Wondering how to get Ring Doorbell to record constantly? This guide walks you through enabling 24/7 recording, adjusting motion settings, and ensuring reliable power. With the right setup, you can keep your home secure around the clock.
Key Takeaways
- 24/7 recording requires Ring Protect Plus: Only Ring Doorbells with a Ring Protect Plus subscription can record continuously. Without it, your doorbell only captures motion or button-press events.
- Hardwired models support constant recording: Battery-powered Ring Doorbells cannot record 24/7. You need a hardwired model like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro or Ring Doorbell Elite.
- Adjust motion zones for better coverage: Customize motion detection areas to reduce false alerts and ensure important activity is always captured.
- Ensure stable power and internet: Constant recording demands consistent power and a strong Wi-Fi signal. Use a compatible transformer and check signal strength.
- Use Smart Alerts to stay informed: Enable notifications for specific zones or people to avoid notification fatigue while staying alert to real threats.
- Check local laws on surveillance: Continuous recording may be restricted in some areas. Always follow privacy regulations and inform visitors.
- Regular maintenance improves performance: Clean the lens, update firmware, and monitor battery or power levels to keep your doorbell recording reliably.
How to Get Ring Doorbell to Record Constantly
If you’ve ever missed a delivery, a suspicious visitor, or a late-night package thief because your Ring Doorbell only recorded when motion was detected, you’re not alone. Many homeowners want their doorbell cameras to record all the time—not just when someone rings the bell or triggers motion. But here’s the truth: Ring Doorbells don’t record constantly by default. So how do you get your Ring Doorbell to record 24/7?
The good news? It’s possible—but only under the right conditions. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to set up your Ring Doorbell for constant recording. You’ll learn which models support 24/7 recording, how to enable it, how to optimize your settings, and what to do if you run into issues. Whether you’re protecting your front porch, monitoring a busy driveway, or just want peace of mind, this guide will help you get the most out of your Ring device.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to get Ring Doorbell to record constantly—legally, safely, and effectively.
Understanding Ring Doorbell Recording Modes
Visual guide about How to Get Ring Doorbell to Record Constantly
Image source: images.ctfassets.net
Before we dive into the setup, it’s important to understand how Ring Doorbells record. There are two main types of recording:
- Event-Based Recording: This is the default mode. Your Ring Doorbell only records when it detects motion or when someone presses the doorbell button. These clips are saved to the cloud (if you have a Ring Protect plan) and can be viewed in the Ring app.
- 24/7 Continuous Recording: This mode records video non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas or when you want a full video log of everything happening at your door.
Not all Ring Doorbells support 24/7 recording. In fact, only certain models with a Ring Protect Plus subscription can do it. Let’s break that down.
Which Ring Doorbells Support Constant Recording?
Currently, only the following Ring Doorbell models support 24/7 continuous recording:
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
- Ring Video Doorbell Elite
- Ring Video Doorbell Wired
These models are all hardwired, meaning they’re connected directly to your home’s electrical system. This is crucial because constant recording uses more power than event-based recording. Battery-powered models like the Ring Video Doorbell (1st–4th gen) or Ring Video Doorbell 2 cannot record 24/7—even with a Ring Protect plan.
So, if you’re using a battery-powered Ring Doorbell, you’ll need to upgrade to a hardwired model to enable constant recording.
Why Doesn’t Ring Allow 24/7 Recording on All Models?
There are a few reasons:
- Battery Life: Continuous recording drains power quickly. A battery-powered doorbell would need charging every few days—or even daily—if it recorded non-stop.
- Data Usage: 24/7 recording generates a lot of video data. This would quickly eat through cloud storage limits and increase bandwidth usage.
- Privacy Concerns: Constant surveillance raises privacy issues, especially in areas where recording without consent is restricted.
That’s why Ring limits 24/7 recording to hardwired models with a Ring Protect Plus subscription.
