How to Change Ringtone Ring Doorbell - Doorbell Troubleshooting

Changing the ringtone on your Ring Doorbell is simple and can be done directly through the Ring app or your device settings. This guide walks you through every step, from selecting a new chime to troubleshooting common issues, so you can personalize your doorbell experience with ease.

Key Takeaways

Access the Ring App: All ringtone changes are managed through the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.
Choose from Built-in Chimes: Ring offers a variety of default ringtones, including classic, seasonal, and fun options.
Use Chime or Chime Pro for Audio: If you have a Ring Chime or Chime Pro, you can play custom tones when someone presses your doorbell.
Update Firmware Regularly: Ensure your device has the latest firmware to access new ringtones and features.
Troubleshoot Audio Issues: If your new ringtone doesn’t play, check volume, Wi-Fi, and device sync.
Personalize by Location: Set different ringtones for multiple Ring devices in different areas of your home.
No Third-Party Ringtones: Ring does not support uploading custom audio files at this time.

How to Change Ringtone Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever wanted to change the ringtone on your Ring Doorbell to something more fun, festive, or fitting for the season? Maybe the default “ding-dong” is starting to feel a little too predictable. The good news is that changing the ringtone on your Ring Doorbell is not only possible but also surprisingly easy—as long as you know where to look and what tools to use.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to change the ringtone on your Ring Doorbell. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2, Ring Doorbell 3, Ring Doorbell Pro, or any newer model, the process is largely the same. We’ll cover how to access the settings, choose a new chime, use a Ring Chime or Chime Pro for enhanced audio, and troubleshoot common problems. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to customize your doorbell’s sound like a pro—no technical expertise required.

Let’s get started!

Why Change Your Ring Doorbell Ringtone?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about the why. Why would you want to change your Ring Doorbell’s ringtone in the first place?

First and foremost, personalization. Your home is your space, and your doorbell should reflect your style. Whether you love holiday tunes, prefer a soft chime, or want something that stands out, changing the ringtone lets you make your doorbell uniquely yours.

Second, functionality. Some ringtones are easier to hear from certain parts of your home. A louder or more distinct tone can help you hear the doorbell from the backyard, basement, or upstairs. This is especially helpful if you have a large house or tend to wear headphones while working.

Third, seasonal fun. Ring regularly adds themed ringtones for holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter. Changing your ringtone to a spooky ghost sound in October or a jolly jingle in December can add a little festive flair to your daily routine.

Finally, multiple devices, different tones. If you have more than one Ring doorbell (say, one at the front door and one at the back), you can assign different ringtones to each. That way, you’ll instantly know which door someone is at without having to check your phone.

Now that you know the benefits, let’s move on to the actual steps.

What You’ll Need to Change Your Ringtone

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

A smartphone or tablet with the Ring app installed (available for iOS and Android)
Your Ring Doorbell properly installed and connected to Wi-Fi
An active Ring account with login credentials
(Optional) A Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro if you want enhanced audio or to play tones inside your home

Note: While the Ring Doorbell itself doesn’t play loud internal sounds (it sends alerts to your phone and Chime devices), the ringtone you select will play through your Ring Chime or Chime Pro if you have one. If you don’t have a Chime, the sound will only play on your mobile device when you receive a notification.

Let’s break this down further.

Understanding Ring Chime vs. Doorbell Sounds

It’s important to understand the difference between the Ring Doorbell and the Ring Chime:

Ring Doorbell: Captures video and sends motion or doorbell press alerts to your phone. It has a small internal speaker that plays a soft tone when someone presses the button, but it’s not loud enough to hear from inside your home.
Ring Chime or Chime Pro: A plug-in device that connects to your Wi-Fi and plays customizable ringtones when your doorbell is pressed. It’s designed to be heard throughout your home.

So, when we talk about “changing the ringtone,” we’re really talking about changing the sound that plays on your Chime device—not the Doorbell itself. If you don’t have a Chime, you’ll only hear the ringtone on your phone when you get a notification.

If you want audible alerts inside your home, we highly recommend getting a Ring Chime or Chime Pro. They’re affordable, easy to set up, and make a big difference in usability.

Step 1: Open the Ring App

The first step to changing your Ringtone is opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.

Here’s how:

Locate the Ring app on your device. It has a blue icon with a white “R.”
Tap to open it.
Log in with your Ring account email and password if you’re not already signed in.

