Your Ring Doorbell 2 got stolen. Here’s the short version: file a police report, remove the device from your Ring account immediately, check your Event History for footage of the theft, and contact Ring to start a replacement claim. The Doorbell 2 qualifies for Ring’s standard theft replacement policy – no subscription required – but you have to act within 15 days.
The longer version involves a few things the generic “what to do when your Ring is stolen” guides get wrong, so read on.
What Happens When Someone Steals a Ring Doorbell 2
The Ring Doorbell 2 was discontinued in April 2020, but millions of them are still mounted on front doors, still working, and apparently still worth stealing. The hardware is old, but it records, it notifies, and it sells on eBay – which is why it goes missing.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: once someone physically takes the device, they can factory reset it by removing the faceplate and holding the reset button for 15 seconds. That wipes it clean and lets them register it to a new Ring account. Ring does send a series of emails to the previous owner and gives them 15 days to respond before releasing ownership – but by then the device is long gone from your door.
The best move is to remove the device from your own account before that process starts. More on that below.
Steps to Take Right After the Theft
Do these in order. The 15-day replacement claim window starts from the date of theft, so don’t sit on this.
Check Ring Event History for footage
Open the Ring app and go to Event History before the video clips age out. You may have a clear shot of whoever took it. Download anything useful and screenshot the timestamps – you’ll need this for the police report.
Remove the device from your Ring account
In the Ring app, go to Devices, tap the stolen doorbell, then Device Settings > General Settings > Remove this Device. Do this now. It prevents the thief’s setup attempt from triggering the 15-day ownership transfer window, and it makes clear to Ring that the device is no longer in your possession.
File a police report
You need an official police report to file a theft replacement claim with Ring. Most jurisdictions let you file online for property theft. Get a copy with the case number – you’ll need the report number when contacting Ring.
Contact Ring to file a replacement claim
Go to ring.com/pages/device-stolen and start the claim. You’ll need: the original purchase receipt, the police report number, and proof the device was registered to your account. Ring’s policy covers all Ring doorbells and cameras – no Ring Protect subscription required – and they’ll replace it at no charge if the claim is approved. The window is 15 days from the theft date, so don’t delay.
Secure your Ring account
Change your Ring account password and enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already. A stolen device doesn’t give the thief access to your account, but it’s good practice. While you’re at it, review Shared Users and remove anyone who shouldn’t have access.
Ring’s Theft Replacement Policy – What It Actually Covers
Ring’s theft protection covers all Ring doorbells and cameras, including the Doorbell 2. If Ring approves the claim, they replace the device for free. You have 15 days from the theft to submit, and you need the original sales receipt plus a police report.
One important catch: the policy only applies to the original purchaser. If you bought your Doorbell 2 used, secondhand, or from a marketplace seller, you’re not covered under Ring’s theft replacement – the protection belongs to whoever bought it new from an authorized retailer.
Another catch: devices that were never set up and installed don’t qualify. If it was stolen from your porch before you ever mounted it, Ring won’t cover it. The device has to have been active on your account.
If Ring approves the claim, they’ll ship a replacement. Note that they will not replace it with another Doorbell 2 – that model was discontinued in 2020. You’ll get a current equivalent, likely the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, which is a meaningful upgrade anyway (1536p resolution, head-to-toe field of view, color night vision).
Why the Ring Doorbell 2 is Easy to Steal
The Doorbell 2 mounts with two screws and a bracket. The security feature Ring ships with it is a single T15 Torx security screw – the kind with a pin in the center that requires a specific bit. That’s the only physical anti-theft measure. There’s no cable lock port, no Kensington slot, nothing else.
The T15 security screw is a deterrent, not a lock. Anyone who knows what they’re looking for will have the right bit or just pry the faceplate off and work around it. It slows down an opportunistic grab, but it won’t stop a determined thief.
Ring used to sell a Tamper Proof Cover for the Doorbell 2, 3, and 4 – a plastic enclosure with a lock. That product has been discontinued and is no longer available from Ring. You may find third-party brackets and anti-theft mounts on Amazon, but their quality varies significantly.
Preventing Future Theft
A few things that actually work:
- Good lighting – Motion-activated lights next to the doorbell raise the chances of a clear video and reduce the appeal of the location for opportunistic theft. Lights that trigger on approach are better than lights that are always on.
- Mounting height – The higher the doorbell, the harder the grab. Most people mount at eye level for convenience. If the bracket can go a bit higher without wrecking the field of view, use that position.
- Check and re-tighten the security screw periodically – The screw can loosen from vibration and door slam over time. A loose doorbell is a faster grab. Takes 30 seconds to check with a T15 bit.
- Consider upgrading – The Ring Doorbell 2 is six years out of production. Replacement parts and mounts are getting scarce. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the current best-value wireless option from Ring – better video, better detection, and you can get anti-theft mounts designed for current hardware.
Is the Ring Doorbell 2 Still Worth Using?
If you’ve got one, it still works. Ring continues to support the Doorbell 2 with software updates and app compatibility – they’ve committed to supporting it as long as people are actively using it. The hardware is functional. But replacement parts are gone, the Tamper Proof Cover is discontinued, and Ring won’t ship you another one if yours is stolen – they’ll send current hardware instead.
If your Doorbell 2 gets stolen and Ring sends you a replacement, treat it as a forced upgrade and don’t look back. The newer hardware is noticeably better.