Skip to content 
1- How Long Does Ring Camera Footage Last
With the introduction of smart cameras, home security has advanced significantly in the current digital era.
Among them, Ring cameras have become well-known for their high-quality video production and user-friendly features.
But one query that consumers frequently have is, “How long does Ring camera footage last?”
This blog article seeks to clarify this question and go deeper into the range of storage choices that Ring camera owners can choose from.
2- How Long Does Your Stored Footage Actually Last?
The amount of time your saved video lasts mostly relies on your cloud storage membership plan; if you don’t have a subscription, it also depends on the capacity of your local storage device.
Your films will be kept in the cloud under a basic subscription plan for 60 days in the US and 30 days in other countries, after which they will be immediately removed, you can learn more here Understanding and Adjusting Your Video Storage Time (ring.com)
You won’t be able to keep any movies, but you can still watch live view without a membership plan.
The length of time will vary depending on two factors: the size of your storage device and the quality of your films, for those who choose local storage choices such an SD card or a hard drive.
Videos with higher resolutions naturally take up more space and need less storage time.
3- Ring Cameras and Their Storage Capabilities
Ring cameras have emerged as a popular choice among homeowners owing to their advanced features such as motion detection, two-way talk functionality, live view capabilities.
But along with these impressive features comes an important consideration – storage.
The type of storage option available largely depends on the specific model you own – some models come equipped with local storage while others are designed solely around cloud-based solutions provided by Amazon’s secure servers.
4- Different Storage Options
Two main forms of storage that ring cameras provide:
I. Cloud Storage
Ring’s Ring Protect Plan subscription service makes cloud storage possible. It provides limitless video recording that is safely kept on Amazon servers and accessible at all times, from any location.
If you prefer cloud storage, your membership plan will determine how long your video is stored.
For example, your video material can be kept on the cloud platform for up to 60 days in the United States (30 days in other countries) if you have a basic membership plan.
After this time, they are removed from the cloud automatically. You have plenty of time to examine or download any significant video before it is deleted from this timeline.
You can find out more about the benefits of various subscription programs.
In the event that you decide against subscribing to a plan, you will still be able to stream live video using live view.
II. Local Storage
On the other hand, local storage entails saving video directly onto a tangible object like an external hard drive or SD card.
Only a few models can use this option.
The kind of storage choice you select will have a significant impact on how long your stored videos last.
If you prefer local storage using an SD card the longevity of your video will mostly rely on the size of the storage device you choose in addition to the quality of the films you shoot.
It is noteworthy that films with greater resolutions require larger storage capacities.
This implies that you can save films for a shorter amount of time if you’re filming in high quality and your storage device fills up faster than you anticipate.
The following tips will help you make the most of your local storage:
- Select a high-capacity storage device, either an external hard drive or a large SD card.
- Lower your camera’s resolution settings if saving space is more important than video quality.
- Regularly backup and clear your storage device to make room for new footage.
Remember that the choice between cloud and local storage depends entirely on your specific needs and preferences when it comes to security camera systems.
5- Pros and Cons of Cloud Storage
Cloud-based systems have several benefits, including nearly infinite capacity, effortless accessible from any place, and automated backup procedures guaranteeing data security.
- There are monthly costs associated with it, though, which may put off some users.
- The fact that the data is kept on servers owned by other parties may also give rise to possible privacy issues.
- On the other hand, local storage gives you more control over your data and doesn’t require monthly payments.
- Its limitations and the possibility of data loss in the event that the device is lost or stolen are among its unique set of difficulties.
6- Local Storage Vs Cloud Storage
| Criteria | Local Storage | Cloud Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Requires manual management and periodic backups. | Automatic backup; access from anywhere with internet. |
| Privacy | Generally offers higher level of privacy and control. | Data may be subject to the cloud provider’s policies. |
| Cost-effectiveness | Initial hardware investment may be higher, but no recurring fees. | Small monthly fee for automatic backups and peace of mind. |
| Backup Frequency | Dependent on user’s diligence in backing up data. | Automatic, continuous backup ensures data is always up-to-date. |
| Accessibility | Limited to physical access to storage device. | Accessible from any device with internet connection. |
| Data Security | Relies on user’s security measures. | Managed by cloud provider, potentially with robust security measures. |
| Scalability | Limited by physical storage capacity and hardware upgrades. | Flexible, scalable storage options based on subscription plans. |
It really comes down to your preference for either local or cloud-based option to use.
If you value convenience and don’t mind paying a little monthly fee to get the guarantee that all of your video is automatically backed up, cloud storage can be a good fit for you.
If privacy or affordability are your main concerns, local storage can be a better choice.
To avoid any losses, just don’t forget to periodically backup your files!
7- Extending Ring Camera Footage
Regardless of whether you choose local or cloud-based solutions there are ways to extend the life of your ring camera footage:
I. Lowering video quality
High-resolution videos consume more space than lower-quality ones.
II. Adjusting motion sensitivity settings
By fine-tuning motion sensitivity settings, unnecessary recordings can be reduced thereby saving storage space.
III. Deleting unwanted footage
This ensures that your storage is not filled with unnecessary videos.
8- Practical Tips on Maximizing Your Storage Capacity
To make optimum use of your chosen storage option:
- Regularly review and delete unneeded footage
- Optimize your camera settings for efficient use of space
- Consider investing in larger capacity local storage devices if necessary
9- Conclusion
You can make the best decision for your needs by researching various storage choices and knowing how long Ring camera footage lasts.
Each offers advantages of its own, whether it’s the affordability and privacy of local solutions or the accessibility and ease of cloud-based ones.
Whichever choice you select, keep in mind that routine upkeep like clearing up unwanted movies and fine-tuning settings can help you get the most out of your ring camera!
If you are facing error of “RING CAMERA PREVIEW NOT AVAILABLE”, you can follow these simple steps to get rid of it
Ring Camera Preview Not Available – 5 Easy Solutions – (smartvisliving.com)
10- FAQs
1- Is it possible to retrieve erased Ring camera video?
Regretfully, videos cannot be retrieved once they have been removed from local or cloud storage.
2- Do Ring cameras have the ability to store locally?
No, local storage is only supported by a few models. Before making a purchase, it is essential to review the product specs.
3- Does the Ring camera keep recording all the time?
No, whether a live view session is manually started or when the cameras sense motion, Ring cameras begin to record.
4- When my cloud storage is full, what happens?
You may save as many videos in the cloud as you like when you subscribe to Ring Protect Plan.
5- Can I let people see the video I took with my ring camera?
Indeed! You may share your films with others using the user-friendly Ring app if you have a membership package.