Can Your Tend Camera Save Footage Locally?
If you're a new Tend camera owner, you might be looking for the SD card slot or searching the app for a setting to save recordings to your computer. It can be a source of confusion when you find that these options don't seem to exist. The simple reason is that Tend cameras are designed to operate primarily with cloud storage. This guide explains why that is, how the system works, and what you can do to keep copies of your important video clips.
The Tend Storage Philosophy: Cloud-First for Simplicity and Security
Unlike some brands that offer a choice between local and cloud storage, Tend has focused on making the cloud experience as seamless as possible. This is a core part of their product design.
How Tend's Free Cloud Storage Works
One of the most attractive features of the Tend ecosystem is the provision of free cloud storage. For many of their cameras, they offer a rolling 7-day plan at no extra cost. Here’s what that means:
- When your camera detects motion, it records a clip.
- That clip is immediately uploaded to Tend's secure cloud servers.
- You can view, share, or download that clip from the Tend app for the next seven days.
- On the eighth day, the clip from day one is automatically deleted to make space for the new day's recordings.
This system ensures you always have a week's worth of event history without needing to manage SD cards or pay for a subscription.
The Deliberate Absence of a MicroSD Card Slot
Most Tend cameras do not have a microSD card slot. This isn't an oversight; it's a security feature. A major vulnerability of cameras that rely solely on local storage is that if an intruder steals or destroys the camera, the recorded evidence is lost with it. By instantly sending footage to the cloud, Tend ensures that your clips are safe and sound, no matter what happens to the physical device.
How Can You Save Your Tend Footage?
While automatic local saving isn't a feature, you are not locked out of keeping your videos permanently. The process is manual but straightforward.
Manually Downloading Important Clips
The intended way to save a video permanently is to download it from the cloud to your phone.
- Open the Tend app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Navigate to the Events or Activity timeline.
- Scroll to find the specific clip you wish to save.
- Tap on the clip to open it. You should see icons for sharing or downloading.
- Select the Download option. The video will be saved to your phone's photo gallery (e.g., Photos on iOS, Google Photos on Android).
Once the clip is on your phone, you can treat it like any other video file: share it via email, send it in a message, or transfer it to your computer for long-term backup.
Why You Might Prefer Cloud Storage
While it might seem like a limitation at first, the cloud-only approach has significant advantages:
- Accessibility: Access your footage from anywhere in the world through the app.
- Security: Protects your evidence from being stolen or destroyed along with the camera.
- No Maintenance: You never have to worry about an SD card failing, becoming full, or needing to be reformatted.
By understanding that Tend cameras are designed as convenient, cloud-based devices, you can better leverage their strengths for simple and effective home monitoring.