How to Get a Ring Doorbell Plan

Getting a Ring Doorbell plan unlocks essential features like video recording, cloud storage, and advanced alerts. This guide walks you through choosing the right Ring Protect plan, signing up, installing it on your device, and troubleshooting common issues—so you can maximize your doorbell’s potential with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Ring Protect plans start at $3.99/month: Choose between Basic and Plus tiers based on your recording and device needs.
• Plans work with all Ring Doorbells: Whether you have a Ring Video Doorbell, Pro, or Battery model, a plan enhances functionality.
• Easy setup via the Ring app: Subscribe directly in the app—no need to visit a website or call support.
• Cancel anytime with no penalties: Ring offers flexible, month-to-month billing with no long-term contracts.
• Cloud storage is limited without a plan: Without a subscription, you only get live view and motion alerts—no saved videos.
• Multi-device discounts available: Ring Protect Plus covers unlimited devices at one location for one low price.
• Troubleshooting is simple: Most plan-related issues can be fixed by checking your internet, app version, or payment method.

Introduction: Why You Need a Ring Doorbell Plan

So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell—great move! It’s already helping you see who’s at the door, even when you’re not home. But here’s the thing: without a Ring Doorbell plan, you’re only using a fraction of what your device can do.

Think of your Ring Doorbell like a smartphone. It can make calls (live view), send notifications (motion alerts), and take pictures—but without a data plan, you can’t save photos, stream videos, or access advanced features. That’s where a Ring Protect plan comes in.

A Ring Doorbell plan unlocks cloud video recording, motion zones, person detection, extended video history, and more. Whether you’re trying to catch a package thief, review a visitor from yesterday, or just want peace of mind, a subscription turns your doorbell from a basic alert system into a full smart home security tool.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get a Ring Doorbell plan—from choosing the right option to activating it and troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to maximize your Ring Doorbell’s potential, step by step.

Step 1: Understand Your Ring Doorbell Model

Before you sign up for a plan, it’s important to know which Ring Doorbell you have. Not all models support the same features, and while all work with Ring Protect plans, some offer better value depending on your setup.

Popular Ring Doorbell Models

• Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): Battery-powered, 1080p HD video, motion detection, two-way talk.
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro: Wired, 1536p HD+, advanced motion zones, pre-roll video.
• Ring Video Doorbell Wired: No battery, plugs into existing doorbell wiring, 1080p video.
• Ring Video Doorbell Battery (3rd Gen): Improved battery life, color night vision, quick-release battery pack.
• Ring Video Doorbell Elite: Professional installation, Ethernet-powered, best for high-traffic areas.

All of these models are compatible with Ring Protect plans. However, if you have multiple Ring devices (like cameras, alarms, or smart lights), you may benefit more from a higher-tier plan.

Check Your Device in the Ring App

To confirm your model:

1. Open the Ring app on your phone.
2. Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left corner.
3. Select “Devices” and choose your doorbell.
4. Scroll down to “Device Health” – your model name will be listed there.

Knowing your model helps you understand which features are available and ensures you choose the right plan.

Step 2: Compare Ring Protect Plans

Ring offers two main subscription tiers: Ring Protect Basic and Ring Protect Plus. Both give you cloud storage and advanced features, but they differ in price and coverage.

Ring Protect Basic ($3.99/month or $39.99/year)

This plan is ideal if you only have one or two Ring devices. Here’s what you get:

• Video recording for one device (e.g., your doorbell or one camera).
• 30 days of video history.
• Motion and doorbell press alerts.
• Two-way talk and live view.
• Person detection (on supported models).
• Snapshot capture every 6 seconds during motion.

Best for: Homeowners with a single doorbell or one outdoor camera.

Ring Protect Plus ($10/month or $100/year)

This is the premium plan and covers all Ring devices at one location. That includes doorbells, indoor/outdoor cameras, alarm systems, and smart lighting.

• Unlimited devices at one location.
• 180 days of video history (6 months).
• Extended video history and download options.
• Advanced motion detection and customizable motion zones.
• 24/7 professional monitoring (for Ring Alarm systems).
• Discounts on future Ring purchases (up to 10% off).

