Are you thinking of buying a Ring Doorbell? That’s a great idea! Ring Doorbell is an excellent device that can help put up better protection to any residence. This article gives you some tips to use Ring Doorbell to help you make the most out of this device.
How to Use Ring Doorbell
Before we talk about use Ring Doorbell, let us recount the different models of the device. They are:
- Ring Doorbell
It is the base model with features such as two-way talk, live video stream, and motion detection. Ring Doorbell and all other models use the Ring app to work.
- Ring Doorbell 2
An upgrade of Ring Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2 has a 160-degrees horizontal vision and a 90-degrees vertical vision. It also has a 1080p HD resolution along with other features.
- Ring Doorbell Elite
A higher-end version of Ring Doorbell 2, Elite does not run on battery. It must be hardwired to a doorbell transformer to work. Its most notable feature is the customizable motion-detection zones.
- Ring Doorbell Pro
Pro is another higher-end version of Ring Doorbell and Ring Doorbell 2. Like Elite, it does not run on battery. That means you need to hardwire it to take advantage of its features.
- Ring Doorbell 3
One of the latest versions, it has added features. Some of those features are the noise cancellation during a two-way talk, the privacy zones, and dual-band Wi-Fi. It also has a night vision with the 1080p HD video.
Ring Doorbell 3 Plus has almost the same features as Ring Doorbell 3. The only difference is the feature “Pre-roll Video.” It allows the device to detect an incoming person when approaching. As soon as the doorbell senses someone coming, it will send alerts to warn you.
All of these devices can be controlled using the Ring App. How to use Ring Doorbell is essentially about learning what you can do with the app. Below are some of the things you can do using Ring Doorbell.
Share Access with Your Housemates
If you have housemates, it is also helpful for them to know whenever someone rings the doorbell. Ring Doorbell allows that by opening your app. From there, select “Shared Users.” By tapping that, you can invite other uses to access the device. To use Ring Doorbell, they need to create their own account, of course.
Using Motion Detection (for Battery-Powered Devices)
One of the features accompanying the Ring Doorbell’s Motion Detection is the Motion Zones. It lets you define specific areas as coverage of the device. Any motion from that area will be detected, which will trigger the notifications.
On the other hand, everything outside of that area will be ignored by the sensors. Selecting the Motion Zones of the device is great for improving device precision. Also, you will have fewer false-positive alerts this way.
Follow the instructions below to set up the Motion Zones:
- Open Ring app and select the desired Ring device.
- Select ‘Motion Settings’ then tap ‘Motion Zones.’
- Use the slider to adjust and optimize the motion zones.
Tips in Using Motion Zones
- If you often receive motion alerts, you can adjust the motion zone so that it does not include high traffic areas like sidewalks or busy streets.
- Learn and get used to using Motion Scheduling and Motion Frequency. Both can help you adjust how many alerts you receive.
- By utilizing the Motion Schedule, you can set a time when you will not receive any alert from the device. Take note that the Ring Doorbell still records.
- With the Motion Frequency, you can set up how recurrent motion will be detected. There are three settings – Frequent (captures all events), Standard (captures but sends alerts less), and Light (captures and sends alerts even less often).
Using Motion Detection (for Powered Ring Devices)
You can also set up the motion zones on powered Ring Devices.
You can do that by following these steps:
- Open the Ring app and choose the desired Ring device.
- Tap ‘Motion Settings’ > ‘Motion Zones.
- Next, select ‘Add a Motion Zone’.
- Adjust the points on the colored box that appears to expand or contract the motion zones.
- When the motion zones are in place, ensure it is labeled ‘Active.’
- Tap ‘Save’ if the adjustment suits you.
- For customizing the zone’s name, tap the default name and enter a new one.
- Tap ‘Save’ again.
Adjust Motion Sensitivity
Ring Doorbell notifies you whenever someone pushes the button. Similarly, it sends alerts whenever it detects motion outside your door. This feature works whether someone rings the doorbell or not.
Sometimes, the motion detector can be too sensitive that it will send alerts even with the smallest movements. In that case, you can adjust the sensitivity in the app. Here is how you can use Ring Doorbell’s motion sensitivity feature:
- Select the specific Ring Doorbell from the app.
