Transferring ownership means removing the doorbell from your account and letting the new owner add it to theirs
A Ring doorbell stays tied to the account that set it up. If you're selling your home, moving out of a rental, or giving the device to someone else, you need to remove it from your Ring account first. The new owner can then add it to their own account using the same physical device — no new hardware required. The process takes about 10 minutes and involves a few specific steps in the Ring app.
The key difference from other smart home devices is that Ring requires the original owner to initiate the removal. You cannot straightforward reset the doorbell and hand it over; the new owner will get stuck during setup if your account still owns it. This protects security — it prevents someone from taking a doorbell off your home and using it elsewhere without your knowledge.
Key Takeaways
- You must remove the doorbell from your Ring account before the new owner can set it up on theirs.
- The removal happens in the Ring app under device settings, and you can do it remotely without touching the physical doorbell.
- After removal, the new owner should factory reset the doorbell to clear any remaining data, then add it to their own Ring account.
- The new owner will need their own Ring account and the Wi-Fi password for your home network (or theirs, if they're moving in).
- Removing the doorbell also removes any video history, recordings, and shared access tied to your account.
Steps to remove the doorbell from your account
Open the Ring app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right. Select Devices, then tap the doorbell you want to transfer. Scroll down and tap Device Settings, then General Settings. At the bottom, you'll see Remove This Device — tap it and confirm when the app asks if you're sure.
The app will ask why you're removing it. Select I'm moving or selling my home or I'm giving this device to someone else — this tells Ring's system to fully disconnect the device so a new owner can claim it. Do not select I'm replacing this device, which is for upgrading to a newer Ring model. After you confirm, the doorbell is no longer connected to your account.
If you cannot access the app, you can also remove the device through the Ring website. Log in at ring.com, go to Devices, select your doorbell, and follow the same path through settings to remove it. Either method works equally well.
What the new owner needs to do after you remove it
Before the new owner sets up the doorbell on their account, they should perform a factory reset. This clears any remaining data from your account and ensures a clean start. To factory reset a Ring doorbell, hold down the orange button on the back of the device for 15 to 20 seconds until the light flashes. Release the button and wait about a minute for the reset to complete.
Once reset, the new owner opens the Ring app on their phone, taps the plus icon to add a device, and selects Doorbells. They'll scan the QR code on the back of the doorbell (or enter the device code manually if the camera cannot read it). The app will ask them to connect the doorbell to their Wi-Fi network — they'll need the password for whatever network the doorbell will use. If they're moving into your home, they can use your Wi-Fi temporarily during setup, then switch to their own network later.
The setup process asks for a location name (like "Front Door"), and optionally a phone number for two-factor verification. Once complete, the doorbell is fully owned by the new account and will begin recording video to their Ring subscription.
What happens to video history and recordings
When you remove the doorbell from your account, all video recordings tied to that device on your account are deleted. This includes any clips you saved, motion events, or doorbell presses. The new owner will not see your old footage — their account starts fresh with no history.
If you want to keep any recordings, read them before removing the device. In the Ring app, go to the Video Library, select any clip you want to save, and tap the read icon. Downloaded videos save to your phone's camera roll and are yours to keep even after the doorbell is transferred.
Removing shared access and permissions
If you shared access to the doorbell with family members, roommates, or guests through the Ring app, that access is automatically removed when you remove the device from your account. Anyone you invited to view the doorbell will lose access when ready — they'll see an error if they try to open the app and view that device.
You do not need to manually remove each person. The device removal handles it automatically. However, if you want to remove someone's access before transferring the doorbell, you can do that separately in the doorbell's Device Settings under Sharing. This is useful if you're selling your home but want to keep the doorbell yourself and just remove one person's viewing permission.
Transferring a Ring doorbell you're renting or leasing
If you own the doorbell but are renting your home, check your lease or ask your landlord before removing it. Some rental agreements require you to leave certain fixtures in place, while others let you take your own devices. The removal process is the same — you remove it from your account in the Ring app — but the decision about who keeps the physical device is between you and your landlord.
If your landlord is keeping the doorbell and will set it up on their own account, follow the removal and factory reset steps above. If you're taking the doorbell with you, you can remove it from your account and add it to your new home's Wi-Fi network. The doorbell itself works anywhere you have power and Wi-Fi; it is not locked to a specific address.
Troubleshooting a doorbell that won't transfer
If the new owner tries to set up the doorbell and the app says it's already registered, the device was not fully removed from your account. Go back into your Ring app, confirm the device is no longer listed under Devices, and try again. If it still appears, sign out of the Ring app completely, wait 5 minutes, and sign back in. Sometimes the app cache needs to refresh.
If the doorbell still will not transfer after that, perform a factory reset (hold the orange button for 15 to 20 seconds) and try the new owner's setup again. A factory reset clears the device's memory of your account and usually solves transfer issues. If it persists, contact Ring support with the device's serial number — it may be a technical issue that requires their help to resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer the doorbell if I forgot my Ring password?
Yes. Go to ring.com and click Forgot Password to reset it. You'll receive an email with a reset link. Once you've set a new password, log into the Ring app and remove the device normally. You do not need to remember your old password to transfer ownership.
Does the new owner need a Ring subscription to use the doorbell?
They need a Ring account, which is free to create. However, to save and view video recordings, they'll need a Ring Protect subscription (paid monthly). Without it, they can see live video when someone rings the doorbell, but recordings are not saved. Most people choose the basic plan, which covers one device.
What if the new owner doesn't have a Ring account yet?
They can create one for free at ring.com or in the Ring app before setting up the doorbell. The account creation takes a few minutes and asks for an email address and password. They can set up the doorbell when ready after creating their account.
Can I transfer the doorbell to someone without removing it from my account?
No. The new owner's setup will fail if your account still owns the device. You must remove it first through the Ring app. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Do I need to tell Ring that I'm transferring the doorbell?
No. The app handles the transfer when you remove the device. You do not need to contact Ring support unless something goes wrong during the process. The removal option in the app is designed specifically for transfers and sales.