The Ring Doorbell is priced at $200; it looks just like any other doorbell for the most part. However, it comes with an integrated video camera to allow you to see who’s at the door–from your smartphone–even if you are not at your house. This article will show you how to install and set up the Ring Doorbell quickly and easily.
The Ring Doorbell is unlike a normal doorbell, it doesn’t need to be wired to your existing system, though that option is available, as well. Instead, this is a battery-powered device that has the ability to operate independently and wirelessly, you can also get a handful of Wi-Fi-connected chimes (these are sold separately) to plug in all around the house. If you are not wiring it into your existing system, you will want to get the doorbell, along with the $30 Chime to make sure you hear the doorbell when it has been rung.
It’s fairly easy to install, as all it involves is screwing in a bracket to the exterior wall of the house. Let’s begin.
Step One: Set Up the Ring Video Doorbell Using the Application
Unlike the majority of devices that require an install first and the app setup last, the Ring Doorbell takes the other way around. You will first need to set up the Ring Doorbell via the app, which is available for both iOS as well as Android.
- After the app is installed, open it, then tap on “Set Up a Device”.
- From here, you will begin the process of creating a Ring account. First, you have to start by entering in your first and last name, then tap on “Continue”.
- On the next screen, enter your email address, you will also have to create a password for the account. Tap on “Continue” after finishing.
- After this, choose the Ring device that you are setting up. In this article we are setting up the Ring Video Doorbell, so we will be clicking on “Video Doorbell” from the list.
- If you want to give your Ring Doorbell a name, you can do so by selecting a pre-made one. OR. Tapping on “Custom” to enter in your custom name.
- The Ring will then require your location. This is required to get an accurate timestamp for the videos it captures whenever motion is detected. OR. For when the doorbell is rung. Confirm your location, then tap on “Continue”.
- Grab your Ring Doorbell unit, then press the orange button, it can be found on the back of the device. Tap on “Continue” (in the app). The light around the doorbell will start to spin.
- Next, if you’re on iPhone, you will have to open the Settings app, tap on “Wi-Fi”, then connect to “Ring-xxxxxx”. (If you are using an Android device you can skip this step.)
- After you’ve connected, visit back the Ring app. Choose your home’s Wi-Fi network from the provided list, then type in the password.
- The Ring Doorbell will take a few moments to connect to the Wi-Fi network
- Tap on “Continue”.
- On the next screen, you can add other family members. You can share access with them by adding their email address to send them an invite to join. If not, tap on “Skip This Step”.
- You will receive a free 30-day trial of Ring’s cloud recording service. This saves any recordings for up to six months. After the free trial ends, it costs $3 per month or $30 per year. If not, the Ring Doorbell will only allow a live view of the camera.
- You can either tap on “Learn More” at the bottom or “Close” in the top-right corner to go ahead.
- After that, your Ring Doorbell will be set up, you will be redirected to the main screen where all of the recordings will appear. You have the ability to filter them by only showing recorded events when someone pushed the doorbell button. OR. When a motion was detected.
If you tap on your Ring Doorbell unit at the top, it will display different settings as well as options that you can use to customize the Ring Doorbell. This includes customizing alerts, adding shared users, along changing the motion settings.
Step Two: Installing the Ring Video Doorbell
- After you have set the Ring Video Doorbell up, you can start using it to receive alerts also to record videos. However, it still needs to be mounted outside next to the front door. Thankfully, this process is pretty easy it doesn’t require any wiring.
- You have to start by removing the orange stickers that are covering the mounting plate.
- Then, take the mounting plate and hold it where you want your Ring Video Doorbell. Utilize the leveler that is included to make it level.
- Then, drill four pilot holes using a power drill, this is where the four screws will go. Make sure to hold the mounting plate steady, try not to move it around while doing this. If you have a concrete/brick wall, you can use the included drill bit to make your pilot holes, then hammer in the included wall anchors before you drive the screws in. If you have a wood/vinyl exterior, you can use a simple small drill bit if you have one.
- Attach the plate to the wall using the provided screws while using the power drill. Make sure to remove the orange leveler from the plate.
- Then, take your Ring Doorbell unit, and line it up with the mounting plate. The small hooks on the plate are what the unit will latch on to, so place the Ring Doorbell device on the mounting plate, then press down to clip the unit.
- Then, take the included Torx screwdriver bit, drive in the two security screws, and they go on the bottom of the device. This will prevent people from taking off the Ring Doorbell unit haphazardly. Though all they need is a Torx screwdriver, luckily Ring will replace any stolen Ring Doorbell for free.
- Now it’s good to go, you can now begin to use the Ring Doorbell.
If wanted, you can install the Ring Video Doorbell by taking the wiring from the traditional doorbell, then hooking it up to the Ring so that your existing doorbell chime will sound whenever it is rung. The instructions will guide you through the process, however, more likely than not, you will probably have to re-route the wires to connect them to the Ring Doorbell, which isn’t easy. However, it serves as an option.
Step Three: You can Install and Setup the Ring Chime (This is an optional step)
If you choose not to take your existing doorbell wires to connect them to the Ring Doorbell. You can buy Ring’s $30 Chime; it plugs into any outlet and emits a ding-dong noise whenever it is pressed. Without this, you would just get notifications on your phone, so you will probably require the Chime.
If you want to set it up, the process is similar to the Ring Doorbell itself.
- Open the Ring app on your phone, then tap on “Add Device” at the top.
- Choose “Chime” from the available list.
- Plugin the Chime into any outlet, then tap on “Continue”.
- If you want give the Chime a name by choosing a pre-made one. OR. Tap on “Custom” to enter your name.
- Next, the Ring will require your location. Confirm your location, then tap on “Continue”.
- Then, wait for the Chime’s light to blink slowly. When it does, it means it is ready to be set up. Tap on “Continue” in the application.
- If you’re on iPhone, you will have to close the Ring app temporarily to open the Settings app. Tap on “Wi-Fi”, then connect to “Chime-xxxxxx”. (If you’re using an Android device skip this step.)
- Afterward, open the Ring app, then it will begin searching for Wi-Fi networks to connect to.
- Tap on your home’s Wi-Fi network, then enter the password. Tap on “Continue”.
- The Chime will take a few moments to connect to the Wi-Fi.
- On the next screen, you can set up when you want the Chime to ring. “Call Alerts” signify when the doorbell is pressed. “Motion Alerts” signify when the Ring Doorbell detects motion, it is even when the doorbell isn’t pressed. After you select one or both of them, tap on “Done”.
- Tap on “Continue”.
- The Chime will be set up it will appear at the top of the main screen in the Ring app. If you tap on it, it will reveal settings for the device.
- From here, you can adjust the volume, and tap on “Test Sound” to see how loud it is. If you tap on “Linked Doorbells” it will let you change alert settings.
- After that’s set up, you are welcome to use the future of doorbells.
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