How do I setup my Ring camera?

Setting up a Ring camera allows you to monitor an area around your home for added security and peace of mind. Ring cameras are wireless and easy to install yourself. With just a few steps, you can have your camera up and running in no time. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully set up your Ring camera.

What You Need

Before installing your Ring camera, make sure you have all of the necessary components:

• The Ring camera
• The mounting bracket
• Screws and anchors
• A drill with the appropriate drill bits
• A Phillips head screwdriver
• A ladder (optional)
• A wifi connection
• The Ring app installed on your smartphone or tablet

You’ll need a secure wifi connection in order for your Ring camera to work properly. The camera connects to your wifi to transmit video to your devices. Make sure your wifi signal is strong in the area you plan to install the camera.

Choosing a Location

When choosing where to mount your Ring camera, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Pick a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the area you want to monitor.
• Avoid pointing the camera directly into sunlight, which can cause glare and poor video quality.
• Mount the camera at least 7 feet off the ground for best perspective.
• For outdoor cameras, choose an area protected from harsh weather.
• Ensure the location gets a good wifi signal for reliable connectivity.

Consider which entry points you want to monitor, such as your front door, garage, or back yard. The Ring app allows you to customize motion detection zones, so you can specify which areas will trigger alerts.

Installing the Mounting Bracket

Ring provides a mounting bracket that allows you to attach your camera to a wall, eave, or other surface. Here are the steps to install the bracket:

1. Hold the mounting bracket against the surface where you want to mount the camera. Use a pencil to mark the two screw holes.
2. Using a drill with a small drill bit, pre-drill holes into the marked spots. This step is optional but can make inserting the screws easier, especially if mounting into wood or drywall.
3. Using a screwdriver, screw the provided screws into the pre-drilled holes until the bracket is firmly attached.
4. If needed, insert the provided anchors into the holes before screwing in the bracket. Anchors provide extra support when mounting into surfaces like drywall or masonry.

Be sure to only install the bracket itself at this stage – do not attach the camera yet.

Installing and Charging the Battery

Ring cameras are powered by a rechargeable battery pack that must be installed and charged before use. Here are the steps for this process:

1. Take the camera battery pack and align the gold contacts.
2. Insert the battery pack into the bottom of the Ring camera until it clicks into place.
3. Fully charge the battery by plugging the camera into a power outlet using the included USB cable and adapter. It takes about 4-5 hours to fully charge the battery the first time.
4. While the battery charges, you can continue setting up the rest of the camera’s components.

A fully charged battery will provide several months of use before needing to be recharged. When power gets low, you’ll get notifications on your phone reminding you to recharge.

Connecting the Camera to Wifi

With the physical installation complete, it’s now time to connect your Ring camera to wifi. Connecting to wifi allows you to view live footage and receive motion alerts from anywhere. Here are the steps:

1. Make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to your 2.4Ghz wifi network.
2. Open the Ring app and tap Set Up a Device.
3. Select Security Cams and follow the in-app instructions.
4. When prompted, scan the QR code on the bottom of the camera using the Ring app.
5. After scanning, select your wifi network name and enter the password.
6. The camera will connect to the wifi network.
7. Once connected, you’ll see a live video view from your camera in the Ring app.

The in-app setup provides a step-by-step guide to help connect your camera to wifi and troubleshoot any issues. Be patient during the setup process – it may take several minutes for the new device to appear in your app.

Mounting the Camera

After connecting to wifi, it’s time to mount the camera on the bracket:

1. On the mounting bracket, loosen the thumbscrew and rotate the mounting ball so the opening faces upward.
2. Align the slots on the base of the camera with the pegs on the mounting ball. The Ring logo should face forward when properly aligned.
3. Press the camera onto the mounting ball so the pegs insert into the slots and hold the camera in place.
4. Hand tighten the thumbscrew until the camera is firmly fixed onto the bracket.
5. Use the adjustable joint to angle and pivot the camera for the optimal viewing position.

And that’s it – your camera is now fully installed and connected! You’ll immediately start receiving alerts and can view live footage from the Ring app.

Adjusting Motion Zones

One powerful feature of Ring cameras is the ability to set motion zones. Motion zones allow you to define which areas within the camera’s field of view will trigger motion alerts.

Here’s how to set a motion zone:

1. Open the Ring app and select your camera.
2. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner to open the camera settings.
3. Select Motion Settings.
4. Tap Motion Zones.
5. Use your finger to draw the specific zones you want enabled for motion detection. You can create multiple zones.
6. Tap Save in the upper right when finished.

The motion sensor will now only trigger alerts when movement is detected within the zones you defined. This prevents nuisance alerts from non-important areas. Tweak the zones over time to optimize for your needs.

Adjusting Motion Sensitivity

In addition to motion zones, you can also adjust the overall motion sensitivity:

• Low – Only detects significant movement from larger objects.
• Medium – Balanced sensitivity for detecting general motion.
• High – Very sensitive to all motion, including smaller objects.