Once you’re in, you’ll see the home screen, which displays your Ring devices. You should see your doorbell listed here.

Tip: Keep Your App Updated

Make sure your Ring app is up to date. Older versions may not have the latest ringtones or features. To check for updates:

On iPhone: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to see if Ring has an update.
On Android: Open the Google Play Store, search for “Ring,” and tap “Update” if available.

An updated app ensures you have access to all current ringtones and bug fixes.

Step 2: Select Your Doorbell Device

Now that you’re in the app, you need to select the specific doorbell you want to change the ringtone for.

Here’s how:

On the home screen, tap on the device you want to customize (e.g., “Front Door” or “Back Door”).
This will open the device’s live view or event history, depending on your settings.
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner to access the device settings.

You’ll now be in the settings menu for that specific doorbell.

What If You Have Multiple Doorbells?

If you have more than one Ring doorbell, make sure you’re selecting the correct one. Each device can have its own ringtone, so you’ll need to repeat these steps for each doorbell you want to customize.

For example, you might set a cheerful “Jingle Bells” tone for your front door and a subtle “Soft Chime” for your back door.

Step 3: Navigate to Chime Settings

Once you’re in the device settings, you’ll need to find the option to change the ringtone. This is done through the Chime settings—even if you don’t have a physical Chime device.

Here’s how to get there:

In the device settings menu, scroll down until you see “Chime Settings” or “Chime Tones”.
Tap on it to open the ringtone selection screen.

Note: If you don’t see “Chime Settings,” it may be because you don’t have a Ring Chime connected. In that case, you’ll only be able to change the notification sound on your phone (more on that later).

What If “Chime Settings” Isn’t Visible?

If you don’t see the Chime Settings option, it could be for one of these reasons:

You don’t have a Ring Chime or Chime Pro connected.
Your Chime is offline or not synced properly.
Your Ring app is outdated.

To fix this:

Make sure your Chime is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
Open the Ring app, go to Devices, and check if your Chime appears and is online.
If not, follow the setup instructions to reconnect it.

Once your Chime is online, the Chime Settings option should appear in your doorbell’s settings.

Step 4: Choose a New Ringtone

Now for the fun part—picking a new ringtone!

When you tap on “Chime Settings,” you’ll see a list of available ringtones. Ring offers a variety of options, including:

Classic Ding-Dong – The original sound.
Soft Chime – A gentle, melodic tone.
Modern Beep – A clean, electronic sound.
Holiday Themes – Seasonal options like “Jingle Bells,” “Spooky Ghost,” or “Spring Bells.”
Fun Sounds – Quirky options like “Alien Alert” or “Robot Voice.”

Here’s how to select one:

Browse the list of available ringtones.
Tap on any tone to preview it. You’ll hear a short sample play through your phone or Chime.
When you find one you like, tap “Save” or “Select” to apply it.

The new ringtone will now play whenever someone presses your doorbell—provided your Chime is connected and online.

Pro Tip: Preview Before You Save

Always preview a ringtone before saving it. Some sounds may be too loud, too soft, or not what you expected. Take your time to find the perfect match for your home and lifestyle.

Seasonal Ringtones: How to Get Them

Ring often releases limited-time ringtones for holidays and special events. These are usually available a few weeks before the holiday and may disappear afterward.

To access seasonal ringtones:

Make sure your app is updated.
Go to Chime Settings during the holiday season.
Look for themed options under “Special Tones” or “Holiday Chimes.”

For example, in December, you might see “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls,” or “Santa’s Sleigh Bells.” In October, look for “Haunted House” or “Witch’s Cackle.”

These ringtones are a fun way to celebrate the season—and they’re free!

Step 5: Adjust Volume and Repeat Settings (Optional)

After selecting your ringtone, you may want to adjust how it plays.

In the Chime Settings menu, you’ll usually find options for:

Volume: Set how loud the chime plays. You can choose from low, medium, or high.
Repeat: Choose whether the chime plays once or repeats if no one answers.
Duration: Some models let you set how long the chime plays (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds).

Here’s how to adjust these:

Tap on “Volume” and use the slider to set your preferred level.
Tap on “Repeat” and choose “Once” or “Repeat Until Answered.”
Save your changes.

These settings help ensure you don’t miss a visitor—even if you’re in a noisy part of the house.

