How to Add Storage to Eufy Homebase

Expand your Eufy Homebase storage with simple steps using USB drives or network-attached storage. This guide covers everything from setup to troubleshooting, ensuring seamless video recording and playback.

Key Takeaways

• Eufy Homebase supports USB storage: You can connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive directly to the Homebase unit for expanded local video storage.
• Use compatible file systems: Format your USB drive to FAT32 or exFAT for best compatibility with Eufy Homebase devices.
• NAS integration is possible: Advanced users can connect Eufy Homebase to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device for centralized, scalable storage.
• Automatic recording management: Once storage is added, Eufy automatically manages recordings, overwriting old footage when space runs low.
• Regular maintenance improves performance: Periodically check storage health, free up space, and update firmware to ensure smooth operation.
• Troubleshooting is straightforward: Common issues like unrecognized drives or slow performance can often be fixed with simple steps like reformatting or rebooting.
• Cloud vs. local storage trade-offs: Adding local storage gives you privacy and no monthly fees, but lacks cloud features like remote access during internet outages.

How to Add Storage to Eufy Homebase: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re using Eufy security cameras, you already know how valuable local storage can be. Unlike many competitors that push cloud subscriptions, Eufy emphasizes local, private storage—keeping your footage secure and free from monthly fees. But what happens when your Eufy Homebase runs out of space? That’s where adding extra storage comes in.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add storage to your Eufy Homebase. Whether you’re a beginner or a tech-savvy user, we’ll walk you through every option—from plugging in a USB drive to setting up a full NAS system. By the end, you’ll have more space for recordings, better control over your data, and peace of mind knowing your footage is safe and accessible.

Why Add Storage to Your Eufy Homebase?

Eufy Homebase comes with built-in storage—typically 16GB or 32GB—depending on your model. While this is enough for basic use, it fills up quickly, especially if you have multiple cameras recording 24/7 or high-resolution video. Once the storage is full, older recordings are automatically deleted to make room for new ones. This means you might miss important events if they’re overwritten too soon.

Adding external storage solves this problem. With more space, you can:

• Store weeks or even months of footage
• Keep high-quality recordings without compression
• Avoid relying on cloud subscriptions
• Maintain full privacy—your data stays on your property

Plus, Eufy makes it surprisingly easy to expand storage using USB drives or network storage. Let’s dive into how you can do it.

Option 1: Adding USB Storage to Eufy Homebase

The simplest and most common way to add storage is by connecting a USB drive directly to your Eufy Homebase. This method is plug-and-play, requires no technical expertise, and works with most modern USB flash drives and external hard drives.

What You’ll Need

• A USB flash drive or external hard drive (at least 32GB recommended)
• A computer (for formatting, if needed)
• Access to your Eufy Homebase unit

Step 1: Choose the Right USB Drive

Not all USB drives are created equal. For best results, choose a drive that’s reliable and fast enough to handle continuous video recording. Here are some tips:

• Capacity: Go for at least 64GB, but 128GB or 256GB is ideal for multiple cameras.
• Speed: Look for USB 3.0 or higher for faster data transfer. Even if your Homebase only has USB 2.0 ports, a faster drive will still work—it just won’t reach its full speed.
• Reliability: Stick with reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Western Digital. Avoid cheap, no-name drives that may fail under constant use.
• Portability: If you want to easily remove and back up footage, a compact flash drive is convenient. For long-term, permanent storage, an external hard drive offers more capacity.

Step 2: Format the USB Drive

Before connecting your USB drive to the Homebase, it’s important to format it correctly. Eufy Homebase supports FAT32 and exFAT file systems. NTFS is not supported, so avoid it.

Here’s how to format your drive:

• On Windows:
  1. Insert the USB drive into your computer.
  2. Open “This PC” or “My Computer.”
  3. Right-click the drive and select “Format.”
  4. Choose “exFAT” (recommended for drives over 32GB) or “FAT32” (for smaller drives).
  5. Click “Start” and wait for the process to complete.
• On Mac:
  1. Open “Disk Utility” (found in Applications > Utilities).
  2. Select your USB drive from the sidebar.
  3. Click “Erase.”
  4. Choose “exFAT” or “MS-DOS (FAT)” as the format.
  5. Click “Erase” to confirm.

Pro Tip: Always back up any important data before formatting—this process erases everything on the drive.

Step 3: Connect the USB Drive to Homebase

Now that your drive is formatted, it’s time to plug it in.

1. Locate the USB port on your Eufy Homebase. It’s usually on the side or back of the device.
2. Insert the USB drive firmly into the port.
3. Wait a few seconds for the Homebase to detect the drive.

You’ll know it’s working when the Homebase LED indicator changes color or blinks differently (refer to your model’s manual for specific signals). The Eufy app may also show a notification that external storage has been connected.

Step 4: Verify Storage in the Eufy App

To confirm everything is working:

1. Open the Eufy Security app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap on your Homebase device.
3. Go to “Settings” > “Storage.”
4. You should see the USB drive listed with its total capacity and available space.

If the drive isn’t showing up, try unplugging and reinserting it, or restart the Homebase by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

Step 5: Set Recording Preferences

Once the storage is active, Eufy will automatically start saving new recordings to the USB drive. But you can customize how recordings are managed:

• Recording Mode: Choose between “Always Record,” “Record on Motion,” or “Scheduled Recording.”
• Video Quality: Higher quality uses more space. Adjust based on your needs.
• Retention Period: The system will overwrite the oldest footage when space runs out. You can’t set a fixed retention time, but more storage means longer retention.

