How to Install a Ring Video Doorbell

Open the box and set everything out so you know what you're working with. You get the doorbell itself, the mounting bracket, a USB-C charging cable, wall anchors and screws, and a little orange security screw tool. It's a short parts list. Taking a minute to spot each piece now means you won't be digging through packaging later when your hands are full at the wall.

Charge it before you do anything else. On this generation the battery is built in, so there's nothing to pop out. Plug the included USB-C cable into the port on the back and let it run until the light ring on the front glows solid. A full charge up front means you set the doorbell once and leave it on the wall instead of pulling it back down in a week.

Download the Ring app, sign in, and choose to set up a new device. The app asks you to scan the QR code on the doorbell, so hold your phone camera over it and let it read. From there you name the device and tell it which door it's on. Labeling it now, like Front Door, keeps your alerts clear once you have the camera live.

The app now asks you to pick a Wi-Fi network. Choose your home network and type in the password. One thing worth knowing: Ring doorbells connect on the 2.4GHz band, not 5GHz, so if your router splits the two you'll want the 2.4GHz name. Give it a moment and the light ring confirms it's online and talking to your network.

Time to mount it. Hold the bracket flat against the wall where you want the doorbell, around 48 inches off the ground, and mark your screw holes with a pencil. A level here keeps it straight. Drill the holes, and if you're going into drywall, brick, or stucco, tap the wall anchors in flush. The bracket lines right up with those holes when you're ready.

Drive the mounting screws through the bracket into your anchors and snug them down until the bracket sits tight and flat against the wall. Give it a wiggle when you're done. This is the piece that holds all the weight, so a solid, flush bracket is what keeps the doorbell from sagging or working loose over time. Take the extra ten seconds to get it firm.

With the bracket set, line the doorbell up over it and press it down onto the tabs until it seats into place. It should sit flush against the wall with the camera up top and the button centered. Step back and eyeball it to make sure it's straight before you lock it down. This part clicks together fast once the bracket is solid underneath it.

Slide the orange security screw into the slot at the bottom and tighten it so nobody can lift the doorbell off the wall. Now the fun part. Open Live View in the Ring app and check that the camera feed comes through clean, then press the button to make sure the chime sounds. Once you see the video and hear the ring, your doorbell is up and working.