How to Make Ring Doorbell Record Video to Google Drive

This guide shows you how to make Ring Doorbell record video to Google Drive using built-in features and third-party tools. You’ll learn to automate backups, manage storage, and access footage anytime.

Key Takeaways

Ring does not natively support Google Drive: You’ll need third-party tools or workarounds to transfer videos.
Use IFTTT for automation: Connect Ring to Google Drive via IFTTT applets to auto-save motion clips.
Manual download and upload works: Save clips from the Ring app and upload them to Google Drive yourself.
Enable Motion Alerts and Recording: Ensure your Ring settings allow video capture before attempting backups.
Check storage limits: Google Drive has a 15GB free tier; monitor usage to avoid hitting caps.
Use shared folders for family access: Organize Ring videos in shared Google Drive folders for easy viewing.
Troubleshoot common issues: Fix upload failures, app errors, and sync delays with simple fixes.

Introduction: Why Save Ring Doorbell Videos to Google Drive?

So, you’ve got a Ring Doorbell—great choice! It keeps an eye on your front door, sends alerts when someone’s there, and records video when motion is detected. But what happens when you want to keep those clips safe, organized, and accessible beyond the Ring app? That’s where Google Drive comes in.

Storing your Ring Doorbell videos in Google Drive gives you peace of mind. You can access footage from any device, share it with family or authorities if needed, and keep backups even if your Ring subscription lapses. Plus, Google Drive integrates smoothly with other tools like Google Photos, Docs, and Gmail.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make Ring Doorbell record video to Google Drive—step by step. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started, we’ve got simple, practical methods that actually work. You’ll learn how to automate the process, manage your files, and troubleshoot common problems.

By the end, you’ll have a reliable system to back up your Ring videos in the cloud—no more worrying about lost clips or limited storage.

Understanding Ring Doorbell Recording Basics

Visual guide about How to Make Ring Doorbell Record Video to Google Drive

Image source: gigasmarthome.com

Before we dive into Google Drive, let’s make sure your Ring Doorbell is set up to record in the first place. Not all Ring models record the same way, and settings matter.

How Ring Records Video

Ring Doorbells record video in two main ways:

Motion-Triggered Recording: When the sensor detects movement, it starts recording. You’ll get a notification and a clip saved to your Ring account.
Live View: You can manually start a live stream from the app at any time. This doesn’t save automatically unless you record it.

Most users rely on motion-triggered clips. These are typically 15–30 seconds long and stored in the Ring app for 60 days (with a Ring Protect plan). Without a plan, you only get live view—no saved clips.

Ring Protect Plan: Do You Need It?

To save videos beyond live viewing, you’ll need a Ring Protect Plan. There are two tiers:

Ring Protect Basic ($3/month per device): Saves motion clips for 60 days.
Ring Protect Plus ($10/month for unlimited devices): Includes 60-day video history, extended warranties, and discounts.

If you want to back up videos to Google Drive, you’ll need at least the Basic plan. Otherwise, you won’t have clips to transfer.

Check Your Ring Settings

Make sure your doorbell is ready to record:

Open the Ring app on your phone.
Tap the device icon (your doorbell).
Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings.
Ensure Motion Alerts and Motion Recording are turned on.
Adjust motion zones if needed—this helps avoid false alerts from passing cars or trees.

Also, check your Wi-Fi signal. A weak connection can cause recording failures. Use the Ring app’s Device Health tool to test signal strength.

Method 1: Manual Download and Upload to Google Drive

The simplest way to save Ring videos to Google Drive is to do it manually. It takes a few extra steps, but it works every time—no third-party tools required.

Step 1: Save the Video from the Ring App

When motion is detected, you’ll get a notification. Here’s how to save the clip:

Open the Ring app.
Tap the Notifications tab (bell icon).
Find the alert you want to save.
Tap the video thumbnail to play it.
Tap the Download icon (downward arrow) in the top-right corner.
The video will save to your phone’s camera roll or gallery.

