Panic Button (2nd Gen) Setup and Use
Ring Alarm Panic Button (2nd Generation) allows Ring Alarm¹ owners to immediately request an emergency response through their Ring Alarm system¹. With a Ring Alarm Panic Button, a request for help² is only steps away.3
When held for three seconds or more, the Panic Button will send a message to the Ring Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station that urgent help is needed. After receiving a Panic or Fire signal from the Panic Button, the Base Station will sound the Ring Alarm siren. (The Base Station does not sound a siren when a medical Panic Button is pressed. Click here to find out what happens when you press your Panic Button.)
About the Panic Button (2nd Generation)
The Panic Button (2nd Generation) offers several notable features:
- You choose which emergency response will be requested for each Panic Button you own during setup or from the device dashboard.
- Panic (police response)
- Medical response
- Fire response²
Use the Ring app¹ to configure each button to your needs.
- The compact size of the Panic Button makes it easy to place it in your preferred locations within your home, such as the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. The clear cover helps reduce the chance of accidentally pressing the button.
- Place the Panic Button at your business location to request police or medical help in the case of an emergency.Smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring is not available for commercial properties.
Note: Professional monitoring² is required for an emergency response.
Steps to Set Up Your Ring Alarm Panic Button (2nd Generation)
1. Set Up the Device in the Ring App
- Open the main menu in your Ring app by tapping the 3-lined icon in the upper left-hand corner.
- TapSet Up a Device.
- TapSecurity.
- TapPanic Buttonsand then selectPanic Button For Ring Alarm (2nd Gen).
- TapReadyto proceed with the on-screen instructions.
2. Scan the QR Code on Your Device
- Tap theScan QR Codebutton.
- Turn over your Panic Button.
- Use your mobile device to scan the QR code on the back of your Panic Button.
- If your mobile device is not scanning the QR code, you can enter the 5-digit PIN next to the QR code.
- Continue to follow the on-screen instructions.
The QR code and PIN can also be found in the product packaging of your Panic Button.
3. Pull Out the Clear Tab
When prompted, pull the clear tab from the back of the device to turn on the Panic Button. Your Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station should find the device automatically.
As the Panic Button attempts to pair to your Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station, the LED light will rapidly blink green. Once pairing is complete, the LED glows green for three seconds.
Note: If the Panic Button does not pair successfully, the LED light blinks red. Try the pairing process again by following the in-app instructions. When it’s time to pull the battery tab, simply remove and reinsert your battery to complete the process.
Learn more about Panic Button (2nd Generation) troubleshooting
IMPORTANT: The Panic Button can trigger an alarm as soon as it’s paired with your system. Treat the Panic Button with care to avoid false alarms after you pull out the tab.
4. Choose the Type of Panic Response for Each Panic Button
Proceed with the setup of your new Panic Button in the Ring app by assigning it a name and room. Next, you’ll choose the alarm type that should trigger when you press your Panic Button:
- TapContinue.
- Select the type of response the Panic Button should trigger when pressed,Panic (police), Fire, or Medical, then tapContinue.
- When the Panic Button response type has successfully saved, you’ll see a green check mark on your screen. If not, tap theGot Itbutton to try again.
- If you’d like to change your Panic Button’s response type after setup is complete, tapDeviceson the Ring app main menu, thenSecurity, then your Panic Button (check the name), then tap theButton Settingtile.
5. Complete the Communication Test
Once you've chosen a panic response, you must confirm that it can communicate with the Base Station. To complete the communication test, follow these instructions:
- Make sure Test Mode is enabled before you start the communication test.
- Press and hold the Panic Button until the LED blinks red and green. This test will not set off your alarm.
- If the LED blinks red and green, the Panic Button is connected and ready to go.
- If the LED blinks red, you can try the test again or try repositioning the device closer to the Base Station. You can also use ato strengthen communication.
The communication test can also be completed at any time from the Advanced Options tile of the Panic Button device profile in the Ring app¹:
- Go to the main menu (three-lined icon in top left corner).
