Polaroid Flip User Manual

Camera Functions

A diagram showing the Polaroid Flip camera with various parts labeled A through N, including the protective flip, shutter button, flash, lens, film shield, self-timer LED, sonar rangefinder, film door button, viewfinder with exposure warning indicators, battery level indicator, film count display, app connection indicator, and mode button. A separate section details the Film Counter Display codes.

• A [protective-flip] (On|Off)
• B [shutter-button]
• C [flash]
• D [camera-lens]
• E [film-shield]
• F [self-timer-led]
• G [sonar-rangefinder]
• H [film-door-button]
• I [viewfinder] with Exposure Warning:
  • Exposure OK
  • Photo Under or Over-Exposed, Shooting Allowed
  • Subject Too Close, Shooting Blocked
• J [battery-level-indicator] (see "Charging")
• K [film-count]
• L [connected-to-app]
• M [mode-button]
• N [flash-on-off]
• [usb-c] Charging Port

Film Counter Display

• Unlit: [camera-off]
• 0: [no-film]
• 1-8: [photos-remaining]
• -: [darkslide-inside]
• 1: [double-exp-1]
• 2: [double-exp-2]
• c: [object-too-close]
• "door": [film-door-open]
• "A": [connecting-to-app]

Getting Started

1. Open the Polaroid Flip box and check that you have everything you need:
   • Polaroid Flip Camera
   • Quick Start Guide
   • Camera Shoulder Strap
   • Safety & Compliance booklet
2. Charge your camera

   For safe transportation, the Polaroid Flip won't be fully charged. You will need a USB-C cable (not included). Plug one side into the camera and the other into a charging adapter (5V/1A). Charging via a laptop is not recommended. The battery icon will blink while charging and disappear when full. A full charge via a wall socket takes about 2 hours and provides power for approximately 15 packs of film.

3. Attach your shoulder strap

   A visual guide illustrating the four steps to attach the camera shoulder strap. It shows the strap being threaded through designated loops on the camera body.

4. Find your instant film

   This camera uses Polaroid i-Type (recommended) or 600 instant film.

5. How To Take Your First Photo
   1. Turn on the Polaroid Flip camera.

      Open the lid to turn on the camera. If the lid is already open, press any button. The display shows photos remaining. The counter is '0' if no film is loaded. Close the flip lid when not in use to save battery; the camera also turns off automatically after 2 minutes of inactivity. Press any button to turn it back on.

   2. Make sure that your camera software is up-to-date

      Download the Polaroid app from the App Store or Play Store. Open the app and tap 'Flip' under 'cameras'. Check for updates via the '...' icon. If an update is available, press 'update now'. The update can take up to 2 minutes and will reset the camera.

   3. Insert the film pack.

      Press the film door button and pull the door open. Hold the film with the darkslide facing up. Insert the thin end of the cassette first, with the tab towards you. Push until it clicks, leaving the pull tab for removal. Close the door until it clicks. The darkslide covered by the film shield will eject. Do not pull the film shield. Remove the darkslide and allow the film shield to roll back in. This shield protects photos from light; gently lift it to retract. If the darkslide does not eject, remove and reinsert the film. Always finish a film pack before inserting a new one to ensure the counter is correct. Switching packs prematurely exposes film to light and makes it unusable.

   4. Aim the camera at your subject.

      Ensure you are at least 40cm (1'4'') away. Align your eye with the viewfinder for composition. Note that the photo may not perfectly match the viewfinder. For subjects closer than 1.2m (5.24ft), aim slightly up and to the left. You can half-press the shutter button to lock focus and exposure, then recompose your shot. Fully press the shutter button to take the photo. Avoid covering the flash or the photo eject slot with your fingers.

   5. Press the shutter button.

      The photo will eject from the front slot, covered by a film shield for light protection. Do not pull the film shield.

Operation

1. Remove the photo.

   Leave the photo under the film shield for about 5 seconds. Gently lift the film shield to retract it. Remove the photo and place it face down to continue shielding it from light as it develops. Do not shake the photo. Check film packaging for correct developing times.

2. Turn the camera off.

   Close the flip lid to turn off the Polaroid Flip.

