Not always. A local AI camera may analyze video without internet, but that does not guarantee it can record, send alerts, or let you watch footage remotely during an outage. Those functions depend on the camera, any hub or recorder, storage, and what you configured beforehand.
What “local AI” means—and what it does not
Local AI means video analysis runs on the camera or on a nearby hub or console instead of relying entirely on a cloud service. Recording and access are separate questions: footage may be saved locally while the internet is down, yet unavailable in the app until the connection returns.
- AI processing: where detection or recognition happens.
- Recording: where video is saved and whether recording continues offline.
- Access and alerts: how you view clips, control the system, and receive notifications.
Check each capability independently in the documentation for the exact model and system.
What may stop working when the internet goes down?
Internet-dependent functions commonly include first-time setup, downloading AI models, cloud analysis, software updates, messaging alerts, remote viewing, and app control. A locally stored clip may still be recording even when you cannot view the live stream or change settings remotely.
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For example, Aegis AI says its built-in and downloaded local models run offline after initial setup. Its documentation also says model downloads, cloud AI providers, messaging-channel alerts, and update checks require internet. That describes Aegis’s local-model configuration, not all cameras. Aegis AI documentation
Will the camera keep recording during an outage?
Only if its hardware, power, storage, and configuration support offline recording. Some systems need a schedule set while online; others record automatically triggered events to a local hub. “Local AI” alone does not establish that recording will continue.
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Wyze: scheduled microSD recording on supported models
Wyze says listed compatible cameras can continue scheduled microSD recording while offline, provided the camera remains powered and the schedule was created while online. The support page also names models that cannot record offline because they lack local storage. Check the current model list rather than assuming the feature applies across the range. Wyze’s offline-use model guidance
Arlo: event recordings to compatible local storage
Arlo says compatible SmartHub or Base Station setups can save automatically triggered recordings to attached USB or microSD storage during an internet outage, if the camera and hub stay powered. Its documentation says manual recordings are saved only to the cloud. Confirm hub, camera, storage, and configuration requirements for your setup. Arlo local-storage backup requirements
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Can you view footage or get alerts offline?
Local recording does not necessarily mean local playback is available during the outage. The playback path matters: a camera may save to a card, while another system stores clips on a hub or console that must be reachable over the local network.
Wyze’s guidance for the Cam v2 and Pan says that without Wi-Fi, users cannot view the live stream or change settings in the app; cloud alert videos and motion or sound detection features also do not work in that situation. These statements are specific to those models and the documented offline scenario. Wyze Cam v2/Pan offline behavior
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UniFi Protect separates local recording and processing from remote access: Ubiquiti says recordings are stored on a UniFi OS Console and describes AI processing on the local network, while remote access uses a secure connection between the client and console. Ubiquiti also identifies G4, G5, and AI Series cameras as performing specified AI functions on-device. This is an ecosystem-specific design, so verify which functions your equipment supports. Ubiquiti UniFi Protect recording and access documentation
How local storage systems differ
| Example | Where processing or footage is handled | Offline behavior described by the vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Wyze supported models | Scheduled recordings to a compatible camera microSD card | Scheduled recording can continue offline if power is available and the schedule was set in advance; model eligibility varies. Wyze model guidance |
| Arlo compatible hub setup | Automatically triggered recordings to attached hub USB or microSD storage | Can continue during an internet outage if camera and hub remain powered; manual recordings are cloud-only. Arlo requirements |
| UniFi Protect | Recordings on a UniFi OS Console; specified AI functions on the local network or on identified camera series | Local recording and processing are distinct from remote access, which uses a connection to the console. Ubiquiti documentation |
| TP-Link Tapo H500 | Hub with built-in and expandable local storage and local AI for compatible devices | Features and compatibility depend on supported Tapo devices; check the product documentation. TP-Link Tapo H500 details |
What to check before buying or relying on offline use
- Does AI inference run on the camera, a local hub or console, or a cloud service?
- Where are recordings stored: camera card, hub/NVR, or cloud?
- Does recording continue offline, and is it scheduled or event-triggered?
- Must you configure schedules or enable local storage while online?
- Can you retrieve clips over the local network during an outage, or only after internet service returns?
- Which functions stop—live viewing, app control, push or messaging alerts, cloud clips, or detection?
- What power, camera compatibility, storage format, and capacity are required?
A microSD card is useful only for a camera that explicitly supports offline local recording. For instance, Wyze’s Cam v2/Pan documentation gives model-specific limits of 32 GB for FAT32 and 256 GB for exFAT; those figures should not be applied to other Wyze models or brands. A card does not restore remote app access or internet-dependent alerts. Wyze Cam v2/Pan storage and offline details
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A hub or NVR may centralize storage or processing, but compatibility and offline playback remain system-specific. UniFi Protect uses a UniFi OS Console, Arlo requires compatible SmartHub/Base Station configurations for local backup, and Tapo H500 works with compatible Tapo devices. Confirm the exact combination before purchase.
How much local storage will you need?
Retention depends on resolution, number of cameras, recording schedule, compression, frame rate, and storage capacity. TP-Link’s Tapo H500 page estimates 20 days of continuous 24/7 recording for four 4MP cameras with 1 TB, and 323 days with 16 TB. TP-Link says these estimates are based on Tapo C410 prototype data and vary with compression, frame rate, and conditions; they are not a general benchmark for other systems. TP-Link Tapo H500 storage estimates
Quick Recap
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