Security Cameras

Do Ring Cameras Work Without Wi-Fi?

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Ring security camera inside up close.
Image credit: CC Photo Labs, Shutterstock

Wi-Fi plays a massive role in home security and video monitoring. Some cameras, like Ring indoor/outdoor cameras and doorbells, require an internet connection for recording, notifications, and remote control. But what if your service is interrupted? Does this mean your Ring security camera is inoperable? Yes and no.

While Ring wireless cameras require a stable Wi-Fi connection to function regularly, you can use a cellular backup if your internet goes down. However, you’re meant to use this as a short-term solution. The majority of Ring cameras need a stable Wi-Fi connection to function correctly. That being said, each Ring camera has varying levels of functionality without Wi-Fi.

For those without a stable Wi-Fi connection, consider a camera that uses LTE or local storage, which will better suit your needs.

Do Ring Cameras Work Without Wi-Fi?

Most Ring security cameras require a constant Wi-Fi connection. The internet connection allows your Ring product to connect to your smartphone, where you can view live video and hear audio streaming. Other features like motion tracking and notifications also require a stable Wi-Fi connection. Without this connection, your Ring camera cannot store video footage, send alerts, or be accessed remotely.

Ring does offer a couple of professional-grade cameras that rely on a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. These cameras use a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) adaptor, enabling an Ethernet cable to both transmit data and power the camera:

Do Ring Cameras Record Without Wi-Fi?

While some security cameras use—or give you the option of—local storage, Ring cameras store video on the cloud, which requires an internet connection. This means your camera won’t be able to record or store footage without Wi-Fi connectivity.

Some models feature offline recording capabilities, though they are limited. In the case of a failed internet connection, these cameras would continue to record and store footage locally on their internal memory. Once you restore internet connection, the recordings upload to the cloud. All models offer differing internal storage capabilities. Once storage reaches its maximum limit, the oldest recording are automatically overwritten to give space to the newest recordings.

What Happens If Your Ring Device Goes Offline?

If you have a Ring Alarm Pro and Ring Protect Pro subscription, your security system—including cameras—will continue to operate if your Wi-Fi connection is lost, thanks to the system’s built-in cellular backup. Ring Protect Pro includes 3 GB of free data.

You can also use the Ring Edge microSD card to record and store additional video footage locally. Insert the Ring Edge microSD card into the Ring Alarm Pro base station to store videos with up to 64 GB capacity without a Wi-Fi connection.

How To Enable Offline Recordings With Ring Protect

Open the Ring app and enter the settings section. Tap “Video Recordings” and toggle on “Offline Video Recordings.” With a Ring Protect subscription, you can store videos without being connected to Wi-Fi.

Using Your Ring Camera With A Hotspot

While Ring cameras require internet for regular functioning, you can use a mobile hotspot to keep your camera running if the Wi-Fi goes down. Just turn on the hotspot in your phone’s settings, link your Ring camera to the hotpot by pressing and holding the setup button until the light flashes, and follow the on-screen steps in the Ring app to finish the connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our readers frequently ask about Ring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity. Don’t see yours? Ask us in the comments.

Do You Need Wi-Fi For Ring Doorbells?

Yes, Ring Doorbell cameras require a Wi-Fi connection to function. Without Wi-Fi, you cannot view video, receive notifications, or remotely control your camera.

What Type Of Wi-Fi Connection Is Required For Ring Cameras?

Most Ring cameras are compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks, though select models also support 5 GHz networks. According to Ring, devices require an upload and download speed of 2 Mbps or greater.

Will Ring Cameras Recover Automatically When The Wi-Fi Comes Back?

Generally speaking, Ring cameras should resume regular operation once you restore the Wi-Fi connection. Ring designed its cameras to resume standard functionality automatically.

If the camera stored footage locally during the outage, the camera will sync with the Ring cloud, uploading locally stored security footage.

Why Is My Ring Doorbell Not Connecting To Wi-Fi?

We’ve got an article for that! View our guide to help troubleshoot why your Ring Doorbell is not connecting to the Wi-Fi.

What Security Cameras Work Without Wi-Fi?

There are plenty of security cameras that work without Wi-Fi. A couple of popular options include the Arlo Ultra (our pick for the best wireless security camera) and the Reolink Go PT (view our review of Reolink security cameras).

Does your Ring camera perform well with your Wi-Fi connection? Let us know in the comments!

Why Trust We Rock Your Web?

Tara is a researcher and writer for We Rock Your Web. Since joining the team, she has covered various security topics, from personal safety and identity protection to reviewing home security products and systems. For this article, Tara spent time researching the many Ring camera products to bring our readers the most up-to-date, detailed information. She understands the importance of security cameras and wants her readers to make the most informed decisions possible.

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Tara Maurer

After graduating with a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Simpson College, Tara worked as the studio coordinator for an architecture firm, where she performed many of the tasks required of a small business owner: office management and human resources to marketing and design—all the while using web tools to help grow the business. Tara then used this experience to start her own business. She continues to work in social media marketing today. Since joining the We Rock Your Web team, Tara has covered topics ranging from email marketing to CDNs. She knows that small business owners today need to familiarize themselves with online tools—everything from logo creation and website design to payment processing and email marketing—and she’s passionate about helping them learn how to do just that.
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