Continuous recording allows your cameras to keep recording during the specific times you set, ensuring that nothing is missed within that timeframe. This article will guide you through setting up continuous recording for Reolink devices across different platfor ms.
This article will be introduced to you in four parts:
1. Which Reolink products support Continuous Recording Schedule
2. When to Set up a Continuous Recording Schedule
3. Step-By-Step Instructions for Setting up Recording Schedule
4. Effect of Continuous Recording
1. Which Reolink Products Support Continuous Recording Schedule
Here is a table that shows which Reolink products support continuous recording schedules and the configuration methods/playback methods they offer.
Assume I have an Argus 3 Pro camera, which is a battery-powered camera, but this model is not listed under the "Continuous Recording" section, indicating that it does not support continuous recording.
If my camera is a Reolink Altas PT Ultra, then it does support continuous recording to its own microSD card. Since this model can also work with the Reolink Home Hub, if I happen to have a Reolink Home Hub, I can set the camera to record continuously to the Home Hub as well.
| Device | Model | Continuous Recording | Storage Path | Configuration Method/Playback Method |
| Reolink Standalone Camera | Battery-powered Cameras | Reolink Altas series, Reolink TrackMix LTE Plus | MicroSD card |
Reolink App, Reolnk Client. |
| PoE&WiFi (plug-in) Cameras | All cameras except cameras with hardware version 3816. How to Find out Reolink Device System Information |
Reolink App, Reolink Client, Reolink Web Browser, Reolink NVRs. |
||
| Reolink NVR Series | Depends on camera | HDD |
Reolink App, Reolink Client, Reolink Web Browser. Reolink NVRs. |
|
| Reolink Home Hub Series | Depends on camera | MicroSD card/HDD |
Reolink App, Reolink Client. |
|
2. When to Set up a Continuous Recording Schedule
However, continuous recording also comes with some considerations. Since it continuously consumes storage space, the microSD card or HDD may fill up quickly. Therefore, if you wish to extend the number of days they can store recordings, you can consider the following options:
1. Upgrade to a larger capacity microSD card or HDD to provide more storage space.
2. Adjust the camera bitrate: How to Set up the Quality Settings via Reolink App to reduce the file size of the recordings, which can help extend the storage duration.
Refer to the article below for information on the storage duration for microSD cards/HDDs:
- How Long Can the Micro SD Card in Reolink Cameras Record
- How Long Can Reolink NVR Record for
- How Long Can the microSD Card/HDD of Reolink Home Hub Record for Battery-Powered Wi-Fi Cameras?
3. Step-By-Step Instructions for Setting up Recording Schedule
If you want your Reolink device to record 24/7 continuously, you can enable camera recording and set up a timer recording schedule for it. Here is a video for your reference.
You can also follow the steps below to set up a continuous recording for your camera via different platforms. Click the links below to jump to the relevant section.
*Via Reolink App
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Reolink Standalone Camera
Step 1. Launch your Reolink App, log in to your camera, and go to Device Settings > Camera Recording.
Note: Recording schedule settings may differ slightly for PoE/WiFi plug-in cameras without smart detection. Please scroll down to Part 2 for instructions on these cameras.
Part 1. For cameras with smart detection
Tap Continuous Recording Schedule. On the schedule page, tap the button in the bottom-left corner (Paint/Delete), then swipe over the time slots you want to schedule. When you're finished, tap Save to apply the settings.
Part 2. For cameras without smart detection
Tap the grid for one hour, then tap and drag to select a time period. To switch between Alarm and Timer modes, tap the alarm/clock icon in the lower-left corner , then tap it again to pop up the two options: Alarm and Timer. Once switched, you can apply the desired recording mode—Alarm for motion-triggered recording or Timer for continuous recording—by filling in the schedule grid.
A blue grid indicates motion recording for that time, a yellow grid signifies continuous recording, and a white grid means no recording is enabled for that time.