3. Connecting to the app

   Unlock creative tools by downloading the Polaroid app to your mobile phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play store. Switch on Bluetooth® wireless technology. Open the app and tap 'FLIP' from the camera menu. Tap 'OK' for permission. The camera display will show an "A" when connecting, followed by a dot "." when connected. The connection is made through the app, so no phone pairing is necessary. The Polaroid FLIP camera will not appear in your phone's Bluetooth list but is always ready to connect.

   • "A": [app-code] Camera is searching for the mobile app.
   • ".": [app-code] Camera is connected to the mobile app.

Special Features

The Polaroid FLIP camera offers creative tools accessible outside the app.

• Self-timer

  Press the MODE button once; the Self Timer LED icon will light up. Frame your photo, then press the shutter button. The orange LED will blink, indicating a 12-second countdown. You can cancel the self-timer by pressing the shutter button before the countdown ends or by turning off the camera. Press MODE once to exit self-timer mode.

• Double Exposure

  Combine two exposures into one photo. Double tap the MODE button quickly; the double exposure LED icon will light up, and the film counter will blink '1'. Take your first exposure. The counter will then blink '2' for the second exposure. Double tap MODE again to exit.

• Combining modes

  Mode activation is indicated by corresponding icons. Multiple modes can be combined (e.g., double exposure with self-timer, EV compensation, and flash). Use shortcuts: single tap MODE for self-timer, double tap MODE for double exposure, long-press MODE for EV compensation, single tap FLASH for flash. All mode icons (except battery if charged/plugged in) will light up.

• Scene analysis

  The camera uses scene analysis to prevent overexposure, underexposure, and out-of-focus shots. A red LED inside the viewfinder warns of issues. It turns solid ON for a warning and blinks ON/OFF when inhibiting a shot.

  • LED solid ON (shutter half-pressed): Warns against overexposure (too bright) or underexposure (too dark). Display icons indicate the cause.
  • LED blinking (shutter half-pressed): Detects subjects too close (<40cm), inhibiting the picture to prevent blur.

Exposure and Tips

Exposure Indicator

• EV Icon + top line + VF LED: Overexposure (warning, picture can still be taken)
• EV Icon + bottom line + VF LED: Underexposure (warning, picture can still be taken)
• VF LED + "c" on the display (blinking): Too close. Picture cannot be taken.

Using the flash

Use the flash unless shooting in bright, direct sunlight for the best Polaroid photos. The flash triggers by default. Disable it by double tapping the flash button; it resets to ON by default on restart.

• [flash-ready] Flash ready.
• Flash is always on unless disabled.
• If disabled, press to turn on.
• [flash-off] Flash off.
• Press for <1 second to deactivate for the next shot.
• [flash-charging] Flash charging.

Setting exposure value (EV)

Press and hold the MODE button to enter EV mode. The EV icon (+/- icon) and a line on the film counter display will light up. Press MODE to toggle between brighter (+1/2 EV, top line), neutral (0 EV, middle line), or darker (-1/2 EV, bottom line). Press and hold MODE to confirm and exit. EV compensation mode also exits automatically after 7 seconds. The last selected value is saved.

• EV icon
• Set EV compensation value while this icon is blinking. Press MODE to toggle between the 3 states:
• EV Icon + top line: [ev-plus] +0.5 EV
• EV Icon + middle line: [ev-neutral] 0 EV
• EV Icon + bottom line: [ev-minus] -0.5 EV

Force Eject

This feature allows ejecting a photo without exposure, for example, after the first exposure in a double exposure. To execute, with the camera closed, hold down the MODE button, and without releasing it, open the Flip lid. Continue holding the MODE button for 10 seconds to force eject the film.

A sequence showing how to force eject film: first, the camera is depicted closed. Then, the MODE button is held down while the Flip lid is opened, indicating the action required.

Tips to take great photos

Light is crucial for analog instant photography. Use the flash unless shooting in bright, direct sunlight. The Polaroid Flip flash range is 4.5m; subjects beyond this may appear too dark. Outdoors, if your subject is beyond the flash range, keep the flash off to prevent underexposure. On sunny days, use the sun as your light source. Position yourself with the sun behind you, your subject side-on to avoid shadows, turn the flash off, and keep the camera steady.

