Changing your Ring Doorbell plan is simple and can be done directly through the Ring app. Whether you want to upgrade for more features, downgrade to save money, or cancel your subscription, this guide walks you through every step with clear instructions and helpful tips.
Key Takeaways
- Access your plan settings in the Ring app: Open the app, go to your device dashboard, and tap on “Protect Plan” to view or change your subscription.
- Choose the right plan for your needs: Ring offers Basic and Plus plans—Basic covers one device, while Plus covers all devices at one location.
- Upgrade or downgrade anytime: You can switch plans mid-billing cycle; changes take effect at the next billing date.
- Cancel your plan without losing device functionality: Your doorbell will still work for live view and motion alerts, but recordings won’t be saved.
- Use promo codes and family sharing: Take advantage of discounts and share your plan with family members for added value.
- Troubleshoot common issues: If you can’t change your plan, check your internet connection, update the app, or contact Ring support.
- Keep your billing info updated: Ensure your payment method is current to avoid service interruptions.
How to Change Plan on Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
If you own a Ring Doorbell, you already know how convenient it is to see who’s at your door—even when you’re not home. But did you know that your Ring experience can be enhanced (or simplified) by choosing the right Ring Protect plan? Whether you’re looking to upgrade for cloud video storage, downgrade to save money, or cancel your subscription altogether, changing your Ring Doorbell plan is easier than you might think.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about managing your Ring Protect subscription. You’ll learn how to access your plan settings, compare available options, make changes, and troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll feel confident managing your Ring Doorbell plan like a pro—no technical expertise required.
Let’s get started!
Understanding Ring Protect Plans
Visual guide about How to Change Plan on Ring Doorbell
Image source: images.ctfassets.net
Before you change your plan, it’s important to understand what Ring Protect actually offers. Ring Protect is Ring’s subscription service that enables video recording, cloud storage, and advanced features for your doorbell and security cameras.
There are two main plans:
Ring Protect Basic
- Cost: $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year per device
- Coverage: One device (e.g., one doorbell or one camera)
- Features: Video recording, motion alerts, 180-day video history, snapshot capture, and sharing
- Best for: Users with a single Ring device who want basic recording and storage
Ring Protect Plus
- Cost: $10 per month or $100 per year per location
- Coverage: All Ring devices at one location (up to 10 devices)
- Features: Everything in Basic, plus extended 180-day video history, 10% discount on Ring devices, and extended warranty coverage
- Best for: Households with multiple Ring devices or those who want extra perks and peace of mind
Pro Tip: If you have more than one Ring device—like a doorbell and a security camera—Ring Protect Plus is usually the better value. You save money and get more features.
Why Change Your Ring Doorbell Plan?
There are several reasons you might want to change your Ring plan:
- Budget adjustments: You may want to downgrade to save money or upgrade for better features.
- Adding more devices: If you’ve installed additional Ring cameras or doorbells, upgrading to Plus makes sense.
- Moving to a new home: Your plan is tied to a location, so you may need to update it when moving.
- Trying out features: You might want to test the Plus plan for a month to see if it’s worth the cost.
- Canceling due to redundancy: If you’re using another security system, you might not need Ring’s cloud storage.
Whatever your reason, Ring makes it easy to adjust your plan at any time.
How to Access Your Ring Protect Plan Settings
Before you can change your plan, you need to access your subscription settings. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Ring App
- Launch the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account associated with your Ring Doorbell.
- If you have multiple locations, select the correct one from the top menu.
Step 2: Go to Your Device Dashboard
- Tap on the Dashboard icon (usually at the bottom of the screen).
- You’ll see a list of your Ring devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to manage.
Step 3: Access Protect Plan Settings
- Once you’re on the device screen, look for the “Protect Plan” section.
- Tap on it to view your current plan details, including type, billing cycle, and next payment date.
Note: If you don’t see the “Protect Plan” option, make sure your device is online and properly connected to your account.
How to Change Your Ring Doorbell Plan
Now that you’re in the right place, let’s walk through the steps to change your plan.
Step 1: Review Your Current Plan
- On the Protect Plan screen, you’ll see your current plan (Basic or Plus), billing frequency (monthly or yearly), and cost.
- Tap “Change Plan” or “Manage Plan” to proceed.
Step 2: Choose a New Plan
- You’ll be shown a comparison of available plans. Select the one that fits your needs.
- If you’re on Basic and want to upgrade to Plus, tap “Upgrade to Plus”.
- If you’re on Plus and want to downgrade to Basic, tap “Downgrade to Basic”.
- You can also choose to cancel your plan entirely.
Step 3: Confirm Billing Details
- Review the new plan’s cost and billing cycle.
- If you’re switching from monthly to yearly (or vice versa), the change will take effect at the next billing date.
- Make sure your payment method is up to date. You can update it under “Payment Methods” in the app’s settings.
Step 4: Finalize the Change
- Tap “Confirm” or “Save Changes” to complete the process.
- You’ll receive a confirmation message and email summarizing the change.
Important: Plan changes do not take effect immediately. They apply at the start of your next billing cycle. For example, if you change your plan on the 15th of the month and your billing date is the 1st, the new plan will begin on the 1st of the following month.
How to Cancel Your Ring Protect Plan
If you no longer want a Ring Protect subscription, you can cancel it at any time. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to Protect Plan Settings
- Follow the same steps to access your Protect Plan in the Ring app.
