The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The former owner must release the Ring camera from their Ring account before the new owner can claim it. A factory reset, deleting the Ring app, changing Wi-Fi, or cancelling Ring Protect does not transfer account ownership. The cleanest process is for the former owner to use Ring’s in-app Transfer Ownership flow, after which the buyer sets up the camera under a separate Ring account.
Before you begin
Ownership transfer is an account-level process. Have the following ready:
- The former owner’s Ring account and app access
- The new owner’s email address, or a new Ring account
- A powered, online camera if possible
- The new location’s Wi-Fi name and password
- Any recordings the former owner needs to retain
- An agreement about who will manage any Ring Protect subscription
If the camera is being left at a home you are selling, transfer only the devices that remain there. Do not give the buyer your Ring password.
What transfers—and what does not
Ownership transfer releases the camera so another Ring account can claim it. Shared Access only gives another person selected permissions; it does not make them the owner. The original account remains in control.
#1 Best Overall
- Outdoor Cam (Stick Up Cam) Battery is a battery-powered camera that’s built for outside, but ready for anywhere.
- Live View and Two-Way Talk - See, hear, and speak to people on camera and can check in on your home any time through the Ring app.
- Place almost anywhere - Place on a flat surface or mount to a wall with the versatile mounting bracket. Add-on the Mount for Outdoor Cam (Stick Up Cam) for ceiling mount (sold separately).
- Cover every corner - Watch over your entire home by connecting one or multiple Outdoor Cams (Stick Up Cams) to the Ring app.
- Rechargeable Battery - Easily setup Outdoor Cam (Stick Up Cam) Battery by inserting the battery pack and connecting to Wi-Fi.
A factory reset changes hardware settings but is not a substitute for removing the camera from the former owner’s Ring account. Likewise, deleting the Ring app or cancelling a subscription does not release the device.
Ring’s official transfer instructions and app labels can vary slightly by country, product, and app version.
The preferred method: Transfer Ownership
Steps for the former owner
- Open the Ring app.
- Tap the menu icon ☰.
- Tap Settings.
- Under Location Details, tap Transfer Ownership.
- Tap Create Request.
- Select Transfer devices to someone else.
- Select the camera or cameras being handed over. Ring currently says that up to 25 devices can be selected in one request.
- Tap Continue, enter the new owner’s email address, and confirm the selected devices.
- Submit the request and wait for the confirmation shown in the app.
If you do not know the recipient’s email address, Ring allows the email step to be skipped so the device can be removed from your account. The recipient will then need to set it up from their own Ring account.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesA completed transfer cannot simply be cancelled. The former owner would need to set the camera up again to restore it to their account.
Steps for the new owner
- Open the Ring app or the notification email directly from Ring.
- Review the listed device, location, and sender.
- Authorize the request in the Ring app or on the Ring website.
- Reject it and contact Ring Support if the device or request is unfamiliar.
For safety, do not use a suspicious email link. Open the Ring app directly instead.
Rank #2
- Powerful protection for any property* — 1080p HD security camera for your home or business with motion-activated LED floodlights, 105dB security siren.
- Real-time alerts* — Get motion-activated notification when anyone steps in view of your camera.
- Customizable Motion Zones* — Fine-tune which areas you want to focus on in the Ring app.
- Light up large outdoor areas* — 2000 lumen motion-activated floodlights give unwanted visitors nowhere to hide.
- Sound the siren with a tap* — Activate the 85dB siren from the Ring app to send unwanted visitors running.
If the former owner is unavailable
The new owner can begin Ring’s transfer or takeover process. Ring’s current support information says the camera may remain attached to the former account for up to 15 days while transfer notifications are sent. For cameras and doorbells, Ring says the device is automatically removed from the former account if the previous owner does not respond during that period.