- Go to the Motion Settings > Zones and Ranges.
- You can now set each zone’s sensitivity.
Disable the Audio Recording
Ring devices’ main privacy features include disabling audio streaming and recording functions. You can do that by:
- Open your Ring app.
- Choose the specific Ring Doorbell you want to adjust.
- Select ‘Device Settings.’
- Tap ‘Video Settings.’
- Select ‘Audio Streaming and Recording’ to disable.
Adjusting Video Recording Length (for Battery-Powered Devices)
With the Ring app, Ring Doorbells can record videos for how long you want it. The app gives you the ability to record any event you could not answer for any length. This ability to lower or raise the recording length helps preserve your device’s battery life.
You can adjust Ring Doorbell’s video recording length by:
- Open Ring App.
- Choose the specific device with the setting you want to adjust.
- Tap ‘Device Settings.’
- Select ‘Video Settings.’
- Tap the setting ‘Video Recording Length.’
- To set the recording length that you want, tap ‘Max Recording Length.
In the options, you can use your desired recording length from 15, 20, 25, or 30 seconds. Setting different recording lengths for every individual Ring Doorbell is also possible.
This function is available in Ring Doorbell and Ring Doorbell 2. According to Ring, users can expect that this feature will be available to all other devices before 2020 ends.
Using Motion Verification
No one wants their Ring Device to send you false positive notifications. That is what the motion verification is for – filtering false positives so that you only receive an alert for verified detected motion. Ring Devices can do this thanks to a unique algorithm and the video data of the device.
You can activate and deactivate this feature by following these instructions:
- Open Ring app and choose the specific device you want to activate the motion verification feature.
- Choose ‘Motion Setting’ then ‘Motion Verification.’
- Tap motion verification toggle.
- Confirm that you want to turn the motion verification on.
To deactivate, simply follow the same steps as before and confirm that you want to turn it off.
How to Enable Notifications on Your iPhone
One of the things that put Ring Doorbells at the top of other video doorbell devices is the ability to see, speak, and hear a property’s visitor. But for you to use this, giving the Ring app permission to use your mic and enable alerts is a must.
You can allow this setting on your iPhone by following these instructions:
- Open settings.
- Scroll down the app then select ‘Notifications.’
- Slide to the right to turn all switches on. You will know that when they turn green.
- Choose ‘Alert Style’ then tap ‘Alerts or Banners’ to select the style you want.
- Now, you will receive alerts when you have visitors and whenever motion is detected.
Other Things You Can Do with Ring Doorbell
All the things mentioned here are useful features of Ring Doorbell that you can use for maximizing the device’s benefits. However, they are only a few of the many things the doorbell has to offer.
Other things you can do include:
- Using the SOS button
- Linking Ring devices together
- Using High Dynamic Range toggle
- Using Record Motion Control
- Using Snapshot Capture Feature,
- Using App Alert Tones
- Turning on Mic on iPhone
- Creating Privacy Zones
- Downloading Ring Videos
- Sharing Control with other Users
- Using Live View, and more
If you are unsure of how to use your Ring Doorbell, you can also go to Ring’s support page. You can also check out some clips on YouTube about using a Ring Doorbell.
Conclusion
Now you know a bit about how to use Ring Doorbell. As mentioned, these are only some of the things you can do with the device. There is more to its Ring app if you just explore it. Depending on the device, the steps may be a bit different, but you can get the gist of it.
References:
- Craig Lloyd, How to Get the Most Out of Your Ring Doorbell,com, September 14, 2017
- Utilizing Motion Detection with Your Ring Battery Devices, Support.Ring.com
- Utilizing Motion Zones with Your Powered Ring Devices, Support.Ring.com
- Disabling the Audio Recording on your Ring Device, Support.Ring.com
- Adjust the Video Recording Length on Your Battery Powered Devices, Support.Ring.com
- Understanding and Using Motion Verification on Ring Devices, Support.Ring.com
- How to Enable Notifications on an iPhone, Support.Ring.com
Image Source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/servicesmobiles/24006971027/
