Ring Cameras are extremely popular DIY smart home security devices. With the number of features, ease-of-use, and the large variety of product choices, it’s easy to see why. One feature—that Ring promised in 2018 before reneging—was 24/7 continuous recording.
Ring Cameras do not record all of the time. Like most smart camera devices, they only record when triggered by motion or by on-demand from whoever is operating it at the time.
When Live View is utilized, a Ring Camera will continuously record footage to the cloud, however, Ring will usually cap this at ten minutes. Also, despite paying for a subscription plan, Ring may take active measures on your account if you record too much footage.
Why Did Ring Reverse Course On 24/7 Recording?
Ring hasn’t exactly reversed course but since the “coming soon” promise was announced in 2018, and three years have passed, it’s safe to say that it’s probably not waiting in the wings.
The closest that Ring Cameras come to recording all of the time is with a feature called “Snapshot Capture.” Throughout the day, Ring Cameras will take snapshots of the surrounding area.
The shots are fairly low-resolution and it’s nowhere near comparable with 24/7 recording but it’s worth knowing that Ring created the feature so you could have snapshots around your property throughout the day or evening.
How To Get The Most Recording Time Out Of Ring Cameras
Most cameras allow a degree of change when it comes to recording activity and Ring Cameras are no exception. Through the Ring app, you can change the settings on your Ring Cameras to increase recording time and how the camera triggers alerts that record.
Start by opening the Ring app (Android or iOS):
- Select the device you want to change.
- Open Device Settings.
- Select Video Settings.
- Tap Video Recording Length.
- Max the settings out to 120 seconds.
Sure, it’s not 24/7, however, you get a long period of recording time in case there’s an event that necessitates your attention. You can also increase the motion sensitivity so that every tiny movement triggers a motion alert and another 120 second recording time.
- Select your device.
- Tap Motion Settings.
- Select Motion Sensitivity.
- Now you can set the sensitivity level to maximum.
If you own other Ring devices and have a subscription account with Ring, you can access a feature called Linked Devices. Whenever a single camera picks up a motion event, it will trigger your other Ring Cameras—the linked ones—to record as well.
Linking your devices is pretty simple. When you open the Ring app, you have a list of every device on your system. Simply select the device and enable Linked Device. Once they’re linked, every camera on that chain will record when one is triggered.
Can You Enable Constant Ring Camera Recording With Local Storage?
You can definitely “trick” Ring Cameras into storing video on a local storage device. Unfortunately, Ring doesn’t like it, therefore you’ll likely void the Ring terms of service.
Of course, that also means that Ring can shut off your service at any time. The process is also technical and requires some scriptwriting through apps and programs that are Ring aficionados but are not representative of Ring in any way.
Also, Ring frequently updates its firmware to plug any holes created by Ring owners who wish to record locally. Unfortunately, Ring just doesn’t prefer that its customer base relies on local storage.
Ring shares user data—especially through smartphone usage—to third parties such as Facebook and Google. It was widely reported throughout the year in 2020. Ring’s privacy notice doesn’t deny those facts and it’s easy to see why they don’t want local storage as an option.
Why Does Ring Live View Turn Off?
Ring has no answer for this, despite a large amount of customer outcry and pressure to feature a Live View that doesn’t turn off. At the moment, Live View will end after ten minutes of activity.
For those who wanted to use Ring Cameras as a live video feed—not necessarily recording—to monitor their babies, kids in the yard, pets, and property, there is currently no option to do so.
Ring representatives consistently respond by pointing to the Ring Feature Request Board. Of course, this has been the official response since 2018, so it’s not likely to light any fires but it may be worth a shot.
In the meantime, if you want to use Live View to monitor anything around the house, you’ll have to consistently set a timer for ten minutes so that you can reactivate Live View when it reaches its limit and times out.
Access Live View Through Amazon Alexa
If you own an Echo Show or an Alexa-enabled smart TV, you can bypass physically restarting the Live View every time ten minutes is up by telling Alexa to do it for you.
To do so, download the Alexa app on Android or iOS and sign in or set up a new account.
On the Alexa Home Screen, select the three horizontal lines at the top of the screen.
- Open Skills ; Games.
- Search for Ring in the search bar.
- Select Enable.
- Sign in to your Ring account.
- Search for devices and add your Ring devices to the Alexa app.
Keep in mind, Live View doesn’t work on the original Ring Video Doorbell or the Ring Stickup Cam.
In Conclusion
Maybe, at some point, Ring will come around to the whole, “Live View 24/7” idea. Unfortunately, despite a strong demand from their customer base, three years of asking haven’t produced any results from Amazon.
There are workarounds, but they’re likely to void your terms of use with Ring/Amazon. For now, if you want your Ring Camera to record all of the time, you’ll have to tweak the settings, refresh Live View every ten minutes, or use Alexa to refresh Live View every ten minutes.
Ring is usually pretty responsive to customer demand. If you’re looking for continuous recording or live video footage, continue to visit the Ring Feature Request Board and demand the inclusion of that feature. At some point, perhaps Ring will respond.
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