Removing a Ring device takes just a few steps in the Ring app or on the Ring website
To remove a Ring device from your account, open the Ring app on your phone or go to ring.com on a computer. Find the device you want to remove in your device list, open its settings, and select the option to remove or delete it. The device will disconnect from your account within a few minutes. After removal, that device will no longer send you alerts or record video, and anyone else on the account will lose access to it as well.
The process is the same whether you're removing a doorbell, camera, or other Ring device. You don't need the device itself to be powered on or nearby — the removal happens through your account settings, not through the physical device.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove a Ring device from the Ring app or at ring.com by going to the device settings and selecting remove or delete.
- Removing a device disconnects it from your account when ready, and all account members lose access to its video and alerts.
- The device does not need to be powered on or in your possession to remove it from your account.
- If you remove a device by mistake, you can add it back to your account using the same setup process you used originally.
- Removing a device from your account does not erase video that was already recorded — that footage stays in your Ring history unless you delete it separately.
Steps to remove a device using the Ring app
Open the Ring app and tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the top left corner. Select "Devices" to see all the Ring devices on your account. Find the device you want to remove and tap on it to open its details page.
Once you're on the device details page, scroll down and look for an option that says "Remove Device," "Delete Device," or "Remove This Device." Tap that option. The app will ask you to confirm — this is your chance to make sure you're removing the right device. Confirm your choice, and the device will be removed from your account within a few minutes.
Steps to remove a device using the Ring website
Go to ring.com and sign in with your account email and password. Click on "Devices" in the left menu, or look for a section labeled "My Devices" or "Devices & Subscriptions." Find the device you want to remove in the list.
Click on the device name or the settings icon next to it. Scroll down to find the remove or delete option — the exact wording varies depending on which Ring product you have. Click "Remove Device" or "Delete Device," confirm your choice when prompted, and the device will disconnect from your account.
What happens to video and alerts after you remove a device
Once you remove a device, it stops sending alerts to your phone and stops recording new video. However, video that was already recorded and stored in your Ring account stays there. You can still watch that old footage in your Ring history or video library unless you delete it separately.
If other people are on your account, they will when ready lose access to the removed device. They won't see it in their device list anymore, and they won't receive alerts from it. If you want to remove someone's access to just one device rather than removing the device itself, you can adjust account member permissions instead — that's a different process that keeps the device on your account but limits who can see it.
Removing a device you no longer own or use
If you've sold a Ring device, given it away, or it's been stolen, you should remove it from your account as soon as you know it's gone. This prevents anyone else from using that device with your account or seeing your video history. You don't need to have the device in your hands to remove it — the removal happens entirely through your account.
After you remove the device, the new owner can set it up with their own Ring account. If you're concerned that someone else might try to access your account using that device, change your Ring account password after you remove it. You can also review your account activity and connected devices regularly to spot any devices you don't recognize.
If you remove a device by mistake
Removing a device from your account does not permanently delete it or break it. If you remove a device by mistake, you can add it back by setting it up again as if it were new. You'll need to have the device powered on and nearby, and you'll go through the same setup steps you used when you first installed it.
During setup, the Ring app will ask you to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network and choose which account to add it to. You can add it back to the same account, or if you have multiple Ring accounts, you can add it to a different one. Your old video history from before the removal will still be in your account — removing a device doesn't erase past recordings.
Removing a device when you're sharing an account
If you share a Ring account with a partner, family member, or roommate, anyone on the account can remove a device. There's no special permission needed — account members have equal access to device settings. This means if you remove a device, the other person will notice it's gone from their device list right away.
If you want to remove a device but you're not sure whether the other person on the account still needs it, talk to them first. If you want to keep a device but prevent one account member from seeing it, you can adjust their permissions for that specific device instead of removing the device entirely. That option is in the device settings under "Account Members" or "Permissions."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a Ring device if I'm not the account owner?
Yes, any account member can remove a device. Ring doesn't have a special "owner only" restriction for device removal. If you share an account with someone else, they can remove devices too, so let them know if you're planning to remove something they might be using.
Will removing a device delete all my video recordings?
No. Video that was already recorded stays in your account history. Removing a device only stops new video from being recorded. If you want to delete old video, you can do that separately in your Ring video library or history section.
Do I need to unplug the device before removing it from my account?
No. You can remove a device from your account whether it's powered on or off, and whether you have it in your possession or not. The removal happens through your account settings, not through the physical device itself.
What if I remove a device and then want to add it back?
You can add it back by setting it up again as a new device. Power it on, open the Ring app, and go through the setup process. You'll connect it to Wi-Fi and choose which account to add it to. Your old video history will still be there.
Can I remove just one person's access to a device instead of removing the whole device?
Yes. Instead of removing the device, you can change the permissions for that account member so they can't see or control that specific device. This option is in the device settings under account members or permissions, depending on your Ring product.