Example: A 128GB USB drive can store approximately 10–14 days of continuous 1080p footage from a single camera. With multiple cameras, this drops—so plan accordingly.

Option 2: Using Network Attached Storage (NAS)

For advanced users who want even more flexibility, connecting your Eufy Homebase to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device is a powerful option. A NAS is a dedicated storage server connected to your home network, allowing multiple devices—including your Homebase—to access shared storage.

This method is ideal if you:

• Want centralized storage for multiple security systems
• Need massive storage capacity (terabytes)
• Prefer automated backups and redundancy
• Are comfortable with basic networking setup

What You’ll Need

• A NAS device (e.g., Synology, QNAP, or Western Digital My Cloud)
• A home network with Wi-Fi or Ethernet
• Basic knowledge of IP addresses and network sharing

Step 1: Set Up Your NAS

If you don’t already have a NAS, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set it up. This usually involves:

• Connecting the NAS to your router via Ethernet
• Installing drives (if not pre-installed)
• Accessing the NAS web interface to configure storage and users
• Creating a shared folder for Eufy recordings

Make sure the NAS is powered on and connected to the same network as your Eufy Homebase.

Step 2: Enable SMB/CIFS Sharing

Eufy Homebase uses the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol to connect to NAS devices. You’ll need to enable SMB sharing on your NAS and create a shared folder.

Here’s how (using Synology as an example):

1. Log in to your NAS web interface.
2. Go to “Control Panel” > “File Services.”
3. Enable “SMB” service.
4. Create a new shared folder (e.g., “EufyRecordings”).
5. Set permissions so that the Eufy Homebase can read and write to the folder.

Note: The exact steps vary by NAS brand. Consult your NAS manual or support site for guidance.

Step 3: Find the NAS IP Address

You’ll need the IP address of your NAS to connect it to the Homebase. To find it:

• On Synology: Go to “Control Panel” > “Network” > “Network Interface.”
• On QNAP: Open “System Operations” > “Network & Virtual Switch.”
• Alternatively, check your router’s connected devices list.

The IP address will look something like 192.168.1.50.

Step 4: Connect Homebase to NAS via Eufy App

Now it’s time to link your Homebase to the NAS:

1. Open the Eufy Security app.
2. Tap your Homebase device.
3. Go to “Settings” > “Storage” > “Network Storage.”
4. Tap “Add Network Storage.”
5. Enter the following details:
   • IP Address: The NAS IP (e.g., 192.168.1.50)
   • Path: The shared folder name (e.g., /EufyRecordings)
   • Username & Password: Your NAS login credentials (if required)
6. Tap “Save” or “Connect.”

The app will test the connection. If successful, you’ll see a confirmation message and the NAS will appear as a storage option.

Step 5: Test and Monitor

Once connected, Eufy will start saving new recordings to the NAS. To verify:

• Check the NAS shared folder—new video files should appear.
• Review recordings in the Eufy app to ensure they’re being saved correctly.
• Monitor storage usage in the app under “Storage.”

Pro Tip: Use a wired Ethernet connection between your Homebase and router for the most stable NAS performance. Wi-Fi can cause lag or disconnections.

Tips for Managing Your Expanded Storage

Adding storage is just the first step. To get the most out of it, follow these best practices:

1. Regularly Check Storage Health

USB drives and NAS devices can fail over time. Periodically check:

• Available space in the Eufy app
• Whether new recordings are being saved
• For error messages or connection issues

2. Back Up Important Footage

Even though your recordings are stored locally, they’re not immune to hardware failure. Consider:

• Copying critical videos to a computer or cloud storage
• Using NAS RAID configurations for redundancy
• Setting up automated backups if your NAS supports it

3. Update Firmware Regularly

Eufy frequently releases firmware updates that improve storage compatibility and performance. To update:

• Open the Eufy app
• Go to “Settings” > “Device Settings” > “Firmware Update”
• Follow the prompts to install the latest version

4. Avoid Overloading the System

While it’s tempting to use a 1TB drive, extremely large drives can sometimes cause issues with older Homebase models. Stick to drives under 512GB if you experience problems. Also, avoid using USB hubs—connect the drive directly to the Homebase.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common ones:

USB Drive Not Recognized

• Solution: Reformat the drive to exFAT or FAT32. Try a different USB port or cable. Test the drive on a computer to ensure it’s working.

NAS Connection Fails

• Solution: Double-check the IP address, folder path, and login credentials. Ensure SMB is enabled on the NAS. Restart both the NAS and Homebase.

Slow Recording or Playback

• Solution: Use a faster USB drive or switch to a wired network connection for NAS. Reduce video quality if necessary.

Storage Full Too Quickly

• Solution: Lower video resolution, enable motion-only recording, or upgrade to a larger drive.

Homebase Won’t Boot After Adding Storage

• Solution: Remove the USB drive and restart the Homebase. If it boots normally, the drive may be incompatible or faulty.

Conclusion

Adding storage to your Eufy Homebase is a smart, cost-effective way to enhance your home security system. Whether you choose a simple USB drive or a powerful NAS setup, you’ll gain more space, better control, and greater peace of mind—all without monthly fees.

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to expand storage safely and efficiently. Remember to use compatible drives, format correctly, and maintain your system regularly. With these steps, your Eufy cameras will keep recording reliably for years to come.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge, it’s time to take action. Grab a USB drive, plug it in, and start enjoying unlimited local storage with your Eufy Homebase today.