A Ring Video Doorbell owner applying settings to their Ring account in the Ring app.

Advanced Motion Detection in Video Doorbells and Security Cameras

Learn about Ring's Advanced Motion Detection (camera-based motion detection) and infrared motion detection (PIR sensors).

Motion detection systems

Ring's devices feature both PIR and camera-based motion detection systems. In hardwired products, such as Floodlight Cam Wired Plus, the PIR sensors and the camera are used in tandem to trigger the lights and motion notifications. This gives you the ultra-wide coverage of the PIR to trigger the lights whenever there’s movement around, as well as the sophisticated analysis capabilities of the camera.

In battery products, PIR sensors can either be used alone or in tandem, by turning on Advanced Motion Detection in the Ring app. For newly setup battery-powered devices, Advanced Motion Detection is on by default.

Advanced Motion Detection

The only option for hardwired devices and the default option for newly setup battery-powered devices. This system gives more customization options by letting you draw up to three Customizable Motion Zones in the camera’s view to watch for motion. These zones allow you to define a specific area that you want your Ring to cover while ignoring everything outside that area.

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By drawing your motion zones to exclude frequently accessed areas such as public paths and roads, you can reduce the number of "false positive" motion notifications (such as cars driving by) and greatly increase the effectiveness of your Ring device.

Infrared motion detection

Optional to use on its own for battery-powered devices, but not optional for hardwired devices. This system features PIR motion sensors that cover a slightly wider area than the camera’s field of view. The PIR sensors identify visitors by a moving heat signature and sending a signal to your smart device when it detects one. Since PIRs look for heat, if a warm object is too small, it won’t be detected.

However, if a warm non-human object is large enough, you might get a false notification. Fortunately, you can control the sensors' range and sensitivity using the controls in the Ring app.

If you have a battery-powered device (with the exception of Stick Up Cam Battery), you’ll be able to turn on or off each pre-set motion zone (see image below). If you have a Stick Up Cam Battery, you will not be able to select motion zones unless you turn on Advanced Motion Detection.

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If you are a Ring Protect subscriber, you can refine your motion alerts to distinguish between people and other motions using Smart Alerts in the Ring app. Smart Alerts are available whether Advanced Motion Detection is toggled on or off.

Learn how to customize Motion Zones and use Advanced Motion Detection for your video doorbell or security camera.