How to Download a Recorded Clip on a Tapo Camera

[@mgjfile]

Is not possible to download the file from the SDcard via app... but why? All the cameras I have allows you to select the desired clips and push the download button to save it locally. Now that I finally have a branded camera I'm functionless ? :/ Make NO sense to watch the entire clip to save it, is basically like to record a recorded clip to save it, is this a joke? I have a microSD card in the camera, not a VHS. -_- Is even missing the clip's timeline; is not possible to jump in a specific part of the clip without watching the entire clip again and again every time you needs to rewind it. This is so NEGATIVE for security reason that you are forcing the customer to buy the Cloud space. When something bad happen you NEED to watch the scene immediately, not wasting time playing with this app. I'm not sure anymore to replace all my random unbranded Chinese IPCAM with TAPO, I was really interested about it but now... was apparently pretty interesting package until you find out that is pretty limited when you use it. Glad to have just one camera to try it, if this stupid limit won't get fixed I won't buy any others.

[@mgjfile]

I think I've just find out why... maybe because technically the "clip" showed in the app is not the actual file but is part of it, so by physically downloading the "alarm clip" you should to download the whole segment of the registration (40 minutes~) and they don't want it, that's why you have to screen record the "alarm clip". Not 100% sure about it, but this can be a logical motivation to such a weird method. If so, the whole registration process is strange and should be replaced with a more flexible one (or just allow to download the whole 40 mins clip, who cares, at least you have it locally, better than not have it). If this is not the explanation I have no words for it.

[@kennykao1374]

This limit is really stupid, but I'm even more stupid for paying for it...

[@averyvaliant]

I just set up one of their cameras today (the CR200) and I couldn't figure out how to save the recorded motion detect videos. I Can't believe you have to watch the clip and record it, then save it, what a messed up way to save clips.

[@mgjfile]

@@averyvaliant yep, at the moment is still the only solution via app. You have to see and record (by pressing the video recorder icon) to record the recorded clip. 🤡 The only other solution is to remove the micro sd card from the camera and save the file manually.🤦

[@averyvaliant]

@@mgjfile Yea, what a stupid system. Oh well, it's only £30 on amazon, so I can't complain....I guess? haha It's dark outside now (10pm) and it looks like daytime through the camera, so I'm quite impressed. The only negative I notice is when viewing the stream through a third party program on my PC, the video quality is really blocky, like it's low res, not sure why. It seems to record in 1080p ok, but it's like 480p when viewing live through the streaming url.

[@prem4302]

how to do bulk download? Why do i need to watch a video before i can download it. I have no problem in watching an hour long video before downloading the same, because I am jobless. But suppose one day I get a job. Then it would be difficult for me invest x hours to be able to download an x hours long footage.

[@TPLINKUS]

Bulk Downloads would require you to remove the SD card and copy its contents to your PC.

[@sarladevi7555]

This is the problem with the app. If i want to search for something, we have to watch a full clip in normal speed if we play in 8x it dosnt fast forward it jumps 8 seconds and we miss the event. If can download day wise or hour wise files then it will be easy to monitor. Plz do this also @tplinktech

[@sarladevi7555]

​@@TPLINKUSplease monitor

[@david5562]

I would like to have an option to download an motion detection clip directly, without to manually record it. Is that posseble? For example, i use an SD card for the recordings

[@TPLINKUS]

No, not at this time. You would need to use Option 3 which is the manual copying of the SD on a computer. We have made this request as well and hope it will be added but right now these options are all that are available.

[@david5562]

@@TPLINKUS Thank you for youre fast response. Hope it will get there some day.

[@Top10herb]

Sad. This simple but essential function is still not possible. Definitely will not buy another TP-link product or recommend it to others.

[@david5562]

@@Top10herb Agree, I've the cameras send the footage directly to my NAS so I can record it and download what I need.

[@bruh5924]

@@TPLINKUS 7 months have passed and it's still the same.

[@arlindobento2971]

The cameras work well and I now own 12. But it is really anoying not to have an app for the PC. I may switch to another brand because of this.

[@b0mazor]

i agree i just want an automatic way to save files to my computer. either the camera sending motion recordings to ftp or a program on my computer that would autobackup at end of day. if someone swipes the camera whole investment is useless and im not paying for proprietary cloud storage when i already got 20TB ftp available + google cloud and onedrive.

