Selling a Ring doorbell? How to transfer it to a new owner

💡 Need to know

• Transfer ownership in the app—A factory reset alone does not release a Ring device.
• Save videos first—Download any Event History clips worth keeping before the handoff.
• Cancel plans separately—Transferring the doorbell does not cancel its Ring subscription.
• Need help making the switch?
  Get 24/7 expert support for the tech you rely on.

Selling a Ring™ doorbell has one extra step that’s easy to miss: taking it off the wall isn’t the same as taking it off the account.

Asurion Experts help people reconnect and transfer smart home gear every day. With Ring, the digital handoff matters just as much as the hardware. The cleanest route is to save anything worth keeping, transfer ownership in the Ring app, then deal with the subscription and physical doorbell separately.

Save any recordings you still want

Before changing ownership, look through Event History and download any recordings that need to stay with the seller.

That might be a funny delivery clip, footage needed for an insurance claim, or simply a recording that hasn’t been saved anywhere else. Don’t count on being able to come back later after the account relationship changes.

If the device already has recording problems, our article on fixing a Ring doorbell that isn’t saving events can help before the transfer.

Transfer ownership in the Ring app

Ring’s current app includes a dedicated ownership-transfer flow.

1. Open the Ring app to the main dashboard.
2. Tap the menu.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Under Location Details, tap Transfer Ownership.
5. Tap Create Request.
6. Choose Transfer devices to someone else.
7. Select the Ring doorbell.
8. Tap Continue.
9. Enter the new owner’s email address. If the buyer isn’t known yet, Ring allows this step to be skipped so the device can simply be removed from the account.
10. Confirm the information and tap Continue.

A successful transfer shows a confirmation in the app. Ring says transferred devices appear deactivated in the old owner’s app until they’re deleted from that account.

Our guide to transferring a Ring doorbell to a new owner is a handy reference to send along with the device too.

A factory reset is not an ownership transfer

This is the part worth repeating because it causes plenty of used-device headaches: holding the setup button and resetting a Ring doorbell does not release ownership.

Ownership must be handled through the Ring app.

If the seller also wants to reset the hardware so the next owner starts with fresh device settings, Ring’s current reset process is simple:

1. Locate the setup button. Its position varies by Ring doorbell model.
2. Press and hold the setup button for about 20 seconds.
3. Release it.
4. Let the doorbell finish resetting.

The reset clears device configuration and may require setup again, but the ownership-transfer step above still has to happen.

Don’t forget the Ring subscription

Transferring the device does not automatically cancel a Ring subscription.

If the seller no longer needs the plan, cancel or adjust it separately through the Ring account. Check the effective cancellation date and make sure any recordings worth keeping are downloaded first.

That’s separate from removing the doorbell itself. One controls the hardware relationship; the other controls the paid service.

Remove the doorbell safely

Once the digital side is handled, gather the physical pieces the next owner will need: the doorbell, faceplate, mounting bracket, security screw, charging cable if applicable, and any model-specific hardware being included.

For a hardwired Ring doorbell, shut off power at the breaker before disconnecting or handling the wiring. Don’t work on live doorbell wires just because the voltage is lower than a wall outlet.

Also make sure the QR code or setup code on the device remains readable. The next owner may need it during setup, and “I sold you the doorbell but not the easiest way to add it” is not the kind of bonus feature anyone wants.

FAQ

How do I transfer a Ring doorbell to a new owner?

Open the Ring app and go to Settings > Transfer Ownership > Create Request > Transfer devices to someone else, then select the doorbell and follow the prompts.

Does factory resetting a Ring doorbell remove the owner?

No. Ring says the device must be removed or transferred in the Ring app. A factory reset by itself does not release ownership.

Can I remove a Ring doorbell if I don’t know who will buy it yet?

Yes. Ring’s current transfer flow lets the existing owner skip the new-owner email and remove the device from the account.

Does transferring a Ring doorbell cancel Ring Protect?

No. The subscription has to be handled separately.

How long does a Ring factory reset take?

The reset starts after holding the setup button for about 20 seconds and releasing it. Give the device time to finish before packaging it.