How to Change Ring Doorbell to New Account

How to Change Ring Doorbell to New Account

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Changing your Ring Doorbell to a new account is essential when moving, selling your home, or upgrading devices. This guide walks you through transferring ownership, removing old accounts, and setting up your doorbell under a new profile—ensuring security and uninterrupted service.

Key Takeaways

  • Ownership transfer is required: You must remove the device from the original account before adding it to a new one.
  • Use the Ring app for all steps: The official Ring mobile app is the only tool needed to complete the process.
  • Factory reset may be necessary: If the previous owner doesn’t remove the device, a hard reset clears all data and resets the doorbell.
  • Wi-Fi setup is part of reconfiguration: After transferring, you’ll need to reconnect the doorbell to your home network.
  • Shared users lose access: Once transferred, previous shared users can no longer view live feeds or recordings.
  • Check device compatibility: Ensure your new account uses a compatible smartphone and Ring app version.
  • Keep firmware updated: After setup, run a firmware update to ensure optimal performance and security.

How to Change Ring Doorbell to New Account

So, you’ve got a Ring Doorbell—maybe you just moved into a new house, bought a used one, or simply want to switch it to a different account. Whatever the reason, transferring your Ring Doorbell to a new account doesn’t have to be confusing. With the right steps, it’s a smooth process that takes less than 30 minutes.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully change your Ring Doorbell to a new account. Whether you’re the original owner handing it off or the new owner setting it up, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn how to remove the device from the old account, perform a factory reset if needed, and set it up fresh under your own Ring profile.

We’ll also share practical tips, troubleshoot common issues, and answer frequently asked questions so you can avoid frustration and get your doorbell working perfectly on day one.

Why You Might Need to Change Your Ring Doorbell Account

How to Change Ring Doorbell to New Account

Visual guide about How to Change Ring Doorbell to New Account

Image source: safetywish.com

There are several common reasons why someone might need to transfer their Ring Doorbell to a new account:

  • Moving to a new home: If you’re relocating, you’ll want your Ring Doorbell to be linked to your new address and account.
  • Selling or gifting the device: When passing your Ring Doorbell to a friend, family member, or buyer, it must be removed from your account first.
  • Buying a used Ring Doorbell: If you purchased a secondhand doorbell, the previous owner must remove it from their account—or you’ll need to reset it.
  • Account security concerns: If you suspect unauthorized access or no longer trust the current account holder, transferring ownership improves security.
  • Switching to a new phone or email: Updating your account details? You may want to link your Ring device to a new profile.

No matter your situation, the process is straightforward—but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to avoid losing access or creating setup issues.

Before You Begin: What You’ll Need

Before starting the transfer process, make sure you have the following:

  • The Ring Doorbell device: Whether it’s a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Ring Video Doorbell Elite, or Ring Video Doorbell Wired.
  • The Ring mobile app: Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store if you haven’t already.
  • A smartphone or tablet: iOS 11.0+ or Android 6.0+ required.
  • Access to the original account (if possible): The current owner should remove the device from their account before you set it up.
  • Your Wi-Fi network name and password: You’ll need this during setup.
  • A stable internet connection: For app communication and firmware updates.
  • A screwdriver (for hardwired models): Only if you need to remove the device from the wall.
  • A paperclip or SIM tool (for battery models): Used to press the reset button.

Having these items ready will save time and prevent interruptions during the process.

Step 1: Remove the Ring Doorbell from the Original Account

The first and most important step is to ensure the Ring Doorbell is removed from the original owner’s account. This is crucial because a device can only be linked to one Ring account at a time.

Option A: The Original Owner Removes the Device

If you’re the original owner or have access to the current account holder, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Ring app on the original owner’s phone.
  2. Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left corner.
  3. Select Devices from the menu.
  4. Choose the Ring Doorbell you want to remove.
  5. Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
  6. Scroll down and select Remove Device.
  7. Confirm the removal when prompted.

Once removed, the device will no longer appear in the original account, and you can proceed to set it up on your new account.

Option B: You Can’t Access the Original Account

If the original owner is unavailable or refuses to remove the device, you’ll need to perform a factory reset on the Ring Doorbell. This erases all data and disconnects it from any account.

Note: A factory reset should only be done if you legally own the device and the previous owner cannot assist.

Step 2: Perform a Factory Reset (If Needed)

A factory reset is necessary when the device is still linked to another account. This process varies slightly depending on your Ring Doorbell model.

For Ring Video Doorbell (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Gen)

  1. Remove the battery from the back of the doorbell (if applicable).
  2. Locate the orange setup button on the back or side of the device.
  3. Press and hold the button for 20 seconds using a paperclip or SIM tool.
  4. The light on the front will flash white, then orange—this indicates the reset is in progress.
  5. Wait until the light turns off and then back on. This means the reset is complete.
  6. Reinsert the battery if you removed it.

For Ring Video Doorbell Pro or Pro 2

  1. Locate the orange setup button on the side of the device.
  2. Press and hold it for 20 seconds.
  3. The LED will flash white, then orange, then turn off.
  4. Wait for it to turn back on—this confirms the reset.

For Ring Video Doorbell Wired or Wired Plus

  1. Press and hold the orange setup button for 20 seconds.
  2. The LED will flash white, then orange, then go dark.
  3. Wait for it to power back on—this means the reset is done.

