How To Connect To Ring Doorbell That Is Already Installed – A Unique Guide

Moving into a new house is super exciting, but it’s often a temporary source of stress.

After all, you’re a complete stranger to this place, and there’s a number of things you’ll need to figure out.

For example, what happens if the previous owners left a Ring Doorbell installed – how do you set it up and get it working?

Here’s how you can set up a Ring Doorbell that’s been installed:

1. Ask the previous owners to disconnect from the Doorbell.
2. Perform a hard reset.
3. Charge the Ring Doorbell’s battery.
4. Download the Ring app and create an account.
5. Set up the Ring Doorbell through the app.
6. Update the firmware on your Ring Doorbell.
7. Adjust and personalize the settings in the Ring app.

This article will go over the strategies laid out above in more detail.

Read on to learn how to set up your newfound Ring Doorbell that’s already been installed.

1. Ask the Previous Owners To Disconnect From the Doorbell

If the previous house owners left a Ring Doorbell, that’s nice of them.

It’s a pricey but very useful gadget that tells you when someone’s at your front door.

However, setting it up is impossible if the previous owners haven’t removed it from their accounts.

Since you probably have their phone number or email, it’d be best to contact them directly and ask them to remove the Ring Doorbell from their account using the Ring app.

If they don’t know how to do it, guide them through the steps. 

Follow the steps from the Ring’s support website. Here’s what they need to do:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Open the drop-down menu by tapping on the three dots in the top left corner.
3. Select Devices.
4. Select the Ring Doorbell.
5. Go to Device Settings.
6. Open General Settings.
7. Tap on Remove this device.

If the previous owner argues that they have already uninstalled the Ring app, ask them to download it again and follow the steps once more. 

Uninstalling the app doesn’t mean that the Ring Doorbell can automatically be paired with someone else’s account.

Contact Ring Customer Service if the Previous Owners Are Unresponsive

If you have no way to contact the previous owner, contact Ring’s Customer Service instead.

They will contact the previous owner via email.

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that they’ll see the email.

In that case, Ring will ask for proof of purchase and the MAC ID on the device.

They’ll guide you through what to do. It’s not as difficult as you think it is!

2. Perform a Hard Reset

It’s strongly recommended that you do a factory reset on any used gadget you get.

It’ll remove saved settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and so on.

However, unless the Ring Doorbell has never been updated, it’s unlikely that a hard reset will erase the previous owner.

This feature is Ring’s way of preventing Doorbell thieves.

So, while it’s worth a shot to try it if the previous owners don’t respond to you or you can’t contact them, this may not work until you complete the first step mentioned above.

Whatever the case, you can perform a factory reset by doing the following:

1. Unscrew the Ring Doorbell from the bracket and remove it.
2. Hold the orange reset button for 10-15 seconds.
3. Wait a few minutes.

The Doorbell will now enter Setup mode – however, you shouldn’t set it up just yet.

3. Charge the Ring Doorbell’s Battery

The first thing that you should do with a new Ring Doorbell is to charge it. This also applies to a used one.

If the battery is too low, the Doorbell won’t last you for long.

And since you’ve already removed it from the bracket anyway, charging it is hassle-free.

The first-generation Ring Doorbell has a built-in battery, and you can charge it with any micro-USB cable. 

The second-generation model is slightly different. The battery slides out of the Doorbell on the bottom.

Gently pull it out and charge it using a phone adapter or any other USB source like your computer.

Put the batteries back in and mount the Ring Doorbell for the next step.

4. Download the Ring App and Create an Account

You can’t set up the Ring Doorbell without the Ring app. You can download the app from the Play Store or App Store.

Once you do, it’s time to create a new Ring account. You can do so by following the in-app instructions.

5. Set Up the Ring Doorbell Through the App

The process for setting up the Ring Doorbell varies slightly for each model.

That said, the steps are generally similar enough that you can use one guide to figure out how you should set up other models. 

Here’s a walkthrough for setting up the first-generation Ring Doorbell:

1. Open the Ring app and log into your account.
2. Tap on Set up a Device > Doorbells.
3. Use the camera through the app to scan the QR code or MAC ID code on the back of the Ring.
4. Enter your location.
5. Give the Ring Doorbell a name.
6. Turn on Setup mode on the Ring Doorbell by pressing the orange button. The LED will turn white.
7. Connect to the Wi-Fi of the Ring Doorbell on your phone. It’s a temporary wireless network that you use to connect to your Wi-Fi router.
8. Connect to your home Wi-Fi.
9. Test to see if the Doorbell works.

6. Update the Firmware on Your Ring Doorbell

Now that your Ring Doorbell is connected, it’s strongly recommended that you update the firmware first.

This will ensure that you have the latest security updates.

It may add some new features and improve functionality too.

Here’s how to update the firmware on your Ring Doorbell:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap on the three dots in the corner.
3. Select the Ring Doorbell.
4. Go to Device Health.
5. Go to Device Details > Firmware.
6. Tap on Update.
7. If there is no new update, it’ll say “up to date.”

7. Adjust and Personalize the Settings in the Ring App

Your Ring Doorbell should now be fully functional.

However, there’s one last step you need to complete – configuring your preferences in the Ring app.

For example, you can adjust the video recording length when the Doorbell detects motion by adjusting your preferences.

It can record from anywhere from 15 seconds and up to two minutes.

There’s also the Snapshot Capture feature that takes snapshots.

You can adjust these settings and more through the Ring app. It’s in the Device Settings section.

There’s also the Ring Protect Subscription that further bolsters your security.

How To Connect To Ring Doorbell That Is Already Installed: Final Thoughts

Setting up a Ring Doorbell camera that’s already installed isn’t difficult. 

The procedure is pretty much the same as setting up a new one, aside from contacting the previous owner. Once they remove the device from their account, you’re all set.