Adding a plan to your Ring Doorbell unlocks powerful features like video recording, cloud storage, and person detection. This guide walks you through every step—from choosing the right Ring Protect plan to activating it in the app—so you can start securing your home with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Protect Plans are optional but highly recommended: Without a plan, your Ring Doorbell only sends live alerts—no recordings or saved videos.
- Two plan tiers are available: Ring Protect Basic covers one device, while Ring Protect Plus covers all Ring devices at your location.
- Plans start at $3.99/month: Affordable pricing makes it easy to add video recording and extended cloud storage.
- Setup is done entirely in the Ring app: No need to call customer service—everything is managed digitally.
- You can cancel anytime: Ring Protect subscriptions are month-to-month with no long-term contracts.
- Free trial available: New users often get a 30-day free trial to test features before paying.
- Works with all Ring Doorbells: From the original Ring Video Doorbell to the latest Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, all models support Ring Protect.
How to Add Plan to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and it’s buzzing with motion alerts—great! But have you noticed that you can’t view past events or save recordings? That’s because your Ring Doorbell isn’t recording anything yet. To unlock video recording, cloud storage, and advanced features like person detection and extended event history, you need to add a plan to your Ring Doorbell.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adding a Ring Protect plan to your Ring Doorbell. Whether you’re a first-time user or upgrading from a free account, we’ll cover how to choose the right plan, activate it in the Ring app, and troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll have full access to your doorbell’s smartest features—and peace of mind knowing your home is being monitored 24/7.
Let’s get started!
Why You Need a Plan for Your Ring Doorbell
Visual guide about How to Add Plan to Ring Doorbell
Image source: miro.medium.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why adding a plan matters.
Your Ring Doorbell works right out of the box—you’ll get motion alerts, live view, and two-way talk without any subscription. But here’s the catch: without a Ring Protect plan, your doorbell won’t record anything. That means no saved videos, no event history, and no way to review what happened when you weren’t home.
Imagine this: a package is stolen from your porch. You get a motion alert, but when you check the app, there’s no recording—just a blank screen. Frustrating, right? With a Ring Protect plan, that same event would be saved to the cloud, giving you video evidence and the ability to share it with neighbors or law enforcement.
Beyond recording, Ring Protect plans also unlock:
– Person Detection: Get smarter alerts that distinguish between people and animals or vehicles.
– Extended Event History: View up to 180 days of past events (vs. just 60 days with no plan).
– Video Sharing: Easily share clips via email, text, or social media.
– Snapshot Capture: See still images between motion events.
– Cloud Storage: All recordings are securely stored online, so you never lose footage.
In short, a Ring Protect plan transforms your doorbell from a simple alert system into a full-featured home security tool.
Understanding Ring Protect Plans: Basic vs. Plus
Ring offers two subscription tiers: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Choosing the right one depends on how many Ring devices you have and your budget.
Ring Protect Basic
- Cost: $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year (save $8 with annual billing)
- Covers: One Ring device (e.g., one doorbell or one camera)
- Features: Video recording, cloud storage, person detection, extended event history, and video sharing
- Best for: Users with only one Ring device or who want to test the service
Ring Protect Plus
- Cost: $10 per month or $100 per year (save $20 with annual billing)
- Covers: All Ring devices at a single location (up to 10 devices)
- Features: Everything in Basic, plus 24/7 professional monitoring, extended warranty, and discounts on Ring hardware
- Best for: Users with multiple Ring devices (doorbell, cameras, alarms) or who want full home security coverage
Pro Tip: If you have more than one Ring device, Ring Protect Plus is almost always the better value. For example, two doorbells with Basic plans would cost $7.98/month, while Plus covers both (and more) for just $10/month.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Adding a plan to your Ring Doorbell is done entirely through the Ring app—no need to visit a website or call support. Here’s how to get started:
Download or Open the Ring App
If you haven’t already, download the Ring app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). It’s free and takes just a few minutes to install.
Once installed, open the app and log in with your Ring account credentials. If you don’t have an account, tap “Create Account” and follow the prompts to set one up using your email and a secure password.
Ensure Your Doorbell Is Set Up
Before adding a plan, make sure your Ring Doorbell is properly installed and connected to your Wi-Fi network. You should see it listed on the home screen of the app.
If your doorbell isn’t showing up, go to Devices > Add Device > Doorbells and follow the setup instructions. You’ll need to scan the QR code on your doorbell and connect it to your home network.
Step 2: Navigate to the Subscription Section
Once your doorbell is online and visible in the app, it’s time to add a plan.
Go to the Menu
Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-left corner of the app to open the main menu.
Select “Protect Plans”
Scroll down and tap “Protect Plans”. This will take you to the subscription management page.
Here, you’ll see an overview of your current plan (likely “No Plan” if you’re new) and options to add or upgrade.
Step 3: Choose Your Ring Protect Plan
On the Protect Plans screen, you’ll see both the Basic and Plus options. Tap the one that best fits your needs.