Note: You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording. Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
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Reolink NVR
Applies to NVR (New UI): RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N2MB02/N3MB01/N7MB01), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N6MB01), RLN36 and RLN12W.
Step 1. Launch your Reolink App, go to the NVR device settings, and then tap Record to proceed.
Step 2. Toggle the Record button at the top to enable NVR recording. (All cameras will stop recording if NVR recording is disabled.) Find each camera's channel and toggle its button to turn it blue. Tap Settings under the camera you want to configure > Continuous Recording Schedule.
Step 3. Tap the button in the bottom-left corner (Paint/Delete), then swipe over the time slots you want to schedule. When you're finished, tap Save to apply the settings.
Step 4. When you tap Save, you’ll be prompted to choose whether to apply the same schedule to other cameras or only configure it for this camera.
Step 5. You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
Applies to NVR (Old UI): RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB02), RLN8-410-E (hardware version H3MB16), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB06).
Step 1. Launch your Reolink App and open the device settings page of NVR.
Step 2. Go to the Record page, choose the camera you want to configure, enable its switch, and then tap Settings > Schedule button to enter the Schedule Setting.
Step 3. Yellow indicates Timer (continuous recording), blue indicates Alarm (motion recording), and white means no recording scheduled. Tap the Timer button to select the time or tap the eraser-shaped button to cancel the selected time. Fianlly, tap Save to apply your configuration.
Step 4. You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
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Reolink Home Hub
Step 1. Launch your Reolink App and go to the camera's settings page. Tap Camera Recording.
Step 2. Tap Continuous Recording Schedule. Tap the button in the bottom-left corner (Paint/Delete), then swipe over the time slots you want to schedule. When you're finished, tap Save to apply the settings.
Step 3. You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the Reolink Home Hub packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Reolink Client
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Reolink Standalone Camera
Step 1. Launch Reolink Client, log in to your camera, and go to Camera Settings of the camera you want.
Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record page. Please enable Record first.
Step 3. Click Schedule.
Note: Recording Schedule settings are slightly different for PoE/WiFi plug-in cameras without smart detection, scroll down for instructions about these cameras in Part 2.
Part 1. For cameras with smart detection
Note: Regardless of your settings, the Client will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
Step 1. Click Timer, then select Enable/Disable. Click and drag to select grids (one for an hour) on the timetable. Blue means the camera will record non-stop at that hour, while grey means none. Click Save if you finish setting up.
For example, the settings on this page will make the camera record from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
You can also use Enable All/Disable All to achieve a quick configuration.
Tap Enable all to enable all grids, meaning the camera will record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Tap Disable all to disable all grids, which means the camera will not record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Part 2. For cameras without smart detection.
If you have PoE/WiFi cameras without smart detection, the recording schedule will differ slightly from other cameras.
Step 1. Click the Motion (alarm recording)/Timer (continuous recording)/None (no recording) button, then click and drag on the grids to enable/disable different recordings for that hour. They are blue, yellow and grey respectively.
If you do not see the Timer option, it may be because the camera does not have a microSD card installed. Please ensure the microSD card is installed and then check the settings again.Step 2. Click the Save button in the bottom right corner if you finish setting.
Note: You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording. Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
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Reolink NVR
Applies to NVR (New UI): RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N2MB02/N3MB01/N7MB01), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N6MB01), RLN36 and RLN12W.
Step 1: Launch the Reolink Client and go to NVR device settings > Surveillance > Record. Toggle the Enable Record button to turn it on (in blue). If the button is disabled, all cameras connected to the NVR will stop recording, regardless of their recording schedule settings.
Step 2. Click Schedule to set up recording schedules for the camera added to the NVR.
Step 3. Select the camera/channel that you want to configure, and toggle Enable Record to turn it blue.
Click Timer, then select Enable/Disable. Click and drag to select grids (one for an hour) on the timetable. Blue means the camera will record non-stop at that hour, while grey means none. Click Save if you finish setting up.
