Deleting a Ring doorbell location helps keep your account organized and ensures accurate device management. This guide walks you through the process on mobile and web, plus troubleshooting tips if you run into issues.
Key Takeaways
- You can only delete a Ring location if it has no active devices: Before removing a location, make sure all Ring doorbells, cameras, or other devices are removed or transferred to another location.
- Use the Ring app on mobile for the easiest experience: The deletion process is most reliable and user-friendly when done through the iOS or Android app rather than a web browser.
- Location deletion is permanent and cannot be undone: Once you delete a location, all associated device history, settings, and user permissions are lost unless backed up.
- Multiple users may need to leave the location first: If you’re not the only user with access, all shared users must remove themselves before the owner can delete the location.
- Check for subscription ties before deleting: Ring Protect plans are linked to locations—cancel or transfer your plan to avoid unexpected charges.
- Factory reset your device if reusing it elsewhere: After removing a doorbell from a deleted location, perform a factory reset so it can be set up at a new address.
- Contact Ring Support if you’re stuck: If the delete option is grayed out or missing, reach out to Ring’s customer service for assistance with account-level issues.
How to Delete a Ring Doorbell Location
Whether you’ve moved to a new home, sold your property, or simply made a mistake during setup, managing your Ring doorbell locations is an important part of keeping your smart home secure and organized. One common task many Ring users face is how to delete a Ring doorbell location. While it might seem straightforward, the process involves several key steps—and a few important caveats—that can trip up even experienced users.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about removing a Ring location from your account. You’ll learn how to do it on both mobile and desktop, what prerequisites must be met, how to handle shared users and subscriptions, and what to do if things go wrong. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently clean up your Ring account and ensure your devices are properly managed.
Why You Might Want to Delete a Ring Location
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why someone would want to delete a Ring location in the first place. Here are the most common scenarios:
Visual guide about How to Delete a Ring Doorbell Locations
Image source: pcgamesn.com
- Moving to a new home: When you relocate, you’ll likely set up a new Ring location for your new address. The old one should be deleted to avoid confusion and clutter.
- Selling or renting out a property: If you’ve sold your house or are renting it out, you’ll want to remove your Ring devices and delete the location so the new occupants can set up their own system.
- Setup errors: Sometimes, users accidentally create duplicate locations or enter the wrong address during initial setup. Deleting the incorrect one keeps your account tidy.
- Testing or demo purposes: If you were testing a Ring device at a friend’s house or a temporary location, you may want to remove that location once testing is complete.
- Security concerns: If you suspect unauthorized access or no longer trust someone with shared access, deleting the location (after removing devices) can help secure your account.
Whatever your reason, knowing how to properly delete a Ring location ensures your account remains secure, organized, and ready for future use.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Deleting a Location
You can’t just delete a Ring location on a whim. Ring has built-in safeguards to prevent accidental deletions and ensure device security. Before you begin, make sure the following conditions are met:
1. No Active Devices in the Location
The most critical rule: you cannot delete a location that contains active Ring devices. This includes doorbells, security cameras, alarm systems, and smart lights. You must first remove all devices from the location or transfer them to another one.
For example, if you have a Ring Video Doorbell Pro and a Ring Spotlight Cam at your old house, both must be removed from the location before deletion is possible. Attempting to delete the location while devices are still assigned will result in an error or a grayed-out delete button.
2. All Shared Users Have Left the Location
If you’ve shared access to your Ring location with family members, roommates, or trusted friends, they must remove themselves from the location before you can delete it. Ring requires that no other users have access before the location can be removed.
To check who has access:
- Open the Ring app.
- Tap the menu (☰) and select Locations.
- Choose the location you want to delete.
- Tap Shared Users to see a list of people with access.
If others are listed, ask them to remove themselves via their own app. Alternatively, you can remove them as the owner—but this may require confirmation from the user in some cases.
3. Ring Protect Subscription Is Canceled or Transferred
Your Ring Protect plan is tied to a specific location. If you’re deleting a location with an active subscription, you must either cancel the plan or transfer it to a new location. Otherwise, you may continue to be charged even after the location is gone.
To manage your subscription:
- Go to More > Protect Plan in the Ring app.
- Select the plan linked to the location you’re deleting.
- Choose Cancel Plan or Change Location if you want to move it to another address.
Note: Canceling a plan is irreversible and will delete all video history associated with that location.
4. You Are the Location Owner
Only the person who created the location (the “owner”) can delete it. If you’re a shared user, you’ll need to contact the owner to request deletion. You cannot delete a location you don’t own, even if you have full access.
This is a common point of confusion. If you’re trying to delete a location but don’t see the option, double-check your role in the location settings.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete a Ring Doorbell Location (Mobile App)
The easiest and most reliable way to delete a Ring location is through the official Ring mobile app on iOS or Android. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Launch the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the location you want to delete.
Step 2: Access the Locations Menu
Tap the three-line menu icon (☰) in the top-left corner of the screen. From the menu, select Locations. This will show you a list of all locations associated with your account.
Step 3: Select the Location to Delete
Tap on the location you want to remove. For example, if you’re deleting your old home, tap “123 Main Street” or whatever name you gave it.
