Blinkar v1.4.0: Sync Module 2, Local Storage, and Structured Logging
Up until now, Blinkar only worked with Blink’s cloud storage. If you had a Sync Module 2 with a USB drive, the setup Blink pushes you toward for local clip storage, Blinkar couldn’t see those clips. v1.4.0, out today, fixes that.
Sync Module 2 + local storage support
Blinkar now works with cameras that store clips on a Sync Module 2’s USB drive, not just cloud storage. This covers the full range of Blink hardware: Blink XT, Blink Mini, Blink Outdoor, and anything connected through a Sync Module 2.
The app detects whether your system uses cloud or local storage and adjusts automatically, so there’s no configuration needed. If the auto-detection gets it wrong (or you have a preference), you can set the mode manually in Settings.
Local clips are downloaded directly from the Sync Module to your Mac with progress reporting, and they get the same treatment as cloud clips: thumbnails, notifications, detection labels, and the same browsing experience.
Structured logging
All internal logging has been moved from raw print() statements to a proper structured logger. This matters if you ever need to troubleshoot connectivity or polling issues — there’s now a file logging option in Settings that saves diagnostic logs to disk. Turn it on, reproduce the problem, and you’ll have something useful to look at (or send to me).
Improvements
- ⌘W closes windows — the standard keyboard shortcut now works to close the main window or Settings, matching every other macOS app. I’m not sure how I missed this one originally.
- Clearer login screen — the sign-in screen now explicitly says to use your Blink app credentials (the same email and password from the Blink mobile app). This came up enough in support that it earned a UI change.
Get it
Blinkar v1.4.0 requires macOS 14 or later and is available now on Gumroad. If you already own it, just re-download for the update.