Home security cameras have become a must-have for homeowners looking to keep their properties safe from phrogging. But one question often comes up — do home security cameras delete footage?
This is a real concern for many people. What if an important clip gets erased? Can the camera automatically delete videos without warning? And what happens if storage fills up — does it start overwriting old recordings?
In this blog, we’ll cover how and when security cameras delete footage, how you can prevent accidental loss, and best practices for storing security footage.
What Determines Footage Deletion?
Security camera footage doesn’t just disappear without reason. There are a few key factors that determine how long the footage stays before it’s erased. Let’s go through them one by one.
Automatic Deletion Settings
Most security cameras don’t store footage forever. Many have built-in settings that automatically delete old recordings when the storage gets full. This is common in both cloud-based and local storage systems.
- Loop Recording: Some cameras use a “loop recording” system, where they continuously record over the oldest footage once storage is full. This helps keep recording going without the need for manual deletion.
- Cloud Storage Limits: If your camera uploads videos to the cloud, your plan might only save clips for a set period — like 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days. After that, old footage is automatically deleted unless you back it up.
Storage Limitations
Storage space plays a huge role in how long your camera can keep footage. Different cameras store videos in different ways.
- SD Card Cameras: If your camera saves videos to an SD card, it can only hold a limited number of recordings. Once it reaches full capacity, older clips get deleted to make space for new ones.
- NVR/DVR Systems: Cameras connected to a Network Video Recorder (NVR) or Digital Video Recorder (DVR) usually have more storage, but they still have limits. Once full, the system will either stop recording or start overwriting old footage.
- Cloud Storage: Free cloud storage usually saves only a few days’ worth of recordings. To keep videos for longer, you may need to pay for a subscription with more storage.
Manual Deletion
Sometimes, footage is deleted on purpose. Here are some common reasons.
- Freeing Up Space: Users might delete old recordings manually if they’re running out of storage.
- Privacy Concerns: Some people prefer to delete certain clips to protect their privacy.
- Accidental Deletion: Mistakes happen — someone might accidentally erase a video while trying to organize files.
Power and Connectivity Issues
Even though security cameras are designed to capture everything, power outages and internet issues can lead to missing footage.
- Power Outages: If your camera loses power, it stops recording until it turns back on. Unless it has a built-in battery backup, you might lose recordings during the downtime.
- Wi-Fi Disruptions: Cloud-based cameras need an internet connection to upload videos. If your Wi-Fi goes down, the camera might not save anything until it reconnects.
- Hardware Malfunctions: If an SD card gets corrupted or a hard drive fails, stored videos may be lost permanently.
Types of Home Security Cameras and Their Storage Methods
Not all security cameras store footage the same way. Some rely on cloud storage, while others save videos to SD cards or NVR (Network Video Recorder) systems. There’s also a hybrid option that combines both. Each method has its own advantages and limitations.
Let’s go over them.
Cloud-Based Cameras
Image Source: Tom’s Guide
Cloud-based security cameras store footage on remote servers, meaning your recordings are accessible from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. These cameras usually offer different retention periods based on your subscription plan — free plans might keep recordings for 7 days, while paid plans can extend storage to 30, 60, or even 90 days.
Most popular brands, like Ring, Arlo, and Nest, charge a monthly fee to store video clips beyond the free limit. If you don’t renew the subscription, older videos are deleted automatically after the set period.
Pros:
- View footage remotely through an app.
- Since files are stored online, they won’t be lost due to theft or device failure.
- No need to manually transfer files or manage storage.
Cons:
- Requires internet
- Long-term storage usually requires a paid plan.
- Footage is stored on third-party servers, which raises security risks.
Local Storage Cameras (SD Card/NVR)
Image Source: Zosi Blog
Local storage cameras save footage directly to an SD card, hard drive, or NVR system, meaning they don’t need an internet connection to work. Security camera retention period depends on the storage capacity — a 32GB SD card might hold a few days’ worth of recordings, while an NVR with a 1TB hard drive can store weeks or months of footage.
Unlike cloud-based cameras, there’s no subscription fee, but once storage fills up, the system overwrites old recordings unless manually backed up.
Pros:
- No need to pay monthly for storage.
- Ideal for areas with weak Wi-Fi.
- Footage isn’t stored on external servers.
Cons:
- Once full, old footage is deleted automatically.
- You need to be physically near the device to retrieve files.
- If the camera or SD card is stolen, you lose the recordings.
Hybrid Systems (Cloud + Local Storage)
Image Source: The New York Times
Hybrid systems combine the best of both worlds by saving footage locally while also uploading important clips to the cloud. This ensures that even if one storage method fails, you still have a backup.
Most hybrid cameras work by recording continuously to an SD card or NVR, while cloud storage is used for motion-triggered events or important clips. Some brands offer a free tier with limited cloud storage, with subscription plans for extended cloud retention (typically 7 to 60 days).
Pros:
- Even if local storage is lost or damaged, cloud backups remain.
- View cloud footage from anywhere.
- Use cloud for critical events and local storage for continuous recording.
Cons:
- Hybrid systems often require both a storage device and a cloud subscription.
- Requires both internet and local storage management.
- If Wi-Fi is down, cloud recordings won’t be available.
How to Prevent Accidental Deletion of Security Footage
Losing important security footage is frustrating, especially if it’s gone forever. Whether your home security cameras automatically overwrite old recordings or you delete something by mistake, taking a few simple steps can prevent footage deletion and help keep your recordings safe.
