Changing your Ring doorbell chime tone is simple and can be done directly from the Ring app. This guide walks you through customizing both indoor and outdoor chimes, adjusting volume, and troubleshooting common issues—so you’ll never miss a visitor again.
Key Takeaways
- Step-by-step: Easy to follow instructions
How to Change Ring Doorbell Chime Tone: A Complete Guide
Your Ring doorbell does more than just alert you when someone’s at the door—it can also play a tone that fits your style, mood, or home environment. Whether you’re tired of the default “ding-dong” or want something more unique, changing your Ring doorbell chime tone is quick, easy, and completely customizable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of changing your Ring doorbell chime tone, from accessing the settings in the app to troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll know how to personalize your doorbell’s sound, adjust volume levels, and ensure your chime works perfectly every time.
This guide covers all Ring doorbell models—including the Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2, Ring Doorbell 3, Ring Doorbell 4, Ring Doorbell Pro, and Ring Doorbell Elite—as well as how to use Ring Chime and Chime Pro accessories for enhanced audio. Whether you’re a first-time Ring user or a longtime owner looking to refresh your setup, you’ll find everything you need right here.
Why Change Your Ring Doorbell Chime Tone?
You might be wondering: Why bother changing the chime tone? After all, the default sound works just fine, right? While that’s true, customizing your chime offers several benefits:
Visual guide about How to Change Ring Doorbell Chime Tone
Image source: smarthomefreak.com
- Personalization: Your home should reflect your personality. A unique chime tone makes your doorbell feel more like yours.
- Hearing clarity: Some tones are easier to hear from different rooms or through background noise. A louder or more distinct tone can help you never miss a visitor.
- Family preferences: Kids, roommates, or elderly family members might prefer a softer or more familiar sound.
- Seasonal fun: Change your tone for holidays—like a jingle bell for Christmas or a spooky tone for Halloween.
- Multiple entry points: If you have more than one Ring doorbell, different tones help you identify which door someone is at.
Plus, it only takes a few taps in the app—so why not give it a try?
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before diving into the steps, make sure you have the following:
- A smartphone or tablet with the Ring app installed (available on iOS and Android)
- Your Ring account login credentials
- Your Ring doorbell powered on and connected to Wi-Fi
- (Optional) A Ring Chime or Chime Pro if you want louder or more customizable indoor alerts
All tone changes are made through the Ring app, so you won’t need any tools or physical access to the doorbell itself. Just make sure your device is online and the app is up to date.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Ring Doorbell Chime Tone
Now, let’s get into the actual process. Follow these steps to change your Ring doorbell chime tone in under five minutes.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Launch the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password to access your account.
Once inside, you’ll see a dashboard with all your Ring devices. Look for your doorbell—it should appear as a tile with a live preview or recent activity.
Step 2: Select Your Doorbell Device
Tap on the doorbell tile to open its control panel. This will bring up options like Live View, Motion Settings, and Device Settings.
Look for the gear icon (⚙️) or the words “Device Settings” and tap it. This is where all your customization options live.
Step 3: Navigate to Chime Settings
In the Device Settings menu, scroll down until you find the Chime Settings section. Depending on your model, this might be labeled as “Chime Tones,” “Doorbell Sounds,” or “Audio Settings.”
Tap on it to open the chime customization options.
Step 4: Choose a New Chime Tone
Here’s where the fun begins! Ring offers a variety of built-in chime tones to choose from. As of 2024, you can select from:
- Classic Ding-Dong
- Modern Chime
- Wind Chimes
- Piano Note
- Bell Tower
- Gentle Chime
- Alert Tone
- Holiday Jingle (seasonal)
- Spooky Tone (seasonal)
Tap on any tone to preview it. You’ll hear a short sample so you can decide if you like it.
Pro Tip: If you have a Ring Chime or Chime Pro connected, you’ll see even more tone options and the ability to set different tones for different times of day.
Step 5: Adjust the Chime Volume
Below the tone selection, you’ll find a Volume Slider. This controls how loud the indoor chime will play when someone presses the doorbell.
Drag the slider left for quieter or right for louder. The volume range typically goes from 0 (silent) to 10 (maximum).
Note: The volume setting only affects the indoor chime (or Ring Chime accessory). The sound played by the doorbell itself (the external “ding”) is fixed and cannot be adjusted via the app.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
Once you’ve selected your preferred tone and volume, tap Save or Done at the top right of the screen.
The app will sync the new settings with your doorbell. This usually takes just a few seconds.
Step 7: Test the New Chime
To make sure everything worked, use the Test Chime feature. This is usually found right below the tone selection or in a separate “Test” button.
Tap it, and your doorbell should play the new tone at the volume you set. If you don’t hear anything, check your troubleshooting steps below.
Using Ring Chime or Chime Pro for Enhanced Audio
If you want louder, clearer, or more customizable chimes, consider adding a Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro to your setup. These are standalone devices that plug into any wall outlet and sync with your Ring doorbell to play chimes indoors.
