How To Watch Ring Video Doorbell On Your Computer

Ring doorbells are a great device to protect your home, but what attracts people the most is its diverse features. Ring doorbells are easily able to be linked to other devices for the user’s own benefit.

This, in turn, allows further accessibility to footage, allowing for a safer environment.

In this article, we will be explaining more about the Ring doorbell as well as showing you how you can watch your Ring doorbell footage on your computer.

What Is A Ring Doorbell?

Ring doorbells are a device created by the company, Ring, which takes doorbells to another level. Instead of a usual doorbell, Ring has created a device which allows the ordinary doorbell to double as a security system.

This doorbell not only records people outside of your door or on your property, but allows you to answer the door from your phone using a two-way speaking function.

Since its beginning, Ring has expanded greatly as a company. They now have many choices of Ring doorbells to choose from, each differently slightly from the next and developing with their features.

Is The Ring Doorbell For You?

Ring doorbells have grown immensely popular over the years, now being successful across the world. With so many different security systems out there, it can be challenging to find the right type for you.

Do you want a traditional camera set up outside your home or something more modern?

Ring’s purpose is to give homes extra protection using high-tech equipment with multiple beneficial functions, yet there are some who are not yet sold on this device.

The Ring doorbell, just like other products alike, comes with both its positives and negatives. It is important to sort through these before welcoming the security device into your home.

Pros Of Ring Doorbell

Easy Viewing Access

One of the best things about the Ring doorbell is the easy viewing access it gives you. When it comes to security cameras, most of them record efficiently but you will need to process that footage externally through a computer.

With the modern Ring doorbell, you are able to view footage, past or live, right from your phone. What’s more is that this can be viewed anywhere whether you are at home on the couch or at the park.

Scares Away Potential Thieves

Another benefit to the Ring doorbell is its ability to scare away any unwanted visitors.

If you notice someone is at your door who is lurking around, you are able to use the speaking function to speak and scare them away.

Many criminals will wait to break-and-enter into a home when they are sure the homeowners are not there, but what they don’t know is that you are able to see footage from your phone with the Ring doorbell. 

If you notice unusual activity, you can simply talk and take them by surprise, scaring them away.

If you don’t feel comfortable speaking, simply seeing them breaking and entering your home will give you the chance to alert the police before they do much damage.

Durable

Ring doorbells are known for their durability, being able to withstand difficult weather spells with no issues.

As the Ring doorbell is so small and discrete, many people would think that the device wouldn’t last long, especially with it being outside. However, this is not true.

Ring doorbells have been specifically tested to see if it is durable enough to last and these tests passed with flying colors.

Because of this, buyers do not have to worry about the device breaking after a rainstorm as it is strong enough to survive.

Easy To Use

What people look for is a device that is simple to use. With it being a high-tech device, there are some people who will feel intimidated, especially those who are older and used to the standard security systems. 

Fortunately, the Ring doorbell is made to be user-friendly meaning that anyone can use the device. The Ring doorbell is not only easy to work with but is simple to install too.

You do not need to worry about calling a professional in to install when you can do it yourself. Ring provides all the tools needed.

High-Functioning App

Ring provides an app which is linked to the security system. This app is of the highest quality, allowing users to set up their doorbell as well as change any settings if needed.

The Ring app also allows its users to view footage live from anywhere they may be, delivering notifications as necessary too.

What makes the Ring doorbell so great is the app itself. Without this app, the Ring doorbell would be just like all the other standard security systems, offering nothing more and no convenience.

Cons Of Ring Doorbell

Price

Whilst there is much good to say about the Ring doorbell, many people are put off by the device when they see the price tag.

It is very easy in this day and age to simply download an app on your phone and use that as a free (or cheap) security system, so why spend money on Ring? 

Although Ring’s price tag is never seen any lower than $100, the money is worth spending when it comes to the product’s functionality and great features.

People do not want to risk spending money on something they are unfamiliar to and may prefer to go down the traditional route and although that is valid, sometimes it is worth the risk. You will definitely be getting more for your money with Ring.

Poor Battery Life

One of the biggest downsides to the Ring doorbell is its battery life. Unfortunately, this security system does not have as long of a battery life as it should and has had various complaints about its longitude.

It is supposed to have a long life of at least 6 months and to as much as a year, but there have been many reports opposing this statement. 

Instead, people have found themselves recharging their Ring doorbell as early as 3-4 months in, and this is because of many factors such as cold weather and too much activity.

Whilst this does not affect the quality of the product, this may become too much of a nuisance for some people.

Needs A Powerful Wi-Fi Source

Unlike other traditional security camera systems, the Ring doorbell needs Wi-Fi to work.

This may not seem like an awful disadvantage to some as almost everyone has access to Wi-Fi in their home, however it does become a useless device if your Wi-Fi was to stop working one day or your Wi-Fi is simply not strong enough. 

If you know that your Wi-Fi is not strong and are at risk of losing connection, we recommend investing in a Wi-Fi booster.