[@davesmith4804]

Cheers for this nice one, great info and easy to follow

[@LaszloBarnabasTakacs]

It would be highly appreciated, if it would be possible to see recorded videos of Tapo cameras directly on PC is on the same home network. I mean not the live stream. The using of mobile to download and then upload to an other "storage place" this kind of videos is a very awkward way to do that. I know it, you are much more talented. Please give us a usable solution.

[@gekkeprutser8097]

Yeah the camera has a web server built in, it would be easy to provide a download interface there

[@Its_A_London_Thing]

Is there a way to download an hour's footage without having to hit record and sit there for an hour whilst it records? I just want to clip an hour. Thanks.

[@TPLINKUS]

No not at this time. To download to your phone's memory you have to record the section you want to record. The feature is specifically to record clip callouts which are typically no more than a few minutes long. To download the longer section of the timeline you would want to transfer the file to your PC.

[@Its_A_London_Thing]

@@TPLINKUS really appreciate your fast reply. That's a shame. Its actually footage that the police need, so fairly urgent. Thanks for your quick response.

[@TPLINKUS]

@@Its_A_London_Thing My apologies I could not provide a better solution. It will be with in the suggestions I send to the development team for future enhancements.

[@averyvaliant]

The only way to do it as mentioned by the TPLink tech, is to download to a PC I purchased one of those USB MicroSD card readers, so you just have to remove teh sd card, put it in the USB MSD reader and drag/drop the files you want. It's a pain though, it makes no sense having the "Recording" option, there should be a button to just save the entire clip to the phones photo gallery/memory.

[@eastendersfan7049]

I have the c200 model. I purchased Tapo care to record 24/7 to the cloud but this isn’t working/I don’t know how to make it work?!

[@CareFreeNotts]

I’ve just done the same, did you figure it out?

[@eastendersfan7049]

@@CareFreeNotts nope

[@CareFreeNotts]

@@eastendersfan7049 if I figure it out, I’ll let you know, thanks for the reply!

[@naitsirhcchristian1432]

I had the same problem but I figured it out.. pause at 2:02.. see that there are green and orange lines at the middle choose what event you want to download and click the video icon (thats just on top of the date on top of green and orange lines) then go to downloads the download the video

[@naitsirhcchristian1432]

​@@CareFreeNottsI had the same problem but I figured it out.. pause at 2:02.. see that there are green and orange lines at the middle choose what event you want to download and click the video icon (thats just on top of the date on top of green and orange lines) then go to downloads the download the video

[@memonrahil5129]

Is it possible to download past dated video directly from memory card to phone through app (without tapo care subscription and without removing memory card from device). For instance : if I wish to download recorded video of 23rd oct on 25th Oct?

[@TPLINKUS]

If the recording is still on the memory card then you can scroll back to that date in the app and then find the record you are looking for and download it from there. If you are on the same network you can now download that clip directly.

[@memonrahil5129]

Thank you for the response

[@minfamilie4319]

I sat a new microSD card into my Tapi camera because I need to download the videos that I have in the Tapo cloud storage. I don't lnow how to do it. It only allows me to select the videos but it does not give me the option to download.

[@TPLINKUS]

You are not able to transfer recordings from Cloud to SD or SD to Cloud. Clips are stored depending on if you have a microSD inserted and formatted or if you have subscribed to cloud. Downloads are downloaded to your phone or tablet's internal memory.

[@aditya-garg]

Its 2024, is there an easier way to directly download whats saved on my SD card, remotely while away from home?

[@TPLINKUS]

No at this time. The direct download option is only available when you are on the same network. Otherwise you would have to follow the process in this video.

[@manos2495]

Just a question pls about using method 1. Videos (which are auto-generated videos by moving/person detection) at the Playback tab are saved in the micro sd card, while videos or photos saved at the Memory tab are saved in my Android phone device, right? In general, what is in the Playback tab is located in the micro sd card and what is in the Memory tab is located in the phone's memory, right? Also, where is the Memory folder located on the Android phone device? Thank you.

