Understanding Ring's Video Storage Options
It's a common point of confusion for many Ring users: you've bought your device, set it up, but the option to save video footage directly to a local drive or SD card seems to be missing. This is because Ring's ecosystem is designed primarily around its cloud storage service, the Ring Protect Plan. For the vast majority of Ring cameras and video doorbells, saving videos requires an active subscription, and the footage is stored on Ring's secure servers.
However, there is a way to achieve local video storage, but it's limited to a specific hardware setup. The Ring Alarm Pro base station includes a feature called Ring Edge, which allows for local processing and storage of your videos onto a microSD card. This guide will walk you through why you might not be able to save locally and how to enable it if you have the right equipment.
Why Your Ring Device Isn't Saving Locally
If you're having trouble saving videos locally, it's almost certainly due to one of the following reasons. Understanding these is the first step to finding a solution.
You Don't Have a Ring Alarm Pro
This is the most common reason. The capability for local storage, known as Ring Edge, is exclusive to the Ring Alarm Pro base station. Standard devices like the Ring Video Doorbell, Stick Up Cam, or Floodlight Cam do not have the internal hardware required to save footage to an SD card or other local storage device on their own. They rely entirely on the cloud.
You Don't Have a Ring Protect Pro Subscription
Even with the Ring Alarm Pro, local storage is not a free feature. It requires the top-tier Ring Protect Pro subscription plan. This plan unlocks the Ring Edge functionality, in addition to providing 24/7 professional monitoring for the alarm system. Without this specific subscription, the microSD card slot on the Alarm Pro can't be used for video storage.
MicroSD Card Issues
If you have both the Alarm Pro and the Pro subscription, the problem might lie with your microSD card.
- Not Inserted Correctly: The card may not be properly seated in the slot.
- Incompatible Card: It's best to use a high-quality, high-endurance card from a reputable brand. Cheaper, slower cards can cause errors.
- Card is Full or Corrupted: The card may have run out of space or developed a fault, preventing new recordings from being saved.
How to Enable and Troubleshoot Local Storage with Ring Alarm Pro
If you have the correct hardware and subscription, follow these steps to get your local storage working.
### Step 1: Install Your MicroSD Card
First, ensure you have a compatible microSD card. We recommend a card with at least 64GB of storage.
- Locate the microSD card slot on your Ring Alarm Pro base station.
- Carefully insert the card until it clicks into place.
- The Alarm Pro should automatically detect and format the card for use. You can check its status in the Ring app.
### Step 2: Manage Ring Edge in the App
Once the card is installed, you need to manage the settings within the Ring app.
- Open the Ring app and tap on the menu (☰) icon.
- Go to Devices and select your Alarm Pro base station.
- Tap on Ring Edge to manage your local storage settings.
- From here, you can see the status of your microSD card and manage which cameras are enrolled for local recording.
### Step 3: Troubleshooting Common Problems
If you've followed the steps but it's still not working, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Re-insert the MicroSD Card: Power down the Alarm Pro, remove the microSD card, wait a moment, and then re-insert it firmly. Power the device back on.
- Reformat the Card: In the Ring app, under the Ring Edge settings, there should be an option to reformat the microSD card. Be aware that this will erase all existing footage on the card.
- Restart Your Ring Alarm Pro: Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve connectivity and detection issues. Unplug the Alarm Pro from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
- Check Your Subscription Status: Log in to your account on Ring.com and confirm that your Ring Protect Pro subscription is active and applied to the correct location.
By understanding the specific requirements for local storage in the Ring ecosystem, you can diagnose why it's not working and take the correct steps to enable it with a Ring Alarm Pro.