How to Change the Time on Ring Doorbell

Changing the time on your Ring Doorbell is essential for accurate event timestamps and security logs. This guide walks you through the simple process using the Ring app, plus troubleshooting tips if the time won’t update.

Key Takeaways

Use the Ring app: All time adjustments are made through the Ring mobile app, not the physical device.
Automatic time sync: Ring devices sync time automatically via your phone’s network, but manual override is possible.
Check location settings: Incorrect time zones can cause time display issues—verify your location in the app.
Restart if needed: A quick device restart can resolve syncing problems after changing settings.
Update firmware: Ensure your Ring Doorbell has the latest firmware for optimal performance and accurate timekeeping.
Wi-Fi matters: A stable internet connection is required for time synchronization to work properly.
Contact support if stuck: If time won’t update after troubleshooting, Ring’s customer support can help diagnose deeper issues.

If you’ve ever looked at your Ring Doorbell’s event history and noticed the timestamps are off—maybe by hours or even days—you’re not alone. Accurate timekeeping is crucial for security footage, motion alerts, and keeping track of when visitors arrive. Whether you’ve moved to a new time zone, daylight saving time just changed, or your device seems stuck in the past, knowing how to change the time on Ring Doorbell is a must-have skill for any smart home owner.

The good news? It’s easier than you think. Unlike traditional doorbells, Ring devices don’t have physical clocks you can manually adjust. Instead, they rely on your smartphone and internet connection to keep time. This means all changes happen through the Ring app—no tools, no disassembly, just a few taps on your screen.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to update the time on your Ring Doorbell, why it might be wrong in the first place, and what to do if the usual fixes don’t work. We’ll walk you through every step, share practical tips, and help you troubleshoot common issues. By the end, your Ring Doorbell will be perfectly synced with real time—giving you peace of mind and reliable security logs.

Let’s get started.

Why Is the Time on My Ring Doorbell Wrong?

Before diving into the fix, it’s helpful to understand why your Ring Doorbell might be showing the wrong time. Most of the time, it’s not a hardware problem—it’s a settings or connectivity issue. Here are the most common reasons:

Incorrect time zone: If your Ring app isn’t set to the right time zone, your device will display the wrong time. This often happens after traveling or moving to a new location.
Daylight saving time (DST) confusion: Some devices don’t automatically adjust for DST, especially if they’re older models or haven’t updated their firmware.
Outdated firmware: Ring regularly releases updates that improve performance, including time synchronization. If your device hasn’t updated, it might fall behind.
Weak or unstable Wi-Fi: Ring devices rely on your home network to sync time. A spotty connection can delay or prevent updates.
Phone time mismatch: Since the Ring app pulls time from your smartphone, if your phone’s clock is wrong, so will your doorbell’s.

Understanding these causes helps you fix the problem faster and prevent it from happening again. Now, let’s walk through the steps to correct the time.

Step-by-Step: How to Change the Time on Ring Doorbell

Changing the time on your Ring Doorbell is a straightforward process—but it’s important to follow each step carefully. Here’s how to do it using the Ring mobile app.

Step 1: Open the Ring App

First, unlock your smartphone and open the Ring app. Make sure you’re logged into the account associated with your doorbell. If you have multiple Ring devices, ensure you’re viewing the correct one.

Tip: If you’re using a shared household account, double-check that you’re not accidentally adjusting settings for a neighbor’s device.

Step 2: Navigate to Device Settings

Once the app opens, tap on the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top-left corner. From the menu, select Devices. You’ll see a list of all your Ring products—doorbell cameras, security cameras, alarms, etc.

Find your Ring Doorbell in the list and tap on it. This will open the device’s main control screen.

Step 3: Access Device Health

On the device screen, scroll down until you see the Device Health section. Tap on it. This section shows important information like battery level, Wi-Fi signal strength, and—most importantly—the current time and time zone.

Step 4: Check and Update Time Zone

In the Device Health screen, look for the Time Zone field. This is where the issue often lies. If the time zone is incorrect, your timestamps will be off—even if the clock itself is accurate.

To fix it:

Tap on the current time zone.
A list of available time zones will appear.
Select the correct one for your location (e.g., Eastern Time, Pacific Time, etc.).

After selecting the right time zone, tap Save. Your Ring Doorbell will now sync to the correct local time.

Pro Tip: If you live near a time zone border, double-check your address in the Ring app under Location Settings to ensure accuracy.