Regularly Check Storage Space
One of the main reasons security footage gets deleted is lack of storage space. Many cameras automatically delete older recordings to make room for new ones — this is common in both cloud-based and local storage systems.
To avoid losing important footage.
- Check your storage regularly. Most security camera apps show how much space is left.
- Review retention settings. Some cameras allow you to adjust how long recordings are stored.
- Manually delete unnecessary clips. This frees up space without losing critical videos.
A quick storage check every week can prevent sudden loss of footage and help you control your security camera retention period.
Set Up Alerts for Low Storage
Many modern security cameras offer storage alerts that notify you when space is running low. If your camera has this feature, enabling it ensures you get a warning before recordings are deleted.
How to set up alerts.
- Cloud-Based Cameras: Check your app settings for “storage alerts” or “low space notifications.”
- Local Storage Cameras: Some NVR/DVR systems have built-in alerts for full hard drives. Enable notifications in the system settings.
With alerts in place, you’ll always know when it’s time to clear space or upgrade your security camera storage.
Backup Footage Regularly
Even if your camera has a long retention period, unexpected issues like power failures or accidental deletions can erase important videos. The best way to prevent footage deletion is to backup your recordings regularly.
You can back up security footage in different ways.
- External Hard Drives or USBs: Manually transfer important clips from your NVR, DVR, or SD card.
- Cloud Services: Even if your security camera doesn’t come with cloud storage, you can use Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to upload essential recordings.
- Automated Backups: Some hybrid security systems automatically sync local storage with the cloud.
If you ever need to recover deleted security camera footage, having a backup will save you a lot of trouble.
Upgrade Storage Solutions
If your security footage is being deleted too often, increasing your storage capacity is the easiest fix. More storage means longer retention periods and less risk of losing important recordings.
Here’s how to upgrade your security camera storage.
- Use a larger SD card: Instead of a 32GB card, go for 128GB or higher to store more footage.
- Expand your NVR/DVR storage: Some systems allow you to add external hard drives for extra space.
- Upgrade your cloud plan: Free cloud storage is often limited to 7-30 days — paid plans can extend this to 60 or 90 days.
A simple upgrade can make a big difference in how long your home security cameras store footage before deletion.
Legal Implications of Deleting Security Footage
Security camera footage serves as critical evidence in legal disputes, criminal investigations, and insurance claims. But what happens if footage gets deleted, whether intentionally or accidentally? Depending on the situation, deleting security footage could have serious legal consequences.
Is Deleting Security Footage Illegal?
In most cases, homeowners have the right to manage their own security footage and place cameras where they want. However, if the footage is related to an active investigation or legal case, deleting it might be seen as destruction of evidence, which can lead to legal trouble.
For example, if footage captures a phrogger, car accident, or neighbor dispute, deleting it — especially after someone requests it — is considered obstruction of justice.
So, do home security cameras delete footage? Yes, but if the deletion is intentional and affects an investigation, it has legal consequences. That’s why it’s always a good idea to back up any footage that could be important.
Retention Laws for Security Footage
Laws on how long footage should be kept vary by country and state. In some places, businesses and rental properties are required to store security footage for 30 to 90 days. Homeowners don’t usually have legal storage requirements, but in certain cases — like if footage is requested in a lawsuit or by law enforcement — it’s advised to retain recordings until the case is resolved.
Many security camera storage policies depend on where the footage is stored. For example, cloud-based security camera providers often follow company policies that automatically delete footage after a set time unless users manually extend storage.
How to Protect Yourself Legally
To avoid any legal risks, make sure you understand your security camera retention period and set up automatic backups for important footage. If your home security cameras delete footage too quickly, consider upgrading storage options to ensure key recordings are available when needed.
Even though most homeowners won’t face legal trouble for deleting old recordings, be aware of consequences in situations involving law enforcement, lawsuits, or disputes. Being proactive about saving important footage can help protect you legally and ensure that critical evidence is never lost.
Conclusion
Security cameras are a great way to keep your home safe, but it’s important to know how they handle footage. And if you’re thinkin, “Do home security cameras delete footage? So, yes. It usually happens due to automatic settings, storage limits, or manual deletion. If you’re not careful, you lose important recordings without even realizing it.
To avoid this, regularly check your storage, set up alerts for low space, and back up important footage. If your camera deletes old videos too soon, consider upgrading your storage or cloud plan so you don’t lose anything valuable.
And if you need a security camera with better storage options, check out the best ones to keep your footage safe.
FAQs
How long do security cameras keep footage?
It depends on the type of camera and storage. Some cameras store footage for a few days, while others keep it for weeks or even months. Cloud-based cameras often delete videos after 7 to 30 days, unless you pay for a longer plan. Local storage depends on SD card size or NVR capacity — once full, old recordings are overwritten.
Can deleted footage be recovered?
If a file was erased from an SD card or hard drive, data recovery software might help retrieve it — but only if it hasn’t been overwritten. Cloud storage is trickier — once deleted, it’s usually gone for good unless the provider has a backup system. Regular backups are the best way to avoid losing important footage.
Do security cameras record continuously or only when motion is detected?
Some cameras record 24/7, while others only record when they detect motion to save storage. Most home security cameras let you choose between the two. Continuous recording is great for high-security areas, but motion-based recording helps save space and battery life — making it ideal for homes that don’t need constant monitoring.