Charging, Cleaning, and Troubleshooting

Charging

The second icon to the left of the display is the battery indicator.

Battery Level Indicator

• [low-battery] Low
• [critical-battery] Critical

For a more detailed battery reading, hold down the flash button while turning on the camera (opening the lid). The film counter display will show the battery level as a number between 1 and 9. Releasing the FLASH button reverts the display to the film count.

• 1: Battery Flat
• 2: 20% charged
• 3: 30% charged
• 4: 40% charged
• 5: 50% charged
• 6: 60% charged
• 7: 70% charged
• 8: 80% charged
• 9: 90% charged

To charge, plug one side of a USB-C cable into the camera and the other into a charging adapter (5V/1A). The battery level indicator LED will blink while charging.

Cleaning

When a Polaroid photograph is taken, it passes through two metal rollers where the developer paste is spread. Dirty rollers can cause uneven chemistry spread and marks on photos. If the camera has no film, turn it off and open the film door. Locate the two metal rollers near the film eject slot. Position a soft, damp cloth over the rollers and rotate the black plastic gear to turn them. Wipe the cloth across the rollers as they move, being careful not to cause a jam. Ensure rollers are dry before use. Check rollers between film packs and clean every 2-3 packs. Clean the lens with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratches.

Troubleshooting

1. My Polaroid FLIP won't eject my photo or darkslide.

   Ensure the camera is charged; the LED blinks red if the charge is low. Recharge if necessary. Check the film count; '0' means no film is left.

2. The flash doesn't fire when I take a photo.

   The Polaroid FLIP has a default flash that turns on automatically. If it's not firing, press the flash button for less than 1 second until the flash button light turns on.

3. My photo turned out too dark.

   Ensure your fingers do not cover the flash. When shooting outdoors, avoid pointing the camera directly at the sun, as excessive light can cause overcompensation. The Polaroid FLIP flash has a limit of 4.5m (14.8ft); subjects beyond this range may appear too dark. If not using the flash, find an alternative light source. Remember that half-pressing the shutter button locks exposure based on the initial light reading.

4. My photo turned out blurry or fuzzy.

   Ensure you are at least 40cm (1.31ft) away from your subject. Hold the camera steady, especially in low light. Use a strong light source to illuminate your subject, and keep your fingers away from the camera's sensors located under the flash.

5. The film counter display shows the wrong number.

   The display resets to '8' each time a new film pack is inserted. If a partially used pack is inserted, it will display '8' and count down. When a full pack is inserted next, the counter will correctly show '8' remaining photos.

6. I took the first shot of a double exposure photo, but I changed my mind.

   Switch off the camera, then press and hold the shutter button. Switch the camera back on; the film count will display '-'. Continue holding the shutter button for over 10 seconds until the film is ejected.

7. I've opened the film door by accident. Now what?

   Polaroid cameras and film packs are designed to prevent light leaks. However, if film is exposed to direct, bright light, photos may be damaged. Take a photo to eject the film, then take another to check the condition of the remaining film. If compromised, insert a new film pack.

8. My camera is behaving strangely. What do I do?

   Your camera may need a reset. To reset, open the film door and the Flip lid, and without closing them, hold the MODE button for over 5 seconds. For further assistance, browse the frequently asked questions.

Technical Specifications

General

Dimensions

Lid closed: 163.5 x 117.2 x 89.7 mm (6.44" x 4.61" x 3.53")

Lid open: 163.5 x 117.2 x 121.6 mm (6.44" x 4.61" x 4.79")

Weight

648g (22.86oz) without film pack

Operating Temperature

40-108°F / 4-38° C, 5-90% relative humidity

Compatible Film

Polaroid 600 and i-Type film

Battery

High performance lithium-ion battery, 750mAh, 3.7V nominal voltage, 2.775Wh

Materials

Outer shells

Polycarbonate + ABS plastics

Lens

PMMA

Optical System

Lens

4 zones Auto Switching Hyperfocal Optical System (Sonar Autofocus)

