The 1.8 version of Ring Video Doorbell for Mac is available as a free download on our website. This Mac download was scanned by our antivirus and was rated as malware free. This free Mac app is a product of Bot Home Automation, INC. The program is categorized as Lifestyle Tools. Protect your home & watch over what's important from your phone with video doorbells, indoor & outdoor security cameras, alarm systems & more.
- Ring Doorbell App For Mac
- Ring Doorbell Apple Tv
- Ring App For Macbook
- Ring Doorbell App Mac
- App Store Download Ring
- Ring Doorbell App Manual
As I’ve mentioned before, one of my favorite pastimes is sitting down and quickly running through the motion events that have occurred on my Ring Video Doorbell. Most of the time I use my smartphone, but from time to time, I will use my desktop.
To answer the original question “can you watch Ring line on the computer,” the answer is yes, you are able to watch Ring live on your Apple or Windows computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Ring has created apps for the App Store, Google Play, and Windows store that enables you to watch live and recorded events on your computer.
Continue reading to learn how to watch live events, when you should watch live events when you shouldn’t watch live events and where you can download the app for your computer.
Who Can Watch Ring Live on the Computer?
The Ring Video Doorbell has two types of users: the account owner, and shared users. The account owner has full access to the Ring app and doorbell. The owner can make any and all changes including:
- Changing the motion setting
- Changing the ring tones
- Turn alerts on and off
Shared users have a much more limited capability within the app. According to Rings’ app, shared users “can control Ring Alarm and access your choice of Ring devices, using the Ring app.”
Basically, this means shared users can’t make critical adjustments to your Ring settings. It is best practice to give everyone else including your spouse) a shared user level of permission. Never give another user the username and password for the owner account.
Anyone that is listed as an owner or shared user has access to view the Ring video Doorbell live on their computer. The Ring app must be installed on each individual computer for a user/ owner to view live and recorded.
In addition, Ring also has a website video doorbell owners can log into, but you are not able to view live events in this platform. You are only able to view recorded events, purchase new products, and pay your bill.
How Does Live Viewing Work on My Computer?
Live viewing works just like the mobile app. For this example, I will use the iMac version. Please note, that the Windows and Android app versions may differ slightly.
To view your Ring Video Doorbell live follow the below steps:
- Download the app (more on that later)
- Open the app
- Login with the username and password
- And close (not exit) the app
From here you have two options: live viewing by choice, or live viewing my notification. I will discuss both options below.
Live Viewing by Notifications
Since the app is closed, it will remain working in the background, which is the key ingredient for live viewing to work. Notifications work in two ways: push and ‘instant live .” Let’s discuss these two options now.
Push Notifications
Push notifications occur when you are outside of the app, working on something else. For example, if you are editing a YouTube video, you will be using the entire screen. When motion is detected, a notification will appear at the top right of your screen. The notification will look like the notifications you receive on your locked mobile device.
The notification will say “motion detected at your front door.”
When you see this notification, you have the option to click it, or ignore it and continue working. If you click the notification, it will take you to a live view of your video doorbell.
Note: this is the same process as if someone pushes the doorbell button.
‘Instant Live’
Note: I call this instant live because I don’t have a better name for it.
Instant live occurs when you have the app open, but you are doing something else. Again, I will be using the iMac as an example of the process.
Let’s say I’ve just returned from work and I’m looking at events that have occurred today. I’m watching an event in which a fox runs across my front lawn. Suddenly, a school bus stops to let kids off the bus. When this happens, why Ring live video feed will open in the middle of the screen. In one instant, I am watching a live viewing of my video doorbell.
This is the same as when you are in your mobile app. The only difference is the mobile app will ask you if you want to view the in-progress event, in this case, you have the option to view or ignore the event.
What are the Benefits of Watching Ring Live on Your Computer?
The biggest benefit of watching the Ring live on your computer is the larger screen. When using the mobile app, everything looks smaller and is difficult to see. However, when I use my 27-inch screen, I can see every detail of the recording.
