Watch Zones for Virtual Security Guard
Watch Zones let you focus Virtual Security Guard1 monitoring on specific areas within your Motion Zones, like your front porch or walkway. When you create a Watch Zone, professional monitoring agents will only review events when a person is detected in that designated area.
Your camera continues to detect and record motion throughout the entire Motion Zone, but agents won't monitor activity outside the Watch Zone unless motion is first detected inside it. This helps agents respond faster to critical events while reducing unnecessary notifications. Important note: As of September 16, 2025 Property Zones will no longer be supported. Watch Zones require a compatible Ring subscription and at least one device enrolled in Virtual Security Guard. Learn more about Ring subscriptions.
Using Watch Zones
Understanding the difference between a Watch Zone and a Motion Zone
Watch Zone | Motion Zone |
|---|---|
Only Virtual Security Guard customers can set up Watch Zones. | All customers with cameras that perform motion detection can adjust motion zones. |
You can set up one Watch Zone for each device enrolled in Virtual Security Guard. | You can have up to three motion zones per eligible device. |
You can set up Watch Zones wherever you want, within the camera's field of view. | You can set up Motion Zones wherever you want, within the camera's field of view. |
You will receive alerts when Virtual Security Guard is armed and motion is detected within Watch Zone. | You will receive alerts whenever motion is detected in the Motion Zone, based on your Motion Settings. |
Creating a Watch Zone
You can set up a Watch Zone in the Ring app or on ring.com. Before you start, make sure your app is up-to-date.
In the Ring app
- Tap the menu (☰).
- TapSettings.
- TapMonitoring.
- Tap onWatch Zones.
- Tap onEdit Zonein the top right of the Virtual Security Guard enrolled Camera.
- Tap on the suggested zone and drag each point to fit the desired area.
- TapSavein the top right of the screen.
On ring.com
- Sign into your account and clickSettingsat the top.
- ClickMonitoring Settings.
- ClickVirtual Security Guard.
- ClickWatch Zones.
- Review the suggested zones or edit as needed.
- ClickConfirm Allto save all zones.
Important Note: Draw Watch Zones around specific areas that matter most, like a walkway or porch, instead of your entire yard. This helps monitoring agents focus only on important activity.
Using Watch Zones with other settings
Watch Zones and Privacy Zones
A Privacy Zone is an area in your camera's field of view that you define as off-limits, such as another property or private area. The Ring app won't display anything in that area in Live View, and that area won't be video recorded. Privacy Zones appear as black rectangles in the Ring app and on video. Privacy Zones will also appear as black rectangles on devices that have Watch Zones, and Privacy Zones will not be monitored by an agent. Learn more about using Privacy Zones.
Watch Zones and Birds Eye Zones
On select Ring devices, you can set up Bird's Eye Zones as an aerial map of your property to show the path a visitor takes. If you have a Bird’s Eye Zone, make sure that your Watch Zone covers the same area, as motion outside of this area will be ignored. Learn more about using Bird's Eye Zones.