For example, the settings on this page will make the camera record from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Notes:
1. Regardless of your settings, the Client will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
2. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
3. If you'd like the recording schedule for the selected camera/channel to be applied to other cameras/channels, click Apply to Other Cameras and select the wanted camera. It's fairly convenient.
After you finish recording schedule settings, click Save to save the camera recording schedule.
You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
Applies to NVR (Old UI): RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB02), RLN8-410-E (hardware version H3MB16), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB06).
Step 1. Launch your Reolink Client, then go to Device setting > Surveillance > Record > Schedule page.
Step 2. On the Schedule page, select the camera you want to configure and enable the "Record" button. Then, set up the schedule for your camera. There are three options: Blue indicates motion recording (Motion), Yellow indicates continuous recording (Timer), and Grey indicates no recording schedule. Click Save to apply your settings.
Note: You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording. Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
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Reolink Home Hub
Step 1. For cameras connected to Reolink Home Hub, go to the camera settings of the camera you want to edit.
Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record page. Please enable Record first.
Step 3. Click Schedule.
Step 1. Click Timer, then select Enable/Disable. Click and drag to select grids (one for an hour) on the timetable. Blue means the camera will record non-stop at that hour, while grey means none. Click Save if you finish setting up.
For example, the settings on this page will make the camera record from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Note:
1. Regardless of your settings, the Client will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
2. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
You can also use Enable All/Disable All to achieve a quick configuration.
Note: You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording. Wait a moment after configuring, as the Reolink Home Hub packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Reolink Web Browser
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Reolink Standalone Camera
Applies to: All Reolink cameras with microSD card slot (exclude battery-powered cameras, Reolink Lumus, Reolink E1, and Reolink E1 Pro).
Step 1. Log in to the camera via a web browser. Click the gear icon on the top right to get to the device settings page.
Step 2. Click Surveillance > Record. Turn on Enable Record.
Part 1. For cameras with smart detection.
Click Timer, then select Enable/Disable. Click and drag to select grids (one for an hour) on the timetable. Blue means the camera will record non-stop at that hour, while grey means none. Click Save if you finish setting up.
Note:
1. Regardless of your settings, the web browser will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
2. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
Enable all button: Tap Enable all to enable all grids, meaning the camera will record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Disable all button: Tap Disable all to disable all grids, which means the camera will not record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Part 2. For cameras without smart detection.
If you have PoE/WiFi cameras without smart detection, such as RLC-511, the recording schedule will differ slightly from other cameras.
Step 1. Turn on Enable Record.
Step 2. Click the Motion(alarm recording)/Timer(continuous recording)/None(no recording) button, then click and drag on the grids to enable/disable different recordings for that hour. They are blue, yellow and grey respectively.Step 3. Click the Save button in the bottom right corner if you finish setting.
You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
If the web interface of your camera is an old version, you can refer to the steps below.
Step 1. Log in to your camera via a web browser and go to the device settings page.
Step 2. Click and drag on the grids to set the schedule as you need, then click OK to save the settings. One grid means one hour.
Notes: The green or blue grid means that the device will record to a micro SD card when motions are detected, while the white or grey one means “don’t record”. -
Reolink NVR
Step 1. Input the IP Address of your NVR on a web browser and log in to your NVR. Then click the Device Settings gear icon on the top right corner.
Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record > Schedule page.
Step 3. Click the drop-down arrow to choose a camera you want to set up a recording schedule for. For example, choose channel 06 TrackMix PoE in the picture above.
Step 4. Click the Schedule button (turn it blue) to enable recording for the selected channel.
Step 5. Then select Timer this time. Select Enable/Disable and then click and drag on the grid to turn it blue/grey. The blue grid means the Timer recording at this hour is enabled, while the grey means disabled.
