Changing the time on your Ring Video Doorbell Pro is essential for accurate event timestamps and proper device functionality. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process using the Ring app, troubleshooting tips, and answers to common questions.
Key Takeaways
- Time sync is automatic: The Ring Doorbell Pro syncs time via your phone’s network, not manually. Ensure your phone has the correct time and location settings.
- Use the Ring app: All time adjustments are managed through the Ring mobile app, not the device itself.
- Check internet connection: A stable Wi-Fi connection is required for the doorbell to receive accurate time updates.
- Enable location services: The app uses your phone’s location to determine the correct time zone automatically.
- Update the app regularly: Outdated app versions may cause time sync errors or missing features.
- Reboot if needed: If time doesn’t update, restart your doorbell and phone to refresh the connection.
- Contact support for persistent issues: If time remains incorrect after troubleshooting, Ring customer support can help diagnose deeper problems.
How to Change Time on Ring Video Doorbell Pro
If you’ve noticed that your Ring Video Doorbell Pro is showing the wrong time on recordings, notifications, or event history, you’re not alone. Many users assume they can manually set the time directly on the device—but that’s not how Ring works. Instead, the Ring Doorbell Pro automatically syncs its time using your smartphone’s network and location data through the Ring app. This means you don’t “change” the time manually. Instead, you ensure your phone and app are correctly configured so the doorbell can pull the accurate time.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to fix incorrect time settings on your Ring Video Doorbell Pro. We’ll walk you through the proper steps using the Ring mobile app, explain why automatic time sync is important, and provide troubleshooting tips for when things go wrong. Whether you’ve just installed your doorbell or noticed a time drift over time, this guide will help you get your device displaying the correct time—so your motion alerts, video clips, and event logs are accurate and reliable.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand how Ring handles time synchronization, how to verify your settings, and what to do if the time still isn’t updating correctly. Let’s get started!
Why Time Accuracy Matters on Your Ring Doorbell
Visual guide about How to Change Time on Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Image source: i.etsystatic.com
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand why having the correct time on your Ring Video Doorbell Pro matters. The time stamp on each video clip, motion alert, and event log is crucial for several reasons:
- Security investigations: If someone rings your doorbell or triggers motion, you’ll want to know exactly when it happened. Accurate timestamps help you review footage in chronological order and provide precise information to law enforcement if needed.
- Monitoring patterns: Over time, you may notice that deliveries, visitors, or suspicious activity happen at certain times of day. Correct time data helps you identify these patterns.
- Syncing with other devices: If you have multiple Ring devices (like cameras or security systems), they all rely on consistent timekeeping to work together smoothly.
- Automated features: Some Ring features, like scheduled modes or smart alerts, depend on accurate time to function properly.
Because the Ring Doorbell Pro doesn’t have a built-in clock that you can manually adjust, it relies entirely on your smartphone and internet connection to stay in sync. This system is designed to prevent user error and ensure consistency across devices. However, if your phone’s time is wrong or your app isn’t communicating properly with the doorbell, you may see incorrect timestamps.
Now that you understand the importance of accurate time, let’s go over how to ensure your Ring Doorbell Pro is displaying the correct time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Time on Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Since you can’t manually set the time on the Ring Doorbell Pro itself, the process involves checking and adjusting settings on your smartphone and within the Ring app. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your doorbell syncs the correct time.
Step 1: Ensure Your Phone Has the Correct Time
The Ring app pulls time data from your smartphone. If your phone’s clock is wrong, your doorbell will be too. Here’s how to check and fix it:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Navigate to General (iPhone) or System (Android), then select Date & Time.
- Make sure Set Automatically (iPhone) or Automatic Date & Time (Android) is turned on. This ensures your phone syncs with network time servers.
- If it’s already on but the time is still wrong, toggle it off and back on to refresh the connection.
- Verify that the correct time zone is selected. If your location has changed recently (e.g., you moved or traveled), your phone might still be using an old time zone.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling and your doorbell is at home, don’t change your phone’s time zone manually. Let it stay on automatic so it matches your home network when you return.
Step 2: Open the Ring App and Check Your Device
Once your phone’s time is correct, open the Ring app and verify that your doorbell is online and functioning.
- Launch the Ring app on your smartphone.
- Tap the Menu (three lines) in the top-left corner.
- Select Devices and find your Ring Video Doorbell Pro in the list.
- Tap on the device to open its control panel.
- Check the status at the top—it should say “Online.” If it says “Offline,” your doorbell can’t sync time until it reconnects to Wi-Fi.
If your doorbell is offline, see the troubleshooting section later in this guide. For now, assume it’s online and proceed.
Step 3: Verify Location Settings in the Ring App
The Ring app uses your phone’s location to determine the correct time zone for your doorbell. If location services are disabled or inaccurate, time sync may fail.
- In the Ring app, go to Menu > Settings > Locations.
- Select the location where your doorbell is installed (e.g., “Home”).