Access motion sensitivity in the same Motion Settings menu where you set the motion zones.

Start with the Medium default, then adjust up or down as needed. Higher sensitivity gives you more alerts, but can also lead to false alarms from insignificant motion.

Setting Up Alerts

Getting alerts pushed to your phone is one of the key benefits of the Ring camera. This allows you to react and respond to events in real time.

To enable motion alerts:

1. In the Ring app, tap the three dots to open the camera settings.
2. Tap Motion Settings.
3. Ensure “Motion Notifications” is toggled ON.

You can also enable alerts for other types of events detected by your camera:

• Motion zones triggered
• Person detected (with Ring cameras that support person detection)
• Audible alarms

Open the Motion Settings menu to activate the alerts you want to receive on your phone. Alerts keep you informed of any activity captured by your camera.

Setting Up Live View

The live view feature lets you check the camera’s video stream at any time. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Select your camera from the device list.
3. Tap the Live View button at the bottom.
4. The live view will open after a few seconds.
5. Toggle the microphone button at the bottom to enable two-way talk.

With live view enabled, you can check what’s happening in real time or speak to visitors using two-way audio. Tap the screen to activate microphone and speaker.

Enabling Video Recording

All Ring cameras include free cloud storage for recorded video clips triggered by motion or alerts. Here’s how to enable video recording:

1. In the Ring app, tap the three dots in the camera view.
2. Select Video Recording.
3. Tap the toggle to enable video recording and recording length.

Video recording allows you to look back and see exactly what caused a motion alert. You can review, download, and share recordings for up to 60 days.

Changing Access Settings

By default, anyone in your Ring friends list can view your camera’s live feed. To change access:

1. Tap the three dots in the camera view.
2. Select Change Access.
3. Adjust which friends or groups can view live footage and recorded videos.
4. Tap Save to apply the changes.

You have full control over which users can see your camera feeds. Restrict access for complete privacy or grant access to family and close friends.

Connecting with Amazon Alexa

You can enable your Ring camera to work with Amazon Alexa for voice controls and integration with other smart devices. Here’s how to link your Ring and Alexa accounts:

1. Open the Alexa app and go to Skills & Games.
2. Search for the Ring skill and enable it.
3. Sign into Ring using your username and password.
4. Follow the in-app instructions to complete the link.

After linking accounts, you can use Alexa voice commands like “Alexa, show me the front door camera” to pull up live views on Echo Shows and Fire TV. Linking allows seamless smart home integration.

Connecting with Google Assistant

For Google Assistant users, you can also connect your Ring account for similar voice control capabilities:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap the Add icon and select Set Up Device.
3. Select the Have something already set up? option.
4. Search for Ring and select it.
5. Sign into your Ring account.
6. Follow the additional setup prompts.

With your Ring camera linked to your Google account, you can use commands like “Hey Google, show the front door camera” on supported devices.

Enabling Smart Responses

Ring allows you to set pre-recorded smart responses that are triggered when the camera detects a person. Here’s how to set them up:

1. In the Ring app, tap the three dots in the camera view.
2. Select Linked Chimes.
3. Tap your camera under Ring Cameras.
4. Tap Audio Settings.
5. Record a custom smart response by tapping one of the preset messages.

Now when your camera detects a person, it will play your pre-recorded message through the camera speaker. You can use smart responses to deter unwanted visitors.

Updating Camera Software

Ring periodically releases software updates to improve performance and add new features. Here’s how to update your camera:

1. Open the Ring app and select your camera.
2. Tap the three dots in the camera view.
3. Select Device Health.
4. If an update is available, tap Update Now to install.

It’s a good idea to check for updates about once a month to keep your camera software up-to-date. Updates help maintain optimal security and performance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are solutions to some common issues you may encounter with your Ring camera:

Issue	Solution
No power or camera is offline	Recharge or replace the battery. Make sure the camera is connected to wifi.
Can’t connect to wifi	Move router closer. Reboot router and camera. Try connecting manually with password.
Not receiving alerts	Check internet connection. Make sure alerts are enabled in the app. Update the app.
Poor video quality	Adjust camera position. Make sure night vision is on at night. Clean the camera lens.
Smart responses not playing	Make sure person detection is on. Check linked chime settings and volume.

If the basic troubleshooting tips don’t resolve your issue, you may need to contact Ring customer support. Provide the make and model of your camera for quicker assistance.

Conclusion

Installing and setting up your new Ring camera is straightforward once you understand the basic steps. Position the camera, mount it securely, charge the battery, connect it to wifi, and customize the alerts and settings in the app. Adjust the motion zones, alert sensitivity, and live view options for the coverage that’s right for you. With regular maintenance like software updates and battery charging, your Ring camera will provide reliable home monitoring and peace of mind.