Yes, the Ring video doorbell and security cameras can notify you when motion is detected in the camera’s field of view. The motion detection feature allows Ring devices to send alerts to your phone whenever movement triggers the camera sensor.
How does Ring notify you of motion detection?
Ring devices use passive infrared (PIR) sensors and computer vision algorithms to detect motion. When the camera’s sensor detects infrared radiation from a moving heat source, such as a person or vehicle, it triggers the motion detection feature.
Once motion is detected, your Ring device can send you instant notifications via the Ring app on your iOS or Android device. The app sends a push notification with details about the event, including the name of the camera that detected motion and a thumbnail image from the camera’s live view.
You can customize motion notifications in the Ring app. Options include:
- Push notifications
- Email alerts
- SMS text message alerts
For each notification type, you can set the frequency to get alerts immediately, every few minutes, or a summary once per hour. This allows you to control how often you are notified when motion is detected.
What triggers motion alerts?
The motion detector on Ring cameras is very sensitive. Anything that generates infrared heat and moves within the camera’s field of view can trigger alerts, including:
- People
- Vehicles
- Animals
- Swaying trees or vegetation
Ring uses algorithms to filter out false alerts from things like passing cars, stray animals, and tree branches moving in the wind. But the motion sensor remains very sensitive so that it detects people and genuine security events.
How to reduce false alerts
While Ring motion detection is very good, false alerts can still happen when the sensor picks up non-human motion. Here are some tips to reduce false notifications:
- Adjust the motion zones in the Ring app to exclude areas that commonly cause unwanted alerts, like a busy street near your home.
- Set up motion schedules to disable notifications during hours with lots of activity, like daytime hours.
- Use the snooze feature on your phone when you get an alert that turns out to be nothing. Snoozing temporarily disables notifications for that camera.
- For Ring cameras, enable People Only mode to only notify you when human motion is detected.
- Adjust motion sensitivity settings to reduce alerts from minor motion.
How to test motion detection
You can easily test to confirm your Ring devices are working properly and sending motion alerts when they’re supposed to. Here are some tips for testing motion detection:
- Open the Ring app and go to the camera or doorbell that you want to test.
- Tap the “Detect motion?” switch to disable motion detection. This ensures you don’t get alerts from existing motion.
- Walk in front of the camera within its viewing range and motion zones and then walk away.
- Open notification settings in the Ring app and enable push notifications. Make sure you have connectivity to receive alerts.
- Go back and enable motion detection for the camera.
- Walk in front of the camera again. You should receive instant push notifications alerting you about the detected motion.
- You can also have a friend or family member walk in front of the camera while you monitor your phone’s notifications.
If you don’t receive motion alerts when you walk in the camera’s field of view, you may need to adjust the motion zones or sensitivity. But if notifications come through right away, your Ring device’s motion detection is working correctly.
How to enable motion alerts
If you aren’t getting Ring motion alerts, here are the steps to enable motion detection:
- Open the Ring app and select your camera or doorbell.
- Tap the settings cog icon.
- Select “Motion settings”.
- Next to “Motion detection”, tap “Off” to enable it.
- Adjust the motion zones and sensitivity as needed.
- Tap “Save” to apply the new settings.
- Go to “Alert settings” and customize notifications.
- Make sure you have connectivity and notifications enabled on your phone.
Once motion detection is turned on, you should get instant alerts any time the camera sensor picks up movement. Be sure to fine-tune the settings to reduce false alerts while still detecting what’s important.
How long are motion events stored?
When your Ring device detects motion, it will record a video clip of the event to the cloud. Here is how long those video clips are stored:
| Ring Plan | Video Retention |
|---|---|
| Basic | Up to 60 days |
| Protect | Up to 60 days |
| Protect Plus | Up to 60 days |
You can log into your Ring account to download and save important motion events beyond 60 days. With a Ring Protect subscription, you also get benefits like sharing videos and accessing archived recordings.
Can you set motion detection schedules?
Yes, Ring allows you to set schedules to control when motion detection is enabled:
- In the Ring app, select your device and tap the settings cog.
- Tap “Motion settings”.
- Tap “Create schedule”.
- Set the days and time range to disable motion alerts.
- All other times will have alerts enabled.
- Tap “Save” to apply the schedule.
Schedules are useful for disabling notifications during high-traffic times when motion alerts would be excessive. Just be sure to leave notifications enabled during hours when you want to be alerted about activity.
Can you detect motion without Wi-Fi?
Unfortunately Ring devices require an internet connection via Wi-Fi to support motion alerts and notifications. Without a Wi-Fi connection, the camera has no way to communicate detected motion to the cloud and send alerts to your phone.
However, some Ring cameras include onboard storage using Ring Protect Plan so they can record motion events locally without Wi-Fi. When connectivity is restored, these recordings sync to the cloud. But you will not get instant notifications of that motion while offline.
What detection settings can you adjust?
In the Ring app, you have multiple settings to fine tune motion detection including:
- Motion zones – Adjust exactly where in the camera’s field of view you want to detect motion.
- Motion frequency – Control how often alerts are sent when motion continues.
- Motion sensitivity – Make motion detection more or less sensitive.
- People Only – Only detect human motion (available on some cameras).
Take the time to play with these settings to reduce false alerts while still detecting anything important. The optimal settings depend on your camera’s placement and environment.
Can you link motion alerts to lights and sirens?
Yes, you can link your Ring motion alerts to Ring smart lighting and alarm products for a complete security solution:
- When motion is detected, flash Ring pathway lights and spotlights to scare away intruders.
- Trigger Ring Alarm sirens when cameras detect a security threat.
- Use motion as a trigger in Ring smart lighting automation rules.
Ring offers motion-sensing floodlights and spotlights that have a light and siren built in. With the right set up, motion detection can trigger your cameras, lights, and sirens in unison to deter criminals.
Conclusion
Ring provides real-time motion detection alerts to give you peace of mind about your home’s security. With options for push notifications, email, and text alerts when movement is detected, you can have confidence that your Ring devices will alert you about suspicious activity.
Take the time to adjust settings like motion zones, sensitivity, and schedules to reduce false positives. This ensures you only get notified when motion matters. With the right set up, Ring motion alerts give you 24/7 monitoring without the high cost of a professional security system.
When paired with Ring smart lights and sirens, motion detection becomes even more powerful. Get instant alerts and visual deterrents whenever your cameras detect a potential threat.
Ring provides reliable motion sensors and alert settings so you never miss activity that matters. Motion detection gives you an extra set of virtual eyes monitoring your property day and night.