How to Change Recording Length on Eufy Camera

This guide walks you through how to change recording length on Eufy camera using the Eufy Security app. You’ll learn to adjust clip duration, set motion zones, and optimize storage for better performance.

Key Takeaways

• Recording length affects storage and battery life: Shorter clips save space and extend battery on wireless models, while longer clips capture more detail.
• Use the Eufy Security app to adjust settings: All recording duration changes are made within the app, not on the camera itself.
• Motion detection settings impact clip length: Enabling Smart Detection or adjusting sensitivity can influence how long the camera records after motion is detected.
• Customize per camera model: Wired and battery-powered Eufy cameras may have slightly different options and limitations.
• Longer recordings require more local storage: Eufy cameras use local storage (microSD or HomeBase), so longer clips fill up space faster.
• Test and monitor after changes: Always check recorded clips to ensure your new settings work as expected.
• Firmware updates may add new features: Keep your camera and app updated for the latest recording options.

Introduction: Why Recording Length Matters on Your Eufy Camera

If you’ve ever reviewed footage from your Eufy security camera and found it cut off too soon—or recorded unnecessarily long clips of nothing—you’re not alone. The recording length on your Eufy camera plays a crucial role in how useful your footage is, how much storage you use, and even how long your battery lasts (if you’re using a wireless model).

Whether you’re monitoring your front door, backyard, or nursery, getting the right balance between capturing important events and avoiding false alarms is key. Fortunately, Eufy makes it easy to customize how long your camera records after detecting motion. This guide will walk you through how to change recording length on Eufy camera step by step, no matter which model you own.

You’ll learn how to access the right settings in the Eufy Security app, understand the differences between camera types, and optimize your setup for better performance. By the end, you’ll be able to tailor your camera’s behavior to fit your lifestyle—whether you want quick 10-second clips or extended 3-minute recordings.

Understanding Eufy Camera Recording Modes

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand how Eufy cameras handle recording. Unlike cloud-based systems that stream continuously, most Eufy cameras use event-based recording. This means they only record when motion is detected, helping save storage and battery life.

There are two main types of Eufy cameras:

• Wired cameras (e.g., EufyCam 2 Pro, Indoor Cam 2K): These are powered via a cable and typically have more consistent performance. They often support longer recording lengths and continuous recording (if enabled).
• Battery-powered cameras (e.g., EufyCam 2, SoloCam S40): These rely on rechargeable batteries and are designed for efficiency. They usually have shorter default recording lengths to preserve battery.

Recording length refers to how long the camera continues to record after motion is first detected. For example, if you set it to 30 seconds, the camera will record for 30 seconds from the moment motion is spotted—even if the motion stops after 5 seconds.

Some models also offer pre-roll, which captures a few seconds of footage *before* motion is detected, giving you context. This is especially useful for seeing what triggered the alert.

How to Access Recording Settings in the Eufy Security App

All recording length adjustments are made through the Eufy Security app, available for iOS and Android. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Open the Eufy Security App

Launch the app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account linked to your Eufy camera. If you haven’t set up the app yet, download it from the App Store or Google Play and follow the on-screen setup instructions.

Step 2: Select Your Camera

On the home screen, you’ll see a list of your connected devices. Tap on the camera you want to adjust. This will open the live view and control panel.

Step 3: Go to Device Settings

Look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap it to enter the device settings menu. This is where you’ll find options for motion detection, recording, alerts, and more.

Step 4: Find the Recording or Motion Detection Section

Scroll down until you see a section labeled “Motion Detection,” “Recording,” or “Event Recording.” The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your camera model and app version.

Once you’re in the right section, you’re ready to adjust the recording length.

Step-by-Step: Changing the Recording Length

Now that you’re in the settings, here’s how to change how long your Eufy camera records after detecting motion.

