Ring cameras stay tied to the account that set them up, so transferring one means removing it from your account and letting the new owner add it to theirs

When you sell, give away, or hand off a Ring camera to someone else, the device itself does not automatically transfer. Ring ties each camera to an Amazon account through the Ring app. The new owner cannot use the camera until you remove it from your account and they add it to theirs. This is a security feature — it prevents someone from accessing footage or settings without your knowledge — but it also means you have to take specific steps before handing the device over.

The process takes about ten minutes and involves removing the camera from your Ring app, resetting the device to factory settings, and giving the new owner the physical camera and its power cable. After that, they will set it up as if it were brand new, creating their own Ring account or adding it to an existing one.

Key Takeaways

  • You must remove the camera from your Ring app before the new owner can set it up on their account.
  • Resetting the camera to factory settings erases all footage, settings, and account links stored on the device itself.
  • The new owner will need their own Amazon account and Ring app to add the camera and view footage.
  • Ring stores footage in the cloud tied to your account, so removing the device from your app stops your access to all recorded video.

Remove the camera from your Ring app

Open the Ring app on your phone and go to the Devices tab. Find the camera you are transferring and tap on it. Scroll down to the bottom of the device settings page and look for a "Remove Device" or "Delete Device" button. Tap it, and the app will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the camera is no longer linked to your Amazon account.

At this point, the camera is still powered on and still has its old settings stored inside it. The new owner cannot use it yet because it is still configured for your network and your account. That is why the next step — factory reset — is necessary.

Factory reset the camera to clear all stored data

A factory reset erases everything the camera remembers: your Wi-Fi password, your account settings, any local recordings, and any configuration changes you made. This step is important both for security (so the new owner does not inherit your network details) and for function (so the camera can be set up fresh on their network).

The reset method depends on your Ring model. Most Ring cameras have a small reset button on the back or bottom of the device. Press and hold this button for 15 to 20 seconds while the camera is powered on. The light on the camera will flash or change color, usually to orange or red, indicating the reset is in progress. Once the light returns to its normal state, the reset is complete. If your model does not have a physical reset button, check the Ring support page for your specific camera — some models reset through the app instead, or by unplugging and replugging the power in a specific sequence.

After the reset, the camera will no longer connect to your Wi-Fi network. It is now in a blank state, ready for the new owner to set up.

What happens to your recorded footage

Ring stores most video footage in the cloud on Amazon's servers, tied to your account. When you remove the camera from your app, you lose access to all that footage — it does not transfer to the new owner, and the new owner cannot see it. If you want to keep any recordings, read them before you remove the device from your app. Ring allows you to read video clips directly through the app, though the process is slow if you have months of footage.

Local storage — video saved on a microSD card inside some Ring models — is erased during the factory reset. If your camera has a microSD card slot and you inserted a card, that card will be wiped clean. Remove the card before the reset if you want to keep it, though the footage on it will still be inaccessible to the new owner because it was encrypted to your account.

Prepare the camera and accessories for handoff

Before you give the camera to the new owner, make sure you have the original power cable or power adapter. Ring cameras need consistent power to operate, and the new owner will need the correct cable for their model. If you have the original packaging or documentation, include that too — it helps the new owner understand what they are setting up.

Check that the camera is powered off or unplugged before handing it over. The new owner will plug it in as part of their setup process. If the camera has a microSD card slot and you left a card in it, remove it now so the new owner does not wonder why there is a card in the device.

What the new owner needs to do

The new owner will need an Amazon account to use the Ring camera. They do not need an existing Ring account — they can create one through the Ring app when they first set up the device. They will read the Ring app, create or sign into their Amazon account, and then add the camera as a new device. The app will walk them through connecting the camera to their Wi-Fi network and testing it.

This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The new owner should have their Wi-Fi password ready and make sure the camera is in range of their router. Once the camera connects and shows a live feed in their app, the setup is complete and they have full control.

Security and privacy considerations

Removing the camera from your account is the main security step — once it is gone from your app, you cannot view it or change its settings anymore. However, if you are selling the camera to someone you do not know, consider whether you want to include any identifying information about your home, like the camera's location name or any notes you left in the app. Since you are removing the device before handing it over, the new owner will not see those notes, but it is worth being aware of what information might be visible during setup.

The factory reset clears your Wi-Fi password from the camera's memory, so the new owner will not learn your network details. They will set up their own Wi-Fi connection during their setup process. If you are concerned about any other data on the device, the factory reset handles that — there is no hidden account information or personal data left behind after a reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer the camera without factory resetting it?

No. The new owner needs to set up the camera on their own Wi-Fi network and account, and the camera cannot do that while it still has your network settings stored. A factory reset is required for the camera to work on a different network.

Will the new owner see my old footage or recordings?

No. Cloud footage is tied to your account and is not transferred. Local footage on a microSD card is erased during the factory reset. Once you remove the device from your app, the new owner starts with a blank slate.

What if I forget to remove the camera from my app before giving it to the new owner?

The new owner will not be able to add it to their account until you remove it from yours. If this happens, you will need to remove it from your app remotely, or the new owner can contact Ring support to request removal. It is simpler to do it yourself before the handoff.

Do I need to tell Amazon or Ring that I am transferring the camera?

No. Removing the device from your app is all that is required on your end. The new owner will set it up as a new device on their own account, and Ring will not flag it as a transfer or require any special permission.

What if the camera is still under warranty?

Ring warranties are tied to the original purchaser and the device's serial number, not to the account. The new owner may be able to transfer the warranty to themselves by contacting Ring support with proof of purchase, but that is between them and Ring. Your removal of the device from your account does not affect warranty status.