Create/edit a video recording rule
Notice: For Canadian Dealers, text based notifications to Bell subscribers will be degraded on December 31, 2025, due to changes in how Bell handles messaging. For phones with Bell, it is recommended to set up Push Notifications. For more information about configuring push devices and notifications, see Configure mobile push notification devices. For more information about the Bell SMS/MMS notification sunset, see Bell text messaging notification sunset.
Note: As of February 2023, newly created video accounts no longer have the option to create Video Motion Detection (VMD) recording rules.
Video recording rules determine when a video device records a clip. Most recording rules can only be created and edited using the Alarm.com customer website. The only exception is Video Analytics rules which can be created and edited using either the Alarm.com customer website or Alarm.com app.
Recording rules can be viewed, paused, and resumed using the Alarm.com customer website or Alarm.com app. For more information about pausing and resuming recording rules, see Pause or resume a video recording rule.
Note: For customers with a security panel, an Alarm recording rule is created for each camera by default to record during alarms.
Recording rule types
The type of recording rules the user can create depends on the video camera model and what other devices are associated with their system. The user can create camera-triggered or event-triggered recording rules. For more information about the difference between camera-triggered and event-triggered clips, see What are the differences between Camera triggered clips and Event triggered clips?.
SkyBell Doorbell Cameras can have recording rules based on doorbell button presses and doorbell motion detection. Those recording rules cannot be customized to time-of-day or panel arming state.
To create a recording rule:
Note: The configuration process for a Video Analytics rule is different from other recording rules. For more information about configuring a Video Analytics rule, see Configure a Video Analytics rule.|
- Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
- Click Video.
- Click Recording Rules.
- Click Add New Rule.
- Click to select the type of rule to create. The rule types made available are based on what is enrolled on their system (e.g., Alarm, Video Motion Detection (VMD), Sensor Opened or Closed, etc.).
- Enter a name for the recording rule.
- Configure the rule settings as desired. Rule settings depend on which rule is being created.
- In Video Clip Recipients, click Add if the user wants to receive notifications.
- Click to select the entries in the Address book to be notified, or click New to add a new Address Book entry.
- Click Close.
- Using the recipient's dropdown menu, select one of the following:
- To receive a notification containing only text, click Text Only.
- To receive the captured video clip attached in the notification, click Attach a Video Clip.
Note: The ability to receive video clips in an SMS text or email notification depends if the service provider allows video emails. The data charges by cellular service providers can be significant for using video features on cell phones. - To receive a thumbnail image of the captured video clip attached in the notification, click Attach a Thumbnail.
- For more information about the different types of notifications, see What are the different types of video recording rule notifications?.
- Verify the recording rule is configured with the desired settings.
- Click Save Rule.
At home settings
The at-home settings are designed to stop camera-triggered recording rules temporarily while the user is on the premises. The user can choose to disable the recording rule while the system is disarmed or armed stay, or when the user's Geo-Device is in a specific location.
Note: If the location has a security system with multiple partitions, the at-home settings only apply to the first/main partition.
View, edit, or delete recording rules
To view, edit, or delete recording rules using the Alarm.com customer website:
- Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
- Click Video.
- Click Recording Rules.
- Click
to edit the rule or 
to delete the rule.
To view, edit, or delete recording rules using the Alarm.com app:
- Log in to the Alarm.com app.
- Tap Video.
- Tap
. - Tap Recording Rules.
- Tap to edit the rule or to delete the rule.
Note: Only select rules can be deleted or edited using the Alarm.com app. If the option to edit or delete the rule is missing on the Alarm.com app, it must be adjusted using the Alarm.com customer website instead.
Note: Some carriers may have restrictions that prevent Alarm.com from delivering SMS notifications, or limit the ability to attach video clips to messages, and the use of video features may incur data charges by your cellular provider. For more information about SMS limitation see Customer is not receiving notifications.