How to Forward Video Form Ring Doorbell

Forwarding video from your Ring Doorbell is simple once you know the right steps. This guide walks you through sharing clips via the Ring app, email, text, and more—ensuring you can quickly alert neighbors or authorities when needed.

Key Takeaways

• Use the Ring app to access recorded videos: All motion-triggered and live-view clips are stored in the app’s Event History for easy retrieval.
• Share videos directly from the Event History: Tap the share icon on any video to send it via text, email, or social platforms.
• Enable Smart Alerts for faster responses: Customize motion zones and alerts so you only get notified about important activity.
• Download videos for offline sharing: Save clips to your phone or cloud storage to share even without the Ring app.
• Respect privacy when sharing: Always blur faces or license plates before sending videos to protect others’ identities.
• Troubleshoot sharing issues quickly: Common problems like missing share buttons or failed uploads often stem from app glitches or connectivity.
• Use Ring Protect for extended video storage: A subscription lets you save videos longer and access higher-quality footage.

How to Forward Video From Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

So, your Ring Doorbell just caught someone suspicious loitering near your front door—or maybe a friendly neighbor dropping off a package. Whatever the case, you now have a video clip you’d like to share. Whether it’s to alert your neighborhood watch group, send evidence to the police, or simply show your family what happened while you were out, knowing how to forward video from Ring Doorbell is a must-have skill for any smart home owner.

The good news? It’s easier than you think. Ring makes it simple to access, download, and share your doorbell footage—no tech degree required. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every method available to forward video from your Ring Doorbell, including using the Ring app, sharing via email or text, saving clips to your device, and even posting to social media. We’ll also cover privacy best practices, troubleshooting tips, and how a Ring Protect plan can enhance your sharing experience.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently and quickly forward any Ring Doorbell video—whether it’s a 10-second motion clip or a full live-view recording. Let’s get started!

Understanding Your Ring Doorbell Video Options

Before diving into the “how,” it’s important to understand what kinds of videos your Ring Doorbell captures and where they’re stored.

Ring Doorbells record video in two main ways:

• Motion-Triggered Recordings: These are short clips (usually 10–30 seconds) that start when the doorbell detects movement. They’re automatically saved to your Ring app’s Event History.
• Live View Recordings: When you open the Ring app and tap “Live View,” you can manually record what’s happening in real time. These recordings are also saved to Event History.

All these videos are stored in the cloud—but only if you have a Ring Protect plan. Without a subscription, your doorbell will still notify you of motion and allow live viewing, but it won’t save recordings. That means no video to forward.

So, if you want to forward video from Ring Doorbell, you’ll need:

• A Ring Doorbell (any model: Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Elite, etc.)
• The Ring app installed on your smartphone or tablet
• A Ring Protect subscription (Basic or Plus) to access saved videos
• An active internet connection

Once you’ve confirmed these basics, you’re ready to start sharing.

Step 1: Open the Ring App and Access Event History

The first step to forwarding any Ring Doorbell video is locating it in the app. Here’s how:

Launch the Ring App

Open the Ring app on your iPhone, Android device, or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account linked to your doorbell.

Navigate to Event History

On the home screen, you’ll see a timeline of recent events at the bottom. Tap on “Event History” (or the clock icon, depending on your app version). This will show a list of all motion alerts, doorbell presses, and live-view recordings from the past 24 hours (or longer, if you have Ring Protect).

Find the Video You Want to Share

Scroll through the list to find the specific clip you’d like to forward. Each event will show:

• The time and date
• A thumbnail preview
• The type of event (e.g., “Motion Detected” or “Doorbell Pressed”)

Tap on the video to open it in full screen. You’ll now see playback controls and—most importantly—the share button.

Step 2: Share the Video Directly from the Ring App

Once you’ve opened the video, sharing is just a few taps away.

Tap the Share Icon

Look for the share icon—usually a square with an upward arrow or three connected dots—located below the video player. Tap it to open the sharing menu.

Choose Your Sharing Method

You’ll see several options, including:

• Messages (iOS) or SMS (Android): Send the video directly to a contact via text.
• Email: Attach the video to an email and send it to any address.
• WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc.: Share to social media or messaging apps installed on your device.
• Copy Link: Generate a shareable link that others can open in a browser (note: this may require them to log into Ring).

Send the Video

Select your preferred method, add a message if needed (e.g., “Check out this suspicious person at my door!”), and hit send. The recipient will receive the video instantly.

Pro Tip: If you’re sending the video to law enforcement, include the date, time, and a brief description of the incident. This helps them process your report faster.

Step 3: Download the Video for Offline Sharing

Sometimes, you may want to save the video to your phone or computer before sharing—especially if you’re sending it to multiple people or uploading it to a platform that doesn’t support direct Ring links.

Download to Your Device

While viewing the video in the Ring app:

• Tap the three-dot menu (or “More” option)
• Select “Download Video”
• Choose the quality (Standard or HD, if available)

The video will save to your phone’s camera roll or gallery. From there, you can attach it to emails, upload it to cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), or send it via any messaging app.

Save to Cloud Storage

If you use services like iCloud, Google Photos, or OneDrive, you can upload the downloaded video for easy access across devices. This is especially useful if you’re sharing with family members who don’t have the Ring app.

Transfer to Computer

Connect your phone to your computer and transfer the video file. You can then email it, post it online, or store it in a secure folder for records.

