Ring API Development Guide

Overview

Developing applications for the Ring App Store follows a three-phase lifecycle: Configure, Build, and Test. During the Configure phase, you'll complete partner onboarding, obtain client credentials, and implement OAuth 2.0 account linking to authenticate users. The Build phase involves integrating with the Ring Partner API to access device management, capabilities, status, location, and configuration data, as well as implementing webhooks for real-time event notifications. Finally, in the Test phase, you'll validate your implementation in a staging environment, verify error handling and token management, test webhook delivery, and ensure compliance with rate limits and security best practices before deploying to production.

Configure

The Configure phase is the foundation of your Ring App Store integration. During this phase, you'll complete partner onboarding to register your application and receive client credentials (client ID, client secret and HMAC Key). These credentials enable your app to authenticate Ring users through OAuth 2.0 account linking and access the Ring Partner API.

The configuration process involves registering your application details, including app name, description, category, and support information. You'll also provide essential URLs such as your privacy policy, terms of service, and support contact. These details help Ring users understand your application's purpose and how their data will be handled before they authorize access to their Ring devices.

A critical part of configuration is setting up OAuth 2.0 endpoints and webhook URLs. You'll define an Account Link URL where Ring redirects users for authentication, a Token Exchange URL where Ring obtains access tokens, and a Webhook URL to receive real-time device event notifications. Ring provides separate staging and production environments, allowing you to test your integration thoroughly before deploying to live users.

For detailed step-by-step instructions on completing the configuration phase, see Configure Your Ring Application.

Build

The Build phase is where you integrate with the Ring Partner API to create your application. Ring Partner API follows the JSON:API specification and provides a comprehensive set of endpoints for device management, including device discovery, capabilities, status monitoring, location information, and configuration retrieval. All API requests use the base URL https://api.amazonvision.com and require OAuth 2.0 Bearer token authentication obtained through the account linking flow.

Device discovery is the entry point for accessing Ring devices, returning a list of devices the authenticated user has authorized your application to access. Each device provides relationships to status, capabilities, location, and configurations, which you can fetch individually or include in a single request using the include parameter. Device capabilities describe what features each Ring device supports, such as video streaming, motion detection, and image enhancements like night vision and HDR.

Real-time event notifications are delivered through webhooks, which POST JSON payloads to your configured endpoint. The API supports three webhook types: motion detection events, device addition notifications, and device removal events. Your webhook endpoint must accept HTTPS POST requests, return HTTP 200 within 5 seconds, and implement idempotency using the request_id field to prevent duplicate processing.

The API enforces a rate limit of 100 requests per second, so implementing exponential backoff for rate limit errors and caching device information is essential. Best practices include proper error handling for token expiration and HTTP errors, automatic token refresh using refresh tokens, comprehensive logging of API calls, and respecting user privacy settings such as privacy zones in video processing.

Ring MCP

Ring MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the recommended approach for building Ring App Store integrations. Ring MCP connects your AI coding assistant directly to Ring Appstore documentation, enabling it to instantly access API references, integration guides, and technical specifications without leaving your IDE. Instead of manually searching through documentation, your AI assistant can automatically search indexed docs, retrieve full documents, and generate working code from real Ring API documentation. This dramatically accelerates development by providing context-aware code generation, real-time API guidance, and accurate answers with source references as you build your integration.

To get started with Ring MCP and accelerate your development, see Ring MCP Server.

API

For experienced developers who prefer full control over every aspect of their code, the Ring Partner API provides a comprehensive REST interface for direct integration. This approach gives you complete flexibility to implement custom error handling, optimize performance for your specific use case, and maintain granular control over API calls, authentication flows, and webhook processing. The API follows the JSON:API specification and includes endpoints for device discovery, capabilities, status monitoring, location information, configuration retrieval, and real-time event notifications through webhooks.

For complete API specifications, endpoint details, and implementation guidance, see Ring API Documentation.

Github sample project

The Ring Partner API Hello World sample application is a production-ready Next.js dashboard that demonstrates comprehensive integration with the Ring Partner API. Built with TypeScript and React, it showcases real-time video streaming via WebRTC/WHEP protocol, webhook event processing through Server-Sent Events (SSE), and an extensible video processor plugin system. The application features a live video feed with canvas overlays for bounding boxes and visual effects, a real-time event panel displaying webhook notifications with filtering capabilities, and interactive video processors including a hand-tracking game powered by MediaPipe Hands.

The architecture follows modern best practices with composable React components, custom hooks for WebRTC connection management and SSE auto-reconnect, and a plugin-based video processor registry. The sample includes three built-in processors: a catch-the-box game using hand detection with fire effects, a motion heatmap visualizer that tracks movement across frames, and a brightness analyzer that highlights exposure levels. The application handles OAuth 2.0 token management with automatic refresh, normalizes Ring's JSON:API webhook payloads, and provides both staging and production configuration support.

Developers can use this sample as a foundation for building their own Ring integrations, learning the complete OAuth flow from authorization to token exchange, implementing WebRTC video streaming with proper session management, processing real-time webhook events with idempotency checks, and creating custom video processors using the provided plugin interface. The codebase demonstrates error handling, rate limiting with exponential backoff, and proper cleanup of resources including WebRTC connections and MediaPipe models.

The complete source code and setup instructions are available in the ring-api-helloworld GitHub repository.

Code Snippets

The Ring API enables developers to build powerful integrations across multiple use cases. Smart home integrations can trigger automations based on motion detection, such as turning on lights, sending notifications, and starting video recordings when activity is detected at Ring doorbells. Security monitoring dashboards provide real-time visibility into all Ring devices, displaying online/offline status, recent motion events, device locations, and configuration settings with summary statistics and event tracking. Motion-triggered recording systems automatically capture video clips when motion is detected, with intelligent filtering based on configured motion zones, device status verification, and automated thumbnail generation for notifications.