Step 1: Check Your Ring Doorbell Model and Subscription
Before you can enable constant recording, you need to confirm two things:
- You have a compatible Ring Doorbell model.
- You have an active Ring Protect Plus subscription.
How to Check Your Ring Doorbell Model
Open the Ring app on your phone and follow these steps:
- Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left corner.
- Select Devices.
- Tap on your doorbell.
- Look under Device Health or Device Info. You’ll see the model name (e.g., “Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2”).
If your model is one of the hardwired ones listed above, you’re good to go. If not, you’ll need to upgrade.
How to Check Your Ring Protect Subscription
Ring Protect Plus is required for 24/7 recording. Here’s how to check:
- In the Ring app, go to the menu (☰).
- Tap Protect Plans.
- You’ll see your current plan. If it says Ring Protect Plus, you’re set. If it says Ring Protect Basic or None, you’ll need to upgrade.
How to Upgrade to Ring Protect Plus
If you don’t have Ring Protect Plus, here’s how to get it:
- In the Ring app, go to Protect Plans.
- Tap Upgrade.
- Select Ring Protect Plus ($10/month or $100/year).
- Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.
Once upgraded, your doorbell will be eligible for 24/7 recording.
Step 2: Enable 24/7 Continuous Recording
Now that you’ve confirmed your model and subscription, it’s time to turn on constant recording.
How to Turn On 24/7 Recording in the Ring App
Follow these steps:
- Open the Ring app.
- Tap the menu (☰) and select Devices.
- Choose your doorbell.
- Tap Device Settings.
- Select Video Settings.
- Look for 24/7 Recording and toggle it On.
Once enabled, your doorbell will start recording continuously. You’ll see a small red dot on the live view to indicate recording is active.
What Happens When 24/7 Recording Is On?
When 24/7 recording is enabled:
- Your doorbell records video non-stop.
- Clips are saved to the cloud and stored for up to 180 days (with Ring Protect Plus).
- You can review any moment from the past 180 days in the Ring app.
- Motion and doorbell events are still highlighted, but you can also scrub through the timeline to see everything.
This is perfect for reviewing deliveries, tracking visitors, or investigating incidents.
Step 3: Optimize Your Motion and Alert Settings
Even with 24/7 recording, you’ll want to fine-tune your motion settings to avoid unnecessary alerts and ensure important activity is captured.
Adjust Motion Zones
Motion zones let you define specific areas where you want your doorbell to detect activity. This helps reduce false alerts from passing cars, trees, or animals.
Here’s how to set them up:
- In the Ring app, go to your doorbell.
- Tap Device Settings > Motion Settings.
- Select Motion Zones.
- Drag the corners of the zone to cover only the areas you care about (e.g., your front walkway, driveway).
- Tap Save.
Tip: Avoid including busy streets or sidewalks unless necessary. This reduces false alerts.
Set Motion Sensitivity
You can also adjust how sensitive your doorbell is to motion:
- Go to Motion Settings.
- Tap Motion Sensitivity.
- Slide the bar to Low, Medium, or High.
For most homes, Medium is ideal. Use High only if you’re missing important events.
Enable Smart Alerts (Optional but Recommended)
Smart Alerts use AI to detect people, packages, or vehicles. This helps you focus on real threats instead of every leaf that blows by.
To enable:
- Go to Motion Settings.
- Tap Smart Alerts.
- Toggle on People Only, Packages, or Vehicles as needed.
This way, you’ll only get notified when a person approaches—not when a squirrel runs across the lawn.
Step 4: Ensure Reliable Power and Internet
Constant recording demands consistent power and a strong Wi-Fi signal. If either fails, your doorbell may stop recording or lose connection.
Check Your Power Supply
Hardwired Ring Doorbells need a compatible transformer (16–24V AC, 30–40VA). If your doorbell is underpowered, it may not function properly.
To check:
- In the Ring app, go to your doorbell.