[@TPLINKUS]

In the playback page the recordings below the timeline are the call outs of the time line where activty was detected. These are stored on the MicroSD card. Recording saved in the Memory section are clips that have either been recorded manually from the live view or recorded from a activty recording. These are also saved on the MicroSD card. Clips in Memory can be download, which downloads the clip to the memory of whichever phone or tablet is currently being used.

[@manos2495]

@@TPLINKUS Thank you for the response. Two more questions, please. While as you say videos in Playback and Memory sections get stored on the MicroSD card, why when I format the MicroSD card everything in the Playback section gets deleted while everything in the Memory section remains undeleted? Also when there isn't a MicroSD installed, videos recorded from an activity cant be stored in the Playback section, while videos (or photos) that have been recorded manually from the live view can still be stored in the Memory section. Where exactly files are stored as the Memory section is also in the MicroSD, but there isn't a MicroSD card installed? Thank you.

[@TPLINKUS]

@@manos2495 I need to have that tested. My understanding is that there is no internal memory on the camera so nothing should be saved without a MicroSD or a Cloud sub.

[@manos2495]

@@TPLINKUS btw i found this in the Q&A. "Q2.4 Can I choose where to store the recordings of my Tapo C200 camera? A: Nope, users cannot choose the location or path to save and store recordings. The motion-detected recordings and continuous local recordings are saved in the SD card, while the manually recorded clips or pictures are saved in the Memory of the app, which will occupy the phone memory." So i guess what is stored in Memory section is in the Tapo app in my android phone memory, right?

[@TPLINKUS]

@@manos2495 To be honest that is news to me. Though based on what you are describing it makes sense. It is not stored as a clip on your phone's photo library like if you download it but it stores in a cheche in the app. The best way to test is look at the current app size, memory wise. Delete a few clips you have saved and then see if the size went down.

[@_tOkwa]

is tapo c100 have a cloudstorage?

[@TPLINKUS]

All cameras had the option of a subscription-based cloud storage

[@taiwan1450number1]

​@@TPLINKUSc310 unable download video. And even play the video also loading failed

[@ponytas1693]

Hi tapo team.does the camera work without electricity and does it need WiFi continuously to record videos on sd card?

[@TPLINKUS]

No unless you have one of the battery-operated outdoor cameras power is required. Recording to an SD card should still function in WiFi is lost but notifications and cloud recording will not.

[@marcokerolos4041]

Can you do method 1 if the Camera and the phone are on different networks or does it have to be the same?

[@TPLINKUS]

I want to say yes but you would need to contact support to confirm.

[@randallbell4057]

Is it possible to download the footage from the camera remotly via Wi-Fi, if I am not subscribed to the cloud service?

[@TPLINKUS]

You would need a MicroSD card installed in the camera and formatted with the 24/7 recording feature enabled.

[@ivancarcallas5510]

Hello. Can you do tutorials on how to connect Tapo C210 and C110 to a NAS? Thanks, please let us know if its already available.

[@TPLINKUS]

We have this: www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2748/

[@JJ-gn1tb]

How do I download all of the clips from Tapo cloud all at once? Because it's a bit inconvenient to just download every one of them individually. Isn't there a way to just simply select all of them then download?

[@TPLINKUS]

Cloud clips are recorded through the cloud individually and can only be downloaded individually. 24/7 local recordings are recorded on a timeline with call outs to clips. The timeline can be downloaded by installing the SD card into a reader and extracting the files to a PC.

[@johnpatrickzape2974]

Dear tapo, im under subscription of your tapocare for 24/7 recordings but unfortunate to say that it didnt recor the time no one is around i already set the recording to continiouse recoding but ot didnt recor from time is no one is around some time ut cuts from 1am to 4am or 12 midnight no recording sometimes it starts to record 4 am to 8am i dont know i subscibe to your tapo care for i wish that it will record 24/7 but this 2nd month i cant see the record because it cuts recording please help me

[@TPLINKUS]

Tapo Care is not 24/7. Tapo Care is event based recordings. This means it only records when an even it triggered For 24/7 recording you need local MicroSD storage installed and enabled.

[@richy-biker]

Does method one work without a cloud subscription? If so how far back can I go?

[@TPLINKUS]

This video covers both Cloud and SD-Based recording. If you are using an SD card to record, how far back it goes depends on the size of the card the resolution used.