Note: Downloaded videos are saved in MP4 format, which is compatible with most devices and platforms.

Step 4: Share Live View Recordings

Live View recordings work the same way as motion clips, but they’re created when you manually start a recording during a live session. Here’s how to forward them:

Start a Live View Session

Open the Ring app and tap your doorbell device. Then tap “Live View.” Once the camera feed loads, tap the red record button (circle icon) to start recording.

Stop and Save the Recording

When you’re done, tap the record button again to stop. The video will automatically save to Event History.

Forward the Recording

Go to Event History, find the live-view clip, and follow the same sharing steps outlined earlier—tap the share icon and choose your method.

Tip: Live View recordings are great for capturing extended events, like a delivery person struggling with a package or a neighbor having a loud argument. They give more context than short motion clips.

Step 5: Use Ring Neighbors for Community Sharing

If you’re part of a neighborhood watch or just want to alert nearby Ring users, the Ring Neighbors app is a powerful tool.

Open the Ring Neighbors App

Download the free Ring Neighbors app (separate from the main Ring app) and log in with your Ring account.

Post the Video

Tap the “+” icon to create a new post. Select “Video” and choose the clip from your Event History. Add a title and description (e.g., “Suspicious person checking car doors on Maple Street”).

Set the Location and Privacy

The app will ask for your location. You can choose to share it publicly or limit it to a specific radius (e.g., 1 mile). Be mindful of privacy—avoid posting videos that clearly show someone’s face or license plate unless it’s necessary for safety.

Submit the Post

Once posted, other Ring users in your area will see the video and can comment or report it to authorities if needed.

Important: Ring Neighbors is designed for community safety, not entertainment. Only post videos that are relevant and helpful to your neighbors.

Privacy and Legal Considerations When Sharing Ring Videos

While sharing Ring Doorbell videos can be helpful, it’s crucial to do so responsibly. Here are some best practices:

Blur Sensitive Information

Before sharing, use video editing tools (like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, or free online editors) to blur faces, license plates, or home addresses. This protects the privacy of bystanders and complies with local laws.

Get Consent When Possible
If the video shows someone you know (like a neighbor or delivery driver), consider asking for permission before sharing—especially on social media.

Avoid Misleading Context
Don’t edit videos to make situations seem worse than they are. Stick to the facts and let viewers draw their own conclusions.

Follow Local Laws
In some areas, recording and sharing video of people without consent may be restricted. Check your local privacy laws, especially if you’re sharing footage of public spaces.

Report to Authorities First
If the video shows criminal activity, send it to the police before posting it online. This ensures it’s handled properly and avoids spreading unverified information.

Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues

Even with the best setup, you might run into problems when trying to forward video from Ring Doorbell. Here’s how to fix the most common issues:

“Share” Button Is Missing

• Make sure you have a Ring Protect plan. Without it, videos aren’t saved and can’t be shared.
• Update the Ring app to the latest version.
• Restart your phone and reopen the app.

Video Won’t Send or Fails to Upload

• Check your internet connection. A weak signal can cause upload failures.
• Ensure the video file isn’t too large. Try downloading it first and sending it as an attachment.
• Clear the app’s cache (on Android: Settings > Apps > Ring > Storage > Clear Cache).

Recipient Can’t Open the Video

• If you shared a Ring link, the recipient may need to log into their Ring account.
• If you sent a downloaded video, make sure it’s in a compatible format (MP4 works on most devices).
• Suggest they update their messaging or email app.

Video Quality Is Poor

• Higher-quality videos require a Ring Protect Plus plan.
• Check your doorbell’s camera lens—dirt or smudges can reduce clarity.
• Ensure your doorbell is connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal.

Can’t Find the Video in Event History

• Videos older than 30 days may be deleted unless you have Ring Protect Plus.
• Check if motion zones are set correctly—your doorbell might not have recorded the area where the event occurred.
• Verify that motion alerts are enabled in the app settings.

Enhancing Your Experience with Ring Protect

To get the most out of your Ring Doorbell—and make forwarding videos even easier—consider subscribing to Ring Protect.

Ring Protect Basic ($3/month per device)

• Video recording for 30 days
• Extended video history
• Person and package detection
• Easy sharing and downloading

Ring Protect Plus ($10/month for unlimited devices)

• Everything in Basic, plus:
• Extended video history (up to 60 days)
• 1080p HD video quality
• Advanced motion detection
• Professional monitoring (for Ring Alarm users)

With Ring Protect, you’ll never miss a moment—and you’ll always have the footage you need to forward when it matters most.

Final Thoughts: Share Smart, Stay Safe

Forwarding video from Ring Doorbell is a powerful way to stay connected, protect your home, and help your community. Whether you’re sending a clip to the police, warning neighbors about a scammer, or just showing your kids the squirrel that triggered the motion sensor, the process is quick and straightforward when you follow these steps.

Remember:

• Always use the Ring app’s Event History to access your videos
• Share directly via text, email, or social media with just a few taps
• Download videos for offline sharing and backup
• Respect privacy and follow legal guidelines
• Use Ring Protect to unlock full recording and sharing features

With this guide, you’re now equipped to handle any situation that comes your way—armed with the knowledge to forward video from Ring Doorbell like a pro. Stay safe, stay informed, and keep your home secure.