Best for: Families, multi-device users, or anyone serious about home security.

Which Plan Should You Choose?

Ask yourself:

• Do you have more than one Ring device? → Go with Plus.
• Do you want longer video storage? → Plus gives you 6 months vs. 1 month.
• Are you on a tight budget? → Basic is affordable and still very useful.
• Do you plan to expand your Ring system? → Plus saves money in the long run.

For most users with just a doorbell, Basic is enough. But if you’re building a full smart home security system, Plus is the smarter investment.

Step 3: Sign Up for a Ring Doorbell Plan

Now that you’ve picked your plan, it’s time to subscribe. The process is quick, easy, and done entirely within the Ring app.

How to Subscribe via the Ring App

1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top-left corner.
3. Select “Protect Plans” from the menu.
4. You’ll see your current plan status (likely “No Plan” if you’re new).
5. Tap “Subscribe” under the plan you want (Basic or Plus).
6. Review the features and pricing, then tap “Continue”.
7. Enter your payment details (credit/debit card or PayPal).
8. Confirm your subscription.

Once completed, your plan activates immediately. You’ll receive a confirmation email, and your doorbell will start recording to the cloud.

Can You Sign Up on a Computer?

Yes! While the app is the easiest way, you can also manage your plan online:

1. Go to ring.com and log in to your account.
2. Click on “My Account” in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Protect Plans” from the dropdown.
4. Choose your plan and follow the prompts to complete payment.

Note: You still need the Ring app to manage your devices and view recordings.

Payment and Billing

• Billing is monthly or annual—you choose at checkout.
• Annual plans save you about 17% compared to monthly.
• You’ll be charged on the same date each month (or year).
• You can update or cancel your plan anytime.

Pro Tip: Set a calendar reminder for your billing date. If your card expires or has insufficient funds, your plan may pause, and recordings could stop.

Step 4: Activate Your Plan on Your Doorbell

After subscribing, your plan should activate automatically. But sometimes, you may need to manually link it to your device.

How to Assign a Plan to Your Doorbell

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Go to “Devices” and select your doorbell.
3. Tap “Device Settings” > “Linked Chimes & Devices”.
4. Under “Protect Plan”, make sure your plan is listed.
5. If not, tap “Add Plan” and select your subscription.

Your doorbell will now record videos and save them to the cloud based on your plan’s terms.

Check If Recording Is Working

To test:

• Press the doorbell button (or simulate motion).
• Wait a few seconds, then go to the Ring app.
• Tap the “History” tab at the bottom.
• You should see a new recording with a timestamp.

If you don’t see a recording, check your internet connection, motion settings, or plan status (see troubleshooting below).

Step 5: Customize Your Recording Settings

A Ring Doorbell plan isn’t just about storage—it’s also about control. You can fine-tune how and when your doorbell records.

Set Up Motion Zones

Motion zones let you define specific areas where you want alerts and recordings. For example, you might want to ignore the street but monitor your porch.

1. In the Ring app, go to your doorbell’s settings.
2. Tap “Motion Settings” > “Motion Zones”.
3. Drag the corners of the zone box to cover your desired area.
4. Adjust sensitivity (Low, Medium, High) based on how often you get false alerts.

Tip: Start with Medium sensitivity and adjust based on real-world results.

Enable Smart Alerts

With a plan, you can get smarter notifications:

• Person Detection: Only alerts you when a person is detected (not cars or animals).
• Package Alerts: Notifies you when a package is delivered (on supported models).
• Motion Schedules: Set times when motion alerts are active (e.g., only at night).

To enable:

1. Go to “Device Settings” > “Motion Settings”.
2. Toggle on “Person Detection” or “Package Alerts”.
3. For schedules, tap “Motion Schedule” and set your preferred hours.

These features reduce false alarms and help you focus on what matters.

Adjust Video Quality and Recording Length

• Video Quality: Choose between Standard (720p) and HD (1080p or higher). Higher quality uses more data but gives clearer footage.
• Recording Length: Set how long each clip records (15, 30, or 60 seconds). Longer clips capture more context but use more storage.

Find these under “Device Settings” > “Video Settings”.