Notes:
1. If you want to copy the weekly schedule to another camera connected to the NVR, click Apply to Other Cameras, and choose the corresponding camera. Don't forget to click Save if you have finished configuring the Alarm/Timer schedule.
2. Regardless of your settings, the web browser will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
3. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
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Reolink Home Hub
The Reolink Web Browser currently does not support the setup of the Reolink Home Hub; it only allows for live viewing and playback. It is recommended to use the Reolink App or Reolink Client for setup.
*Via Reolink NVR (New UI)
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Reolink Cameras
Applies to: RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N2MB02/N3MB01/N7MB01), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N6MB01), RLN36 and RLN12W.
Here is a video for your reference.
Step 1. Right click on the live view page and click the gear icon to get to Settings page. Click Surveillance, then enable Record and click Daily Schedule beneath it.
Note: This Record button controls all cameras connected to your NVR. If disabled (in grey), the cameras will stop recording, regardless of their schedule configurations.
Step 2. Select the camera that you want to set continuous recording, enable the button, click Timer, then click and drag to select grids to choose the time.
For example, the settings in the picture below mean that the camera will record continuously from 00:00 to 12:00 every day.
Notes:
1. Regardless of your settings, the NVR will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
2. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
Step 3. You can click Apply to other cameras and copy the settings to other channels, and click All to quickly select all cameras.
You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. On the Live View page, click Playback to view recordings. Select the channel/camera and date, then click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Reolink NVR (Old UI)
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Reolink Cameras
Applies to: RLN8-410/RLN16-410 with hardware versions H3MB02 and H3MB16.
Step 1. Log in to your Reolink NVR on a monitor and click the Menu icon to enter the main menu page.Step 2. Go to Recording > Schedule. Select a camera channel, tick Enable, then click Normal. Click and drag to select grids to customize the time frame you want for continuous recording. Click Apply to save your settings.For example, the settings in the picture below mean that the camera will record continuously from 20:00 to 12:00 the next day, every day of the week, and only record motion events from 12:00 to 20:00 each day.Note: You may also click on Copy To to save the schedule settings for other cameras.
Step 3. You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. To playback the recorded videos stored in the PoE NVR HDD, go to the Menu > Search > Playback page.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
Step 4. Click Play to playback the recordings you choose.
*Via Reolink WiFi NVR
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Reolink Cameras
Applies to: RLN4-211W, RLN4-210W.
Step 1. Get to Menu > Recording > Schedule page.
Step 2. Select the channel and click Normal, Then Select the grids.
Step 3. Click Apply to save the settings.
Note: There are three (3) types of recording to choose from.
: The NVR will constantly record for any period when Normal is selected. You won’t miss anything, but the constant recording will fill your hard drive very quickly. Typically, we suggest Motion as a better recording mode for most users.
: The NVR will only record when it detects something moving in front of a camera, and will then only record footage from the camera(s) that do detect.
: The NVR will not record anything.
Copy To (Channel): Located at the base of the screen, with Default on one side and Apply on the other. This will allow you to copy the schedule from the channel you’re editing to another channel or channel.
4. Effect of Continuous Recording
The camera can record continuously. The duration of each recorded file may vary depending on the model and its specific packaging strategy. For example, the Reolink standalone camera uses a microSD card to store recordings, packaging each video into 5-minute segments during the day and 2-minute segments at night. As a result, you will see playback videos of approximately 5 minutes during the day and 2 minutes at night. The Reolink Home Hub follows the same packaging strategy as the standalone camera. For the NVR, which uses an HDD to store recordings, you can configure the pack duartion settings through the NVR.
5. Related Articles
How to Set up Motion Recording Schedule for Reolink Cameras
What is Continuous Recording and Where to Save it
SD Card Can Not Detected on Reolink Device
Reolink Camera Not Recording to SD Card
Reolink Camera Not Recording to Cloud Storage
By enabling continuous recording, you won't miss any important footage. If you need further assistance, click 'Submit a request' at the bottom of the page to contact Support.