Do you wonder how long does Ring Doorbell keep videos?
If you have a Ring doorbell, you know that it records and stores videos, but where do these go exactly? We’ll unveil the mystery and show you how to utilize it fully.
Your Ring doorbell will keep videos for up to 60 to 180 days, depending on your Ring Protect subscription. However, your doorbell will not store or record videos if you don’t have a subscription unless you have local storage.
Let’s get to the bottom of this!
How Long Does Ring Doorbell Keep Videos – We Explain Everything
If you have a Ring doorbell, it’s storage solutions are not one-size-fits-all. It will greatly depend on your devices, location, and the subscription plan you have.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these and see how they affect how your doorbell stores your videos.
Understanding Ring’s Video Storage
If you’re asking, Ring doorbell, how long does it keep videos? You’re in the right place. Two main factors largely determine its storage. The type of storage your device offers and the type of plan that you have.
Video Storage Options
First, let’s look at the different storage options you have available. For Ring devices, there are two primary video storage options to choose from.
One is local storage, and the other is cloud-based. Let us explain:
Local Storage
What this means is that the videos saved by your Ring camera will be on the device itself via a microSD card.
Unfortunately, this is not available for all Ring doorbells and cameras, as this feature is only found on a couple of them.
Here are the devices that are capable of local storage:
Ring Device | Local Storage Capabilities |
Ring Alarm | Yes (with the Ring Alarm Pro) |
Ring Car Cam | Yes (internal memory) |
If your Ring device is listed here and you want to take advantage of this feature, there are a few upsides, namely:
- Access your videos even if your internet connection is down or slow
- Store as many videos as your microSD card can hold
- You don’t have to pay extra fees for additional storage
- Keep your videos for as long as you want without worrying about expiration dates
Note: You will need to get a compatible microSD card separately and get the Ring Alarm Pro.
Cloud-Based Storage
Cloud-based storage is going to be a more convenient option, as your videos are stored on Ring’s servers.
This allows you to access your videos anywhere through the Ring website or app as long as you have an internet connection.
Here are the devices that are capable of using Ring’s cloud-based storage system:
- All Ring Video Doorbells
- All Ring Video Doorbell Pros
- Ring Floodlight Cam
- Ring Spotlight Cam
- Ring Stick Up Cam
- Ring Indoor Cam
Here are some of the advantages of using Ring’s cloud-based storage system:
- Access your videos from anywhere using the Ring website and app
- Share your videos with other users
- Download saved videos to your devices
- Benefit from Ring’s security measures to protect your videos
Pro Tip: This option is available to all Ring devices, including the ones with local storage capabilities.
Ring Protect Plans
If you want to know how long does Ring save videos, let’s talk about the Ring Protect Plans for a more detailed look.
Ring does offer subscription plans to help you store and manage your recorded videos. There are four of them, namely the Free Plan, Basic Plan, Plus Plan, and Pro Plan.
Let’s look at the different features and benefits of the different plans:
Plan | Price | Devices | Video Storage | Other Features |
Free | $0 | 1 device | None | Live View |
Basic | $3.99 per month $39.99 per year | 1 device | 60 days with the option to extend up to 180 days | Live View Snapshot Capture Alarm Notifications Download up to 50 Videos |
Plus | $10 per month $100 per year | All Devices | 60 days with the option to extend up to 180 days | Live View Snapshot Capture Alarm Notifications Download up to 50 Videos Extended Warranty |
Pro | $20 per month $200 per year | All Devices | 60 days with the option to extend up to 180 days | All features on previous plans 24/7 Professional Monitoring Alarm Cellular Backup |
Free Plan Option
The Free Plan is the default plan that comes with every Ring device. It does not require any payment or activation, but it does not offer any video storage option.
You’ll only be able to see a live video stream from your device but won’t be able to record any of it.
Note: To activate the recording feature, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Subscription Plans
Ring has three subscription plans to choose from. There’s the Basic Plan, the Plus Plan, and the Pro Plan that allows you to record and store videos from your Ring device.
Their main difference is that the Basic Plan only covers one device, while the Plus and Pro Plans are for all your devices.
As for storage time, you do get 60 days by default, and you’ll be able to adjust it to 180 days manually.
To change how many days Ring Protect to store your videos, here are the steps:
- Log in to your Ring account on the website or the app.
- On the menu, select Control Center.
- Select the Video Management option.
- Go to Video Storage Time.
- Choose 180 Days.
- Select Save.
Note: This change will only apply to videos that are recorded after you adjust the storage time settings.
Event-Based Recordings and Storage
Your Ring devices record and store videos based on various events, such as motion detection, doorbell press, or live view activation. These are also the types of clips that are saved to your storage.
On top of videos, your device also captures audio and snapshots depending on your current settings.
If you’re using a cloud-based storage plan, file size doesn’t really matter since it will keep your clips for up to 180 days.
However, if you’re saving your recordings onto a microSD card, it helps to know how much space you’re going to need:
Clip Length | File Size (1080p) |
30 seconds | 10-15MB |
60 seconds | 20-30MB |
120 seconds | 40-60MB |
Note: The length of the saved video will depend on the type of event, and they last between 15 seconds to 120 seconds.
Viewing and Managing Stored Videos
Whether you have a subscription plan for cloud-based storage or use the microSD card on your Ring Alarm Pro, you’ll be able to view and manage your recorded videos.
You’ll be able to watch your videos, download them, and even share them with other users.
To watch and manage your stored videos, follow these steps:
Watching stored videos on cloud storage:
- Open the Ring app on your device.
- Tap on the three-line menu icon in the top left.
- Select History.
- Choose the video you want to watch from the list.
- Tap on the video you want to watch.
- Use the controls at the bottom of the screen to navigate the video.
- Tap on the three-dot menu to download, share, or delete the video.
If you have a Ring Alarm Pro with a microSD, here’s how to access its local storage:
- Open the Ring app on your device.
- Tap on the three-line menu icon.
- Select Control Center.
- Choose Video Management.
- Tap on the Local Storage tab.
- Select the video you want to watch.
Note: You will not be able to access your local storage videos on the Ring website or the app.
Tips for Maximizing Video Storage
If you want to get the most out of your Ring devices, you want to maximize your video storage. This way, you’ll be able to store as many of your important videos.
Here are some tips to follow to take full advantage of this feature:
Note: Consider upgrading to a higher-tier Ring subscription plan if you need more storage or have multiple Ring devices in your home.
Conclusion
Now that you know how long Ring doorbell keeps videos, you’re able to manage your recordings accordingly. Expect your videos to remain in your account for 60 days by default unless you change your settings to 180 days.
For more guides about your Ring doorbells and other devices, visit our blog!
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.