Basic Setup for Your Ring Camera

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: Ring Camera: Basic Setup

Your Ring camera is a versatile camera for both indoor and outdoor use, and comes with customizable motion detection, two-way talk, and an assortment of installation possibilities. In this guide, we will go over basic setup steps to help you get started with your new Ring camera.

2. Ring Camera: Charge Device

Before continuing with the setup of your Ring Camera, it is very important that the device has a full charge. Your device may not be fully charged after you've unboxed it.

To charge your Ring Camera:

1. Remove the protective plastic cover from your device's USB port, exposing it.
   

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2. Your Ring camera will have come with a Micro USB cable in it's packaging, but any Micro USB cable can be used.
   

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2. Plug the small end of the Micro USB cable into your Ring camera's USB port.
   

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2. Plug the other end of your Micro USB cable into a USB wall charger.
   

Ring recommends using at least a 2.1 amp USB wall charger, as this will generally charge your Ring Camera the fastest (around 4-5 hours). If you do not have a USB wall charger, the USB cable can be connected to any computer's USB port. However, this takes far longer to charge (12 hours or longer).

3. Mobile: Android or iOS

For the next steps, we need to determine what type of mobile device you have.

4. Ring: Install iOS App

1. From the main screen, open the App Store.
   

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2. At the bottom of the screen, tap on Search.
   

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2. Type "Ring" on the search bar at the top.
3. Tap Search to start the search.
   

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2. Tap the Ring App to see its download options.
3. Next, tap the GET button.
   

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2. The Ring will begin installing.

5. Ring App: Add Device

1. From your device's main screen, open the Ring app.
   

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2. Select Set up a Ring device.
   

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2. You will be prompted to sign up for a Ring account, or log in to an existing account.
   

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2. Once logged in, you will be presented with a list of Ring devices. Select the device you'll be adding.
   

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2. Once you have selected your device, you will be prompted to name that device.
   

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2. The Ring app will attempt to apply a geographic location to your device based on your Ring account's information and mobile device's GPS. Select Continue to proceed.
   

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2. The app will instruct you on what to do with your Ring device to continue setup. Select Continue to proceed.
   

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2. The app will now ask that you exit it briefly to connect your mobile device to the Wi-Fi network your Ring device is broadcasting. The app will display a helpful video that will instruct you on how to complete this on your mobile device.
   

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2. Once you're connected to the Ring's Wi-Fi network, the Ring app will recognize this and alert you. Tap the alert to be brought back into the Ring app to continue the setup process.
   

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2. The Ring app will then begin searching for Wi-Fi networks around you.
   

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2. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
   

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2. When prompted, type in your Wi-Fi network's password (if necessary), and select Continue.
   

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2. Your Ring device will begin connecting to your Wi-Fi network.
   

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2. Congratulations! Your Ring camera is now setup and ready to use. Select Continue to complete setup.
   

6. Ring Camera: Test Device

To ensure your Ring camera is communicating with your Ring app:

1. Remove the protective plastic cover from your device's orange setup button, exposing it. Now, double-press the orange button.
   

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2. You should receive a test alert on your mobile device from the Ring app, alerting you of movement.
   

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2. Selecting this notification will open the Ring app and allow you to view the alert and the camera's feed immediately.
   

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2. Congratulations! Your Ring camera is now setup and is ready to use!

7. Ring Camera: Re-charge Device

Your Ring camera's battery is rated to last between 6-12 months before needing to be recharged. It is very important to make sure you charge your Ring Camera before the battery dies completely. If this happens, all of these initial device setup steps may need to be repeated all over again.

The Ring app will send you multiple alerts both via E-mail (to the address registered to your Ring account) and the Ring app itself when your device's battery is running low.

To charge your Ring Camera:

1. Remove the protective plastic cover from your device's USB port, exposing it.
   

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2. Your Ring camera will have come with a Micro USB cable in it's packaging, but any Micro USB cable can be used.
   

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2. Plug the small end of the Micro USB cable into your Ring camera's USB port.
   

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2. Plug the other end of your Micro USB cable into a USB wall charger.
   

Ring recommends using at least a 2.1 amp USB wall charger, as this will generally charge your Ring Camera the fastest (around 4-5 hours). If you do not have a USB wall charger, the USB cable can be connected to any computer's USB port. However, this takes far longer to charge (12 hours or longer).

8. Ring: Install Android App

1. Launch the Play Store on your smartphone.
   

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2. Search for "Ring" using the search box located at the top.
3. Touch the magnifying glass on the on-screen keyboard to search.
   

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2. On the Ring App install page, tap INSTALL.
   

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2. Review the install prompt that pops up. Once done, touch ACCEPT.
3. Wait for the download to finish. Once done, touch OPEN.