Tip: If you don’t see the download option, make sure you have a Ring Protect plan active.

Step 2: Upload to Google Drive

Now that the video is on your phone, upload it to Google Drive:

Open the Google Drive app on your phone or go to drive.google.com on a computer.
Tap the + button and select Upload.
Choose the video from your gallery or files.
Wait for the upload to complete.

Pro Tip: Create a folder named “Ring Doorbell Videos” in Google Drive to keep things organized. You can even set up subfolders by date (e.g., “2024-04-Ring”).

Step 3: Access and Share Your Videos

Once uploaded, you can:

View the video anytime from any device with Google Drive access.
Share it by clicking the Share button and sending a link to family or authorities.
Move it to Google Photos for easier viewing (Drive and Photos are linked).

Pros and Cons of Manual Upload

Pros:

No extra apps or accounts needed.
Full control over which videos are saved.
Works with any Ring model and Google account.

Cons:

Time-consuming if you get lots of alerts.
Easy to forget to upload important clips.
Not automated—requires manual effort each time.

This method is best if you only get occasional motion alerts or want to save specific events (like a package delivery or visitor).

Method 2: Automate with IFTTT (If This Then That)

Want your Ring videos to save to Google Drive automatically? Use IFTTT—a free automation tool that connects apps and devices.

IFTTT stands for “If This Then That.” You create applets (automated workflows) like: “If Ring detects motion, then save video to Google Drive.”

Step 1: Set Up IFTTT Account

Go to ifttt.com or download the IFTTT app.
Sign up with your email or Google account.
Verify your email if prompted.

Step 2: Connect Ring and Google Drive to IFTTT

You’ll need to link both services:

On IFTTT, click My Applets > New Applet.
Click If This, then search for “Ring.”
Select Ring and choose the trigger: New motion event detected.
Sign in to your Ring account when prompted.
Click Then That, search for “Google Drive,” and select it.
Choose the action: Upload file from URL.
Sign in to your Google account.
Customize the folder name (e.g., “Ring Videos”) and file name (e.g., “Motion_{{CreatedAt}}”).
Click Create Action, then Finish.

Note: IFTTT may take a few minutes to detect new motion events. Also, the video URL from Ring is temporary, so IFTTT must act quickly.

Step 3: Test the Automation

Trigger motion in front of your doorbell (wave your hand or walk by). Wait a few minutes, then check your Google Drive folder. You should see a new video file.

Tip: Name files with timestamps (like “Motion_2024-04-05_14-30”) so you can sort them easily.

Pros and Cons of IFTTT

Pros:

Fully automated—no manual work.
Free to use (basic plan).
Works with other smart home devices too.

Cons:

Can be delayed by 5–15 minutes.
Occasional sync failures if Ring’s API is slow.
Requires both Ring and Google accounts to stay logged in.

IFTTT is ideal if you want a hands-off solution and don’t mind slight delays.

Method 3: Use Third-Party Backup Tools

If IFTTT isn’t reliable enough, consider dedicated backup tools like Ring Backup or Zapier. These offer more control and faster sync.

Option A: Ring Backup (Paid Service)

Ring Backup is a third-party service that automatically saves your Ring videos to cloud storage, including Google Drive.

Sign up at ringbackup.com.
Connect your Ring account.
Link your Google Drive.
Choose backup frequency (e.g., every 15 minutes).
Let it run in the background.

Cost: Starts at $4.99/month. Offers encryption and longer retention than Ring’s 60-day limit.

Option B: Zapier (Advanced Automation)

Zapier is like IFTTT but more powerful. It supports multi-step workflows and faster triggers.

Go to zapier.com and create an account.
Create a new “Zap.”
Set trigger: Ring – New Motion Event.
Set action: Google Drive – Upload File.
Map the video URL and set folder preferences.
Turn on the Zap.

Cost: Free for up to 100 tasks/month. Paid plans start at $19.99/month for faster processing.