Step 5: Verify Time Synchronization

Once you’ve updated the time zone, give your device a few minutes to sync. You can check if it worked by going back to the Device Health screen and confirming the time matches your local time.

If it still looks wrong, try refreshing the app or restarting your phone. Sometimes the app needs a quick reset to pull the latest data.

How to Manually Sync Time (If Automatic Sync Fails)

Ring devices are designed to sync time automatically using your phone’s network and GPS. However, if you’ve recently traveled, changed time zones, or are experiencing glitches, you might need to force a sync.

Here’s how to manually trigger a time update:

Restart Your Ring Doorbell

A simple restart can often resolve syncing issues. To do this:

Open the Ring app and go to your doorbell’s Device Health.
Tap Restart Device.
Confirm the action when prompted.

Your doorbell will power down and restart, reconnecting to Wi-Fi and syncing with the updated time zone. This usually takes 1–2 minutes.

Reconnect to Wi-Fi

If the restart doesn’t work, try disconnecting and reconnecting your doorbell to Wi-Fi:

Go to Device Settings > Network.
Tap Change Wi-Fi Network.
Follow the prompts to reconnect to your home network.

This forces the device to re-establish its connection and pull the correct time from the internet.

Update the Ring App

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the doorbell—it’s with the app. Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Ring app:

Open your phone’s app store (Google Play or Apple App Store).
Search for “Ring.”
If an update is available, tap Update.

Updated apps include bug fixes and improved time-syncing features.

What to Do If the Time Still Won’t Change

If you’ve followed all the steps and your Ring Doorbell still shows the wrong time, don’t panic. There are a few more advanced troubleshooting steps you can try.

Check Your Phone’s Time Settings

Since the Ring app uses your phone’s clock, make sure your smartphone is set to the correct time:

On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Enable Set Automatically.
On Android: Go to Settings > System > Date & Time. Turn on Automatic date & time.

If your phone is manually set to the wrong time, your Ring app will follow suit.

Verify Location Permissions

The Ring app needs access to your location to determine the correct time zone. If permissions are disabled, it might default to a generic or outdated zone.

To check:

On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Ring > select While Using the App.
On Android: Settings > Apps > Ring > Permissions > enable Location.

Granting location access helps the app auto-detect your time zone accurately.

Factory Reset Your Doorbell (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a factory reset can resolve persistent syncing issues. Warning: This will erase all settings and require you to set up the device again.

To reset:

Press and hold the setup button on your doorbell (usually on the back or side) for 20 seconds.
The light will flash, indicating the reset is in progress.
Once complete, re-add the device in the Ring app and follow the setup wizard.

After setup, check the time zone and ensure it’s correct. This should resolve any lingering time issues.

Tips to Prevent Time Issues in the Future

Now that your time is fixed, here are some best practices to keep it accurate long-term:

Keep your app updated: Enable automatic updates so you always have the latest features and fixes.
Check time zone after travel: If you travel across time zones, verify your Ring app settings when you return home.
Monitor Wi-Fi stability: A strong, consistent internet connection ensures reliable time syncing.
Enable automatic time on your phone: This ensures your phone—and by extension, your Ring app—always shows the correct time.
Review device health monthly: A quick check of Device Health can catch issues before they affect your security logs.

By staying proactive, you’ll avoid future headaches and keep your Ring Doorbell running smoothly.

Why Accurate Time Matters for Security

You might wonder: “Does it really matter if the time is off by an hour?” The answer is yes—especially when it comes to security.

Accurate timestamps are essential for:

Reviewing footage: When checking motion alerts or visitor logs, correct time helps you pinpoint events.
Legal evidence: If you ever need to provide video to law enforcement, precise timestamps strengthen your case.
Smart home automation: If you use Ring with other smart devices (like lights or alarms), time accuracy ensures triggers happen at the right moment.
Family safety: Knowing exactly when someone rang the doorbell or triggered motion can help you respond faster in emergencies.

In short, a correctly synced clock isn’t just a convenience—it’s a key part of your home’s security system.

Conclusion

Changing the time on your Ring Doorbell is a simple but important task that ensures your security system works as intended. By using the Ring app to update your time zone, restarting your device, and keeping your software current, you can maintain accurate timestamps and reliable performance.

Remember, the process is entirely app-based—no tools or technical skills required. And if you run into trouble, the troubleshooting steps in this guide will help you get back on track.

Don’t let a wrong clock compromise your peace of mind. Take a few minutes today to check your Ring Doorbell’s time settings. Your future self—and your security footage—will thank you.