How to Change the Default Ringtone Sound on Your Ring Video Doorbell

Key takeaways:

  • You can customize the chime sound inside your home, but not the doorbell sound outside
  • Use the Ring app to change chime tones and app alert tones
  • Ring offers a variety of chime sounds, including seasonal holiday tones
  • Ensure your Ring Chime device is connected to change the indoor chime sound

Why Change Your Ring Doorbell Sound?

The default “ding-dong” sound of your Ring Video Doorbell is certainly iconic, but it might not suit everyone’s taste. Maybe you want something more unique to differentiate your house from the neighbors who also have a Ring. Or perhaps you’re looking to add some holiday cheer with seasonal tones. Whatever the reason, customizing your Ring doorbell sound is a great way to add a personal touch to your smart home.

Customizing the Indoor Chime Sound

While you can’t change the sound your visitors hear when they press your Ring doorbell outside, you can customize the chime that plays inside your home. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet
  2. Tap the three lines in the top left corner to open the menu
  3. Select “Devices” and choose your Ring Chime device
  4. Tap “Audio Settings” then “Chime Tones”
  5. Browse the available chime tones and tap to preview the sound
  6. Select your preferred tone and tap “Save”

Ring offers a variety of chime tones to choose from, including:

  • Classic ding-dong
  • Westminster bells
  • Dogs barking
  • Seasonal sounds for holidays like Halloween and Christmas

You can also adjust the volume of your indoor chime from this settings screen. If you have multiple Ring Chimes in your home, you can set a different tone for each one.

Changing the App Alert Tones

In addition to the indoor chime, you can also customize the sound your smartphone makes when you receive a Ring notification. Here’s how to change your app alert tones:

  1. Open the Ring app and tap the menu icon
  2. Go to “Devices” and select your Ring Video Doorbell
  3. Tap “Device Settings” then “Notification Settings”
  4. Select “App Alert Tones”
  5. Choose your preferred sound for doorbell rings and motion alerts
  6. Adjust the volume using the slider

You can set different tones for doorbell presses versus motion detection events. This is helpful if you want to easily distinguish between the two types of alerts.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you’re having trouble getting your Ring Chime to play the new sound you selected, here are a few things to check:

  • Connectivity: Ensure your Ring Chime is connected to Wi-Fi and online. You can check the device status in the Ring app.
  • Battery: If your Ring Chime is battery-powered, make sure it has sufficient charge. A low battery can cause performance issues.
  • Compatibility: Not all Ring Video Doorbells are compatible with the Ring Chime. Double check that your models are designed to work together.
  • Setup: If you’re still having issues, try removing and re-adding your Ring Chime device in the app. This can help resolve any setup glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the sound my Ring doorbell makes outside?

No, unfortunately Ring does not currently allow you to customize the exterior doorbell sound that visitors hear when they press the button. You can only adjust the volume or turn it off completely.

Do I need a Ring Chime to change my doorbell sound?

Yes, a Ring Chime device is required to play a custom sound inside your home when someone rings the doorbell. The Ring Video Doorbell itself does not have a speaker for indoor chimes.

Can I use my own custom MP3 for the doorbell chime?

No, you can only choose from the pre-loaded chime tones provided by Ring. There is not currently a way to upload your own audio files to use as doorbell sounds.

Will changing my Ring doorbell sound affect my Alexa notifications?

Yes, if you have your Ring Video Doorbell connected to Alexa devices like an Echo or Echo Dot, you can also customize the sound Alexa makes to announce a doorbell press. This is configured separately in the Alexa app.

Is changing my Ring Chime tone difficult?

Not at all! As you can see from the step-by-step instructions above, customizing your Ring doorbell sound is quick and easy via the Ring app. Most users can update their chime tone in just a minute or two.