How Long to Keep Security Camera Footage
Most camera owners find out how long their system keeps video on the day they need a clip. They open the app, scroll back, and the footage is gone. The recorder did its job. It filled up and wrote over the oldest video, which is what it is built to do.
So how long to keep security camera footage? The answer is not a single number. It depends on how often you check the property, how much the cameras record, and what happens when a drive fails. Here is how to work it out for a home in Collingwood or a cottage you visit on weekends.
How long to keep security camera footage: start with your visits
The best way to set retention is to ask how long it could take you to notice a problem. At a home you live in, you would spot a broken window the same day. At a ski chalet you visit once a month, a break-in might sit unseen for weeks.
A simple rule works well. Keep at least twice the longest gap between visits. If you are away for two weeks at a time, plan for a month. That leaves time to notice, call your insurer, and pull the clip.
For reference, our CCTV systems are sized for 30 or more days of continuous recording by default. Seasonal properties often need more.
What fills a recorder
Retention is the number of days kept before the oldest video is overwritten. Four things set it:
- How many cameras record.
- Resolution. A 4K camera stores far more than a 1080p one.
- Recording mode. Continuous recording fills drives faster than motion-only.
- Activity. A busy driveway records more than a quiet side yard.
Double the days and you roughly double the storage needed. That is why a recorder that held a month in summer can hold less once the cameras are busier.
Winter changes the math
Motion-only recording saves space, but it depends on how much motion there is. Falling snow, headlights from a plough, and branches moving in the wind can all trigger recording. A system that held 40 days in July may hold far fewer in January.
The fix is to check retention after the first few weeks, and again after the first big snowfall. Tune the motion zones so the camera ignores the treeline and watches the door. Put the busiest cameras on motion-only and keep continuous recording for the entries that matter most.
Not every camera needs the same days
How long to keep security camera footage can change from one camera to the next. UniFi Protect, for example, lets you set retention for each camera, flag important clips so they are kept, and export footage for long-term storage.
A common split works like this. Entry doors and the driveway get the longest retention at full quality. A camera on the dock or the back lawn can keep fewer days. That spends storage where it counts.
What happens if the drive fails
Long retention means nothing if the only drive dies. Recorders run 24 hours a day, and drives do wear out. Two habits protect you:
- Redundant storage, so one failed drive does not erase the record.
- Health alerts, so a failed drive or an offline camera gets noticed in days, not months.
Our CCTV installs record to an on-site recorder with redundant storage, and cloud backup is optional if the recorder is stolen or damaged. The wired vs wireless camera guide covers why wired cameras are the more reliable choice.
Save the clip the moment you find it
When something happens, export the clip right away. Do not rely on the recorder to hold it. Save it to your phone or computer, and note the date, time and camera. If police or your insurer ask for it later, you will have it even after the recorder has looped.
Questions we get
How many days of footage should a home security system keep?
At a home you live in, 30 days is a sensible floor. At a cottage or chalet, keep at least twice the longest gap between visits.
Does motion-only recording really save space?
Yes, when the scene is quiet. In winter, snow, wind and headlights can trigger far more recording, so check retention after the first snowfall.
Can some cameras keep video longer than others?
Yes. Many recorders, including UniFi Protect, let you set retention per camera. Give entry doors and the driveway the most days.
What happens to footage when the recorder is full?
It overwrites the oldest video first. That is normal, and it is why the clip you need has to be exported soon after the event.
Should I use cloud storage instead of a recorder?
Local recording is the default for cost and privacy, and cloud backup is a useful extra if the recorder is stolen or damaged. Our security camera page covers both.
Do you install camera systems at cottages in Thornbury and Meaford?
Yes. We install across Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Thornbury, Meaford, Wasaga Beach, Creemore, Craigleith, and Clarksburg. Our cottage security page covers remote properties.
Size it to how you use the property
How long to keep security camera footage comes down to three questions. How long until you would notice a problem? How busy are the cameras in winter? What happens if a drive fails? Answer those, check retention after the first month and again after the first snowfall, and the clip will be there when you need it.
Call 249-444-7793 to book a free design consultation. We will size the recorder for the way you use the property.