[RELEASE] Blink Camera IFTTT Integration

Devices & Integrations Community Created Device Types
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Introducing the Blink Camera IFTTT Integration from RBoy Apps

This is a free integration guide on how to integrate Blink cameras and sync modules into your SmartThings setup using IFTTT. This guide follows the discontinuation of the native Blink Camera integraiton after Amazon acquired blink.

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The integration can be found here on the RBoy Apps free GitHub repository.

Where To Buy Blink Cameras and Sync Modules

Key Features:

  • Arm/disarm sync modules from SmartThings (via Virtual Sync Module switch)
  • Get camera motion detection notifications in SmartThings (via Virtual Camera Motion sensor)
    • Adjustable setting for motion sensor reset time (default 15 seconds)

SETUP GUIDE

  1. Connect your IDE to the RBoy Apps free GitHub repository
    • Login to your IDE
    • Click on My Device Handlers
    • Click on Settings (if you don’t see Settings, you would need to Enable GitHub Integration and follow the prompts)
    • Click on Add new repository
    • Enter Owner: RBoyApps, Name: SmartThings, Branch: master
    • Click on Save
    • Click on Update from Repo → Click on SmartThings (master)
    • Check all the device handlers → Check Publish → Click Execute Update
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  2. Create the Virtual Sync Module switches and Virtual Camera Motion sensors
    • Create Virtual Blink Sync Module Switch(s) (one for each sync module) in the:
      • IDE → My Devices → + New Device → Name & Device network id: Sync Module 1 , Type: RBoy Apps Virtual Blink Sync Module Switch → Create
      • For each additional sync module, increment the number (1, 2 etc). Make sure the Device network id for each sync module is unique
    • Create Virtual Blink Camera Motion sensor(s) (one for each camera) in the:
      • IDE → My Devices → + New Device → Name & Device network id: Blink Camera 1 , Type: RBoy Apps Virtual Blink Camera Motion Sensor → Create
      • For each additional camera, increment the number (1, 2 etc). Make sure the Device network id for each camera is unique
  3. Login to your IFTTT account and link it to your
  4. Connect your Blink Sync Modules to SmartThings (repeat this for each Sync Module)
    • Arming
      • Click on Explore and then Create new applet
      • Click on If + → search services for and click on SmartThings → click on Switched on → Select your Virtual Blink Sync Module switch in Which device? and click on Create trigger
      • Click on Then + → search services for and click on Blink → click on Arm system → Select your Blink Camera Sync Module in Which system? and click on Create action
      • Turn off Receive notifications when this Applet runs → Click Finish
    • Disarming
      • Click on Explore and then Create new applet
      • Click on If + → search services for and click on SmartThings → click on Switched off → Select the same Virtual Blink Sync Module switch in Which device? and click on Create trigger
      • Click on Then + → search services for and click on Blink → click on Disarm system → Select the same Blink Camera Sync Module in Which system? and click on Create action
      • Turn off Receive notifications when this Applet runs → Click Finish
  5. Connect the Blink Cameras to SmartThings (repeat this for each Camera)
    • Click on Explore and then Create new applet
    • Click on If + → search services for and click on Blink → click on Motion detected → Select your Blink camera in Which camera? and click on Create trigger
    • Click on Then + → search services for and click on SmartThings → click on Switch on → Select your Virtual Blink Camera Motion sensor in Which device? and click on Create action
    • Turn off Receive notifications when this Applet runs → Click Finish

Now your Blink Sync Modules can be armed and disarmed from SmartThings and will synchronize your Camera motion events with SmartThings.

You can use various methods to arm/disarm your sync modules, get notifications when your cameras detect motion, arm/disarm security systems, activate Sirens/Alarms, have Alexa/Sonos/Bose etc speak or play sounds, get push/SMS notifications and much more. Here are some useful apps to create various security and convenience automations:

NOTES:

  • Sync module arming/disarming synchronization is only one way (SmartThings → Blink)

Enjoy and thank you for your support! If you have any suggestions or feedback let us know.