[@richy-biker]

@@TPLINKUS You have failed to answer my question, does this method work with an SD card or will the card need removing to recover footage? Obviously how far back will depend on the card size to an extent, I understand how memory cards work - I just want to make sure I can view all of the footage on the card from the app and save accordingly.

[@TPLINKUS]

@@richy-biker your question was: Does method one work without a cloud subscription? A: This video covers both Cloud and SD-Based recording. If so how far back can I go? A: How far back it goes depends on the size of the card and the resolution used. So your questions were answered. Further details is the video covers 3 methods the 1st discussed covers the process to download a clip that is recorded on the SD card. The process and not an exact download for SD card recordings but it is covered in the video

[@DivyaPrasanthRajYellamati]

Hi, i had a cloud sub ... Present i want a video vlip from that camera which was accidentally deleted .... Is there any way, i get the video please?

[@TPLINKUS]

For you, clips are stored in the cloud and accessed in the app. Because of this if you delete a clip then it is deleted forever there is no way to recover.

[@elbunso05]

I have now 8 cameras available. I want to record everything on one phone or PC. Is there a way?

[@TPLINKUS]

Tapo cameras support the use of a NAS or NVR. www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2748/

[@juancarlosbeltran9683]

Is there a way yo see the free space for the SD Card from the application?

[@TPLINKUS]

If you tap on SDCard in the camera's settings you will see how full the Memory card is. It doesn't say specifically how much space is left but there is a bar that will show how full the card is.

[@ptitudeQS]

Hi Tapo Team, how to connect my cctv (tapo c420s) to my laptop with different IP address . 2) how to prolong the recording?. only 3 mins clips are recorded. thanks for immediate response

[@TPLINKUS]

Tapo Cameras are not CCTV cameras. They are hub or wifi connected cloud-based smart cameras. The Tapo C420 connects through a hub that is physically connected to your router. Because of this you likely will not have access to the RTSP feed that the wireless-based Tapo Cameras, like the Tapo C320WS can provide. This means that you cannot view their live stream on a PC. The only way to access the cameras is through the Tapo App. Additionally, clips on the C420 are limited at this time to a maximum of 2 mins. Which can be adjusted in the camera's settings under clip settings.

[@caligura]

I need a video converter. I have 3 sd cards with baby bedtime footage at various milestones I had hoped to access later. Now finally settled in a new home I am ready, only to find the tapo camera complaining that all the sd cards are not even formatted. Very disappointed.l that I cannot access the files.

[@TPLINKUS]

Tapo Cameras require a SD card to be formatted before they can begin recording. If the SD Cards were used previously the format used and data will be lost.

[@khorvath74]

I take the sd card out of the camera try to download the files from the card and my PC cannot load anything from the card. So I put it back in the camera and it said have to be formated to be able record anything on the card. Now all my recording is probably gone. Not f...n happy.

[@TPLINKUS]

The only reason that would happen is if your computer reformated the card. That should not happen, especially without any prompting. We would suggest contacting support and letting them know it happened. They will need to know the brand and model of the computer, as well as the OS being ran and what the brand and size of the MicroSD card you are using are.

[@khorvath74]

@@TPLINKUS it wasn't the computer fault, when I took the sd card out from the camera, the PC unable to read the files from card , somehow the files on sd card is corrupted and now the PC and camera both wanna format the card.

[@TPLINKUS]

@@khorvath74 Generally speaking it wouldn't be the camera either. The Format used by our cameras is FAT32. If the card is corrupted or having issues you might not have a genuine card, or the card is old and can no longer written to. Every SD card has a maximum number of times it can be written to. You can try this FAQ www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2592/ bu if this does not help I would suggest reformatting the card and retesting to see if the concern happens again. if it does try a different SD card to rule out the card.

[@acow605]

I want to record the footages on my phone continuously, just like how cctv cam does record on DVR/HDD. Because to retrieve/see the recorded footages the tapo cam should be connected to the app.. now what if the camera itself gets stolen.. no ways to retrieve back the footages.

[@TPLINKUS]

These are cloud-based cameras, not NVR cameras they don't have that capability. If that is what you are looking for see if VIGI is available in your region. That is our business-level NVR-based security camera line. For these cameras, if you are worried about your camera being stolen, then we would recommend subscribing to the cloud storage option, which would allow you access to the recordings even if the camera was stolen.