Why Use a Ring Chime?
- Louder sound: Ideal for larger homes or noisy environments.
- More tone options: Access exclusive chimes not available on the doorbell alone.
- Custom schedules: Set different tones for daytime, nighttime, or weekends.
- Multiple chimes: Place Chimes in different rooms (e.g., kitchen, bedroom) so you always hear the doorbell.
How to Set Up Ring Chime with Your Doorbell
Setting up a Ring Chime is simple:
- Plug the Chime into a wall outlet within range of your Wi-Fi.
- Open the Ring app and go to Devices > Add Device.
- Select Chime and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Pair it with your doorbell when prompted.
- Once connected, go to your doorbell’s Chime Settings and choose your tone and volume.
Now, when someone presses your doorbell, the Chime will play your selected tone—even if your phone is on silent.
Advanced Customization Tips
Want to take your chime customization to the next level? Here are some advanced tips:
Set Different Tones for Different Times
With a Ring Chime Pro, you can create custom schedules. For example:
- Play a soft “Gentle Chime” at night to avoid waking kids.
- Use a loud “Alert Tone” during the day when you’re working from home.
- Switch to a “Holiday Jingle” during December.
To set this up, go to your Chime’s settings in the app, tap Schedule, and create time-based rules.
Use Motion-Activated Chimes
Some Ring models allow you to enable motion-activated chimes. This means the chime will play not only when the doorbell is pressed, but also when motion is detected at the door.
To enable this, go to Device Settings > Motion Settings > Motion Alerts, and toggle on “Chime on Motion.”
Note: This can increase battery usage on wireless models, so use it wisely.
Sync with Alexa for Voice Alerts
If you have an Amazon Echo device, you can sync your Ring doorbell with Alexa for voice announcements.
For example, when someone rings the doorbell, Alexa can say: “Someone is at the front door.”
To enable this:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Go to Skills & Games and search for “Ring.”
- Enable the Ring skill and link your account.
- Say, “Alexa, discover devices.”
- Once linked, go to Settings > Doorbell Press Announcements and customize the message.
This is especially helpful if you’re in a basement or backyard and can’t hear the chime.
Troubleshooting Common Chime Issues
Sometimes, your new chime tone might not play as expected. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.
Problem: No Sound When Doorbell Is Pressed
Possible Causes & Fixes:
- Volume is set to 0: Go back to Chime Settings and increase the volume.
- Chime is muted in app: Check if “Silent Mode” is enabled under Chime Settings.
- Wi-Fi connection is weak: Move your doorbell closer to the router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
- Battery is low (wireless models): Charge or replace the battery.
- Ring Chime is unplugged: Make sure the Chime is plugged in and the outlet has power.
Problem: Chime Plays Old Tone After Change
This usually means the app didn’t sync properly.
Solution:
- Close and reopen the Ring app.
- Go back to Chime Settings and reselect your desired tone.
- Tap Save and wait 10–15 seconds.
- Test the chime again.
If it still doesn’t work, try restarting your phone and router.
Problem: Chime Is Too Quiet
Solutions:
- Increase the volume slider in the app.
- Move the Ring Chime to a central location (e.g., hallway or living room).
- Use a Ring Chime Pro, which has a built-in Wi-Fi extender and louder speaker.
- Place the Chime on a hard surface (like a table) to amplify sound.
Problem: Chime Doesn’t Work with Ring Chime Accessory
Check the following:
- Is the Chime properly paired? Go to Devices and confirm it shows as “Online.”
- Is the Chime within 100 feet of your doorbell? Move it closer if needed.
- Is the Chime updated? Go to Device Health and check for firmware updates.
- Try unplugging and replugging the Chime to reset it.
Maintaining Your Ring Doorbell for Best Performance
To ensure your chime tone always works perfectly, follow these maintenance tips:
- Update the app regularly: New tones and features are added in updates.
- Check device health monthly: Go to Device Health in the app to see Wi-Fi strength, battery level, and firmware status.
- Clean the doorbell: Dust and debris can muffle the speaker. Wipe it gently with a dry cloth.
- Test the chime weekly: Use the “Test Chime” feature to catch issues early.
- Replace batteries annually: For wireless models, fresh batteries ensure reliable performance.
Conclusion
Changing your Ring doorbell chime tone is a small change that makes a big difference. Whether you want a soothing tone for nighttime or a cheerful jingle for the holidays, the Ring app puts full control in your hands. With just a few taps, you can personalize your doorbell’s sound, adjust volume, and even sync it with smart home devices like Alexa or Ring Chime.
Remember to test your new tone after every change, keep your devices updated, and don’t hesitate to use troubleshooting steps if something goes wrong. Your Ring doorbell is more than a security tool—it’s part of your home’s personality. Make it sound the way you want.
Now go ahead, pick your favorite tone, and enjoy a doorbell that truly fits your life.