Ring devices have the capability to use Advanced Motion Detection, which is on by default for new setups.
Advanced Motion Detection
Ring video doorbells use Advanced Motion Detection, which includes Person and Other Motion Detection to differentiate motion between people, objects, or animals. Once motion is detected, you will receive a notification in the Ring app, and your device will start recording.
Tip: If you have a video doorbell, Advanced Motion Detection is already set to “On” by default. If you turn it off, you’ll lose Customizable Motion Zones, trimming of recordings, and possibly some detection accuracy.
Motion Zones in the Ring App
Motion Zones let you focus on specific areas that you want your Ring device to cover. By customizing these zones, you can reduce the number of false motion alerts, such as cars driving by or trees moving in the distance.
Under Motion Settings, you can adjust and edit the zones of your video doorbell under Edit Motion Zones. You can also adjust your device’s motion sensitivity and turn Smart Alerts on and specify only the Motion Alerts and recordings that you want.
To find out more about Customizable Motion Zones for video doorbells, click here.
Adjustable Motion Zones
Ring devices have Advanced Motion Detection capabilities. They use passive infrared (PIR) sensors to detect motion. By adjusting the sensitivity of your motion sensors, you can receive the alerts you care about the most.
Adjustable motion sensors identify visitors based on a change in temperature. They then send a signal to your Ring device. You can control the sensors' range and sensitivity in the Ring app, which can be optimized for low-power operations to save battery power.
Ring Smart Lights also use passive infrared or "PIR" to detect motion. Learn how to setup the PIR sensors for your Ring Smart Lights here.
Each sensor detects about a third of the total coverage area, seen in the image below:
Customizable Motion Zones
Customizable Motion Zones allow for a greater degree of customization. The system’s customization options let you draw up to three areas in the camera’s view to detect motion. These Motion Zones allow you to define a specific area that you want your Ring device to cover, while excluding everything outside the area.
By drawing your Motion Zones to exclude high-frequency areas such as public paths and roads, you can reduce the number of false positive motion notifications (e.g. cars driving by).
Tip: To learn more about your specific video doorbell or security camera, please consult the instruction manual.
FAQs
My Motion Zones are active, but I’m not receiving any alerts. What should I do?
1. Verify that your camera is picking up motion.
2. Review Event History on your dashboard to ensure there’s a record for motions.
3. If there is no record, your Ring device didn’t capture an event during that time.
4. Double-check Motion Settings to ensure you have at least one Motion Zone set.
5. Make sure your camera is connected to wifi via the Device Health option in the Ring app.
6. Verify there is no Motion Schedule enabled during the time of the event.
7. You will see a clock icon next to your Ring device on the dashboard of the Ring app if there is an active Motion Schedule set to the current time.
If the above solutions don't fix the problem, check the notification settings on your mobile device.
Click here to troubleshoot notifications on iOS.
Click here to troubleshoot notifications on Android.
I keep receiving false motion notifications from my video doorbell. What should I do?
1. Check your Motion Zones to see if there is anything that might trigger a false motion.
2. Is your video doorbell in a Motion Zone covering a busy street or sidewalk? You may need to lower the zone to exclude an area.
3. Consider repositioning or changing the angle of your video doorbell.
4. Snooze the motion alerts on your video doorbell during certain hours where you know you’ll receive unnecessary alerts. (e.g. students crossing the street at the end of the school day).