[@acow605]

@@TPLINKUSTwo simple things can be done 1)In the tapo app "recording on phone" option should be minimizeable so even if i switch to another app recording should keep going and if i close the app or turn the phone off the recording should have been saved. I have an old phone, i could have used it as recordings storage/monitor.. if the tapo app had those minimum features i mentioned. 2) Reduce the cloud storage price by a significant amount then only a large number of people will subscribe to your cloud service and because of expensive cloud service people are reluctant to buy WiFi cams..

[@TPLINKUS]

@@acow605 Your first suggestion is not possible. This would require background access to your phone's internal storage and that is not permission the app has. It's also not something we are currently working on. 1. What would happen if your phone's local storage runs out of space? currently, the camera will overwrite the oldest videos on the sd card. You can do that with your phone's memory. For your second suggestion. TapoCare is extremely cheap. In the US it's only $3.49 per camera per month or if you have 4+ cameras it's $11.99 for up to 10 cameras. And you get a 2-month discount if you pay annually rather than monthly. You can't get any cheaper than that.

[@acow605]

@@TPLINKUS many companies priced their product in US standard but India is a cost effective market if selling it in indian price standard and advertise it as your uniqueness, you can attract 5x-10x users.. and considering you're selling the service only so no manpower/material cost incurred.. 1$ is 1$ in the US. But this $ 1 is 75 RS in India. 3-4$ seems cheap but 250-300 isn't. this is the psychology we have.. sorry for my bad English

[@acow605]

@@TPLINKUS thank you for explaining why does the 1st suggestion wouldn't work..

[@KaranveerSingh.]

What if someone stole our camera with SD card inserted in camera?? How to check the recording if we dont have cloud storage service which is very costly.

[@TPLINKUS]

If you are concerned that the Camera might be stolen you might want to use cloud storage.

[@ph5740]

But not possible to download a randomly chosen time interval?? Can only download events or do a manual recording for the entire interval. Really bad functionality

[@TPLINKUS]

This was accurate two years ago when the video was published. Since then we have improved the process significantly. All you need to do now is look for the clip/call out, tap the 3 dots and click download.

[@ph5740]

@ yes, but if I want to download a randomly chosen time interval at any random time, it’s not possible.

[@hiteshthakur6550]

Please add tapo app lock function and specific notification sound setting in tappo app

[@TPLINKUS]

Please go here and submit your feature request. Make sure to be very clear and detailed otherwise we might not be able to record it properly. community.tp-link.com/us/smart-home/forum/2514

[@hharishbe]

Hello Tapo team, why there is no network connection cable available in all cameras… why only wifi connection… if network connection cable available means it will be useful in some distance areas… but as of now, need to extend wifi range also for this camera alone

[@TPLINKUS]

It has not been in the design plans. I will suggest it though.

[@rasak55]

why don't make it easy to download from sdcard online? it s a waste of time.

[@TPLINKUS]

To be completely honest i agree. The process is convoluted, which is why we made the video. We have feedback this and similar feedback to the App team for a hopeful update. Just can't say if it will or not.

[@hiteshthakur6550]

Please remove alarm on off icon from live camera view . Sometimes by mistake alarm on and disturbing

[@TPLINKUS]

The alarm button is on the live view because in most cases you will be on the live view when you need to trigger the alarm. This is not a feature we would consider moving off of the live view screen.

[@gotanyglazby]

Feature needed to download playback clips to mobile without connecting to a laptop needed ASAP.

[@TPLINKUS]

that is what option1 in this video covers

[@gotanyglazby]

@@TPLINKUS finding a clip, manually starting and stopping recording is not a solution compared to a one click download option...

[@TPLINKUS]

@@gotanyglazby That is different. You asked for the ability to download clips to a mobile without a laptop and that is an available feature. Right now 1-touch downloads are only available with a cloud subscription, but local storage requires the recording of the section you want. This is because the quick review "call outs" are simply calls outs to specific sections of the continuous timeline. The request have been made that these callouts can be download as a whole but there is no timetable or confirmation if it can be or not yet.