- Tap Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station underSecurity, then select your Panic Button.
- TapDevice Settings.
- TapAdvanced Options.
- TapRetry Connection.
- Tap the Setup button found inside the battery compartment to verify that your Panic Button is able to communicate with your Base Station.
Place the Panic Button
You can place your Panic Button just about anywhere inside of your home as long as it’s close enough to connect with your Base Station. You can place it on a flat surface or hang it on the wall, out of the reach of small children and pets. Click here for ideas.
Note: Be sure to choose a location where the Panic Button won't be triggered accidentally.
How to Use the Panic Button (2nd Generation)
The Panic Button has a safety cover that must be opened in order to press and hold the button to call for help in the case of an emergency. This helps reduce the chance of an accidental press and helps prevent false alarms.
Click here for more False Alarm Prevention tips.
This is What Happens When You Press Your Panic Button
Pressing your Panic Button will trigger a different set of responses depending on the setting (panic/police, fire, or medical). View this chart to understand what will happen when you press your Panic Button (when it’s paired with your Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station).
Click here to learn more about emergency response plans.
Panic Alarm (Police Response) | Fire Response | Medical Response | |
Self Monitoring | Base Station siren sounds. Ring account owners and Shared Users receive a push notification.¹ | Base Station siren sounds. Ring account owners and Shared Users receive a push notification.¹ | Base Station siren will not sound but the LED ring will flash. Ring account owners and Shared Users will receive a push notification.¹ |
Base Station siren sounds. Panic alarm signal is sent to the monitoring² center and they will follow the response plan. Ring account owner and emergency contacts will receive a call from the monitoring center. Ring account owner and Shared Users will receive a push notification.¹ | Base Station siren sounds. Fire alarm signal is sent to the monitoring² monitoring center and they will follow the response plan. Ring account owner and emergency contacts will receive a call from the monitoring center. Ring account owner and Shared Users will receive a push notification.¹ | Base Station siren will not sound but the LED ring will flash. Medical alarm signal is sent to the monitoring² center and they will follow the response plan. Ring account owner and emergency contacts will receive a call from the monitoring center. Ring account owners and Shared Users will receive a push notification.¹ |
Use Panic Button Stickers to Help You Remember the Alarm Response Your Button Will Trigger
Fire and medical stickers are provided with your Panic Button (2nd Generation) to help you keep track of the response it triggers. Peel and stick the corresponding fire or medical sticker to the Panic Button’s clear plastic safety cover.
Where to Place the Panic Button (2nd Generation)
With a Panic Button in the room, you’ll know that in the event of an emergency you can sound your Ring Alarm and summon help if you are signed up for professional monitoring.² Place the button in any area of your home where you feel it may be needed in an emergency or where you might want an extra bit of peace-of-mind.
Here are some ideas for where to place each of your Panic Buttons for optimal access in case of an emergency:
- On the nightstand in your bedroom.
- In the bathroom in case there is a fall or medical emergency (especially if you have an elderly family member).
- In or near the kitchen to call for help in case of a fire-related emergency.²
- In the room where you spend most of your time for police assistance in case of a break-in or other home security concern.
- If you want to use a Panic Button at a business location (police and medical emergencies only), keep it in an area where you may need extra security for you, your employees, and your equipment.
Order enough Panic Button devices to ensure that you are covered throughout your home or business.
How to Replace Your Panic Button (2nd Generation) Battery
Always insert replacement batteries correctly, matching the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols on the battery with the symbols.
- Disarm your Ring Alarm.¹
- Remove the back cover from the device by twisting the lid counter-clockwise until the top line moves to the unlock symbol.
- Depending on the type of Panic Button (2nd Generation) you have installed, you may need to use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the battery security plate.
- Use a small tool, such as a micro screwdriver, to carefully remove the coin cell batteries from the casing of your Panic Button.
- Insert two new coin cell batteries (CR2032), taking care to match + and - symbols with the markings on your Panic Button.
- Replace the cover securely, twisting the cover on clockwise until it locks in place.