The short answer to why your Ring video doorbell is not recording everything is simple: for multiple possible reasons.
A Ring Video Doorbell is not currently capable of recording constantly. However, several ways to make your Ring camera take longer recordings include lengthening motion-detected video capture times.
Read on to learn how to make the most of your Ring camera’s recording features.
Ring’s family line of camera products has established itself not only as a household name but as a modern security necessity. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology-based home solutions, the convenience of keeping a home monitored at the click of a button is just one of the many comforts the installation of a Ring brings.
But after buying and setting up a Ring. The vigilant homeowner may be frustrated when they realize their camera is not recording constantly.
Why doesn’t it?
Reason #1: The amount of data that a continuously recording Ring would require is substantial.
Unfortunately, Ring cameras are not currently capable of recording continuous video.
This is most likely because the recording of these videos would not only overwhelm Ring’s cloud service, producing several gigabytes worth of video to be saved, but the average homeowner’s
broadband internet, which most likely cannot handle the strain of streaming this much data.
Simply put, many consumers may feel safer under the constant protection of a Ring. But their homes would be unlikely to support the strain that it would require.
Shifting through eight or more hours of uneventful footage might also prove needlessly tedious to the average homeowner, making such a feature quite unwieldy.
This job is better left to professional video monitors, a function that some Ring cameras can provide via a Protection Plus subscription plan – more on that below.
Reason #2: The security concerns that this feature could pose may be too risky.
There are also security concerns that accompany the continuous recording.
Unfortunately, the fear that an unauthorized person could be watching you on the other side of a Ring camera is not entirely unfounded.
Ring video cameras are occasionally subject to security breaches, such as a 2017 incident where a hacked Ring “watched” police officers privately filing a search warrant. This footage, among other illegally obtained videos of the officers, was then leaked to the public, causing a massive security concern not only for Ring but the jurisdiction exposed.
These problems may become more frequent with the introduction of cloud-based 24/7 recording access – though that does not make it totally out of the question.
Will Ring ever make a 24/7 recording feature?
In 2019, Ring announced plans to introduce 24/7-security features alongside their motion-based and on-demand lineups. But as of 2021. there have been no further updates on this proposed feature.
There is speculation on whether this could be due to Ring’s hardware limitations or the feature proving too costly, as well as the potential explanations above.
Because Ring’s competitors offer 24/7 recording features (see below), Ring may eventually follow through on its promise of continuous recording. But, unfortunately, there is no way to confirm this yet for us.
Getting the most out of your Ring
Perhaps this answer is not satisfactory to someone searching for a more holistic security system if you’re unwilling to trade in your Ring for a different security setup.
However, the next best thing is to learn the features of your Ring inside and out. A Ring is capable of far more than its famous motion alert features and may already come with security functions that are more than enough to put your mind at ease.
Many homeowners may think that a 24/7 recording system sounds necessary for their peace of mind: only to realize that looking through hours’ worth of mundane footage might be more of a hassle than it’s worth.
Fortunately, the Ring has been optimized for ease of use.
In addition, its simple interface and user-friendly mobile app – a necessity for any Ring owner – provide a great amount of personal oversight that might be worth trading in continuous recording for.
A great place to learn more about your Ring is the Ring Help Center, where inquiries about your Ring’s features are a search bar away.
The website also has a community feature, where questions can be posted directly to other Ring owners.
Concerning continuous recording, some features that can be accessed via the Ring mobile app can greatly increase the camera’s amount of monitoring.
Generally, these features should be accessible to all Ring models produced after September 2019, though slight model variations might be exempt.
Does the Ring only record when motion is detected?
Fortunately. Ring and its accompanying phone app are quite flexible for customizability. Rings are arguably most famous for their motion detection. But there exist multiple ways in which the Ring camera can record.
In addition to motion detection, Rings can also be accessed for a “live view” that provides a current video of the camera’s view at any given moment.
Captures of your live view are available to save in the Ring cloud, provided that you pay for a Ring Protect plan.
Ring Doorbells will also record video clips once the doorbell is pushed, should the Ring’s motion detection fail. Saving these videos to the cloud is also dependent upon purchasing a Ring Protect Plan.
Snapshot and Video Interval Features
Out of the box.
Most Rings will record footage once motion is detected (whether it saves this long-term will depend on your subscription plan).
The Ring app’s snapshot capture feature is the closest one can get to 24/7 protection.
The snapshot feature does exactly what it sounds like – the Ring will take a “snapshot” of its viewpoint, regardless of motion.
The Ring owner can increase the interval through the app if more frequent shots are wanted, but Ring’s customer support warns that higher intervals might cause the battery to drain far quicker than it would naturally.
A subscription to Ring’s Protect Plan is required to access the Snapshot feature, as it is not included for free.
The length of motion-detected video intervals can also be increased through the app. with similar potential consequences.
Leaving open Ring’s live view feature
Some Ring users suggest leaving open the “live view” feature of the Ring to provide 24/7 recordings. While meant as a well-intentioned workaround, this is inadvisable. Live view videos generally cannot exceed over ten minutes. While a slim risk, Ring’s terms of service technically allow them the right to terminate camera access should they find anyone “abusing” their cameras’ intended use.
A camera with limited recording ability is certainly better than having no camera at all.
Professional Ring Monitoring
Subscribers to Ring’s Protection Plus plan may enjoy a feature similar to continuous recording without the hassle. Under the Plus plan, subscribers’ Ring systems are put under 24/7 professional monitoring.
Not only will Ring notify you of emergencies when alarms connected to the device are tripped, but it will also automatically call emergency services on your behalf if necessary (not to worry – Ring calls you first to ensure that
there is an emergency occurring.
No fear of false alarms!). From break-ins to monoxide leaks. The ring can utilize your local emergency services in pinch to save you time and worry.
Additionally, Ring allows customers to test out the alarm service in a ‘trial” run for the next seven days when first signing up for the program. This prevents actual emergency services from coming and ensures that the system is functional.
Ring Alarm purchasers are given a 30-day free trial available of Ring’s Protection Plus. If you would like to experience it for yourself before committing to the full plan, it may be the way to go.
Letting Ring take over your camera is a far more hands-off approach to monitoring your security footage, and a more responsive one, too!
Potential Ring Alternatives
If your heart is set on the continuous recording that your Ring cannot provide, other home security systems may be more helpful for you.
Most notable is the Wyze Cam, optimally designed to be connected to an Alexa.
In addition, it is capable of recording continuously as long as it is installed with a properly-sized MicroSD card.
Other alternatives may include the Google Nest or the Logitech Circle View doorbell.
If choosing an alternative, be sure to understand what features come with your new camera.
Some smart cameras will require extra payment for a subscription service for you to access 24/7 recording.
For example, Google Nest requires the purchase of Nest Aware Plus.
Conclusion
While the Ring is not capable of continuous recording, this doesn’t discount it as a versatile home security system.
There are many options to mold the Ring into exactly what you want to keep your home safe, as well as comprehensive security plans that can give your Ring access to professional monitoring services.
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