- Tap Device Health.
- Look at Power Source. It should say “Hardwired” and show a strong voltage (e.g., 18V).
If it shows “Low Power” or “Battery,” your wiring may be insufficient. Consider hiring an electrician to upgrade your transformer.
Test Your Wi-Fi Signal
A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause lag, dropped recordings, or disconnections.
To check signal strength:
- In the Ring app, go to your doorbell.
- Tap Device Health.
- Look at Signal Strength. It should be “Good” or “Excellent.”
If it’s “Poor” or “Fair,” try these fixes:
- Move your router closer to the doorbell.
- Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network.
- Switch to the 2.4GHz band (better range than 5GHz for outdoor devices).
Tip: Avoid placing your router behind thick walls or metal objects.
Step 5: Review and Manage Your Recordings
With 24/7 recording, you’ll have access to a full video history. Here’s how to make the most of it.
How to View 24/7 Recordings
- Open the Ring app.
- Go to your doorbell.
- Tap Event History.
- Use the timeline at the bottom to scrub through the day.
- Tap any moment to view the recording.
You can also search by date or filter by motion, doorbell press, or person detection.
Download or Share Recordings
If you need to save or share a clip:
- Open the recording in the app.
- Tap the share icon (📤).
- Choose Download or Share.
Note: Downloaded clips are saved to your phone’s camera roll.
Manage Storage and Privacy
Ring Protect Plus stores recordings for up to 180 days. After that, they’re automatically deleted.
To protect privacy:
- Blur faces or license plates using the Privacy Zones feature.
- Set your doorbell to only record during certain hours (e.g., nighttime only).
- Inform guests and delivery people that they’re being recorded (required in some states).
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the right setup, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common ones.
Issue: 24/7 Recording Won’t Turn On
Possible causes:
- Your model doesn’t support it (e.g., battery-powered doorbell).
- You don’t have Ring Protect Plus.
- Your doorbell isn’t hardwired.
Fix: Upgrade your doorbell and subscription, or hardwire your current model.
Issue: Recordings Are Choppy or Laggy
This is usually a Wi-Fi issue.
Fix:
- Check signal strength in the app.
- Restart your router.
- Move the router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
Issue: Doorbell Keeps Disconnecting
Possible causes:
- Weak power supply.
- Wi-Fi interference.
- Firmware needs updating.
Fix:
- Check voltage in Device Health.
- Update firmware via the app.
- Reset the doorbell and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Issue: Too Many False Alerts
Fix:
- Adjust motion zones to exclude irrelevant areas.
- Lower motion sensitivity.
- Enable Smart Alerts for people only.
Legal and Privacy Considerations
Before enabling 24/7 recording, be aware of local laws.
In many places:
- You must inform visitors they’re being recorded (via a sign or sticker).
- Recording audio may require two-party consent (check your state’s laws).
- You cannot record inside someone’s property (e.g., through a window).
Ring recommends placing a sign near your doorbell that says “Video Surveillance in Use.”
Also, avoid pointing your doorbell at neighbors’ homes or public sidewalks unless necessary.
Conclusion
Getting your Ring Doorbell to record constantly isn’t just about flipping a switch—it’s about having the right equipment, subscription, and settings. With a hardwired Ring Doorbell and Ring Protect Plus, you can enable 24/7 recording and enjoy complete peace of mind.
Remember:
- Only hardwired models support constant recording.
- Ring Protect Plus is required.
- Optimize motion zones and alerts to reduce noise.
- Ensure strong power and Wi-Fi for reliable performance.
- Respect privacy laws and inform visitors.
By following this guide, you’ll transform your Ring Doorbell from a motion-activated camera into a 24/7 security system. Whether you’re watching for packages, monitoring your front porch, or just want to know what’s happening at your door, constant recording gives you the full picture.
So go ahead—set it up, tweak it, and enjoy the confidence that comes with always being in the know.