Proper storage management is crucial to prevent data loss and ensure recent footage is always accessible. A key feature in Reolink devices that facilitates this is the microSD Card Overwrite/HDD Overwrite function. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to enable or disable this feature on various Reolink devices, including cameras, Network Video Recorders (NVRs), and Home Hubs.

What is microSD Card/HDD Overwrite?

The microSD Card/HDD Overwrite feature is designed to automatically delete the oldest video recordings when the storage medium (microSD card or HDD) reaches capacity. This ensures continuous recording by freeing up space for new footage, thereby maintaining a seamless loop of recent video data without manual intervention. Alternatively, some users may choose to disable this function to preserve certain footage they consider important.

microSD Card/HDD Overwrite Functionality Support

Reolink has continuously integrated and enhanced the Overwrite feature across its product lineup to meet the evolving needs of customers. Here’s a summary of the overwrite functionality support:

  • Cameras with Automatic Overwrite: Models like the Argus 2, Argus Pro, Argus Eco (2MP), Argus PT (2MP), Argus 2E, Reolink Go, and Reolink Go PT automatically overwrite old files without requiring specific settings in the Reolink software.
  • Cameras with Overwrite Option: All other current cameras, NVRs, and Home Hubs support the Overwrite old files feature, allowing users to enable or disable it as preferred.
  • Advanced Overwrite Settings: Certain models, such as the NVR (new UI), Home Hub series, Reolink Video Doorbell, Go Ranger PT, and Keen Ranger PT, Argus 4 Pro, Duo 3V PoE, and Duo 3 Wi-Fi, provide additional options to set the duration for which footage is overwritten.
    • Specified number of days: it determines how long the device keeps recordings before automatically deleting them. Once a video exceeds the selected number of days, it is treated as the oldest recording and will be overwritten with new footage, even if storage is not yet full.
      For example, if the interval is set to 7 days, the device always keeps the latest 7 days of footage. Anything older than 7 days will be removed automatically.
    • Overwrite Oldest Files: refers to the recordings that were saved earliest in time — in other words, the videos with the earliest dates and timestamps on the microSD card or HDD.
    • None: if you want to disable the overwrite, just choose None. However, please note that when it becomes full, no new videos will be recorded.
  • Cameras without an SD card slot: These cameras do not have an overwrite option when used as standalone devices because they are designed to work with an NVR, which independently supports the overwrite function.

How to Enable/Disable microSD Card/HDD Overwrite

For Reolink Cameras

  • 1. Via Reolink App:

    Step 1. Update the Reolink App to the latest version. Navigate to Home > Camera gear icon (Device Settings) to go to the settings page of the camera.

    Step 2. Tap the camera name to go to the Device Info page.

    home setting

    Step 3. Tap Storage > Overwrite Recordings to enable (turn the toggle blue) or disable (turn the toggle gray). 

    system info 823S2 overwirte

    If your device supports setting the overwrite interval, configure it according to your needs.

    overwrite APP overwrite option

  • 2. Via Reolink Client:

    Step 1. Log in to your Reolink Camera on the Reolink Client and click the Camera Settings button.
    Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record and enable Record > Overwrite Recordings.
    Step 3. If your device supports setting the overwrite interval, configure it according to your needs.

    overwrite recording switch.pngoverwrite recording switchoverwrite recording interval

  • 3. Via Web Browser:

    Step 1. Access your camera via a web browser and click the gear icon in the top-right corner to reach the device settings page.
    Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record and toggle the Overwrite Recordings switch. 
    Step 3. Adjust the overwrite interval if your device supports it.

    webweb cam settingweb cam overwriteweb overwrite

 

For Reolink NVRs

  • 1. Via Reolink App:

    Step 1. Open the Reolink App (update to the latest version), on the Home Page, tap the NVR name at the top and enter the Device Info page.

    Step 2. Tap Storage> Overwrite Recording and choose the overwrite interval if applicable. (Note: Older NVR models like hardware versions H3MB02, H3MB06, H3MB16, H3MB17, etc., do not have an Overwrite interval option.)

    To disable the overwrite, just choose None.

    nvr home appNVR nameNVR storage optionNVR storage pageNVR overwrite interval

  • 2. Via Reolink Client:

    Step 1. Log into your Reolink NVR on the Reolink Client and click the NVR Settings button.
    Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record and enable Record > Overwrite Recordings. 
    Step 3. Select the overwrite interval if supported. (Note: Older NVR models like hardware versions H3MB02, H3MB06, H3MB16, H3MB17, etc., do not have an Overwrite interval option.)

    NVR overwrite recordings

  • 3. Via Web Browser:

    Step 1. Log into your NVR via a web browser and navigate to the device settings page.
    Step 2. Go to Surveillance > Record and click the Overwrite option. 
    Step 3. Choose the overwrite interval based on your requirements. (Note: Older NVR models like hardware versions H3MB02, H3MB06, H3MB16, H3MB17, etc., do not have an Overwrite interval option.)

    webweb settingweb overwrite

  • 4. Via Reolink NVR (New UI):

    Step 1. Log into the NVR on the monitor and go to the Settings page.
    Step 2. Navigate to Surveillance > Record Settings.
    Step 3. Click the arrow-down icon under Overwrite and select the desired overwrite time.

    nvr setting.png

    nvr record settingnvr overwrite

  • 5. Via Reolink NVR (Old UI):

    Step 1. Log into the PoE NVR on the monitor and go to Menu > Recording > Option page.
    Step 2. Set Overwrite to Yes and click Apply to save the settings.

    recording optionenable overwrite

 

For Reolink Home Hubs

  • 1. Via Reolink App:

    Step 1. Launch the Reolink App (update to the latest version) and log in to the Reolink Home Hub. Tap arrow buttonand navigate to the Home Hub’s Settings > Storage.
    Step 2. Tap Overwrite Recordings and choose the overwrite interval for the Home Hub. To disable the overwrite, just choose None.

    hub home hub settingshub storage hub overwritehub overwrite interval

  • 2. Via Reolink Client:

    Step 1. Log in to your Reolink Home Hub on the Reolink Client and click the Customize button.
    Step 2. Go to Storage > Storage Settings and choose the overwrite interval for the Home Hub.

    home hub1Home Hub storage settingshub client overwrite.png

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage the storage space on your Reolink devices, ensuring continuous and reliable surveillance operations. We encourage users to regularly check their storage settings to ensure the SD card overwrite strategy and HDD overwrite strategy meet their surveillance needs. If you encounter any issues during the process, consult the user manual or contact Reolink support for further assistance.

 

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