Pros and Cons of Third-Party Tools

Pros:

Faster and more reliable than IFTTT.
Better file naming and organization.
Some offer encryption and longer storage.

Cons:

Most are paid services.
Requires trusting a third party with your data.
Setup can be complex for beginners.

These tools are best for users who need frequent, reliable backups and don’t mind paying a small fee.

Organizing Your Ring Videos in Google Drive

Once your videos are in Google Drive, keep them organized so you can find them fast.

Create a Clear Folder Structure

Example structure:

Ring Doorbell
- 2024
  - 04-April
    - Motion_2024-04-05_08-15.mp4
    - Motion_2024-04-05_18-30.mp4

Use Google Drive’s New Folder button to build this hierarchy.

Use Descriptive File Names

Instead of “video1.mp4,” use:

Motion_2024-04-05_08-15
Package_Delivery_2024-04-06_12-00
Visitor_Ring_2024-04-07_19-45

This makes searching and sorting much easier.

Enable Shared Access

If family members need to view videos:

Right-click the folder in Google Drive.
Click Share.
Enter their email addresses.
Set permission to Viewer or Editor.
Click Send.

Now everyone can see the footage without logging into your Ring account.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here’s how to fix common problems.

Problem: Videos Aren’t Uploading to Google Drive

Possible Causes & Fixes:

Weak Wi-Fi: Check your doorbell’s signal in the Ring app. Move your router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
IFTTT/Zapier Not Connected: Reconnect your Ring and Google accounts in the app.
Google Drive Full: Check your storage at drive.google.com/settings. Upgrade if needed.
Ring Protect Expired: Renew your subscription to enable video saving.

Problem: Delayed or Missing Clips

Automation Lag: IFTTT and Zapier can take 5–15 minutes. Wait and check again.
Motion Sensitivity Too Low: In the Ring app, increase motion sensitivity under Device Settings.
Clip Too Short: Ring clips are 15–30 seconds. If motion is brief, it might not trigger.

Problem: Can’t Download from Ring App

No Ring Protect Plan: You need a subscription to download clips.
App Glitch: Close and reopen the Ring app. Update it if needed.
Storage Full on Phone: Free up space in your phone’s settings.

Problem: Google Drive Upload Fails

File Too Large: Ring videos are usually under 10MB, but check file size.
Internet Slow: Try uploading on Wi-Fi instead of mobile data.
App Permissions: Make sure Google Drive has access to your photos/files.

Tips for Better Ring and Google Drive Integration

Make the most of your setup with these expert tips.

1. Use a Dedicated Google Account

Consider creating a separate Google account just for Ring backups. This keeps your personal files private and avoids clutter.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Protect your Google and Ring accounts with 2FA. This prevents unauthorized access to your videos.

3. Regularly Review and Clean Up

Every month, delete old or unimportant videos to save space. Keep only what you need.

4. Combine with Google Photos

Turn on Auto Backup in Google Photos. Videos in Drive will appear there too—great for quick viewing.

5. Monitor Storage Usage

Google Drive gives you 15GB free (shared with Gmail and Photos). Check usage regularly:

Go to drive.google.com/settings.
See how much space you’ve used.
Upgrade to 100GB ($1.99/month) if needed.

Conclusion: Keep Your Ring Videos Safe in Google Drive

You now know how to make Ring Doorbell record video to Google Drive—whether manually, with IFTTT, or using backup tools. Each method has its strengths, so choose what fits your lifestyle.

Manual uploads give you control. IFTTT offers free automation. Paid tools provide speed and reliability. And with good organization, you’ll never lose important footage again.

Remember: a Ring Protect plan is essential for saving clips. Keep your Wi-Fi strong, your accounts secure, and your storage managed.

By backing up your Ring videos to Google Drive, you’re not just saving files—you’re protecting your home, your peace of mind, and your evidence. So set it up today, and enjoy knowing your doorbell’s watching—and saving—every moment.