Step 4: Open Location Settings
Once inside the location, tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner to access Location Settings.
Step 5: Remove All Devices (If Still Present)
If any devices are still assigned to this location, you’ll need to remove them first:
- Tap Devices.
- Select each device and choose Remove from Location.
- Confirm the removal when prompted.
Repeat this for every device. Once all devices are removed, return to the Location Settings screen.
Step 6: Delete the Location
Scroll down to the bottom of the Location Settings screen. You should now see a red button labeled Delete Location. Tap it.
You’ll be asked to confirm the deletion. Ring will warn you that this action is permanent and cannot be undone. Read the message carefully, then tap Delete to proceed.
After confirmation, the location will be removed from your account. All associated data—including device history, user permissions, and settings—will be permanently deleted.
How to Delete a Ring Location on Desktop (Web Browser)
While the mobile app is recommended, you can also manage locations via the Ring website. However, the deletion process is less intuitive and may not be available in all regions. Here’s how to try:
Step 1: Go to Ring.com
Open your web browser and navigate to ring.com. Log in with your Ring account credentials.
Step 2: Access Your Account
Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Account Settings.
Step 3: Navigate to Locations
In the left-hand menu, click Locations. You’ll see a list of all your locations.
Step 4: Select the Location
Click on the location you want to delete. This will open a detailed view of the location settings.
Step 5: Remove Devices and Shared Users
As with the mobile app, you must first remove all devices and ensure no shared users remain. Use the Devices and Shared Users tabs to manage these settings.
Step 6: Look for Delete Option
Scroll to the bottom of the page. If the location is eligible for deletion, you may see a Delete Location button. Click it and confirm when prompted.
Note: Some users report that the delete option is missing on the web version. If you don’t see it, use the mobile app instead for the most reliable experience.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful preparation, you might run into problems when trying to delete a Ring location. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
“Delete Location” Button Is Grayed Out or Missing
This usually means one of the prerequisites isn’t met. Double-check:
- Are all devices removed from the location?
- Have all shared users left or been removed?
- Is there an active Ring Protect plan tied to the location?
- Are you the owner of the location?
If everything looks correct but the button is still missing, try logging out and back in, or restart the app. If that doesn’t work, contact Ring Support.
Shared Users Won’t Remove Themselves
Sometimes, shared users don’t respond or forget to remove themselves. As the owner, you can remove them:
- Go to Locations > [Location Name] > Shared Users.
- Tap the user you want to remove.
- Select Remove Access and confirm.
Once all users are removed, you should be able to delete the location.
Device Won’t Remove from Location
If a device is stuck in the location, try:
- Rebooting the device (unplug and reconnect power).
- Using the “Remove from Location” option again.
- Performing a factory reset on the device (see below).
If the device is offline or damaged, you may need to contact Ring Support for assistance.
Subscription Still Active After Deletion
If you accidentally delete a location without canceling your Ring Protect plan, you may continue to be billed. To fix this:
- Go to More > Protect Plan in the app.
- Cancel the plan immediately.
- Contact Ring Support to request a refund for unused time, if applicable.
Always cancel or transfer your plan before deleting the location to avoid this issue.
What to Do After Deleting a Location
Once the location is gone, there are a few follow-up steps to consider:
Factory Reset Your Ring Doorbell (If Reusing)
If you plan to install your Ring doorbell at a new location, you must perform a factory reset. This clears all previous settings and allows the device to be set up as new.
To factory reset:
- For wired doorbells: Press and hold the setup button (usually on the back or side) for 15–20 seconds until the light flashes.
- For battery-powered models: Remove the battery, hold the setup button for 15 seconds, then reinsert the battery.
After resetting, follow the setup process in the Ring app to add the device to your new location.
Update Your Emergency Contacts and Addresses
If you used Ring’s emergency response features (like 911 Assist), make sure your new location is properly configured with the correct address and emergency contacts.
Review Your Account Security
Take this opportunity to review your account security:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven’t already.
- Change your password if you suspect it may have been compromised.
- Check for any unfamiliar devices or login activity.
Keeping your account secure is just as important as managing your locations.
Best Practices for Managing Ring Locations
To avoid confusion in the future, follow these best practices:
- Name locations clearly: Use descriptive names like “Main House,” “Cabin,” or “Mom’s Place” instead of generic terms.
- Delete unused locations promptly: Don’t let old locations pile up—remove them as soon as they’re no longer needed.
- Limit shared access: Only grant access to people you trust, and remove them when they no longer need it.
- Keep subscriptions up to date: Regularly review your Ring Protect plans and cancel or transfer them as needed.
- Back up important videos: Download or save critical footage before deleting a location, as it cannot be recovered later.
Conclusion
Deleting a Ring doorbell location is a straightforward process—but only if you follow the right steps. By ensuring all devices are removed, shared users have left, and subscriptions are managed, you can clean up your account with confidence. Whether you’re moving, selling a property, or fixing a setup error, knowing how to delete a Ring doorbell location helps keep your smart home secure and organized.
Remember, deletion is permanent. Always double-check your settings and back up important data before proceeding. And if you run into trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ring Support for help. With this guide, you’re now equipped to manage your Ring locations like a pro.