The exact options may depend on your country, account, and device. If the camera remains blocked, contact Ring Support with proof of purchase and the device details, such as its model and serial number.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
If a retailer sold you a camera that is still registered to someone else, Ring advises returning or exchanging it with the retailer or starting the official transfer process. Do not attempt to bypass ownership protections if you suspect the device is stolen.
Deactivate, delete, or transfer?
| Situation | Best option | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Known buyer and cooperative seller | Transfer Ownership | Formal handoff to the new owner’s account |
| Seller wants to retain eligible recordings | Deactivate Device → Keep Events | The former owner can retain eligible Event History until it expires; the buyer does not receive the old videos |
| Seller wants recordings removed | Remove Device → Delete Events | The former owner loses access to the camera’s Event History |
| Buyer was only added as a Shared User | Remove Shared Access, then transfer | Shared access is replaced by separate ownership |
Deactivate while keeping recordings
Ring’s documented path is:
- Open the Ring app and tap Menu → Devices.
- Select the camera.
- Open Device Settings → General Settings.
- Tap Remove Device.
- Choose Keep Events.
- Tap Deactivate Device.
Ring says deactivation lets a new owner set up the device without gaining access to the former owner’s videos. A Ring subscription is required to view recordings retained after deactivation, and recordings remain subject to the applicable retention period.
Delete the camera and recordings
Follow the same path through Remove Device, then select Delete Events. This removes the former owner’s access to the camera’s Event History. It still does not automatically cancel the attached subscription. See Ring’s guidance on deactivating or deleting a Ring device.
Rank #3
- Look in anytime – Watch over your home or business day or night in wide-angle, 1080p HD video with Color Night Vision and see what’s happening with Live View.
- Stop intruders in their tracks – With 2 motion-activated LED spotlights that turn on when they detect motion, and sound the built-in security siren with just a few taps.
- Focus on important areas – Customizable motion zones let you choose exactly what your camera covers – so you only get notified about what matters most.
- Convenient Power – Easily power your device with the Quick Release Battery Pack.
- Speak to visitors on camera – Talk to guests anytime, from anywhere with Two-Way Talk.
What the former owner should do before handoff
- Download clips needed for insurance, legal, or personal records.
- Confirm the camera is online and visible in the Ring app.
- Note the model and serial number for troubleshooting.
- Remove unnecessary Shared Users.
- Review Alexa, Amazon, Ring Skills, and other linked services.
- Sign out or revoke access from old phones, tablets, and computers.
- Review two-step verification and authorized client devices.
- Submit the ownership transfer or deactivate the device.
Ring’s Control Center provides account, privacy, video, Shared User, and authorized-device controls. If credentials may have been shared, change the account password and review two-step verification.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Set up the camera under the new account
- Install or update the Ring app.
- Sign in to your existing Ring account or create one with your own email address.
- Use the app’s device-setup control to add the camera.
- Scan the QR code or enter the MAC or serial code when prompted.
- Choose or create the correct Ring location.
- Enter the new Wi-Fi credentials and complete the setup prompts.
- Install or position the camera at the new property.
- Test Live View.
- Trigger a test motion event and confirm notifications arrive.
- Review motion detection, motion zones, privacy zones, notification settings, and recording settings.
- Add household members through Shared Access rather than sharing your password.
A camera moved to a different home will generally need the new network credentials entered again. Do not factory-reset it unless Ring’s troubleshooting instructions specifically call for a hardware reset; releasing the old account and completing normal in-app setup are the important ownership steps.
Recordings and privacy after transfer
The new owner should not receive the former owner’s Event History through the transfer. The former owner should save important clips before deleting or deactivating the device.
After installation, the new owner should check the camera’s viewing angle and privacy zones. Until setup is complete, treat a transferred camera as a privacy-sensitive device: confirm who can access it, remove former Shared Users, and audit connected services.
Ring Protect subscriptions
Hardware ownership and subscription billing are separate. Transferring a camera does not automatically cancel the former owner’s Ring subscription, and the former owner remains responsible for managing that billing. Coverage also depends on the plan and location; it does not necessarily follow the physical camera to another address.