Step 1: Locate the “Recording Length” or “Clip Duration” Option

In the Motion Detection or Recording settings, look for an option like:

• “Recording Length”
• “Clip Duration”
• “Event Recording Duration”

This is the setting that controls how many seconds your camera records after motion is detected.

Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Duration

Tap on the current value (e.g., “30 seconds”) to open a selection menu. You’ll typically see options ranging from 10 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on your camera model. Common choices include:

• 10 seconds – Best for quick alerts and saving battery
• 30 seconds – A balanced option for most users
• 60 seconds – Good for capturing full events
• 120 seconds (2 minutes) – Ideal for monitoring longer activities
• 180 seconds (3 minutes) – Maximum for most models

Select the duration that fits your needs. For example, if you have a busy sidewalk in front of your home, a 30- or 60-second clip might help you see who passed by. If you’re monitoring a quiet backyard, 10 or 15 seconds may be enough.

Step 3: Save Your Changes

After selecting your preferred recording length, tap “Save” or “Confirm” at the bottom of the screen. The app will sync the new setting with your camera. This usually takes just a few seconds.

Step 4: Test the New Setting

To make sure it worked, trigger motion in front of your camera (e.g., walk past it) and wait for the alert. Check the recorded clip in the app’s “Events” tab to confirm it matches your chosen duration.

If the clip is too short or too long, go back and adjust the setting again.

Advanced Tips for Optimizing Recording Length

Changing the recording length is just the beginning. Here are some advanced tips to get the most out of your Eufy camera:

Use Motion Zones to Reduce False Alerts

Instead of recording everything in the camera’s field of view, create custom motion zones. This tells the camera to only record when motion occurs in specific areas—like your front door or driveway—and ignore others, such as a busy street or swaying trees.

To set up motion zones:

• Go to Device Settings > Motion Detection
• Tap “Motion Zones” or “Detection Area”
• Draw boxes around the areas you want to monitor
• Adjust sensitivity for each zone

This reduces unnecessary recordings and helps your chosen clip length be more meaningful.

Enable Smart Detection (If Available)

Many newer Eufy cameras support Smart Detection, which can distinguish between people, vehicles, pets, and general motion. When enabled, you can set different recording lengths or alerts based on the type of motion detected.

For example:

• Record 60 seconds for people
• Record 30 seconds for vehicles
• Ignore pets under 20 lbs

This prevents your camera from recording every time a cat walks by, while still capturing important human activity.

Adjust Sensitivity Settings

If your camera is recording too often or not enough, tweak the motion sensitivity. Higher sensitivity means the camera reacts to smaller movements (like leaves blowing), while lower sensitivity ignores minor motion and only triggers for larger objects (like people).

Find this under Motion Detection > Sensitivity. Start with “Medium” and adjust based on your environment.

Consider Pre-Roll for Better Context

If your camera supports it, enable pre-roll. This captures 2–3 seconds of footage *before* motion is detected, so you can see what led up to the event. It’s especially helpful for understanding why an alert was triggered.

Note: Pre-roll uses a small amount of additional storage and may slightly impact battery life on wireless models.

Battery vs. Wired Cameras: What You Need to Know

The type of Eufy camera you have affects your recording options:

Battery-Powered Cameras

Models like the EufyCam 2 or SoloCam are designed for efficiency. To preserve battery:

• Default recording length is often shorter (e.g., 15–30 seconds)
• Longer clips drain the battery faster
• Some models limit maximum recording length to 60 or 120 seconds

If you increase the recording length, expect more frequent charging. For best results, pair longer clips with motion zones and Smart Detection to reduce unnecessary recordings.

Wired Cameras

Indoor and wired outdoor models (like the Indoor Cam 2K or EufyCam 2 Pro with HomeBase) can handle longer recordings without battery concerns.

• Support recording lengths up to 3 minutes
• Can optionally enable continuous recording (24/7)
• Better for high-traffic areas or detailed monitoring

If you’re using a wired camera and want maximum coverage, consider setting a 2- or 3-minute clip length and enabling continuous recording during high-risk times (e.g., overnight).

