Changing ownership on your Ring Doorbell is essential when selling your home, gifting the device, or handing it over to a new user. This guide walks you through the complete process—from preparing your account to confirming the transfer—ensuring a smooth, secure handover without losing valuable settings or recordings.
Key Takeaways
- Only the current owner can initiate a transfer: You must be logged into the Ring app as the primary account holder to begin the ownership change process.
- Both parties need Ring accounts: The new owner must have a verified Ring account before the transfer can be completed.
- All device data remains intact: Your recordings, motion zones, and settings are preserved during the transfer, so the new owner gets a fully functional device.
- Wi-Fi credentials are not transferred: The new owner will need to reconnect the doorbell to their home network after the transfer.
- Subscription plans do not transfer automatically: Any active Ring Protect Plan must be canceled or transferred separately through Ring support.
- Factory reset is not required: Unlike some smart devices, Ring allows seamless ownership transfer without wiping the device.
- Transfer works across most Ring models: This process applies to Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Elite, and Ring Doorbell 2/3/4/Wired.
How to Change Ownership on Ring Doorbell
So, you’ve decided to pass on your Ring Doorbell—maybe you’re moving, upgrading, or gifting it to a friend or family member. Whatever the reason, transferring ownership doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, Ring has made the process surprisingly straightforward, designed to keep your smart home security intact while giving the new owner full control.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of changing ownership on your Ring Doorbell. Whether you’re handing over a Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, or any other model, the process is nearly identical. You’ll learn how to prepare your account, initiate the transfer, guide the new owner through setup, and troubleshoot common issues—all without losing your recordings or compromising security.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be confident in transferring your Ring Doorbell smoothly and securely, ensuring the new owner gets a fully functional device with all the smart features they expect.
Why Change Ownership on a Ring Doorbell?
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why ownership transfer matters. Ring Doorbells are tied to individual Ring accounts, which control access to live view, motion alerts, recordings, and device settings. If you simply unplug the doorbell and give it away, the new user won’t be able to use it properly—they’ll see error messages, fail to connect, or miss important alerts.
Changing ownership ensures:
– The new user can access live video and motion alerts.
– Recordings are saved to their Ring account.
– They can customize motion zones, notifications, and chime settings.
– The device appears in their Ring app dashboard.
Without a proper transfer, the doorbell remains locked to your account, rendering it nearly useless to anyone else. That’s why following the official transfer process is so important.
What You’ll Need Before Starting
Before initiating the ownership change, make sure you have the following:
- A verified Ring account: You must be logged in as the current owner.
- The new owner’s email address: They must have a Ring account registered with that email.
- Access to your smartphone or tablet: The Ring app is required for the transfer.
- The Ring Doorbell installed and online: The device must be connected to Wi-Fi and functioning.
- The new owner’s Ring app installed: They should have the app ready on their device.
It’s also a good idea to check that both accounts are in good standing—no suspended services or unpaid subscriptions. If the new owner doesn’t have a Ring account yet, they can download the app and create one for free at ring.com.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Ownership
Now that you’re prepared, let’s go through the transfer process step by step. This method works for all Ring Doorbell models, including the original Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell 2, 3, 4, Wired, Pro, and Elite.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account that currently owns the doorbell. If you have multiple devices, ensure you’re viewing the correct one.
Tap on the three-line menu icon (☰) in the top-left corner of the screen. This opens the main navigation menu.
Step 2: Select Your Device
From the menu, tap on Devices. You’ll see a list of all Ring devices linked to your account. Find your doorbell in the list and tap on it to open the device dashboard.
Once inside, you’ll see live view (if enabled), motion history, and settings options.
Step 3: Access Device Settings
In the device dashboard, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. Tap it to open the device settings menu.
Scroll down until you find the option labeled Remove Device or Transfer Device. Depending on your app version, it may say “Remove from Account” or “Transfer Ownership.”
Tap on this option to begin the transfer process.
Step 4: Choose “Transfer to Another User”
You’ll now see a prompt asking what you’d like to do with the device. Select Transfer to Another User. This is different from “Remove Device,” which would factory reset it and disconnect it from your account without transferring ownership.
Ring will ask you to confirm that you want to transfer the device. Tap Continue or Next to proceed.
Step 5: Enter the New Owner’s Email
Now, you’ll need to enter the email address associated with the new owner’s Ring account. This must be the exact email they used to register.
Double-check the spelling—typos are a common cause of transfer failures. If the email is incorrect, the transfer will fail, and you’ll need to restart the process.
Once you’ve entered the email, tap Send Transfer Request.
Step 6: Notify the New Owner
After sending the request, Ring will notify the new owner via email and in-app notification (if they’re logged in). They’ll receive a message like:
“[Your Name] has invited you to take ownership of a Ring Video Doorbell. Accept this invitation to start using the device.”
The new owner must open the Ring app and accept the invitation. If they don’t have the app, they’ll be prompted to download it and create an account.
