Tapo Camera Snapshot Not Working? A Quick Guide

Tapo Snapshot Not Working? Here's the Fix

The snapshot feature is a simple yet essential tool on your Tapo camera, allowing you to instantly capture a still image from your live feed. When you tap the camera icon and nothing happens, or you can't find the saved image, it can be frustrating. This issue is almost always caused by a problem with app permissions or storage.

This troubleshooting guide will walk you through the simple steps to resolve the snapshot function on your Tapo camera.

1. Grant the Necessary App Permissions

The most common reason for snapshot failure is that the Tapo app does not have permission to save files to your smartphone. When you take a snapshot, the image is saved directly to your phone's gallery.

• For Android Users:
  1. Go to your phone's Settings.
  2. Tap on Apps (or "Applications").
  3. Find and select the Tapo app from the list.
  4. Tap on Permissions.
  5. Ensure that "Storage" or "Files and Media" is listed under the "Allowed" section. If not, tap on it and select Allow.
• For iOS (iPhone) Users:
  1. Go to your phone's Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap on the Tapo app.
  3. Find "Photos" in the list of permissions.
  4. Ensure it is set to "All Photos" or "Selected Photos" (and you have selected a folder). Granting access to "All Photos" is the most reliable option.

After changing these settings, force close the Tapo app and reopen it. Try taking a snapshot again.

2. Check Your MicroSD Card (If Applicable)

While manual snapshots save to your phone, recordings and snapshots triggered by motion detection are often saved to the microSD card in the camera. If these are failing, the issue is with the card.

• Ensure the Card is Properly Inserted: A loose card won't be recognised by the camera.
• Check Storage Space: In the Tapo app, go to your camera's settings and look for the "microSD Card" or "Storage" option. It will tell you if the card is full.
• Enable Loop Recording: If the card is full, the easiest solution is to enable "Loop Recording". This will automatically overwrite the oldest footage to make space for new recordings and snapshots.
• Format the SD Card: The card's file system could be corrupted. Use the "Format" option within the Tapo app's SD card settings. Warning: This will permanently erase all data on the card, so back up any important clips first.

3. Update the Tapo App and Camera Firmware

Bugs in older versions of the software can sometimes cause features to fail.

• Update the App: Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and check if there is an update available for the Tapo app.
• Update Camera Firmware: In the Tapo app, go to the settings for your camera and look for a "Firmware Update" option. If an update is available, it's highly recommended that you install it for the latest features and bug fixes.

4. Restart Your Camera and Phone

A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches that might be preventing the snapshot function from working correctly.

1. Reboot the Camera: Unplug your Tapo camera from its power source, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.
2. Reboot Your Phone: Turn your smartphone completely off and then back on again.
3. Relaunch the App: Once both devices have restarted, open the Tapo app and try the snapshot feature again.

By following these straightforward steps, you can almost certainly resolve any issues with the snapshot feature on your Tapo camera and once again capture important moments with a single tap.