Understanding Privacy Zones

If your camera’s field-of-view includes areas that you’d like to exclude from Live View or video recording, such as a neighbour's apartment door, you can use Privacy Zones to black out these areas.

This article will answer commonly asked questions concerning Privacy Zones.

What is a Privacy Zone?

A Privacy Zone is an area within your Ring device camera's field-of-view that you can define as off-limits. The Ring app won't display anything in that area in Live View and that area won't be video recorded.

Why would I use a Privacy Zone?

Privacy Zones are designed to allow you to designate an area in your Ring device camera’s field of view as off-limits, so as to help you control what you want to see or record. You may, for example, cover your neighbour's apartment door with a Privacy Zone. You can also black out a neighbour’s window.

What do Privacy Zones look like on the Ring app or in a video recording?

Privacy Zones appear as black rectangles in the Ring app and on video. As you can see in the image below, the door has a Privacy Zone around it.

How many Privacy Zones can I create?

You can create up to two Privacy Zones.

If something happens in a Privacy Zone that I need to see, can those images be recovered?

No. The Privacy Zone is literally a dead zone in the image production process of the camera. Nothing that happens in them can be viewed or recovered.

What's the smallest Privacy Zone I can create?

Each Privacy Zone has a minimum size of approximately 15% of the screen.

Can I draw Privacy Zones in a particular shape?

No. Privacy Zones can only be rectangular.

If I move my device, for example, change its orientation or (for a Door View Cam) open the door, will the Privacy Zone stay where it is?

No. If you change your device's field of view orientation, it will change what area the Privacy Zone covers. Each zone can be thought of as a small piece of tape over the lens. As a result, if you move the Door View Cam, the Privacy Zone will shift with the Door View Cam while the door is opening or closing.

Will I still receive Motion Notifications from a Privacy Zone?

Whether or not you receive Motion Notifications from a Privacy Zone depends upon the device you have and the settings in your Ring app.

• If you have a wired device, you won't get motion detection or motion notifications from a Privacy Zone. 
• If you have a battery-powered device, and have configured your app settings to only notify you when a person is detected, no motion will be detected from inside your Privacy Zone. 
• If you have a battery-powered device and you have chosen to receive notifications for people and other objects, motion will be detected in the Privacy Zone. You will receive a notification, but there will not be a recording of the motion if you have a Ring Protect plan.    

Note: All of the Ring devices are capable of enabling the Privacy Zone feature except for the Ring Video Doorbell (1st Generation) and the Ring Stick Up Camera (1st Generation).