You can check out our complete range of premium SmartApps and Device Handlers at www.rboyapps.com

Visit our Facebook page for updates on new apps and device handlers http://www.facebook.com/RBoySTApps

© RBoy Apps

8 Likes
2

Hold it!!! THIS IS BACK AGAIN? :heart::heart::heart::heart::heart:

1 Like
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No unfortunately. This is just IFTTT integration, and nothing like what RBoy had before (which was a 1000 times better IMHO).

4

Yeah see that now :rage: I’ve been using IFTTT with virtual switches already. Close as we are going to get I guess. Still great to see RBoy still involved.

1 Like
5

Arm/disarm works as shown but the motion events do not. Any suggestions? Testing suggestions?

6

Check your IFTTT rules and most importantly check that you’ve given the SmartThings IFTTT app permissions to access your virtual camera devices (this is a common issue) by opening the IFTTT SmartApp and selecting all your Blink virtual sync modules and cameras.

7

Hi - forgive my not understanding here, but what is the purpose of this device handler compared to just using Simulated Switches?

We can achieve the same result with IFTTT and simulated switches - what’s the benefit of this device handler? (I see one as adjusting the reset time… what else?)

Does it allow more options/features within Smartthings?

@RBoy

Thanks in advance

1 Like
8

now IFTTT has become expensive… is there plans a foot to create something that works without IFTTT?

thanks for the hard work.

Also, i couldnt get this to work in Europe with IFTTT anyway

9

I’m really hoping that AMZ starts to do more with these now that they own them. If/when that happens, and to what extent we can manage individual cameras, I’ll dump IFTTT in an instant.

10

Amazon were the ones who stopped third party integration so don’t hold your breath anything will change. There is an undocumented API (HA uses it I think), but it seems a bit hit and miss. Currently I’m getting asked to verify logins every day from HA.

11

Oh I know that. I was using @RBoy’s from the very beginning. I’m talking about natively within Alexa. Right now the cameras are individual devices, as well as the “system”, but the cameras are available to be used in Alexa Routines yet.

12

Blinks response when they killed the API was just use IFTTT, now I can not even run the four applets needed simply to turn the two Blink Hubs on and off for free, not to mention all of the others to handle detecting motion. This is just ridiculous. I am really getting tired of companies buying up properties only to make them worse.

13

We’re working on an alternative using the free IFTTT option for those who don’t have the IFTTT Pro option. It’ll take some time though and may not be ready before the IFTTT cut off and it will be a one way sync only. If you need 2 way sync I would recommend taking advantage of the Name your own price offer from IFTTT and subscribing to Pro until another way can be worked out.

2 Likes
14

Thanks for the response RBoy. I appreciate it. I only got to use your Blink product for a few months after buying the lifetime subscription before Amazon shut down the API. Look forward to seeing what you come up with. Your manager worked so much better than the IFTTT solution I had to come up with.

1 Like
15

I just created another account on IFTTT and got another 3 applets. :wink: I’ll do that as many times as needed too. Only downside is notifications via IFTTT, but I don’t care.

2 Likes
16

I haven’t tried connecting multiple IFTTT accounts to ST, if that works then it’s a simple solution.

1 Like
17

I did read over on the IFTTT Reddit that multiple accounts potentially breaks T&Cs, so use with caution. I do wonder though if the 3 will be upped, they have already changed the 1 year NYP to forever so do seem to be listening to feedback, unless that was their plan all along.

18

I would like to think so. I have multiple IFTTT accounts that are used, but not all are necessarily mine. One is mine, the other is my wife’s and the other is my daughter’s. Perhaps IFTTT should reevaluate their position, and either grandfather existing applets as of a certain date, or up the free limit to 4, or 5.

19

Thanks for the tip. Good idea. I will give it a try

1 Like
20

looking for suggestions or other ideas… I am also ‘hit’ with the IFTTT issue and I will not pay for their upgraded thing.

currently I use Blink Motion Events --> IFTTT --> WebCore --> a bunch of lights etc.

I am thinking about changing to something like:

Blink Motion Events --> Alexa Routine --> ST Virtual Switch --> WebCore --> a bunch of … etc

does this seam reasonable? Any other suggestions?

1 Like