Step 6: Access and Manage Your Recordings

Once your plan is active, you can view, save, and share your doorbell videos.

How to View Recorded Videos

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap the “History” tab at the bottom.
3. Scroll through the timeline to find past events.
4. Tap any recording to play it.
5. Use the timeline scrubber to jump to specific moments.

You can also filter by:

• Motion events
• Doorbell presses
• Person detections

Download or Share Videos

1. While viewing a recording, tap the download icon (downward arrow).
2. The video saves to your phone’s camera roll.
3. To share, tap the share icon and choose a method (text, email, social media).

Note: Downloaded videos are saved in MP4 format and can be used as evidence if needed.

Delete Old Recordings

Ring automatically deletes recordings after your plan’s retention period (30 or 180 days). But you can delete them early:

1. In the History tab, tap the recording.
2. Tap the trash icon.
3. Confirm deletion.

Pro Tip: Regularly download important clips (like package deliveries or suspicious activity) to your phone or cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud) for long-term access.

Step 7: Manage or Cancel Your Plan

Life changes, and so do your security needs. Ring makes it easy to update or cancel your plan.

How to Change or Cancel Your Plan

1. Open the Ring app or go to ring.com.
2. Go to “Protect Plans” in the menu or account section.
3. Tap “Manage Plan”.
4. Choose “Change Plan” to switch between Basic and Plus.
5. Or tap “Cancel Plan” to end your subscription.
6. Follow the prompts to confirm.

What Happens When You Cancel?

• Your plan remains active until the end of the current billing period.
• After that, cloud recording stops.
• You’ll lose access to saved videos (unless you downloaded them).
• Live view and motion alerts still work—just no recordings.

No cancellation fees or penalties. You can resubscribe anytime.

Update Payment Method

If your card expires or is declined:

1. Go to “Protect Plans” > “Manage Plan”.
2. Tap “Payment Method”.
3. Add a new card or update existing details.
4. Save changes.

Tip: Enable auto-pay to avoid service interruptions.

Troubleshooting Common Ring Doorbell Plan Issues

Even with the best setup, issues can happen. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.

“No Recording” or “Recording Failed”

• Check your plan status: Make sure your subscription is active (go to Protect Plans).
• Verify internet connection: Your doorbell needs a stable Wi-Fi signal (at least -70 dBm).
• Restart your doorbell: Remove the battery (if applicable) for 10 seconds, then reinsert.
• Update the Ring app: Outdated apps can cause sync issues.

“Plan Not Showing Up on Device”

• Force close and reopen the Ring app.
• Log out and back into your Ring account.
• Reassign the plan under Device Settings > Linked Devices.
• Contact Ring Support if the issue persists.

“Payment Declined” or “Billing Error”

• Update your payment method in the app or website.
• Ensure your card has sufficient funds.
• Try a different card or PayPal.
• Check for typos in billing address.

“Videos Not Saving to Cloud”

• Confirm your plan includes cloud storage (Basic and Plus do).
• Check if motion zones are too small or sensitivity is too low.
• Ensure your doorbell is online (green dot in Device Health).
• Reset your doorbell’s Wi-Fi connection if needed.

Contact Ring Support

If you’re still stuck:

• Use the in-app chat: Go to Menu > Help > Contact Us.
• Call Ring Support: 1-800-634-0338 (US).
• Visit support.ring.com for guides and forums.

Most issues are resolved within 24 hours.

Conclusion: Get the Most Out of Your Ring Doorbell

A Ring Doorbell is a powerful tool—but it’s only as good as the plan behind it. By subscribing to a Ring Protect plan, you unlock cloud recording, smart alerts, extended history, and peace of mind.

Whether you choose the affordable Basic plan for one device or the comprehensive Plus plan for your entire smart home, the process is simple: compare options, subscribe in the app, customize your settings, and start recording.

Remember, you can always change or cancel your plan, so there’s no risk in trying. And with features like person detection, motion zones, and easy video sharing, your doorbell becomes more than a camera—it becomes your home’s first line of defense.

So don’t wait. Follow this guide, activate your Ring Doorbell plan today, and turn every ring into a recorded moment you can review, share, and trust.