Step 2: Select “Cancel Plan”
- Scroll down and tap “Cancel Plan”.
- You may be asked to confirm your reason for canceling (e.g., cost, not using features, etc.).
Step 3: Confirm Cancellation
- Tap “Confirm Cancellation” to finalize.
- Your plan will remain active until the end of your current billing period.
What Happens After Cancellation?
- Your Ring Doorbell will continue to work for live view, motion detection, and two-way talk.
- However, video recordings will no longer be saved to the cloud.
- You’ll lose access to features like video history, snapshot capture, and sharing.
Tip: If you’re unsure about canceling, consider downgrading to Basic first. It’s a low-cost way to keep some recording features.
How to Upgrade from Basic to Plus
Upgrading to Ring Protect Plus is a smart move if you have multiple Ring devices or want extra benefits. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Ring App
- Go to your device dashboard and select any Ring device.
Step 2: Tap “Protect Plan”
- Choose “Upgrade to Plus”.
Step 3: Review the Benefits
- You’ll see a summary of Plus features, including coverage for all devices, extended warranty, and device discounts.
Step 4: Confirm the Upgrade
- Tap “Upgrade Now” and confirm your payment details.
- The upgrade will take effect at your next billing date.
Bonus: Once upgraded, all your Ring devices at that location will be covered—no need to manage individual plans.
How to Downgrade from Plus to Basic
If you’re looking to save money or no longer need Plus features, downgrading is simple:
Step 1: Access Protect Plan Settings
- Go to the Protect Plan section in the app.
Step 2: Select “Downgrade to Basic”
- Choose the Basic plan and confirm your selection.
Step 3: Choose a Device to Cover
- Since Basic covers only one device, you’ll need to select which one (e.g., your front doorbell).
- Other devices will lose recording features unless you add separate Basic plans.
Step 4: Confirm the Downgrade
- Tap “Confirm” to finalize.
- The change will apply at your next billing cycle.
Note: Downgrading may result in losing coverage for some devices. Make sure you’re okay with that before proceeding.
How to Change Billing Frequency (Monthly to Yearly or Vice Versa)
You can also switch between monthly and yearly billing. Yearly plans offer a slight discount.
Step 1: Go to Protect Plan Settings
- Tap on your current plan.
Step 2: Select “Change Billing”
- Choose between monthly or yearly.
Step 3: Confirm the Change
- Tap “Save” to apply the new billing frequency.
- The change takes effect at the next billing date.
Example: If you switch from monthly to yearly, you’ll pay the full annual amount at your next billing date, and your plan will renew annually after that.
Using Promo Codes and Family Sharing
Ring often offers promo codes for discounts on Protect plans. Here’s how to use them:
Applying a Promo Code
- Go to the Ring website or app.
- Navigate to “Account” > “Protect Plans” > “Redeem Promo Code”.
- Enter the code and apply it to your plan.
Family Sharing
- With Ring Protect Plus, you can share your plan with family members.
- Go to “Settings” > “Family Sharing” and invite up to five people.
- They’ll get access to live view and motion alerts, but only the account owner can manage recordings.
Tip: Check Ring’s website or social media for seasonal promotions—especially around Black Friday or Prime Day.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, changing your plan doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
Issue: Can’t Access Protect Plan Settings
- Solution: Make sure your device is online. Restart the Ring app and your phone. If the issue persists, log out and back into your account.
Issue: Plan Change Not Taking Effect
- Solution: Remember that changes apply at the next billing date. Check your billing cycle in the app. If it’s been past the billing date and the change hasn’t applied, contact Ring support.
Issue: Payment Method Declined
- Solution: Update your payment method in the app under “Settings” > “Payment Methods”. Use a valid credit or debit card.
Issue: Can’t Cancel Plan
- Solution: Ensure you’re logged into the correct account. If you’re part of a shared plan, only the account owner can cancel. Contact Ring support if needed.
Issue: Device Not Showing in Plan
- Solution: Re-sync your device in the app. Go to “Devices” > “Device Health” > “Reconnect”.
When to Contact Support: If you’ve tried the above steps and still have issues, visit Ring’s support page or use the in-app chat feature.
Tips for Managing Your Ring Doorbell Plan
Here are some best practices to get the most out of your Ring Protect subscription:
- Review your plan every 6 months: Your needs may change—adjust your plan accordingly.
- Use local storage as a backup: Some Ring devices support microSD cards for local recording (if enabled).
- Enable motion zones: Reduce false alerts and save storage by customizing motion detection areas.
- Check video quality settings: Lower resolution can extend storage life if you’re nearing your limit.
- Keep your app updated: New features and bug fixes are regularly released.
Conclusion
Changing your Ring Doorbell plan is a straightforward process that puts you in control of your home security experience. Whether you’re upgrading for more features, downgrading to save money, or canceling altogether, the Ring app makes it easy to manage your subscription with just a few taps.
Remember, your Ring Doorbell will continue to function for live viewing and alerts even without a Protect plan—so you’re never completely disconnected. But with a plan, you gain valuable tools like video history, cloud storage, and peace of mind.
By following this guide, you now have everything you need to confidently change your Ring Doorbell plan. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the convenience of smart home security—on your terms.