Step 7: New Owner Accepts the Transfer
On the new owner’s side, they should:
– Open the Ring app.
– Look for a notification or go to Devices > Add Device.
– Tap on the pending transfer invitation.
– Confirm acceptance.
Once accepted, the doorbell will appear in their device list. They’ll now have full control over the device, including live view, motion settings, and recording access.
Step 8: Reconnect to Wi-Fi (If Needed)
Here’s an important step many people overlook: the doorbell will still be connected to your Wi-Fi network. The new owner must reconnect it to their own network.
To do this:
– The new owner opens the Ring app.
– Selects the transferred doorbell.
– Goes to Device Settings > Wi-Fi Network.
– Follows the in-app instructions to connect to their home Wi-Fi.
This step is crucial. Without it, the doorbell won’t function properly on the new network.
Step 9: Test the Device
Once connected to the new Wi-Fi, the new owner should test the doorbell:
– Press the button to trigger a live view.
– Check motion alerts by walking in front of the sensor.
– Review recent recordings in the event history.
If everything works, the transfer is complete!
What Happens to Your Data?
A common concern is what happens to your recordings and settings during the transfer. Here’s the good news: all device data remains intact.
– Recordings: All past recordings are preserved and will be accessible to the new owner under their account.
– Motion Zones: Custom motion zones you set up will carry over.
– Chime Settings: If you used a Ring Chime or Chime Pro, those settings transfer as well.
– Device Name and Location: The name you gave the doorbell (e.g., “Front Door”) stays the same.
However, any personalized alerts or shared users (like family members with access) will be removed. Only the new owner will have access unless they choose to share it again.
Subscription Plans and Ring Protect
One area that requires special attention is your Ring Protect Plan—the subscription service that enables video recording and cloud storage.
Important: Subscription plans do not transfer automatically with the device.
If you have an active Ring Protect Plan:
– It will remain tied to your account.
– The new owner will not have access to recordings unless they subscribe.
You have two options:
1. Cancel your plan: If you no longer need it, cancel through the Ring app under Account Settings > Protect Plan.
2. Transfer the plan: Contact Ring Support to request a plan transfer. This is not automated and may require verification.
The new owner can start a free trial of Ring Protect when they accept the device, giving them 30 days to decide if they want to subscribe.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear instructions, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Transfer Request Not Received
If the new owner doesn’t see the transfer invitation:
– Check that the email address was entered correctly.
– Ask them to check their spam or promotions folder.
– Ensure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
– Try resending the request from your app.
“Device Not Found” Error
If the new owner sees this error after accepting:
– The doorbell may still be connected to your Wi-Fi.
– Have them go to Device Settings > Wi-Fi Network and reconnect.
– If that fails, try restarting the doorbell by removing it from the mount and reinserting it.
App Crashes or Freezes
If the Ring app becomes unresponsive during the transfer:
– Close and reopen the app.
– Restart your phone or tablet.
– Ensure the app is updated to the latest version.
New Owner Can’t Access Live View
If live view fails after transfer:
– Confirm the doorbell is online (green light on the device).
– Check that the new owner has accepted the transfer.
– Reconnect to Wi-Fi as described earlier.
Device Still Shows Under Your Account
If the doorbell remains in your device list:
– The transfer may not have completed.
– Go back to Device Settings > Transfer Device and resend the request.
– Ensure the new owner has accepted the invitation.
Tips for a Smooth Transfer
To make the process as easy as possible, keep these tips in mind:
- Communicate clearly: Let the new owner know what to expect and when to check their email or app.
- Do it together: If possible, complete the transfer while both of you are present. This helps troubleshoot issues in real time.
- Update the device name: After transfer, the new owner can rename the device to match their home (e.g., “Back Door” instead of “Front Door”).
- Remove shared users: If you shared access with family or friends, they’ll lose access after the transfer. Inform them in advance.
- Check for firmware updates: After reconnecting to Wi-Fi, the new owner should check for updates under Device Health > Firmware Version.
When to Contact Ring Support
Most transfers go smoothly, but if you encounter persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ring Support. They can help with:
– Failed transfers due to account errors.
– Subscription plan transfers.
– Device connectivity problems after transfer.
– Questions about data retention.
You can contact Ring Support through the app (Menu > Help & Support) or visit support.ring.com.
Final Thoughts
Changing ownership on your Ring Doorbell is a smart, secure way to pass on your device without losing functionality or data. Whether you’re selling your home, upgrading to a new model, or gifting the doorbell to a loved one, following the official transfer process ensures a seamless handover.
Remember: only the current owner can initiate the transfer, both parties need Ring accounts, and Wi-Fi reconnection is essential. With these steps, you can confidently transfer your Ring Doorbell and give the new owner a fully functional smart security device.
By taking the time to do it right, you’re not just passing on a gadget—you’re passing on peace of mind.