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 (if opted in). This requires an eligible Ring Home Standard or Premium Plan subscription and the Alarm Professional Monitoring add-on service (sold separately).

    Learn more about Ring Home

    .
  • Self Monitoring:

    If any of the sensors are tripped, the Base Station will send you and your shared contacts push notifications and email alerts (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

    ^{2 3}

    to make sure the system is up and running even if the power goes out or broadband is unavailable.
    • Cellular backup

      ^{2 3}

      is only provided if you add-on Alarm Professional Monitoring

      ¹

      (separate purchase required).
• 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

  Extra contact sensors can be purchased separately.
• 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.

  Extra motion detectors are available.
• 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.

• Android
• iOS

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.
   • Visit

     Getting Started - Setting up and Registering Your Base Station in the Ring App

     to learn more.
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.
   • The correct placement of these sensors is critical in protecting your home. Check out the following articles to get advice on the correct placement of Contact Sensors and Motion Detectors:
     • Getting Started - Understanding and Installing Your Devices
     • Getting Started - Placing Sensors and Motion Detectors

Manage Alarm Alerts

Get email and push notifications 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 an eligible Ring Home 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

  ⁴

  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.