Also, another benefit of watching the Ring live on your computer is the higher resolution. Sometimes smartphones reduce the resolution, making it difficult to see what is happening. If you have a 4K monitor, you will be able to see everything crystal clear.
The final benefit to watching the Ring live on your computer is you will save your smartphones battery life. Watching live videos consumes a lot of battery life from both your mobile phone and your video doorbell. You can extend the batteries length by watching live events on your computer.
When Should I Watch Ring Live on My Computer?
This will vary by person, what I like to watch Ring live when I’m doing something that doesn’t require an intense amount of focus. For example, if I’m watching a YouTube video, it is nice to have the ring working in the background.
Also, you should use the Ring live on your computer when you are expecting a guest. For example, if I’m working from home, and I expect pizza delivered, I will have the app open, so I can be at the door when the food arrives.
You could also watch the ring app live on your computer if there have been notifications about problems occurring in the neighborhood. For example, if kids are walking around the neighborhood smashing pumpkins, watch the live view to stop them, or at least yell at them.
When Shouldn’t I Watch Ring Live on My Computer?
Like the section above, this will very by person, but I don’t like the Ring app during the following situations:
- I’m meeting with a client
- I’m writing a blog post
- I’m recording a YouTube video
- I’m editing a YouTube video
Let’s take a moment to discuss these situations.
Meeting with a Client
If I’m meeting with a client, regardless if it’s in person or over the phone, I can’t have the app open. I will get distracted every time. When the notification pops up on the screen, I have to look, even if I know what’s happening outside.
Looking at the notification causes me to pause my more important thought process. If I’m in the middle of a sentence, I stop taking, even if it’s for a second, to see what the notification says.
This isn’t limited to Ring, all notifications I receive distraction me.
Writing a Blog Post
One of the worst things that can happened to me when I’m writing is to lose my train of thought. Like the example above, a notification is just distracting enough that I will lose my current thought process. Once I lose the process, It takes me a minute or two to get back to it. Often, I will delete the sentence I was working on, and try to think of something else.
Recording a YouTube Video
Currently, I’ve made over 40 YouTube videos, and in half of them, you see me pause. This usually occurs because I’ve received a push notification from somewhere. When this happens, I stop, quickly read the notification, try to regather my thoughts and move on.
Also, the notification appears on the YouTube video if I’m doing a screencast. I feel it’s a bit unprofessional when this happens. It’s like when someone’s phone rings when your in a movie theater, just distracting!
Editing a YouTube Video
This isn’t as distracting as much as it takes away from computing resources. Because the video editor consumes a lot memory, anything else running at the same time really slows down my computer. Usually, I have the editor, my YouTube channel, a website called Canva, and music streaming all at the same time. Anything else will slow down my computer, making all processes take longer to complete and submit.
Ring Doorbell App For Mac
Why You Shouldn’t Watch the Ring Live on Your Computer?
While watching the ring live on your computer, thee are a few drawbacks. In this section, I will discuss the biggest drawback.
You shouldn’t watch the Ring live because it is a drain on your resources. Watching the Ring Video Doorbell live will drain your doorbells battery, consume data, and take resources away from your computer. Let’s discuss these resources in the next section.
Video Doorbell Battery
If your Ring Video Doorbell is battery powered (you can ignore this section if your doorbell is connected to the existing electrical or ethernet cable) you battery will drain quickly. These doorbells are designed for short recordings (30 seconds) and not designed to consistently watch them live. If you decide to do this, know that you will need to recharge the battery shortly.
Consume Data
In addition to consuming data, you video doorbell is consuming data on your local network. This is especially important if you are on a metered plan. Live video doorbells work by sending and receiving data using your home WIFI. Keeping this connection open can slow down your interne connection for you and everyone that is using in the home. Only keep it open if you need to.
Consuming Computing Power
Ring Doorbell Apple Tv
Finally, keeping the connection open can slow down your computer. If you are doing something like video editing and you have the connection open, you will notice a slow down on how your computer performs. You will notice that everything takes longer to complete, which is the worst possible scenario if you are trying to meet a deadline.