With a Wi-Fi booster, your connection will become 10x better, therefore allowing your Ring doorbell to work just as needed.

Watching Ring Video Doorbell On Your Computer: Is It Possible?

Ring makes security products which are much different from anything else, but one of their major great qualities is accessibility to footage.

Footage from your home is able to be viewed wherever you are using your phone, but you can also view this on your computer too.

Through the apps on the App Store, Windows store and Google Play, users are able to connect their devices, allowing them to see both old and live footage. 

Not only is this great for security reasons, but it is a great feature to play around with and give people peace of mind.

If you have a desktop computer or a laptop, you should definitely download the Ring app to view your footage. Whilst you can view on your phone, there is nothing that beats having a clear security view on a large monitor.

How To Watch Ring Doorbell Footage On Your Computer

If you are wanting to access footage from your Ring video doorbell on a device other than your phone, then a computer is a great choice.

A computer works as a great monitor to view security footage and allows a separate security space. Although using a phone is efficient, some people don’t want to use a leisurely device for something so important.

A computer is also a good choice for those who are older and want a standard way of monitoring.

Below, we will be guiding you through the steps on how to watch Ring doorbell security footage right from your computer.

Step 1 – Download The Ring App

The first step is to download the ring app. You can do this on either your phone, tablet or computer. Downloading the Ring app is completely free of charge.

Once you have the app you can then create an account. Do this by selecting “Create Account” in the app and follow the step-by-step instructions given.

Step 2 – Set Up Device

Now that you have created your Ring account, find the icon that reads “Set Up a Device”. Click this, then click “Doorbells”.

Step 3- Scan Code

On the back of your Ring video doorbell you will come face to face with either a QR code or a MAC ID. Take your smartphone and point the camera at this code.

When the code is recognised, you will see either a green square or a green line appear (this depends on whether you are using a QR code or a MAC ID).

Step 4 – Enter Your Location

Next, your device will ask you if they can access your location services. If you allow them to access your location, you will be given a list of addresses which you can choose from.

If you don’t allow access, you can instead manually add your address information. In order for the doorbell to work properly, submitting your location is essential.

Step 5 – Choose A Name For Your Device

In order to distinguish this Ring device from any other, it is important to choose a name. You can do this on your Ring account in one of two ways.

You can either choose from one of the default names already provided by Ring or you can make your own name up by selecting “Custom” – you will find this right at the bottom of the list.

Step 6 – Setup Mode

Putting your Ring doorbell into setup mode can vary depending on what device you use so it is necessary to consult the user’s guide for instructions.

Once you have set this up, you will see a white spinning light in front of your Ring video doorbell. Tap continue on your Ring app.

Step 7 – Connect Your Device

You should next connect your Ring device. If using iOS, you should tap “Join” when the Ring app asks you to join the Wi-Fi network.

If using Androids your device will connect automatically to the Ring Wi-Fi network.

Step 8 – Connect The Doorbell To Wi-Fi

Next, you will have to connect your Ring doorbell to your Wi-Fi. To do this, simply select your Wi-Fi network, enter your Wi-Fi password and press “Continue”.

If you happen to have more than one Wi-Fi network, be sure to choose the network that is closest to where you will be installing the Ring doorbell.

Step 9 – Complete A Test Call

Now that it is all connected, the next step is to test your device to see if all is in working order. To do this, push the front button to complete a test call.

By doing this, you will initiate your software and make sure that it is ready for use.

Step 10 – Set Up Live View Function

It is now time to set up the Live View function on your Ring video doorbell, allowing you to view live footage from the doorbell’s camera.

You will be able to have access to this video feed whenever needed.

To set up the Live View only takes a few steps:

• On the “My Devices” screen, choose what device you want to use the Live View on.
• Select “Live View” – here, you will see a live video stream.
• Press “Talk” to enable the two-way talking function between the doorbell and your device. Press “End” to stop the viewing session.

Step 11 – Bluestack Android Emulator

If you wish, you can download the bluestack android emulator. This will allow you to use the Ring app on your PC.

Can Anyone Watch Ring Video Doorbell Live Footage?

How many people can have access to the Ring video doorbell all depends on the owner, however this device does allow for there to be two types of users – this is the account owner and shared users.

It is important to note that this is not to say that shared users have full access like the account owner does.

The account owner has main access and is able to make any necessary adjustments such as changing ringtones, turning alerts on and off and changing the motion settings.

When it comes to shared users, they are able to make some adjustments but these adjustments are limited in comparison. Whilst this may seem a frustrating concept to some, this is the best option when it comes to safety.

It is important to remember that the Ring video doorbell is a security system which needs to be taken seriously.

With this in mind, it is not the best idea to allow just any full access to live footage on the computer.

When Is The Best Time To Watch Ring Live?

There is no right or wrong when it comes to watching live footage from your computer – it all depends on the individual and the situation.

Instead of keeping your laptop on at all times and watching like a hawk, have the app on your computer on in the background whilst you are already on it.