- Tap Location Settings and ensure that Use Current Location is enabled.
- If it’s off, turn it on and allow the app to access your location when prompted.
- Wait a few seconds for the app to detect your current location and update the time zone.
Note: If you’ve recently moved or reinstalled your doorbell at a new address, make sure the location in the app matches the actual installation site. Incorrect location data can lead to wrong time zones.
Step 4: Force a Time Sync by Refreshing the Device
Even with correct settings, sometimes the doorbell doesn’t immediately update its time. You can force a refresh by restarting the connection.
- In the Ring app, go to your doorbell’s control panel.
- Tap the Settings (gear icon) in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down and select Device Health.
- Tap Reboot Device. This will temporarily disconnect and reconnect your doorbell to the network.
- Wait 1–2 minutes for the reboot to complete. The doorbell will chime when it’s back online.
After rebooting, the doorbell should sync with your phone’s time. Check a recent motion alert or recording to see if the timestamp is now correct.
Step 5: Check for App and Firmware Updates
Outdated software can cause time sync issues. Make sure both the Ring app and your doorbell’s firmware are up to date.
- Open your phone’s app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
- Search for “Ring” and check if an update is available. If so, install it.
- Return to the Ring app and go to Menu > Settings > Device Health.
- Look for a Firmware Version listed under your doorbell. If an update is pending, it will show “Update Available.”
- Tap Update Now to install the latest firmware. This may take a few minutes and will require the doorbell to reboot.
Keeping your app and firmware updated ensures compatibility and access to the latest time-sync improvements.
Step 6: Test the Time with a Motion Event
To confirm the time is now correct, trigger a motion event and check the timestamp.
- Walk in front of your doorbell to activate motion detection.
- Wait for the notification to appear on your phone.
- Open the notification or go to the History tab in the app.
- Tap on the new event and check the time stamp at the top of the video.
- Compare it to your phone’s current time. They should match within a few seconds.
If the time is still off, proceed to the troubleshooting section below.
Troubleshooting: What to Do If Time Still Isn’t Correct
Even after following all steps, some users still experience time discrepancies. Here are common issues and how to fix them.
Issue 1: Doorbell Shows Wrong Time Zone
If your doorbell is several hours off, it may be using the wrong time zone.
- Go to Menu > Settings > Locations in the Ring app.
- Select your location and tap Edit.
- Manually set the correct time zone from the dropdown menu.
- Save the changes and reboot the doorbell (as described earlier).
Note: Avoid manually setting the time zone unless automatic detection fails. Letting the app auto-detect is more reliable.
Issue 2: Phone Time Is Correct, But Doorbell Isn’t Syncing
This could be due to a weak Wi-Fi signal or app glitch.
- Check your Wi-Fi signal strength in the Ring app under Device Health. It should show “Good” or “Excellent.”
- If signal is weak, consider moving your router closer or using a Wi-Fi extender.
- Force close the Ring app and reopen it.
- Restart your smartphone to refresh all connections.
- Try logging out of the Ring app and logging back in.
Issue 3: Time Drifts Over Time
Some users report that the time slowly becomes inaccurate over days or weeks. This is rare but can happen due to network delays.
- Reboot the doorbell weekly as a preventive measure.
- Ensure your phone’s automatic time setting remains enabled.
- Avoid using battery-saving modes that restrict background app activity.
Issue 4: Doorbell Is Offline
If your doorbell can’t connect to Wi-Fi, it can’t sync time.
- Check your home Wi-Fi is working (test with another device).
- Make sure the doorbell is within range of your router.
- Reconnect the doorbell to Wi-Fi via the Ring app: Device Settings > Wi-Fi Network > Change Network.
- If all else fails, perform a factory reset (see Ring’s support page for instructions).
Best Practices for Maintaining Accurate Time
To prevent future time issues, follow these best practices:
- Keep automatic time on: Never disable “Set Automatically” on your phone.
- Update regularly: Check for app and firmware updates monthly.
- Reboot occasionally: Restart your doorbell every few weeks to refresh connections.
- Monitor signal strength: Use the Ring app to check Wi-Fi performance and address weak signals.
- Avoid travel time confusion: If you travel frequently, ensure your phone doesn’t manually override time zones.
Conclusion
Changing the time on your Ring Video Doorbell Pro isn’t about manually setting a clock—it’s about ensuring your device stays in sync with your smartphone’s accurate, network-based time. By following the steps in this guide, you can resolve time discrepancies, improve the reliability of your security system, and ensure every event is properly timestamped.
Remember, the key is consistency: keep your phone’s time automatic, your app updated, and your doorbell connected. With these habits, your Ring Doorbell Pro will continue to deliver accurate, trustworthy recordings for years to come.
If you’ve tried everything and the time is still wrong, don’t hesitate to contact Ring Customer Support. They can run diagnostics and help resolve deeper technical issues.
Now that you know how to change time on Ring Video Doorbell Pro, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home security system is working exactly when it should.