of read/write cycles. If your card is old or is a low-quality, unbranded card, it may have become corrupted or failed. If you are constantly getting storage errors even after formatting, or if the camera fails to recognise the card, try replacing it with a new, high-quality Class 10 or V30 microSD card from a reputable brand.