Ring Protect is a monthly subscription that stores your Ring doorbell or camera footage in the cloud and unlocks extra features

Ring Protect is a paid subscription service from Amazon that backs up video recordings from your Ring devices to Amazon's servers. Without it, your Ring doorbell or camera records video only when motion is detected, but the footage disappears after a short time — usually 24 hours or less depending on your device. With Ring Protect, recordings stay available for 60 days, and you get features like person detection alerts and the ability to read video files.

Ring offers two subscription tiers: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Basic covers one device and costs a set monthly rate. Plus covers all Ring devices at your address and costs more per month. You can also buy an annual plan for either tier at a discount compared to paying month-to-month.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring Protect Basic covers one device and stores 60 days of video; Ring Protect Plus covers unlimited devices at your address for the same storage period.
  • Without a subscription, Ring devices record video but delete it within hours; a subscription keeps recordings for 60 days.
  • Ring Protect Plus includes professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems, which Basic does not.
  • You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through the Ring app without penalty.
  • Ring Protect is separate from your Ring device purchase — you buy the device once, then pay monthly for the subscription.

What Ring Protect Basic includes

Ring Protect Basic covers one Ring device — typically your doorbell or one camera. It stores 60 days of video footage in the cloud, which you can watch, share, or read through the Ring app. You also get person detection, which sends you a notification when the camera detects a person rather than just motion from a passing car or tree branch.

Basic does not include professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems. If you have a Ring Alarm and want the company to monitor it and contact emergency services on your behalf, you need Ring Protect Plus.

What Ring Protect Plus includes

Ring Protect Plus covers all Ring devices at your address — your doorbell, all your cameras, and any Ring Alarm equipment. Like Basic, it stores 60 days of video and includes person detection. The main difference is that Plus adds professional 24/7 monitoring for Ring Alarm systems. If your alarm is triggered, Ring's monitoring center is notified and can contact police or fire on your behalf.

Plus also includes video recording on Ring Alarm motion sensors and door/window sensors, so you see video clips when those sensors are triggered. Basic does not record video from alarm sensors.

How to set up Ring Protect

Open the Ring app on your phone and go to the menu. Select the device you want to protect, then tap "Protect this device" or look for a Protect option in the device settings. The app will show you the two subscription tiers and their prices in your region, along with the option to pay monthly or annually.

Choose your plan and enter a payment method. Your subscription starts when ready, and you can cancel or change plans anytime through the app. If you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period — you are not charged again, but you lose access to cloud storage and the extra features right away.

Pricing and billing

Ring Protect Basic and Plus pricing varies by region and changes over time. Both plans offer a monthly rate and a discounted annual rate. You can view the exact prices for your area in the Ring app before you commit to a subscription.

Your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month (or year, if you chose annual billing). You can change your payment method, pause your subscription for up to three months, or cancel entirely through the app. Pausing is useful if you are traveling or temporarily do not need cloud storage.

What happens to your video without Ring Protect

Ring devices record video when motion is detected, but without a subscription, that video is stored only on Amazon's servers temporarily — usually for 24 hours or less. After that time, the footage is deleted and cannot be recovered. You can still watch live video from your device anytime through the app, but you cannot review what happened earlier in the day or read clips to keep.

This matters if you need to review footage after a package theft, break-in, or accident. Without Ring Protect, you have only a narrow window to save the video before it disappears.

Ring Protect versus other cloud storage options

Some Ring devices offer local storage through a Ring Stick Up Cam Pro or Ring Alarm Pro, which can record to an internal drive without a subscription. However, these devices cost more upfront and store less total footage than cloud storage. Local storage also does not give you access to your video from outside your home network unless you pay for cloud backup anyway.

If you want cloud storage without Ring Protect, you cannot use Ring's cloud service — the subscription is the only way to back up video to Amazon's servers. You could use a third-party cloud service or a separate security system, but that means buying different equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try Ring Protect for free before I pay?

Ring sometimes offers a free trial period for new subscribers, but this varies by region and changes over time. Check the Ring app to see if a trial is available in your area. If not, you can start a monthly subscription and cancel before the next billing date if you decide it is not for you.

Do I need Ring Protect if I only want to watch live video?

No. You can watch live video from your Ring device anytime through the app without a subscription. Ring Protect is only needed if you want to review past recordings, read video, or get person detection alerts.

What happens to my video if I cancel my subscription?

Your 60-day cloud storage ends when ready when your subscription cancels. Any footage still stored in the cloud is deleted. You lose access to downloaded clips and person detection alerts. Live video continues to work, but new recordings are only kept for 24 hours or less.

Can I have Ring Protect on some devices but not others?

Yes, if you choose Ring Protect Basic. Each Basic subscription covers one device, so you can buy separate Basic subscriptions for multiple devices. Ring Protect Plus covers all devices at your address with one subscription, so you cannot pick and choose with Plus.

Does Ring Protect work if my internet goes down?

No. Ring devices need an active internet connection to upload video to the cloud. If your internet is down, the device records locally but cannot send footage to Amazon's servers. Once your internet is back, the device resumes uploading new recordings.