For Ring Video Doorbell Elite

  1. Press and hold the orange setup button for 20 seconds.
  2. The LED will flash white, then orange, then turn off.
  3. Wait for it to restart—this indicates a successful reset.

After the reset, the doorbell will be in setup mode and ready to be added to a new account.

Step 3: Set Up the Ring Doorbell on Your New Account

Now that the device is reset and unlinked, it’s time to set it up under your own Ring account.

Create or Log In to Your Ring Account

  1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone.
  2. If you don’t have an account, tap Create Account and follow the prompts.
  3. If you already have an account, log in with your email and password.

Add the Device to Your Account

  1. Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left corner.
  2. Select Set Up a Device.
  3. Choose Doorbells from the list.
  4. Select your specific Ring Doorbell model.
  5. Tap Continue when prompted.
  6. The app will ask you to scan the QR code on the back of your doorbell. Use your phone’s camera to scan it.
  7. If you can’t scan the code, tap Enter Code Manually and type in the 8-digit code.

Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Select your home Wi-Fi network from the list.
  2. Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
  3. Wait for the app to connect the doorbell to your network. This may take 1–2 minutes.
  4. The doorbell will emit a chime when connected.

Complete the Setup

  1. Follow the on-screen prompts to name your doorbell (e.g., “Front Door”).
  2. Choose your motion zones and alert preferences.
  3. Enable smart alerts if desired (e.g., package detection, person detection).
  4. Tap Finish Setup.

Your Ring Doorbell is now linked to your new account and ready to use.

Step 4: Test Your Ring Doorbell

After setup, it’s important to test the device to ensure everything is working correctly.

Test the Live View

  1. Open the Ring app.
  2. Tap on your doorbell from the dashboard.
  3. Tap Live View to see the camera feed.
  4. Check the video quality, audio, and field of view.

Test Motion and Alerts

  1. Walk in front of the doorbell to trigger motion.
  2. Check if you receive a push notification on your phone.
  3. Open the notification to view the event.

Test the Doorbell Chime

  1. Press the doorbell button.
  2. Listen for the chime inside your home (if using a Ring Chime or Chime Pro).
  3. Check if you receive a notification on your phone.

If all tests pass, your setup is complete. If not, proceed to the troubleshooting section.

Step 5: Update Firmware and Settings

After setup, it’s a good idea to ensure your Ring Doorbell is running the latest firmware.

Check for Firmware Updates

  1. Open the Ring app.
  2. Go to Devices > select your doorbell > Device Health.
  3. Look for Firmware Version.
  4. If an update is available, tap Update Now.
  5. Wait for the update to complete (do not unplug or reset during this time).

Adjust Settings for Optimal Use

  1. Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings.
  2. Adjust Motion Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High).
  3. Set up Motion Zones to focus on specific areas (e.g., driveway, sidewalk).
  4. Enable Smart Alerts for person, package, or vehicle detection.
  5. Configure Alert Schedules to limit notifications during certain hours.
  6. Set up Linked Devices (e.g., Ring Chime, Echo Show) if applicable.

These settings help reduce false alerts and improve your overall experience.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common ones.

“Device Not Found” During Setup

Cause: The doorbell isn’t in setup mode or the QR code wasn’t scanned correctly.
Solution:

  • Ensure the doorbell is powered (battery charged or wired correctly).
  • Press the orange setup button for 5 seconds to enter setup mode.
  • Try scanning the QR code again or enter the code manually.

Wi-Fi Connection Fails

Cause: Weak signal, incorrect password, or network issues.
Solution:

  • Move closer to your router during setup.
  • Double-check your Wi-Fi password.
  • Use a 2.4 GHz network (Ring devices don’t support 5 GHz-only networks).
  • Restart your router and try again.

No Live View or Delayed Feed

Cause: Poor internet connection or outdated firmware.
Solution:

  • Check your internet speed (minimum 2 Mbps upload recommended).
  • Update the firmware via Device Health.
  • Restart the Ring app and your phone.

Doorbell Doesn’t Ring or Send Alerts

Cause: Motion settings too low, Do Not Disturb enabled, or app permissions missing.
Solution:

  • Increase motion sensitivity in settings.
  • Disable Do Not Disturb on your phone.
  • Check app permissions (camera, microphone, notifications).

Factory Reset Doesn’t Work

Cause: Button not held long enough or device not powered.
Solution:

  • Ensure the battery is charged or the device is hardwired.
  • Hold the reset button for a full 20 seconds.
  • Wait for the LED to complete the full reset cycle.

Tips for a Smooth Transfer

  • Communicate with the previous owner: If possible, ask them to remove the device from their account before you reset it.
  • Keep the QR code handy: Store it in a safe place or take a photo for future setups.
  • Use a strong Wi-Fi password: Avoid special characters that might cause connection issues.
  • Update the app regularly: New versions often include bug fixes and improved setup flows.
  • Test immediately after setup: Catch issues early before relying on the doorbell for security.

Conclusion

Changing your Ring Doorbell to a new account is a simple process when you follow the right steps. Whether you’re moving, buying used, or upgrading, transferring ownership ensures your device works securely and efficiently under your control.

Start by removing the device from the original account—or perform a factory reset if necessary. Then, use the Ring app to set it up on your new profile, connect to Wi-Fi, and customize your settings. Don’t forget to test the live view, motion alerts, and chime to confirm everything works.

With the right preparation and troubleshooting know-how, you’ll have your Ring Doorbell up and running in no time. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is protected—and your smart doorbell is working just for you.