Focal length

Close-up Lens 1: 94.17mm

Near Field Lens 2: 97.75mm

Mid Field Lens 3: 101.4mm

Far Field Lens 4: 106.99mm

Zone Range

Close-up: 0.4m-0.77m

Near Field: 0.77m-1.03m

Mid Field: 1.03m-1.68m

Far Field: 1.68m-∞

Best Focus

Close-up: 0.65m

Near Field: 0.85m

Mid Field: 1.2m

Far Field: 2.5m

Field of view

40.8° vertical, 39.4° horizontal

Shutter speed

1/200 - 1sec. (Preset)

1/200 - 30 sec. and Bulb mode (App Mode)

Aperture

Maximum f8.5 practical aperture, available apertures: f8.5 - f66.6 (depending on selected zone)

Flash System

Auto-Adjust Output Vacuum discharge tube strobe system

Safety and Compliance

Safety Information

[electric-shock] Caution Risk of electric shock - Do not open/Disassemble the motorized roller system. Do not disassemble the device unless following authorized repair guides. Do not immerse in water or fluids. Do not operate in high humidity or dusty environments. Do not tamper with or remove the battery. Do not insert metal objects or objects into rollers/gears. Keep children and infants away from moving parts. Do not use or store near heat sources or flammable/explosive gases. Do not charge if unusual odors, noise, or smoke are present. Do not disassemble film battery (600-type); if fluid contacts eyes, rinse with water and seek medical attention. Do not cover the flash.

Battery and Charger

This device uses a custom lithium-ion battery, serviceable by authorized providers. Power consumption varies; a full charge powers approximately 15 film packs. The LED blinks when recharging is needed. The battery is not fully charged at purchase; charge fully via USB-C (1-2 hours). Use standard mobile phone power adapters; other adapters' operation is not guaranteed. Recycle properly when the device is no longer in use.

Usage Environment

To protect the device, avoid high temperatures (+42°C/108°F), high humidity, extreme temperature changes, direct sunlight, sandy/dusty environments, damp places, or strong vibrations. Do not drop or subject the device to shocks/vibrations. Do not push, pull, or press on the lens surface.

Compliance

Important directions for using Lithium-Ion Batteries

1. [fire-hazard] Do not throw into fire.
2. [short-circuit] Do not short circuit.
3. [disassemble-hazard] Do not disassemble.
4. [damaged-item] Do not continue to use when damaged.
5. [dispose-correctly] Dispose correctly after use.
6. [water-contact] Keep away from water.
7. [freezing-hazard] Do not charge when the temperature is below freezing.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Polaroid International B.V. declares that the Polaroid Flip analog instant camera complies with essential requirements of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2014/30/EU), Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), and RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU).

FCC Compliance Statement

Contains FCC ID: A8TBM70ABCDEFGH. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to two conditions: (1) no harmful interference, and (2) acceptance of any received interference. User is cautioned that unauthorized modifications could void operating authority. This equipment must not be co-located or operated with any other antenna or transmitter. Tested and found to comply with Class B digital device limits, providing reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations. If interference occurs, try reorienting the antenna, increasing separation, connecting to a different circuit, or consulting a dealer/technician. Complies with FCC radiation exposure limits for uncontrolled environments.

Industry Canada (IC)

Contains ID: 12246A-BM70BLES1F2. Complies with FCC Part 15 and Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standards. Subject to two conditions: no harmful interference, and acceptance of received interference.

Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure Information

The wireless device's radiated output power is below Industry Canada RF exposure limits. Minimize human contact during normal operation. Compliant with IC RF Exposure limits under portable exposure conditions.

[disposal-symbol] This symbol indicates that according to local laws and regulations, your product should be disposed of separately from household waste. When the product reaches its end of life, take it to a collection point designated by local authorities. Separate collection and recycling help conserve natural resources and protect human health and the environment.

End of life disposal warning

Dispose of the product in accordance with local regulations. This product is subject to the EU directive 202/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and should not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste.

Made in China for and distributed by Polaroid International B.V., 1013 AP, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The POLAROID word and logos, including the Polaroid Classic Border Logo, and Polaroid Now are protected trademarks of Polaroid. © 2025 Polaroid. All Rights Reserved.