Disconnecting a Ring camera means removing it from your account so it stops sending video to your phone and cloud storage
When you disconnect a Ring camera, you're breaking the link between the device and your Ring account. The camera itself stays where it is, but it stops recording to the cloud, stops sending notifications, and stops appearing in your Ring app. This is different from deleting the device entirely — disconnection is reversible. You can reconnect the same camera later if you want to use it again.
You might disconnect a camera temporarily if you're traveling, selling your house, or giving the device to someone else. You might disconnect it permanently if you're replacing it with a different model or no longer want that camera monitoring. Either way, the steps are the same, and the process takes about five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnecting a Ring camera stops it from recording and sending alerts, but you can reconnect it later using the same account or a different one.
- You remove the camera through the Ring app by going to Devices, selecting the camera, and choosing the remove or disconnect option.
- After disconnection, the camera will not work with your Ring account until you add it back and complete setup again.
- If you're giving the camera to someone else, disconnect it first so they can set it up under their own Ring account.
- Disconnecting does not delete video recordings you already saved — those remain in your Ring cloud storage until you delete them manually.
Steps to disconnect through the Ring app
Open the Ring app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner. Tap Devices. Find the camera you want to disconnect and tap it. Scroll down to the bottom of the device settings page — you'll see a button labeled "Remove Device" or "Disconnect Device" depending on which Ring camera model you have.
Tap that button. The app will ask you to confirm. Tap "Yes" or "Remove" when prompted. The camera will disappear from your device list within a few seconds. At this point, the camera is no longer connected to your account. If the camera is still powered on, it will show a blue light or other indicator that it's not connected to Wi-Fi or your account.
If you don't see a remove option at the bottom of the device page, scroll all the way down — it's sometimes below other settings like notifications or video quality. On some older Ring models, the option might be labeled "Delete Device" instead of "Remove Device," but the result is the same.
What happens to your video after disconnection
Video recordings stored in your Ring cloud storage do not disappear when you disconnect the camera. They stay in your account until you delete them manually. You can still watch, read, or share those recordings through the Ring app even after the camera is disconnected.
If you want to delete the recordings, go to the Ring app, tap the menu, tap Videos, find the recordings from that camera, and delete them one by one or in bulk if your app version supports it. Deleting recordings is optional — many people keep them for reference even after disconnecting the camera.
Reconnecting the same camera later
If you disconnect a camera and later want to use it again, you can reconnect it to the same account or a different one. The process is the same as setting up a new camera: open the Ring app, tap the menu, tap Devices, tap the plus sign to add a device, select your camera model, and follow the setup steps. You'll need to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network again.
If you're reconnecting to the same account, the app may remember some of your previous settings like motion detection zones or notification preferences. If you're reconnecting to a different account (for example, if you're giving the camera to a family member), they'll set it up from scratch under their own Ring account.
Disconnecting before selling or giving away the camera
Always disconnect a Ring camera from your account before handing it to someone else. If you don't, the new owner won't be able to set it up under their own account — the camera will still be linked to your Ring account, and you'll continue to see its video feed.
After you disconnect, the camera is ready for the new owner to set up. They'll open their own Ring app, add the device, and connect it to their Wi-Fi. They won't need any information from you except the camera model name, which is usually printed on the device or its original box.
If you're selling the camera online or through a store, disconnect it before shipping it. This protects your privacy and makes the device usable for the buyer when ready after they receive it.
Troubleshooting if the remove button doesn't appear
If you don't see a remove or disconnect option in the Ring app, first check that you're logged into the account that owns the camera. If someone else in your household set up the camera under their account, you won't see the remove option in your app — only the account owner can disconnect it.
If you're the account owner and still don't see the option, try closing the Ring app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show all available options. If the camera is offline (not connected to Wi-Fi), the remove button may also be hidden — reconnect the camera to Wi-Fi first, wait 30 seconds for it to sync with your account, then try again.
If none of these steps work, you can contact Ring support through the app by tapping the menu, then Help & Support. They can disconnect the camera from your account remotely, though this is rarely necessary.
Disconnecting Ring doorbells and other Ring devices
Ring makes cameras, doorbells, and other devices like floodlights and alarm systems. The disconnection process is the same for all of them: open the Ring app, go to Devices, select the device, scroll to the bottom, and tap Remove Device. Whether it's a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Stick Up Cam, or Ring Floodlight Cam, the steps don't change.
If you have multiple Ring devices on your account, disconnecting one doesn't affect the others. Each device is independent, so you can disconnect a camera while keeping your doorbell connected, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disconnect a Ring camera without the app?
No, you need the Ring app to disconnect a camera from your account. You can't do it through the Ring website or by unplugging the camera. If you don't have access to the app, you can contact Ring support and they can disconnect it for you.
Will the camera still record if I disconnect it?
No. Once disconnected, the camera stops recording to the cloud and stops sending video to your Ring account. The camera itself may still power on if it's plugged in, but it won't function as a security camera anymore.
Do I lose my video recordings when I disconnect?
No. Video stored in your Ring cloud storage stays in your account after disconnection. You can watch and delete those recordings anytime. Only the live connection between the camera and your account is broken.
Can someone else reconnect my camera to their account?
Yes, once you disconnect a camera, anyone can set it up under their own Ring account. This is why you should disconnect before giving or selling the camera to someone else — it ensures they can use it when ready without needing your account information.
What if I disconnect by accident?
You can reconnect the camera right away by adding it back to your account through the Ring app. The process is the same as setting up a new device. Your previous video recordings will still be in your account.