How to Change Recording Time on Eufy Camera

Changing the recording time on your Eufy camera helps you customize how long footage is captured after motion is detected. This guide walks you through adjusting settings via the Eufy app, optimizing battery life, and troubleshooting common issues.

Key Takeaways

• Access recording settings through the Eufy Security app: All recording time adjustments are made within the app, not on the camera itself.
• Adjust motion detection sensitivity to reduce false alerts: Lower sensitivity means fewer recordings, saving storage and battery.
• Set event recording duration from 10 seconds to 3 minutes: Choose how long the camera records after detecting motion.
• Use Smart Detection to filter human vs. vehicle activity: This reduces unnecessary recordings and improves accuracy.
• Enable or disable continuous recording based on power source: Wired cameras can record 24/7, while battery-powered models rely on events.
• Check firmware updates regularly for new features: Eufy frequently improves functionality and fixes bugs.
• Troubleshoot recording issues by restarting the camera and app: Simple fixes often resolve sync or playback problems.

How to Change Recording Time on Eufy Camera

If you’ve ever missed important footage because your Eufy camera stopped recording too soon—or recorded endlessly due to a passing leaf or pet—you’re not alone. One of the most common questions Eufy users have is: How do I change the recording time on my Eufy camera? The good news is, it’s easier than you think. With just a few taps in the Eufy Security app, you can customize how long your camera records after detecting motion, adjust sensitivity, and even set up smart alerts to reduce false triggers.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of changing the recording time on your Eufy camera. Whether you’re using a battery-powered outdoor model like the EufyCam 2 or a wired indoor camera like the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K, the process is similar. We’ll cover everything from accessing the right settings to troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll have full control over your camera’s recording behavior, ensuring you capture what matters—without draining your battery or filling up your storage with unnecessary clips.

Let’s get started.

Understanding Eufy Camera Recording Modes

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand how Eufy cameras record. Unlike traditional security cameras that record continuously, most Eufy models—especially battery-powered ones—use event-based recording. This means the camera only starts recording when it detects motion or sound. This design helps conserve battery life and reduces the amount of footage you need to review.

There are two main recording modes:

• Event Recording: The camera records for a set duration (e.g., 30 seconds) after detecting motion. This is the default mode for battery-powered cameras.
• Continuous Recording: The camera records non-stop, 24/7. This is typically available only on wired models like the Eufy Indoor Cam or cameras connected to a Eufy HomeBase with a power source.

The recording time you can adjust refers primarily to event recording duration—how long the camera keeps recording after motion is detected. You can usually set this between 10 seconds and 3 minutes, depending on your model.

Additionally, Eufy cameras use Smart Detection technology to distinguish between humans, vehicles, pets, and general motion. This helps reduce false alerts and unnecessary recordings. You can fine-tune these settings to match your environment.

Step-by-Step: How to Change Recording Time on Eufy Camera

Now that you understand the basics, let’s walk through the process of changing the recording time. We’ll use the Eufy Security app, which is available for both iOS and Android. Make sure your camera is connected to the app and online before starting.

Step 1: Open the Eufy Security App

Launch the Eufy Security app on your smartphone or tablet. If you haven’t already, download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Log in with your Eufy account credentials.

Once logged in, you’ll see a dashboard with all your connected devices. Tap on the camera you want to adjust. This will open the live view screen.

Step 2: Access Camera Settings

In the live view screen, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. Tap it to open the camera’s settings menu. This is where you’ll find all customization options, including recording time, motion detection, and alerts.

Step 3: Navigate to Motion Detection Settings

Scroll down until you find the Motion Detection section. Tap on it to expand the options. Here, you’ll see several settings that affect how and when your camera records.

Step 4: Adjust Event Recording Duration

Look for an option labeled Recording Duration, Event Length, or Clip Length. This is the setting that controls how long the camera records after detecting motion.

Tap on it, and you’ll see a slider or a list of preset durations (e.g., 10s, 30s, 60s, 120s, 180s). Choose the time that works best for your needs.

• 10–30 seconds: Ideal for areas with frequent motion (like a busy sidewalk) to save battery and storage.
• 60–120 seconds: Good for general use, giving you enough time to see what happened.
• 180 seconds (3 minutes): Best for critical areas where you need extended footage, like a front door or driveway.

Tip: If you’re using a battery-powered camera, shorter durations will help extend battery life. For wired cameras, you can afford longer recordings.

Step 5: Fine-Tune Motion Sensitivity

While you’re in the Motion Detection settings, adjust the sensitivity level. This controls how easily the camera triggers a recording.

You’ll usually see a slider from Low to High.

• Low sensitivity: Only strong motion (like a person walking) will trigger recording. Great for reducing false alerts from wind or small animals.
• High sensitivity: Even slight movements (like a curtain fluttering) may trigger recording. Use this only if you need maximum detection.