Review Plan Details
Before selecting, take a moment to review what’s included. The app will show:
– Monthly and annual pricing
– Number of devices covered
– Key features like recording and cloud storage
Select “Subscribe” or “Start Free Trial”
If you’re eligible, you may see a “Start Free Trial” button—usually a 30-day trial for new users. This lets you test the service risk-free.
If there’s no trial, tap “Subscribe” to proceed.
Step 4: Enter Payment Information
Now it’s time to enter your payment details.
Add a Payment Method
You’ll be prompted to add a credit or debit card. Ring accepts all major cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. Make sure the information matches what your bank has on file.
Choose Billing Cycle
Select whether you want to pay monthly or annually. Annual billing saves you money—$8 off Basic and $20 off Plus.
Confirm Subscription
Review your plan, payment method, and billing cycle. Then tap “Subscribe” to confirm.
You’ll see a confirmation message, and your plan will activate immediately.
Step 5: Verify Your Plan Is Active
After subscribing, it’s important to confirm that your plan is working.
Check the Protect Plans Screen
Go back to Menu > Protect Plans. You should now see your active plan listed with the correct tier and billing date.
Test a Recording
Walk in front of your doorbell to trigger a motion event. Wait a few seconds, then open the app and tap on the event.
You should now see a play button and be able to view the recorded video. If you see “No Video Available,” wait a few minutes—sometimes it takes time for the first recording to process.
Enable Smart Alerts (Optional)
With a plan, you can customize your alerts. Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings > Smart Alerts and toggle on “People Only Mode” to reduce false alarms.
Managing Your Ring Protect Subscription
Once your plan is active, you can manage it anytime through the app.
View or Change Your Plan
Go to Menu > Protect Plans to see your current plan, next billing date, and payment method.
To upgrade from Basic to Plus, tap “Upgrade” and follow the prompts.
Update Payment Method
If your card expires or you want to switch payment methods, tap “Payment Method” and add a new card.
Cancel Your Subscription
You can cancel anytime with no penalties. Tap “Cancel Subscription” and confirm. Your plan will remain active until the end of the current billing period.
Note: Cancelling removes access to recordings and cloud features immediately after the billing period ends.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Adding a plan is usually smooth, but sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how to fix common problems.
“No Video Available” After Adding Plan
If you can’t view recordings after subscribing:
– Wait 5–10 minutes—first recordings can take time to upload.
– Check your Wi-Fi signal strength. Weak signals cause upload failures.
– Restart your doorbell by removing it from the mount for 10 seconds, then reattaching.
– Ensure motion recording is enabled in Device Settings > Motion Settings.
Payment Declined
If your card is declined:
– Verify the card details are correct.
– Ensure the card has sufficient funds.
– Try a different card or contact your bank.
– Use a different billing address if prompted.
Plan Not Showing as Active
If the app still shows “No Plan” after subscribing:
– Force close and reopen the Ring app.
– Log out and log back in.
– Check your internet connection.
– Contact Ring Support via the app if the issue persists.
Can’t Find the Protect Plans Option
If you don’t see “Protect Plans” in the menu:
– Make sure you’re logged into the correct account.
– Update the Ring app to the latest version.
– Your device may not be eligible (e.g., older models without cloud support).
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Ring Protect Plan
Now that your plan is active, here are some tips to maximize its value:
Use Person Detection
Enable People Only Mode to reduce false alerts from cars, animals, or wind. This keeps your notifications relevant and saves battery.
Set Up Motion Zones
Customize where your doorbell detects motion. For example, exclude your busy street and focus on your front walkway.
Review Event History Regularly
Check your event timeline weekly to spot patterns—like frequent visitors or suspicious activity.
Share Videos When Needed
If you see something important, tap the share icon to send the clip to neighbors, family, or law enforcement.
Take Advantage of the Free Trial
If you’re unsure about subscribing, use the 30-day free trial to test all features. Cancel before the trial ends if it’s not for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ring Protect Plans
Can I use my Ring Doorbell without a plan?
Yes, but you’ll only get live alerts and two-way talk—no recordings or saved videos.
Do I need a plan for each doorbell?
With Ring Protect Basic, yes—each device needs its own plan. With Plus, one plan covers all devices at your location.
Is there a contract?
No. Ring Protect is a month-to-month subscription with no long-term commitment.
Can I pause my plan?
No, but you can cancel anytime. Your access continues until the end of the billing period.
Does the plan work with Alexa?
Yes. With a plan, you can view recordings on Echo Show devices and get richer notifications.
Conclusion
Adding a plan to your Ring Doorbell is one of the best things you can do to enhance your home security. While the doorbell works without a subscription, you’re missing out on essential features like video recording, cloud storage, and smart alerts—tools that can make all the difference when it matters most.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to choose the right Ring Protect plan, activate it in the app, and troubleshoot common issues. Whether you go with Basic for one device or Plus for full home coverage, you’re now equipped to monitor your property like a pro.
Remember: your Ring Doorbell is more than just a doorbell—it’s a smart security system. And with a Ring Protect plan, it’s working at its full potential.
So go ahead, add that plan, and start recording. Your future self will thank you.