How to Change Ring Doorbell Sound

The Ring doorbell has transformed how UK homeowners manage home security, allowing you to see, hear, and speak to visitors from anywhere. But aside from its camera and motion alerts, one of the features people appreciate most is the ability to change the doorbell sound. Whether you want a cheerful chime, a festive jingle, or simply a quieter tone, Ring makes it possible to customise the sound that plays when someone presses your doorbell or when your app sends a notification.

Understanding how to change and personalise these sounds adds a layer of convenience and comfort to your home setup. This detailed guide will explain how to change your Ring doorbell sound both on the physical Chime device and through the Ring app, discuss compatibility between different models, explore custom sound options, and provide troubleshooting advice if the feature doesn’t work as expected.

Understanding Ring Doorbell Sounds

When you install a Ring doorbell, you’ll hear two types of sounds: the internal doorbell sound that plays on your connected Ring Chime or compatible smart speaker, and the notification tone that plays through your phone or tablet via the Ring app. Both of these can be changed, allowing you to select different tones for different devices or even assign unique sounds to specific events such as motion detection or button presses.

The Chime sound is what visitors hear inside your home when they press the doorbell, while the app sound alerts you wherever you are. By customising both, you can tailor how you receive notifications to match your preferences and lifestyle. For example, you might want a soft tone for indoor alerts but a louder, distinctive chime for your phone.

Devices That Support Custom Sounds

Before you change your Ring doorbell sound, it’s important to understand which devices support this feature. Any Ring doorbell paired with a Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro can have its internal chime tone changed through the Ring app. These Chime units plug into a standard socket and act as wireless speakers for your doorbell.

For app notifications, all Ring doorbells are compatible with tone changes, regardless of model. You can choose from multiple ringtones directly in your smartphone’s settings for the Ring app.

If you have connected your Ring doorbell to an Amazon Echo or Alexa-enabled device, you can also choose the sound it makes when the doorbell rings. Alexa devices can even announce “Someone is at the front door” or play a sound of your choice.

How to Change the Sound on a Ring Chime or Chime Pro

To change the sound that plays from your Ring Chime or Chime Pro, open the Ring app on your phone or tablet and follow these steps. Tap the menu icon on the top left corner and select “Devices.” Choose your Chime or Chime Pro from the list, then tap “Audio Settings” or “Chime Tones.” From there, you will see a full list of available tones that range from simple doorbell sounds to seasonal or themed chimes.

Tap on any sound to hear a preview. When you find one you like, select it and tap “Save.” The new sound will be applied immediately, and you can test it by pressing your Ring doorbell button.

Ring regularly updates the tone list with new sounds, especially during holidays. Popular options include festive Christmas melodies, spooky Halloween sounds, and cheerful notifications that make visitors smile.

Changing the App Notification Sound

You can also change the sound your phone makes when the doorbell rings or motion is detected. Open the Ring app, go to “Device Settings,” and choose “Alert Settings.” Select the type of alert you want to customise — doorbell ring or motion alert — and then choose “App Alert Tones.”

From there, you can pick a new sound from the list. This setting controls only what plays through your smartphone or tablet, not the Chime device inside your home. Different tones can be selected for different devices, allowing you to distinguish which doorbell is ringing if you have multiple Ring doorbells installed.

If you use multiple phones, you will need to set the tone individually on each device. The Ring app does not synchronise notification sounds between users or phones, which allows each household member to choose their preferred alert style.

Changing the Sound on Alexa Devices

If you have linked your Ring doorbell to Alexa, you can change the sound that plays through your Echo device. To do this, open the Alexa app and tap “Devices,” then choose your Echo device. Select “Sounds” and then “Doorbell Sounds.” You can pick from a list of available tones, or choose to have Alexa announce the visitor instead.

Some Alexa devices, such as the Echo Show, can display live video from your Ring doorbell when it rings. In that case, you can choose whether to have both sound and video notifications or just one.

If you use multiple Echo devices in your home, you can set them to all play the same tone or have specific ones sound only in certain rooms, such as the kitchen or hallway. This is useful for larger homes where you want to ensure the alert is heard throughout the property.

Adjusting the Volume and Muting the Chime

In addition to changing the tone, you can also control the volume of your Ring Chime or Chime Pro through the app. Open the device settings, find “Volume Settings,” and move the slider to your preferred level.

If you prefer not to hear the chime temporarily, you can mute it without turning off the entire system. There is an option within the app to disable notifications for a set period. For example, you might mute your indoor chime at night or during meetings while still receiving alerts on your phone.