These use cases demonstrate practical implementations with complete Python code examples, including OAuth token management, device discovery and capability checking, webhook event processing with idempotency, real-time status monitoring, and video recording workflows. Each example follows best practices for error handling, API rate limiting, and respecting user privacy settings such as privacy zones.

For complete code examples and implementation details, see Ring API Use Cases.

Test

The Test phase allows you to validate your Ring App Store integration using your own Ring accounts before submitting for certification. Through the Amazon Developer Portal's Test section, you can authorize up to 10 staging users to test your application's OAuth flow, API integration, and webhook functionality in the staging environment. The testing process involves clicking "Log in with Ring" to initiate the authorization flow, authenticating with your Ring account credentials, completing two-factor authentication if enabled, and authorizing your application to access Ring devices. Once authorized, your Ring account becomes a staging user, enabling you to test API calls with real devices and receive webhook notifications for motion detection and device events.

Before testing, you must complete the Configure phase with app information and OAuth endpoints configured, and the Build phase with OAuth flow implemented, API integration completed, and webhook endpoints deployed. The testing interface displays your current staging user count and provides options to add more users or remove all staging users to start over. This critical validation step ensures your OAuth authorization flow works correctly, API endpoints respond properly, webhook delivery functions as expected, and your application handles real Ring devices and events before moving to certification and production deployment.

For detailed step-by-step instructions on the testing process, see Test Your Ring App Store Integration.

Application Test

The Test phase allows you to validate your app integration using your Ring accounts before submitting for certification. This is a critical step to ensure your OAuth flow, API integration, and webhooks work correctly in the staging environment.

Overview

Purpose: Test your app using your Ring accounts to verify end-to-end functionality

Location: Amazon Developer Portal → Ring Section → Test (Phase 3)

Description: "Test your app using your Ring accounts"

Key Features:

• Test with up to 10 staging users
• Validate OAuth authorization flow
• Verify API integration with real Ring devices
• Test webhook delivery and processing
• Ensure endpoints respond correctly

Prerequisites

Before testing, ensure you have completed:

1. Configure Phase
   • App information configured
   • OAuth endpoints configured (staging environment)
   • App logo uploaded
2. Build Phase
   • OAuth flow implemented
   • API integration completed
   • Webhook endpoint deployed
   • All endpoints accessible via HTTPS
3. Ring Account
   • Active Ring account with email and password
   • Two-factor authentication enabled (if applicable)
   • Ring devices registered to your account (for full testing)

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Testing Process

Step 1: Access Testing Page

Navigate to the Test section in the Amazon Developer Portal, Ring section.

Page Title: "Testing"
Description: "Test your app using your Ring accounts"

Step 2: Review Staging User Limit

The testing page displays your current staging user count:

Status Box: "0 staging users out of 10"
Description: "Current number of authorized users can see and connect to the staging version of your app."

Important Notes:

• Maximum 10 staging users allowed
• Staging users can access and test your app integration
• Use the Remove all button to clear all staging users if needed

Step 3: Initiate Login with Ring

Click the Log in with Ring button to begin the authorization flow.

This will redirect you to the Ring login page to authenticate with your Ring account.

Step 4: Ring Account Login

You'll be redirected to the Ring login page:

Login Form:

• Email: Enter your Ring account email address
• Password: Enter your Ring account password
• Show: Toggle to show/hide password

Actions:

• Click Sign In to proceed
• Click Forgot Password? if you need to reset your password

Terms: "By clicking Log In, I agree to the Ring Terms of Service. See Privacy for additional information."

Where This Information Comes From:

• Email: Your existing Ring account email (the account you use for the Ring app)
• Password: Your Ring account password

Important: Use a Ring account that has Ring devices registered for comprehensive testing.

Step 5: Two-Factor Authentication (If Enabled)

If your Ring account has two-factor authentication enabled, you'll see:

Two Factor Authentication Code:

• Enter the 6-digit code sent to your registered phone number
• Format: +1xxxxxxxxx [ ] (shows masked phone number)

Error Handling:

• If code is incorrect: "Please enter your two factor authentication code sent to +1xxxxxxxxx [ ]"
• Request new code if needed

Actions:

• Enter the authentication code
• Click Sign in to proceed

Where This Information Comes From:

• Authentication Code: Sent via SMS to your phone number registered with Ring
• Check your phone for the 6-digit code

Step 6: Authorize Application

After successful login, you'll see the authorization consent screen:

Page Title: "Authorize Application"

Application Name: "Ring Developer Portal (Beta)" (or your app name in production)

Permission Request: "would like permission to access your account"

Review permissions:

• Access all Ring devices registered to your account
• Access third-party devices you have also linked to your Ring account
• Access your Ring account and settings

Revocation Notice: "If you want to revoke this permission, you can disable it at anytime."

Actions:

• Click Authorize to grant permissions and proceed
• Click Deny to cancel authorization

What Happens When You Authorize:

1. Your Ring account is linked to the staging version of your app
2. Your app receives an authorization code
3. Your app exchanges the code for access and refresh tokens
4. Your app can now access Ring API on behalf of your account

Step 7: Verify Staging User Added

After successful authorization, you'll be redirected back to the Testing page:

Updated Status: "1 staging users out of 10"
Description: "Current number of authorized users can see and connect to the staging version of your app."

What This Means:

• Your Ring account is now authorized as a staging user
• You can test API calls with your account's access token
• Your app can discover devices registered to your account
• Webhooks will be sent for events on your devices

Actions Available:

• Log in with Ring: Add more staging users (up to 10 total)

• Remove all: Remove all staging users and start over