Example: If your camera is near a tree that sways in the wind, set sensitivity to Medium or Low to avoid constant recordings.

Step 6: Enable Smart Detection (If Available)

Many Eufy cameras support Smart Detection, which uses AI to differentiate between humans, vehicles, pets, and other motion. This feature helps reduce false alerts and unnecessary recordings.

To enable it:

• Look for Smart Detection or AI Detection in the settings.
• Toggle it on.
• Select which types of motion you want to trigger recordings (e.g., only humans, or humans and vehicles).

Tip: If you only want alerts when a person approaches your door, enable “Human Detection” and disable “Vehicle” and “Pet” detection.

Step 7: Set Up Activity Zones (Optional)

To further refine when your camera records, use Activity Zones. This feature lets you define specific areas within the camera’s view that should trigger recordings.

For example, you can set a zone covering your front door but exclude the busy street behind it.

To set up Activity Zones:

• Tap on Activity Zones in the Motion Detection settings.
• Draw boxes over the areas you want to monitor.
• Name each zone (e.g., “Front Door,” “Driveway”).
• Choose whether motion in each zone should trigger recordings.

This is especially useful for outdoor cameras with wide-angle views.

Step 8: Save Your Changes

After adjusting the recording time, sensitivity, and other settings, make sure to save your changes. The app usually saves automatically, but it’s good practice to exit the settings and return to the live view to confirm everything is working.

Advanced Settings: Continuous Recording and HomeBase

If you have a wired Eufy camera or a model connected to a Eufy HomeBase, you may have access to continuous recording. This mode records 24/7, storing footage locally on the HomeBase or a microSD card.

To enable continuous recording:

• Go to the camera settings in the app.
• Look for Recording Mode or Continuous Recording.
• Toggle it on.

Note: Continuous recording uses more storage and power. Make sure your HomeBase has enough space (up to 16TB with external drives) and that your camera is plugged in.

You can also set up scheduled recording, where the camera only records during certain hours (e.g., 10 PM to 6 AM). This is useful if you only need surveillance at night.

Practical Tips for Optimizing Recording Time

Now that you know how to change the recording time, here are some practical tips to get the most out of your Eufy camera:

1. Match Recording Time to Your Environment

Think about what you’re monitoring. A busy street may need shorter clips to avoid constant recording, while a quiet backyard might benefit from longer durations to capture full events.

2. Use Shorter Durations for Battery Cameras

Battery-powered Eufy cameras like the EufyCam 2C or EufyCam 3 last longer with shorter recording times. Aim for 30–60 seconds unless you need extended footage.

3. Combine Smart Detection with Activity Zones

Using both features together drastically reduces false alerts. For example, set an activity zone on your porch and enable human detection—your camera will only record when a person enters that zone.

4. Check Storage Regularly

Even with event recording, footage can accumulate. If you’re using local storage (HomeBase or microSD), review and delete old clips periodically. You can also set the system to auto-delete recordings after 30 or 60 days.

5. Test Your Settings

After changing the recording time, test it by walking in front of the camera. Check the playback to ensure the clip length and quality meet your expectations.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, changing the recording time doesn’t work as expected. Here are common problems and how to fix them:

Camera Not Recording at All

• Check motion detection is enabled: Go to settings and ensure motion detection is turned on.
• Verify sensitivity settings: If set too low, the camera may not detect motion.
• Ensure the camera is online: A red or offline status means it’s not connected to Wi-Fi.

Recording Stops Too Soon

• Increase recording duration: Go back to the settings and select a longer clip length.
• Check for firmware updates: Outdated firmware can cause bugs. Update via the app under Device Settings > Firmware.

False Alerts from Wind or Pets

• Lower sensitivity: Reduce the motion detection level.
• Enable Smart Detection: Filter out non-human motion.
• Adjust activity zones: Exclude areas with frequent false triggers.

App Not Syncing Changes

• Force close and reopen the app: Sometimes the app doesn’t refresh properly.
• Restart the camera: Unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
• Reconnect to Wi-Fi: If the camera lost connection, re-add it to the network.

Recording Time Reverts to Default

• Check for app updates: Older versions may have bugs.
• Reset the camera: As a last resort, factory reset the device and reconfigure it.

Conclusion

Changing the recording time on your Eufy camera is a simple yet powerful way to improve your home security setup. By adjusting the event duration, motion sensitivity, and smart detection features, you can ensure your camera captures exactly what you need—without wasting battery or storage on false alerts.

Whether you’re using a battery-powered outdoor camera or a wired indoor model, the Eufy Security app puts all the controls at your fingertips. Take the time to experiment with different settings, test them in real-world conditions, and fine-tune based on your environment.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to record more—it’s to record smarter. With the right configuration, your Eufy camera becomes a reliable, efficient guardian of your home.

So go ahead, open the app, and customize your recording time today. Your future self will thank you when you need that crucial footage.