How to Add Custom or Seasonal Sounds

Ring occasionally releases special sound packs for events and holidays. During these times, you can access limited-edition tones through the Ring app, which appear in the same list as standard chimes. Simply select your favourite seasonal sound and set it as your active tone.

Currently, Ring does not support fully custom audio uploads, meaning you cannot add your own recordings or songs as doorbell sounds. However, many users hope that future updates will introduce a custom tone feature, allowing more personalisation.

Troubleshooting When the Sound Won’t Change

If you try to change your Ring doorbell sound and it does not update, there are a few things to check. First, ensure that your Ring app is updated to the latest version, as older versions sometimes lack new tone options.

Next, confirm that your Chime or Chime Pro is connected to Wi-Fi and showing as “Online” in the app. If it is offline, new sounds cannot be downloaded to the device. Simply reconnect it to your Wi-Fi network by following the setup instructions in the app.

If the new tone still does not apply, try restarting both the Chime and your Ring doorbell. Unplug the Chime for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to reconnect. This often resolves temporary connection issues.

You should also make sure you are changing the tone on the correct device. If you have multiple Chime units or doorbells, it’s easy to select the wrong one by accident. Double-check the device name before saving your changes.

How to Change Motion Alert Sounds

Besides the doorbell press tone, you can also change the sound for motion alerts. This helps differentiate between a visitor pressing the button and general activity detected near your property.

To do this, open the Ring app, select your doorbell, and go to “Device Settings.” Then choose “Alert Settings” and “App Alert Tones.” Scroll down until you find the section for motion alerts. You can select a different sound from the one used for doorbell rings.

This is especially useful for users who live on busy streets, where motion alerts happen frequently. You might choose a softer tone for motion events to avoid constant loud notifications while still hearing the main doorbell ring clearly.

Differences Between Doorbell Models

The ability to change sounds is consistent across most Ring doorbell models, but there are small differences depending on whether your device is battery-powered or wired.

Battery-powered models such as the Ring Video Doorbell 2, 3, 4, and Battery Doorbell Plus rely more on Wi-Fi and the app for chime control. Wired models like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro can integrate directly with existing mechanical chimes, in which case you can also change or silence those sounds separately.

If you have a wired model connected to your home’s existing chime box, changing the sound of the mechanical chime usually requires physically replacing that unit rather than adjusting app settings. However, if you are using a Ring Chime accessory, the app controls all sound settings digitally.

Practical Tips for Managing Sounds in Multi-Device Homes

For households with more than one Ring doorbell or multiple Chime units, managing sounds effectively helps avoid confusion. Naming each device clearly in the Ring app makes it easier to assign tones accurately. For instance, you could name them “Front Door Chime” and “Back Garden Chime” to distinguish them.

You can also set different tones for each doorbell. If your front and back doors both have Ring units, assigning unique sounds will immediately tell you which one is ringing. This level of customisation helps make daily life more convenient, especially in larger homes or properties with multiple entrances.

Accessibility and Volume Control for the Hard of Hearing

For users who are hard of hearing or prefer visual alerts, Ring provides accessibility options. You can link your doorbell to smart lighting systems or Echo devices with visual notifications. Some users combine Ring with smart bulbs that flash when someone presses the doorbell, ensuring no visitor is missed.

Adjusting volume settings is also crucial. The Ring app allows you to increase the chime’s loudness significantly, ensuring it can be heard even in large or noisy homes. You can also connect multiple Chime devices to create an audible network of alerts across different rooms.

Maintaining Consistency Across Devices

Once you have set your preferred tone, it’s a good idea to test all your connected devices. Press the doorbell and check that the Chime, app, and any linked Echo devices all play the correct sound.

If one of them does not respond or plays a different tone, go back into its settings individually. Each device remembers its own configuration, so changes made to one will not automatically affect others.

Keeping consistency ensures that everyone in the household recognises the alert immediately and that the system works seamlessly across your home.

Conclusion

Changing your Ring doorbell sound is a simple yet satisfying way to personalise your home security system. Whether you prefer a traditional chime, a soft tone, or a festive jingle, the process is straightforward using the Ring app. By adjusting both your Chime and app notification sounds, you can create a setup that matches your lifestyle, schedule, and preferences.

From volume control to seasonal sound packs, Ring offers a surprising amount of flexibility in how you hear alerts. Understanding how these settings work also helps you troubleshoot problems and manage multiple devices more efficiently.

Whether you live in a busy household or a quiet flat, the right doorbell sound can make a noticeable difference to everyday convenience. Take a few minutes to explore your Ring app’s options, experiment with tones, and enjoy the freedom of having a doorbell that sounds exactly the way you want it to.