How to disable your Ring camera temporarily or permanently
You can turn off your Ring camera in three ways: disable it in the Ring app for as long as you want, physically unplug it if it's wired, or remove batteries if it's battery-powered. The app method is fastest and most common — it takes 30 seconds and you can turn recording back on whenever you need it. If you're selling your home, moving, or just don't want the camera active, you can also delete it from your account entirely, which removes all stored footage and disconnects it from your network.
The method you choose depends on whether you want a temporary pause or a permanent shutdown. Disabling in the app keeps the camera registered to your account and preserves your settings; unplugging or removing batteries stops it when ready but doesn't change any account settings; deleting it removes everything and requires you to set it up again if you ever want to use it.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Ring app, tap the camera you want to disable, go to Device Settings, and toggle off "Record Video" to stop recording without unplugging anything.
- Disabling in the app keeps your camera registered and your settings saved, so you can turn recording back on in seconds whenever you want.
- Physically unplugging a wired Ring camera or removing its batteries stops it when ready, but the device stays in your app until you delete it.
- Deleting a camera from your Ring account removes all stored footage, disconnects it from your network, and erases your settings — you'll need to set it up from scratch if you want to use it again.
- Ring cameras stay connected to power or batteries even when recording is disabled, so they can still receive app commands and software updates.
Disabling recording in the Ring app
This is the fastest way to stop your Ring camera from recording. Open the Ring app on your phone, tap the camera you want to disable, then tap the gear icon (Device Settings) in the top right. Scroll down to find "Record Video" and toggle it off. The camera will stop recording when ready, but it stays powered on and connected to your Wi-Fi so you can turn recording back on anytime by toggling it back on in the same menu.
When you disable recording this way, your camera settings, event history, and account connection all stay exactly as they were. You don't lose any saved video clips, and the camera can still receive notifications and app commands. This method works for all Ring camera models — Ring Doorbell, Ring Stick Up Cam, Ring Floodlight Cam, and others.
If you have multiple cameras, you'll need to disable each one separately. There's no option to disable all cameras at once from a single menu, so if you have three cameras you'll repeat this process three times.
Unplugging or removing batteries
If your Ring camera is wired (plugged into power), you can unplug it from the outlet or turn off the breaker that powers it. If it's battery-powered, remove the batteries from the back or bottom of the camera — most Ring battery cameras use AA or 9V batteries depending on the model. Either method stops the camera from recording and using power when ready.
The camera will appear offline in your Ring app within a few minutes. It will no longer send you notifications or record video, and it won't use data. However, the device stays registered to your account, so you'll still see it listed in your app. Your settings, event history, and saved video clips remain unchanged. When you plug the camera back in or reinstall the batteries, it will reconnect and resume recording (unless you've disabled recording in the app separately).
This method is useful if you're temporarily stopping a camera — for example, if you're having work done at your home and don't want the camera recording contractors. It's also the only option if you can't access the Ring app for some reason.
Deleting a camera from your account
If you want to permanently disconnect a Ring camera, you can delete it from your account. Open the Ring app, tap the camera, go to Device Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Remove This Device." The app will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the camera is deleted from your account, all stored video footage is erased, and the camera is disconnected from your network.
After deletion, the camera is no longer yours to control — it's a standalone device with no connection to Ring's servers or your account. If you want to use it again, you'll need to set it up from scratch as if it were brand new, which means going through the initial pairing process, reconnecting to Wi-Fi, and reconfiguring all your settings.
Delete a camera if you're selling your home, giving it away, or permanently done using it. This is the only way to may support the camera is fully disconnected from your account and that your video history is removed from Ring's servers.
What happens to your video footage when you disable the camera
If you disable recording in the Ring app, your existing video clips stay in your account and you can still watch them. The camera straightforward stops creating new recordings going forward. You can re-enable recording anytime and the camera will start recording again without losing any old footage.
If you unplug the camera or remove batteries, the same applies — old footage stays in your account, and new recording stops. When you plug it back in, it picks up where it left off.
If you delete the camera from your account, all video footage associated with that camera is erased. Ring does not keep copies of deleted footage, and you cannot recover it once the camera is deleted. If you think you might want to review footage later, read or save important clips before you delete the camera.
Ring Protect Plan and disabled cameras
If you pay for a Ring Protect Plan (which costs money monthly and provides cloud storage and extended video history), disabling recording in the app does not cancel your subscription. You'll continue to be charged for the plan even though the camera isn't recording. You can cancel the plan separately in your Ring account settings under "Subscriptions" if you don't want to keep paying.
If you unplug the camera or remove batteries, the plan stays active and you keep paying. Deleting the camera from your account does not automatically cancel the plan either — you have to cancel it manually. Check your Ring account to see which cameras are covered by your plan and whether you still need it.
Disabling specific features instead of the whole camera
If you want to keep your Ring camera recording but turn off certain features, you have other options. In Device Settings, you can disable "Motion Alerts" so you don't get notifications when motion is detected, or turn off "People Detection" if you don't want the camera to specifically flag when it sees a person. You can also adjust "Motion Zones" to exclude certain areas — for example, if your camera points at a busy street, you can tell it to ignore motion on the street and only alert you for motion in your yard.
These adjustments let you keep the camera running and recording while reducing the number of notifications you get or limiting what it monitors. This is useful if you want security recording but don't want constant alerts, or if you want to exclude areas that aren't your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling recording in the Ring app turn off the camera completely?
No. The camera stays powered on and connected to Wi-Fi so it can receive app commands and software updates. It straightforward stops recording video. If you want to turn off power completely, you need to unplug it or remove the batteries.
Can I schedule my Ring camera to record only at certain times?
Ring does not have a built-in scheduling feature that automatically turns recording on and off at set times. You can manually disable and enable recording in the app, but you have to do it yourself each time. Some third-party automation apps like IFTTT can create routines that disable recording based on time or location, but this requires additional setup outside the Ring app.
What if I delete my Ring camera by mistake?
Once deleted, the camera is removed from your account and all footage is erased. Ring does not have an undo button or recovery option. You can set the camera up again as a new device, but you'll lose all previous video history and settings. If you deleted it very recently, contact Ring support to ask if they can help, but recovery is not may provide.
Will my Ring camera still work if I disable recording but keep it plugged in?
Yes. The camera will stay powered on, connected to your network, and able to receive commands from the Ring app. It just won't record video or send you motion alerts. You can still view a live feed from the camera and control any features like two-way talk or spotlight (if your model has one).
Do I need to delete my Ring camera before selling my house?
Yes. You should delete the camera from your account before you move or sell your home. This disconnects it from your account, erases your video footage, and removes your access. The new owner can then set it up as a new device under their own Ring account. If you don't delete it, the camera stays registered to you and the new owner won't be able to use it.