Where Does Tapo Store Camera Clips and Snapshots?
Where the Tapo app keeps camera clips and snapshots on Android and iPhone, plus card and cloud roles.
Last updated
Tapo cameras record to microSD when fitted and to Tapo Care cloud when subscribed. The phone app itself holds settings, device list, and only the clips you manually saved during viewing. That division confuses owners who expect every clip on the phone.
Manual saves land in the gallery or Files, sometimes under a Tapo folder on Android. Device list follows your TP-Link ID when signed in. If cloud playback ends but card playback works, the subscription lapsed or the camera lost internet. Check the storage page in camera settings before assuming deletion.
Where Tapo stores this, by platform
/sdcard/DCIM/Tapo
Manual clips land here or in the gallery. Continuous video stays on the camera microSD or Tapo Care cloud. Storage page in camera settings shows which source is active.
Photos/Tapo (manual saves, plus card and cloud)
Manual saves go to Photos through the app. Device list follows your TP-Link ID. Local record stays on the camera card and cloud record in Tapo Care, not in phone files.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my Tapo camera recordings?
On the camera microSD card for local record, in Tapo Care cloud when subscribed, and in the phone gallery for manual saves. The app playback view picks the source per camera. Download clips to the phone before wiping cards, since formatting erases the local record.
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