Managing Storage When Using Longer Recordings

Eufy cameras store footage locally—either on a microSD card (in the camera) or on a HomeBase hub. Longer recordings take up more space, so it’s important to manage your storage wisely.

Check Available Storage

In the Eufy app:

• Go to Device Settings > Storage
• View how much space is used and available
• See estimated recording time based on current settings

A 32GB microSD card might hold:

• ~7 days of 30-second clips
• ~3 days of 2-minute clips
• ~1 day of continuous recording

Format or Replace Your microSD Card

If storage is full, old clips are automatically overwritten. But if performance slows, format the card:

• Go to Device Settings > Storage > Format
• Confirm the action (this erases all footage)

For best performance, use a high-endurance microSD card (e.g., SanDisk High Endurance) rated for 24/7 recording.

Use HomeBase for Centralized Storage

If you have multiple cameras, consider using a HomeBase hub. It connects to your router and stores footage from all compatible Eufy cameras. This makes it easier to manage recordings and access footage from one place.

HomeBase also supports longer recording lengths and continuous recording without relying on individual camera batteries.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the right settings, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix common issues:

Camera Isn’t Recording the Full Length

If your clips are shorter than expected:

• Check that the recording length is saved correctly in the app
• Ensure the camera has a strong Wi-Fi connection (weak signals can interrupt recording)
• Verify the microSD card isn’t full or corrupted
• Update the camera firmware (Settings > Device Info > Firmware Update)

Camera Records Too Often or Too Little

Adjust motion sensitivity and use motion zones to fine-tune detection. If Smart Detection is available, enable it to filter out false alerts.

App Won’t Let You Change Recording Length

Some older Eufy models have fixed recording lengths. Check your camera’s specifications online. Also, ensure the app and camera firmware are up to date.

Battery Drains Too Fast After Increasing Clip Length

This is normal for wireless cameras. To extend battery life:

• Reduce recording length
• Use motion zones to limit detection areas
• Enable Smart Detection to ignore pets and vehicles
• Turn off unnecessary features like color night vision

Footage Is Choppy or Low Quality

Longer recordings require more processing power. If video quality drops:

• Lower the resolution (e.g., from 2K to 1080p)
• Ensure strong Wi-Fi signal
• Use a faster microSD card (Class 10 or U3)

Best Practices for Different Use Cases

Your ideal recording length depends on where and how you use your camera. Here are some recommendations:

Front Door or Entryway

• Recording length: 30–60 seconds
• Enable Smart Detection for people
• Use pre-roll to see who approached
• Set motion zone to cover the door and walkway

Backyard or Garden

• Recording length: 15–30 seconds
• Ignore motion from trees or pets
• Use lower sensitivity to avoid wind triggers
• Consider a wired camera for continuous monitoring

Nursery or Pet Monitoring

• Recording length: 60–120 seconds
• Enable continuous recording during sleep hours
• Use two-way audio to soothe or check on occupants
• Disable alerts during nap time if needed

Driveway or Garage

• Recording length: 30–60 seconds
• Enable vehicle detection
• Use motion zones to ignore street traffic
• Pair with a floodlight camera for better visibility

Conclusion: Get the Most Out of Your Eufy Camera

Changing the recording length on your Eufy camera is a simple but powerful way to improve your home security setup. By adjusting clip duration, using motion zones, and enabling Smart Detection, you can ensure your camera captures exactly what you need—without wasting storage or battery.

Remember, the best settings depend on your environment and goals. Start with a moderate recording length (like 30 seconds), test it in real-world conditions, and fine-tune from there. Keep your app and firmware updated to access the latest features, and don’t hesitate to experiment.

With the right configuration, your Eufy camera will deliver reliable, high-quality footage whenever it matters most. Whether you’re watching for package thieves, monitoring pets, or just keeping an eye on your property, you’ll have the control and clarity you need.