[@AjmerwalaJaved]

how to view on pc? model: c100

[@TPLINKUS]

You can view the live stream on a PC through RTSP: www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2680/

[@AjmerwalaJaved]

@@TPLINKUS tried but nothing happened, unable to understand.

[@TPLINKUS]

@@AjmerwalaJaved then you will need to contact the support team. www.tp-link.com/us/choose-your-location/ Choose your region, click on support then Contact Technical support to find the methods of reaching support in your region.

[@AjmerwalaJaved]

@@TPLINKUSok

[@juliewatson7191]

I can't record the footage to download, sometimes it stops at 5 minutes sometimes less, just stops recording the footage my tapo has taken

[@TPLINKUS]

You will need to reach out to support so they can collect further information. If you are in the US please contact support at [e-mail]. Everywhere else please use our global support email at [e-mail].

[@salem222333]

Lines and writing in the video are not easily seen

[@TPLINKUS]

How so? I know there is Yellow-Blue Color blindness but that would just make the text possibly look green and red rather than our teal and gold.

[@salem222333]

@@TPLINKUS bad choice of colors ! Contrast is important for eye relief & reading text easily ...

[@ptitudeQS]

Hi Tapo Team. (TAPO C420S2) 1) When I open my iCloud on my PC I cannot find in the record video from Tapo. I only can see the iCloud record video on Tapo Application. - 2) I noticed that my record video are not save directly to memory card only in Icloud then I need to save 1by1 to put in my memory. T

[@albedostudios]

Today I ordered 2 Tapo C500 cameras. Now I decided to cancel them.

[@TPLINKUS]

Why? The C500 is a really good product.

[@albedostudios]

@@TPLINKUS Why because, I was hoping for a more user-friendly experience in terms of downloading footage directly, without the need to record first. This feature is important for me, when downloading longer videos, especially when the cameras are fixed at a certain height it seems to difficult for removing and re-inserting SD card.

[@TPLINKUS]

@@albedostudios Tapo cameras can be linked to a NAS or NVR, that could solve your concerns www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2748/

[@xenon2Merchant]

@@TPLINKUS but still its super stupid that you cant download files from the SD in the device. I was extremely disappointed (owner of two C225 devices).

[@TPLINKUS]

@@xenon2Merchant You can but you have to download the clip from the timeline to the camera first.

[@anyimegamagyi]

Crap… mine stopped recording afer 1 week of use and cat get it back to work, only way is to pay for cloude storage. Disgusting

[@TPLINKUS]

If cloud storage resolves your issue then the issue is not with the camera but with your local storage MicroSD card. Try reformating the card through the 24/7 menu in the Tapo App or try a different MicroSD card.

[@roulettered56]

Flawed security without the cloud plan. Anyone can just take the SD card out and destroy it losing all footage as Tapo doesn't automatically download or save the clips to your phone.

[@TPLINKUS]

Tapo Cameras do have the option of cloud storage, as is mentioned in method 2 @1:26 of this video. Sure there is more data security on the cloud but with cloud you only get clips that are activity-based recordings. Local Storage is 24/7. Is there a risk that your camera's SD card can be removed and destroyed? Sure, but most security cameras are not in readily accessible areas making it harder to get to. In most cases its more likely that the camera would just be unplugged, which would affect both local and cloud storage. Additionally AC-Powered Tapo cameras can also be linked to a DVR/NVR for increased data security.

[@him9909]

Useless as a security camera as you cannot upload to any ftp server of download long files to phone. The idea is to ONLY and ONLY sell their cloud services. Usually security cameras are mounted in odd location and if you expect to take the memory card out to transfer files then that's wrong. What-if the memory is also stolen? there is no proof left. As I said the only reason to sell this product is to sell the cloud services

[@TPLINKUS]

That is not true. If we wanted to just sell our cloud services we would not include a local storage option. Additionally a majority of our Tapo cameras can actually be linked to a NAS or NVR. The only ones who cannot are battery operated cameras.

[@emptyone2054]

Option 3 requires the use of a ladder and screwdriver a the top of the ladder.. Very disappointed.

[@TPLINKUS]

Yes this is true but that is common on cameras that record locally to a MicroSD card.

[@it_ideas]

thanks

[@TPLINKUS]

Your Welcome