It can be Distracting
The final reason you shouldn’t watch the Ring live on your computer is it is distracting. If you have it open, you will be tempted to look and see what’s going on. There have been countless times when I’ve stopped what I was working on, just to see who keeps circling the block.
Conclusion
To conclude, yes, you can watch the Ring live on your computer. The process is as easy as downloading the app from Ring’s website, entering your username and password. Once you configure your motion settings you will be able to watch all day and night.
As I mentioned, there are some benefits and drawbacks to watching the Ring video doorbell live. These benefits include watching on a bigger screen and not using your phone’s battery.
However, there are a few drawbacks as well. Those drawbacks include lower battery life, greater bandwidth consumption, and greater usage of computer resources.
Student-Contributed Wiki
An awesome team of students from our education program made this wiki.
Ring Video Doorbell Model No. 88RG000FC100
Poor/Lost WiFi Signal
Poor and delayed video and occasionally not receiving notifications. Ring, Motion or Live View failing to connect or taking more than a couple of seconds to connect.
WiFi Router Channel Crowded
Most routers are automatically set to switch channels to the least crowded. While this is the case, some must be done manually. Ensure that it is enabled by following the following link: https://www.howtogeek.com/197268/how-to-..
Bad WiFi Router Placement
Bad router placement can be the reason why there is a weak or no WiFi signal, as routers do have a limited reach. If this is the case, move your router to a location that is within 200 feet of the Ring Doorbell.
Insufficient Power
Existing internal doorbell not ringing correctly or Ring Video Doorbell works fine for a couple of events and then stops working.
Low Voltage
To solve this issue the Ring video doorbell may not be receiving sufficient voltage. For the Ring video doorbell to function properly it needs a minimum of 3,900 mV. You can check the voltage by opening the Ring app, selecting Ring Pro, and then selecting device health. If this does not fix the issue, you may need to replace the capacitor, which can be found on this link: https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articl..
Faulty Battery
If the Ring Video Doorbell is not turning on regardless if plugged in or not, then the battery may be defective. Replace the battery using this guide: Ring Doorbell Battery Replacement
Night Vision Malfunction
Poor video quality only at night or does not record at night time. System unresponsive only at night time.
Faulty Camera
If the camera is not responsive at all and no image can be seen, while everything else functions properly on the Ring Video Doorbell, the camera is most likely at fault. Thus, you will need to replace the camera, and the steps to do so can be found at this link:
Weak Internet Speed
Vuer app for mac. Slow internet can cause problems with Live View. To see if this is the cause of the problem, test your internet speed. A minimum of 2 Mbps Upload and Download speed is recommended for the best streaming performance for Ring Pro and Floodlight Cam. Consider resetting your WiFi router if the problem persists. To do this, simply locate the reset button on the router, press and hold for 10 seconds.
Ring App For Macbook
Poor Wiring
Poor wiring may lead to video freezing and night vision issues, therefore, if you are experiencing any of these issues, check your wiring to make sure the Pro Power Kit is installed correctly using this guide: https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articl..
No Sound
Doorbell is not ringing or notifications cannot be heard.
Faulty Speakers
If the speaker is not responsive at all and no sound can be heard, even after ensuring audio is enabled from both the application and the Ring Doorbell, the speakers might need to be replaced. The following link will show you the steps to do this: Ring Video Doorbell Pro Speaker Replacement
Ring Doorbell App Mac
Microphone Not Enabled
The microphone on the Ring Doorbell may not be enabled and therefore, you will not be able to receive and hear any sound. Therefore, ensure that the microphone has been enabled on the device, by going to the Ring Doorbell app and toggling the microphone button. If the issue persists you may need to replace the microphone. To do this, follow the following link: https://img.hsni.com/images/prod/alpha/p..
App Store Download Ring
Unresponsive Doorbell Button
No response from the doorbell when the ring button is pressed.
Stuck Button
Ring Doorbell App Manual
If the button on the Doorbell is not responsive at all and does not ring or notify you on the application , even after ensuring audio and notifications are enabled from both the application and the Ring Doorbell, the button may need to be replaced. In order to do this, please follow the following link: https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articl..