Rank #4
- Get the whole picture – Watch over your home day or night in 1080p HD video with Live View and Color Night Vision.
- Video previews – Record a few extra seconds before every motion event with Advanced Pre-Roll to get a more complete picture of what happened.
- Privacy at your fingertips – Turn off your camera and mic with the manual Privacy Cover, then reactivate with a simple swivel.
- Get important alerts – Get real-time alerts when the camera detects movement, and choose exactly what your camera covers so you only get notified above movement that matters.
- Versatile mounting options – Find the perfect angle on a table, or mount up high with the flexible swivel mount. Indoor Cam is plug-in, making it easy to move where you need it.
Ring says basic live interaction and alerts can work without a plan, while stored video and advanced features require an eligible subscription. On Ring’s U.S. plans page, prices observed on August 16, 2026 were:
- Ring Solo: $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for one home doorbell or camera
- Ring Multi: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for all devices at one location
- Ring Pro: $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year
- Virtual Security Guard: $99 per month
Prices exclude applicable tax and may vary by location, eligibility, promotions, and service availability. Ring generally offers a free 30-day trial when an eligible new or certified-refurbished compatible device is set up, subject to exceptions and existing-plan conditions. A location already covered by a qualifying Multi or Pro plan may already include the transferred camera.
Ring renamed its former Ring Home plans as Ring Protect plans on January 14, 2026. Older instructions may therefore use plan names that no longer match the current labels. Check the current U.S. Ring Protect plans page before subscribing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting
“Registered to another user” appears
The former owner has not released the device. Ask them to use Settings → Location Details → Transfer Ownership. If they are unavailable, start Ring’s takeover process and allow for the documented notification period of up to 15 days. Contact Support if the request remains unresolved.
Recommended Free Tools
The transfer email did not arrive
Check the recipient’s spam and junk folders, confirm the email address, and open the Ring app directly to look for an in-app notification. The former owner can verify that the request was submitted. Do not resend sensitive account information by email.
Best Value
- Capture it all with Retinal 2K video — From wide views to tighter focus, it’s easy to see your home or business in crisp clarity with Retinal 2K.
- Zoom in up to 6x — Catch details at a distance, inspect faces, and more with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom.
- Connect to who’s there — See, hear, and speak in real time with Live View and Two-Way Talk.
- Get real-time alerts — Receive real-time notifications on your phone when motion is detected.
- Easily recharge — Simply insert the included removal tool to detach your doorbell from the wall, then recharge the built-in battery via USB-C. (Cable not included.)
The camera is offline
Restore power and verify the former owner can see the device in the app. If it is moving to a new property, complete ownership release first, then connect it to the new Wi-Fi during setup. A factory reset may help with a separate hardware or network problem, but it will not by itself clear account registration.
The new owner cannot subscribe
Finish device setup, confirm the correct Ring location, and check whether an existing plan covers that location. Subscription availability and plan features vary by country and device. Do not buy a plan merely to complete ownership transfer.
Old recordings still appear
Ownership transfer is intended to prevent the new owner from accessing the former owner’s videos. If old Event History is visible, stop sharing the account, sign out of unauthorized devices, change the password, and contact Ring Support.
The original owner cannot sign in
Recover the original Ring account through Ring’s account-help resources. The original owner should recover access rather than trying to claim the camera as a new device.
Final handoff checklist
- The camera appears under the new owner’s Ring account.
- Live View works.
- A test motion event produces the expected notification.
- The camera is connected to the correct Wi-Fi and location.
- Motion and privacy zones are correct for the new property.
- Former Shared Users and unauthorized devices are removed.
- Alexa and other integrations belong to the intended account.
- The subscription, if any, is assigned and billed to the intended account.
- The former owner has downloaded needed recordings and no longer retains access.
For other moving-related setup guidance, Ring also covers device relocation and account cleanup in its moving with Ring devices guidance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Leave a Reply