For example, if you are working from home and don’t want to disturb your work when someone is at the door, simply have a tab open for the Ring footage and watch your front door live.

Benefits Of Watching Ring Live On Computer

Most Ring users are known for using their phones for watching live footage as it is easy and convenient, so why do people choose to use large computer monitors instead?

Well, there are in fact many benefits to using a computer to watch live video instead of other devices.

Screen Size

One benefit to using a computer to watch live footage from the Ring video doorbell is the screen size.

There are many who prefer to have a larger image in front of them, allowing better view. As well as this, this is a good proposition for older users who may have poorer eyesight to work with.

This screen is bigger and therefore allows for a clearer view, helping users to see every detail.

Battery Life

Another benefit to using a computer is that you will be able to save plenty of your phone’s battery life. When playing videos on your phone, that is enough to drain a lot of power and battery.

Using a computer to view live footage is instead a much better option. As well as your phone, it will also drain battery from your Ring video doorbell.

This is because you are more likely to constantly be checking live footage on your phone than you are on your computer.

High Quality Footage

Using a computer instead of a phone or a tablet to view live Ring footage is also better for quality purposes.

Depending on your phone, the images that are produced may not always be of the best quality. With a computer, however, there is no risk of reduced resolution and everything will be clear to the eye.

Drawbacks Of Watching Ring Live On Computer

With positives comes negatives and this notion applies to the Ring video doorbell.

Above, we have gone through the many benefits of viewing live Ring footage from your computer, but there are many drawbacks too which need to be discussed.

Distracting

Having access to footage from the Ring video doorbell on your computer can be very distracting.

Whenever your computer is open, it is very easy to be tempted to go onto the Ring app and view live recordings. The average person is on their computer for hours at a time, especially if they are working from home.

Looking at it this way, that means that the average Ring user will be constantly viewing their camera hours at a time too. It can also distract you from what you were meant to be doing on your computer.

Ring Battery Will Die

Constantly looking at live footage from your Ring doorbell will inevitably lead to the doorbell’s battery dying much quicker than it should.

What not many people know is that Ring doorbells are not designed to be recording 24/7. These doorbells instead record short recordings.

Because of this, it is not good for the camera for someone to be constantly checking footage. This will only cause the battery to drain, which is already an ongoing issue.

Affects Computer Performance

Using your computer as a means to watch footage from your Ring video doorbell can also drain the power of your computer and slow it down altogether.

Having your computer slow down due to overusing this security system is the worst thing that can happen, especially if you are needing to do important work on that device.

What Features Does Ring Live Have?

Using your Ring video doorbell to watch live recorded footage has a variety of features. Some features are:

Two-Way Talking

This security device allows you to talk to anyone who is outside your front door. Simply press the microphone button and start talking. The person on the other side will be able to hear you and answer back.

Siren

Another feature is the siren. This siren can be activated from your computer through the app, scaring off anything or anyone who is nearby.

For instance, if an animal is spotted outside your door and is rummaging through your garbage, you are able to set off an alarm which will frighten them away. To activate, click on the siren button (the icon will look like an exclamation mark).

Speaker For Listening

With using Ring to watch footage live, you are also able to listen to whatever is happening. To do this, you will need to press the speaker button.

Ring Lights

There are some people who also have Ring smart lights set up around their property. If this is the case for you, you can choose to turn these lights on all through your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need To Pay To Watch Live Footage From Your Ring Video Doorbell?

No, you do not need to pay. After installing your Ring doorbell, you can then download and create a Ring account using their convenient app.

When you have this app, you are free to use the live function whenever necessary.

Why Is Live View So Slow?

If your Live View isn’t fast enough for you then you can use the Rapid Ring app to help. Download the app from your app store and use it alongside your regular.

This will make everything much faster for you, providing you with faster notification times and faster response.

How Far Away Does Ring Detect Motion?

Ring’s devices are able to detect motion from up to an impressive 30 feet away from the camera.

Why Is My Ring Video Doorbell Battery Draining So Fast?

It has been found that the batteries for the Ring doorbell do not last as long as suggested, so if your battery has died quickly then you are not alone.

There are a variety of reasons for this such as having a poor Wi-Fi signal, having a high reception of motion in the area and being due to cold weather.

Does The Ring Video Doorbell Work At Night?

Yes, the Ring video doorbell does work at night, and this is because of its night vision function.

When the doorbell detects darkness, its night vision mode will automatically activate, allowing you to view everything outside of your house even at night. 

Final Thoughts

In this article, we have spoken widely about the Ring video doorbell, particularly highlighting its live footage feature.

Ring’s product has many features to speak highly of and one of those features is its ability to watch footage live from wherever you are.

Whether you are at home on the couch or in the library, all you need to do is take out your device and view. Although many people use their phones, this is not the only way to view this activity.

You can also use your computer. Above, we have gone through the steps to watching Ring live through your computer. By using this function on your computer, you will feel much safer in your own home.

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