Ring cameras are a popular home security option that offers cost-effective monitoring. While an owner is away, they can receive real-time updates on what’s happening around their property. However, you may be curious about the capabilities and if Ring cameras record 24/7.
Generally, Ring cameras do not continuously record and store footage for users. A camera will record if movement is detected or if the owner opens the live view. However, if you want more frequent security monitoring, you can make some adjustments to the system settings.
It’s often debated if 24/7 security footage is necessary for Ring owners. While Ring cameras were never designed to record continuously, you can improve your experience for better footage. Keep reading further to learn the truth if Ring cameras record 24/7.
When Do Ring Cameras Record?
If you own Ring cameras, there are specific times they will start to record video and monitor activity in your area. Below are the three main triggers that will cause a Ring camera to start recording.
Live View Footage
As an owner of a Ring device, you have access to the Ring mobile app that offers live-view compatibility. When you use the app, you can scroll to the specific camera you want to view and activate live video footage.
Once recording, you can view the video feed for up to 10 minutes before the Ring app ends the stream automatically. Along with viewing the live footage, you can watch it again later as a Ring Protect member as it saves to the Ring cloud storage.
Motion is Detected
The most common trigger of a Ring camera is the device detected motion in its view. Whether it’s a video doorbell or an outdoor camera, the device will start to capture video if there is movement.
You can set the motion capture settings in the Ring app depending on your preferences. In the app, you can set the zones you want to detect motion and the motion sensitivity. When adjusting the sensitivity, you may need to go through trial and error to find the best settings.
Ringing the Doorbell
If you have a Ring video doorbell, it will activate whenever someone presses the button. Once the person presses the doorbell, it will continue to record until the sensors detect no more motion.
Additionally, you will receive a notification on your phone that you can press to view who is at your door. If you aren’t present to view who is at the door, you can view the saved footage later to confirm.
Can You Make a Ring Camera Record 24/7?
Unfortunately, there is no way to make your Ring camera record 24/7 at the time of this article’s creation. The storage space and battery life of Ring devices can’t handle the demands of recording continuously for owners.
However, you can get close to 24/7 monitoring by investing in Ring alarm sensors and setting photo intervals. By setting photo intervals in your Ring app, you can receive regular snapshots of what’s in front of your cameras.
Follow these steps to set up Ring security snapshots:
- Open the Ring App
- Tap the Three-Lined Icon to Open Side Menu
- Tap the Devices Option
- Tap the Device You Want to Activate
- Tap Device Settings
- Tap Snapshot Capture Option
- Enable Feature and Set Frequency
Depending on your preferences, you can set the snapshot to be captured frequently or every few hours. However, it’s important to note that frequent snapshots will drain your device’s battery life faster.
How Does Ring Store Video Footage?
You cannot store video footage for future viewing if you do not have a Ring Protect Plan. However, you can still watch your device’s live video footage with a free membership plan from Ring.
When you have a Ring Protect Plan, your video footage will be automatically saved when something triggers the device. If the device saves video footage, it will be stored on secure AWS servers and protected from unauthorized access.
Once the footage is in storage, it will remain temporarily with a predetermined storage length. While the default setting is 60 days, Ring users can adjust their video storage settings to delete their footage in 1 to 180 days.
Will Ring Release a 24/7 Video Feature?
In 2018, Ring planned to release a 24/7 video feature for users willing to pay a monthly premium for the service. This service would only be available to wired device owners and allow users to record video footage continuously.
However, there hasn’t been any additional information on the release of this service years later. The failure to implement this service has left many Ring customers unhappy with the quality of their security cameras.
We recommend switching to another provider if you value 24/7 security video footage. Ring has yet to provide updates, and there is no reason to believe there will be 24/7 recording anytime soon. A wired NVR security system will provide footage you can monitor anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ring cameras don’t have the capability to record all the time. The cameras will start recording once they detect motion, activated via live view, or someone presses the doorbell button. There are numerous wired security camera options if you want security cameras that record all the time.
Both battery-powered and wired Ring cameras have a maximum motion detection recording length of 120 seconds. However, you can view a Ring camera from the live view for 10 minutes. In most cases, setting your Ring cameras to record 30 seconds is enough for most situations.
If your Ring camera has default settings, it can record video and audio when it detects motion in the area. In most tests, a Ring camera can capture audio up to 20ft away from home. When you don’t want your Ring camera to record conversions, you can disable audio recording in the system settings.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering, “do Ring cameras record 24/7?” this article provided all the insights you need to know. While Ring cameras don’t always record, you can achieve better surveillance by enabling security snapshots and adding alarm sensors.
As of now, we can only hope that the Ring team develops a 24/7 recording plan for its customers in the coming years. If you have any questions, please comment or contact the Ring support team!