Setting Up and Using Ring Alarm Contact Sensor

Monitor movement inside your home when a door or window is opened or closed with Ring Alarm Contact Sensors.

Designed to be keep your entrances secure, Contact Sensors are made up of the sensor and the magnet and can be easily mounted using the included double-sided tape on the back. If the magnet is too large, open the back and remove the magnet piece from the magnet case and mount it directly.

By default, your Ring Alarm Contact Sensors are armed when using both Away and Home Mode.¹

Ring Alarm Contact Sensor features

• Armed modes:

  When armed, the Contact Sensor will trigger your Ring Alarm if a door or window is opened.

  Customize your Sensor mode settings.
• Entry and Exit Delay:

  If your Contact Sensor Placement is set to Main Door, you can

  customize your entry and exit delays

  to have enough time to leave after arming, or entering and disarming

  ¹

  .
• Bypass Sensors:

  If a Contact Sensor is open or offline at the time of arming, or if you want to leave a window open, you can

  bypass the Contact Sensor

  to leave it unarmed.
• Alexa Routines:

  Use your Contact Sensors to trigger Alexa routines.
• Alerts and history:

  Get alerts when a Sensor is opened, and review Sensor activity history

  ¹

  in the app.

Additional Contact Sensor specifications

Contact Sensor (1st Generation) 1. Sensor and magnet should be no more than ½” apart when the sensor is closed. 2. Add a second magnet for a window open option. 3. Add a Slim Magnet for unique windows and doors. 4. Uses one CR123a 3V battery (included).

	Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) 1. Sensor and magnet can be up to 1” apart when the Sensor is closed for easier mounting. 2. Easy-touch button on the front to help with easy troubleshooting. 3. Green LED light for softer light at night. 4. Mounting tape included right on the back of the Sensor. 5. Uses two CR 2032 coin cell batteries (included).

Contact Sensor placement settings

• Main Door -

  For use on doors you enter and exit from most often. When Arming Ring Alarm in Away mode, you’ll have a

  customizable Exit Delay

  that allows you to exit from that door. When armed, opening the door with this contact sensor will trigger the Entry Delay so you can disarm before the alarm sounds.
• Secondary Door

  - For use on doors you don’t use to enter and exit when armed. When armed, Ring Alarm will sound immediately when opened.
• Window

  - For use on windows only. When armed, Ring Alarm will sound immediately when opened.

Watch the video below to learn how placement settings work.

Installing Contact Sensors

There are many entry points where Contact Sensors can be used to secure your home, including:

• Front door
• Back / side door
• French doors and sliding glass doors
• Door leading to an attached garage or storage area
• Windows, especially those that can be easily accessed

Get tips on installing your Contact Sensor (2nd Generation)

Areas to avoid when using a Contact Sensor

• Don’t use it outdoors or in environments with extreme temperatures or humidity.
• Don’t use near corrosive chemicals.
• Not designed for use on garage doors.
• Avoid detached garages, warehouses or sheds. Sensors should always be used in the same building as the Base Station.
• Metal doors can sometimes create interference.

How to set up and install a Contact Sensor

Make sure your Ring Alarm is disarmed before beginning set up. Then: 

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap the

   menu (≡).
3. Tap

   Set Up a Device.
4. Tap

   Security Devices.
5. Tap

   Sensors.
6. Tap

   Contact Sensor.

Follow the in-app instructions to complete setup.

Depending on which Contact Sensor you have:

• (1st Generation) Attach the included mounting bracket onto the back of the sensor.
• (2nd Generation) Attach the sensor directly using the instructions below.

Make sure that the mounting surface is clean and dry before peeling the backing off the adhesive strip.

Then, install the sensor and magnet on a door or window and frame:

• (1st Generation) Make sure there is no more than ½” between the sensor and magnet when the door or window is closed.
• (2nd Generation) Make sure there is no more than 1" between the sensor and magnet when the door or window is closed.

Note: If you’re using the Contact Sensor on a door you use often, choose Main Door as the placement option. Main doors have Entry and Exit Delays to prevent you from accidentally triggering the alarm.

How to replace a Contact Sensor battery

Contact Sensor (1st Generation) Always insert replacement batteries correctly, matching the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols on the battery with the symbols on your Contact Sensor. 1. Ensure that your system is disarmed. 2. Remove the cover from the device and remove the battery. 3. Insert the new battery taking care to match + and - polarities with the symbols on your sensor. 4. Replace the cover securely.

Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) If you get a low battery warning, make sure to replace both batteries. 1. Ensure that your system is disarmed. 2. Remove the Contact Sensor and slide the back cover off. Depending on which Contact Sensor you have installed, you may need to use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the battery security plate. 3. Remove the old batteries and insert new batteries. 4. Replace the cover securely.