Tip: Test the Sound

After making changes, press your doorbell button to test the new ringtone. Make sure it’s loud enough and plays correctly through your Chime.

If you don’t hear anything, check the troubleshooting section below.

Step 6: Sync with Multiple Devices (Optional)

If you have more than one Ring Chime or multiple Ring doorbells, you can sync them so they all play the same ringtone—or different ones.

To sync ringtones across devices:

Go to Devices in the Ring app.
Select each Chime or doorbell individually.
Repeat the ringtone selection process for each one.

Alternatively, some users prefer different tones for different doors. For example:

Front door: “Classic Ding-Dong”
Back door: “Soft Chime”
Side gate: “Modern Beep”

This way, you’ll know exactly which entrance someone is using.

Changing the Ringtone Without a Chime

What if you don’t have a Ring Chime? Can you still change the ringtone?

Yes—but with limitations.

Without a Chime, the only place you’ll hear a ringtone is on your smartphone when you receive a notification. The Ring Doorbell itself plays a soft internal tone, but it’s not customizable.

To change the notification sound on your phone:

For iPhone Users:

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Ring.
Tap Notifications.
Tap Sound.
Choose a sound from the list (e.g., “Note,” “Chord,” “Bell”).

Note: iPhone limits third-party apps to a small selection of built-in sounds. You can’t upload custom audio files.

For Android Users:

Open the Ring app.
Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left.
Tap Settings > Notifications.
Tap Notification Sound.
Select a sound from the list or choose a custom sound if your phone supports it.

Some Android phones allow you to use custom notification sounds. Check your phone’s sound settings to see if this option is available.

While this method doesn’t give you the full range of Ring’s ringtones, it’s better than nothing—and it’s free.

Troubleshooting Common Ringtone Issues

Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Problem: New Ringtone Doesn’t Play

Possible Causes:

Chime is offline.
Volume is too low.
Ringtone wasn’t saved properly.
Wi-Fi connection is weak.

Solutions:

Check if your Chime is online in the Ring app.
Increase the volume in Chime Settings.
Re-select the ringtone and save again.
Move your Chime closer to your router or use a Wi-Fi extender.

Problem: Chime Settings Option Is Missing

Possible Causes:

No Chime is connected.
Chime is not paired with the doorbell.
App needs to be updated.

Solutions:

Plug in your Chime and follow the setup process in the Ring app.
Make sure the Chime is linked to the correct doorbell under “Linked Devices.”
Update the Ring app and restart your phone.

Problem: Ringtone Sounds Distorted or Crackly

Possible Causes:

Volume is too high.
Chime speaker is damaged.
Interference from other devices.

Solutions:

Lower the volume in Chime Settings.
Move the Chime away from microwaves, cordless phones, or other electronics.
If the problem persists, contact Ring support for a replacement.

Problem: Seasonal Ringtone Disappeared

Possible Causes:

Holiday has ended.
App wasn’t updated in time.

Solutions:

Wait for the next holiday season—Ring usually brings back popular tones.
Check for app updates regularly to catch new releases early.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Ringtone

Now that you know how to change your ringtone, here are some bonus tips to enhance your experience:

Rotate ringtones seasonally: Keep things fresh by changing your tone every few months.
Use quiet tones at night: Set a softer chime during evening hours to avoid disturbing sleep.
Test after power outages: Sometimes devices lose sync after a power loss—recheck your settings.
Keep firmware updated: Ring releases updates that can improve audio quality and add new tones.
Share with family: Make sure everyone in your household knows how to change the ringtone—so you’re not the only one who can fix it!

Conclusion

Changing the ringtone on your Ring Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to personalize your smart home experience. Whether you want a festive holiday jingle, a soft nighttime chime, or a fun sound that makes you smile, the Ring app puts full control in your hands.

By following the steps in this guide—accessing the app, selecting your device, choosing a new tone, and troubleshooting issues—you can easily customize your doorbell’s sound to match your lifestyle. And if you don’t have a Ring Chime yet, now might be the perfect time to invest in one. It’s a small upgrade that makes a big difference in usability.

Remember, your doorbell is often the first thing guests interact with when they visit your home. Make it welcoming, fun, and uniquely yours. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can turn a simple “ding-dong” into a signature sound that says, “Welcome home.”

So go ahead—change that ringtone. Your future self (and your guests) will thank you.