Your Yi Camera Has No Local Storage? Here's What It Means
If you've recently acquired a Yi security camera and have discovered that there is no microSD card slot for local storage, you're not alone. Some models in the Yi camera lineup were designed as 'cloud-first' devices, meaning they rely exclusively on a subscription to the Yi Cloud service to store video recordings.
This guide explains why your camera may not have this feature, what your options are for saving footage, and the benefits of a cloud-based storage solution.
Why No SD Card Slot?
The decision to manufacture a camera without a local storage option is typically driven by a few key factors:
- Simplicity and Cost: Omitting the SD card slot and its associated hardware simplifies the camera's internal design, which can make the device more compact and affordable.
- Promoting Cloud Services: The primary business model for many smart camera companies involves recurring revenue from cloud storage subscriptions. By making a device cloud-dependent, it strongly encourages users to subscribe.
- Enhanced Security: While it may seem counterintuitive, relying on the cloud is often more secure. If a burglar were to break in and steal or destroy your camera, any footage stored on a local SD card would be lost forever. With cloud storage, the video is instantly and safely uploaded to a remote server.
Your Options for Recording Video
With a camera that has no local storage option, your choices for saving video are straightforward.
Yi Cloud Subscription (Primary Option)
To save and review any video clips, you must subscribe to a Yi Cloud plan. Without a subscription, your camera's functionality will be limited to:
- Live Streaming: You can open the Yi app and view the camera's live feed at any time.
- Motion Alerts: You will still receive push notifications to your phone when the camera detects motion.
However, when you tap on the notification, there will be no recorded video clip to review. The only way to see what caused the alert is to have been watching the live feed at that exact moment. A Yi Cloud subscription bridges this gap, automatically recording and saving clips for you to review at your convenience.
The Benefits of Using Yi Cloud
- Security and Redundancy: As mentioned, your footage is safe even if the camera is stolen or damaged.
- Accessibility: You can access your recorded clips from any device (phone, tablet, web browser) with an internet connection, anywhere in the world.
- Continuous Video Recording (CVR): Many cloud plans offer the option for CVR, which records 24/7, not just when motion is detected. This is often not feasible with an SD card, which would fill up very quickly.
- No Risk of SD Card Failure: MicroSD cards have a limited lifespan of write cycles and can fail over time, often without warning. Cloud storage eliminates this point of failure.
What If You Absolutely Require Local Storage?
We understand that for some users, local storage is a non-negotiable feature, perhaps due to privacy concerns or the lack of a reliable internet connection. If you find yourself in this situation, the only viable solution is to purchase a different camera model that is equipped with a microSD card slot.
When shopping for a new device, be sure to carefully read the product specifications and look for "microSD card support" or "local storage" listed as a feature. Many newer and higher-end Yi and Kami models offer both local and cloud storage options, giving you the ultimate flexibility.