Ring Video Doorbell on a modern home.

Getting Started with Your Ring Alarm System

Download the Ring Alarm (1st Generation) setup guide.

Download the Ring Alarm (2nd Generation) setup guide.

Your Ring Alarm Kit

Your five or seven piece Ring Alarm Kit includes: Base Station, Keypad, Contact Sensor(s), Motion Detector(s) and a Range Extender.

  • Base Station:
    The Base Station is the heart of the system and is actively connected to and commands all of the Ring Alarm devices connected to the system. Its functions are:
    • Professional Monitoring
      1
      :
      If any of the sensors are tripped, the Base Station will set off the burglar or fire alarm and inform the monitoring center to call authorities or first responders. The Base Station will also send you and your shared contacts push notifications and email alerts
      2
      (if opted in). This requires Ring Protect Pro and enrollment in Professional Monitoring.
      1
      .
    • Self Monitoring:
      If any of the sensors are tripped, the Base Station will send you and your shared contacts push notifications and email alerts
      2
      (if opted in).
    • System communication
      : The Base Station provides visual and audio feedback regarding system status changes and events using configurable audible sounds and voice alerts.
    • System backup:
      Your Base Station is equipped with battery backup and LTE cellular backup to make sure the system is up and running even if the power goes out or broadband is unavailable.
      • Cellular backup is only provided if you sign up for Professional Monitoring.
        1
  • Keypad:
    The Keypad (powered by rechargeable battery or AC) is an alternate method of controlling the armed state of the Ring Alarm system. By typing on the Keypad, users can arm and disarm the system, bypass certain sensors, or trigger the alarm.
  • Contact Sensor:
    Contact Sensors are magnetic sensors that are placed at doors and windows that can tell when they are opened and (assuming the device is active in your current mode) trigger the alarm and inform the monitoring center.
    1
  • Motion Detector:
    Motion Detectors use passive infrared scanning (PIR) to detect motion in a given area. Once motion is detected they will send an alert and (depending on system settings) trigger an alarm. At least one Motion Detector comes in the box.
  • Range Extender:
    The Base Station and Ring Alarm sensors communicate with each other using a secure mesh network called Z-Wave. This is not wifi and will not interfere with wifi signals. A Range Extender extends the mesh network with which Ring Alarm components communicate with each other as well as the distance the base station can communicate with a device.

Setting up your Ring Alarm in the Ring app

Before setting up your Ring Alarm, download or update the Ring - Always Home app on your smartphone or tablet.

If you’re new to Ring, tap Create Account. The app will ask you to enter your home or property address, your name, and email address, then ask you to create a password.

If you already have a Ring account used for other Ring devices or Ring.com, use it to log in to the Ring app.

To set up your Ring Alarm in the app:

  1. Open the
    menu (≡).
  2. Tap
    Set Up a Device
  3. Tap
    Security.
  4. Tap
    Ring Alarm.
    • The Ring app will walk you through the setup process, step by step.
  5. Set up your Ring Alarm Base Station.
  6. Once your Base Station is set up and your devices are connected to the Base Station, you can start placing your Contact Sensors and Motion Detectors around your home.

Manage Alarm Alerts

Get email and push notifications (Ring Protect subscription required) during an emergency event, when a Ring device’s battery is low, for temperature issues and more by managing Alarm alerts.

Learn more about managing Alarm Alerts in the Ring app or from Ring.com.

Practice Mode

Discover features, tweak settings, and arm and disarm your Ring Alarm without the worry of false alarms or accidental dispatches when in practice mode. You can toggle practice mode anytime (US/CA only) when you sign up for a Ring Protect Pro plan or subscription trial. In Practice Mode, you can learn how to use your Alarm system by experiencing an alarming event and going through an automated call from the Ring Monitoring center. Exit Practice Mode by changing your practice mode settings in the monitoring settings screen and jump back in to refresh your skills at any time.

Practice Mode is also the perfect time to test your Contact Sensors and Motion Detectors and make sure everything is working as it should. For example:

  • Do the sensors trigger at the right time? If a sensor is incorrectly installed or detects too little motion, your system may not work properly.
  • Can the sensors talk to the Base Station? If your sensors are too far from the Base Station, they won't be able to report if anything's wrong.
  • Does the system alarm go off when a sensor gets triggered? If your Ring Alarm is set to Away or Stay and a door opens, does the system alarm go off properly (or go into Entry Delay)?

Adding Shared Users and Alarm Guest Users

Decide who has access to your Ring Alarm system by adding Shared Users and Alarm Guest Users.

  • Shared Users can arm and disarm
    2
    a Ring Alarm system and unlock any lock they have been given access to by the owner.
  • Alarm Guest Users do not have app access, but they can arm and disarm using the Keypad using an access code.

Learn how to add Shared Users and Alarm Guest Users.


¹ A compatible Ring Protect subscription is required to enroll in the Ring Alarm professional monitoring service. Professional monitoring service is available only within the U.S. (all 50 states, but not U.S. territories) and in Canada (excluding Quebec). Ring does not own its own professional monitoring center. Smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring is not available for commercial properties. See Ring Alarm licenses at: https://www.ring.com/licenses.

2 Ring Alarm and all Ring Alarm accessories require a subscription for digital notifications, in-app features, digital arming/disarming, and integration with other Ring, Echo, and third party products. Subscription sold separately. View ring.com/protect-plans for pricing and details.