A contact sensor has two pieces: a sensor and a magnet. Moving them apart can trigger a chime, alarm, or phone notification.
Why it matters: A simple opening alert may be enough for your needs, but it is not a lock or guaranteed emergency response.
Written guidance reviewed: September 17, 2026 · Sources and equipment assumptions are below.
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Understand the job before starting
A sensor must detect the actual opening and deliver the intended alert.
A common mistake to avoid
A successful app setup screen does not replace testing the installed sensor.
Use what you already have. Check each item when it is ready.
Before you begin
Do not block exits or stop a window from opening for escape. Avoid drilling unknown frames or wiring. Do not assume a phone notification calls police.
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Do it with me
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STEP 1 OF 4
Choose an alert type
Start here: Choose the alert you need.
Example: Choose the alert you need. Follow the written step.
Read-aloud is available in supported browsers; the written steps always remain available.
A basic stand-alone contact alarm can sound locally without an app or subscription.
A connected sensor may need a hub, Wi-Fi/internet, and a service plan for certain features.
Verify audible alerts, remote notifications, battery life, and any monitoring cost before buying.
Before moving to the next step
Check this specific result: I know which alerts work and what extra hardware is required.
If that result is not true yet, leave the box unchecked. Write what is missing in your notes; use the official instructions below when the equipment or situation differs.
STEP 1 OF 4
Choose an alert type
Start here: Choose the alert you need.
Example: Choose the alert you need. Follow the written step.
A basic stand-alone contact alarm can sound locally without an app or subscription.
A connected sensor may need a hub, Wi-Fi/internet, and a service plan for certain features.
Verify audible alerts, remote notifications, battery life, and any monitoring cost before buying.
Before moving to the next step
Check this specific result: I know which alerts work and what extra hardware is required.
If that result is not true yet, leave the box unchecked. Write what is missing in your notes; use the official instructions below when the equipment or situation differs.
STEP 2 OF 4
Identify the moving and fixed pieces
Start here: Identify the moving and fixed pieces
Illustration: Align contact sensors. Read the steps for your exact task.
The manual normally shows one piece on the fixed frame and the other on the moving door/window.
Align its markings across the closed seam.
The allowed gap is model-specific; do not copy a gap from a picture.
Before moving to the next step
Check this specific result: I identified the correct alignment and allowed gap.
If that result is not true yet, leave the box unchecked. Write what is missing in your notes; use the official instructions below when the equipment or situation differs.
STEP 3 OF 4
Pair and test before sticking
Start here: Pair and test before mounting.
Example: Pair and test before mounting. Follow the written step.
Follow the app/hub instructions, install the specified battery, and separate the pieces by hand to confirm detection.
Test phone notifications with the app closed too.
Check whether shared users receive alerts.
Before moving to the next step
Check this specific result: I tested detection and the intended notification.
If that result is not true yet, leave the box unchecked. Write what is missing in your notes; use the official instructions below when the equipment or situation differs.
STEP 4 OF 4
Attach and test normal use
Start here: Attach and test normal opening.
Example: Attach and test normal opening. Follow the written step.
Clean/dry the permitted mounting surface and attach as the manual says.
Open and close normally to confirm the pieces do not collide or fall off.
For windows, protect the intended opening style.
Set a battery-check reminder and teach housemates how to silence a false alert.
Before moving to the next step
Check this specific result: The sensor works without obstructing the door or window.
If that result is not true yet, leave the box unchecked. Write what is missing in your notes; use the official instructions below when the equipment or situation differs.
Pictures for this guide
Picture 1 of 4 · Choose an alert type
Choose an alert type: Local sound or phone notification?. Check hub and subscription needs.
For: Choose an alert type
Illustrations show examples of the actions above. Follow your equipment’s instructions.
Notes about these pictures
A basic stand-alone contact alarm can sound locally without an app or subscription. A connected sensor may need a hub, Wi-Fi/internet, and a service plan for certain features. Verify audible alerts, remote notifications, battery life, and any monitoring cost before buying.
Do not block exits or stop a window from opening for escape. Avoid drilling unknown frames or wiring. Do not assume a phone notification calls police.
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Flag “Choose an alert type” for review. We save the guide and step identifiers with your account to limit duplicates, not your private notes.
What to look for: The contact-sensor section shows placement within one Ring system. Confirm the sensor generation, gap limits, permissions, and alert settings you actually have.
Link details checked 2026-10-03. Video availability and equipment menus can change.
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How to use the video with this guide
Read “Before you begin” first. Watch the relevant part, pause, then return to the written step and its completion check. Use captions and playback speed if they help. A demonstration may cover only part of the task or show different equipment.
Your model’s instructions and current official guidance take priority. For urgent problems, follow the stop instructions without waiting to watch a video.
For this guide, the final result is: The sensor works without obstructing the door or window.
A concrete way to approach this task
Name each sensor after the opening it monitors and test the intended alert after setup.
What if I cannot complete a step?
If the opening or alert is not reliably detected, check alignment and setup using the model instructions before relying on it.
Identify the exact step: “Choose an alert type.” Record what you tried, what happened, and which item or model you used. Ask for help with that specific problem rather than repeating an unsafe or unsuccessful action.
Do not block exits or stop a window from opening for escape. Avoid drilling unknown frames or wiring. Do not assume a phone notification calls police.
Connect this skill to everyday life
Write down the total move-in cash and monthly costs before applying. Ask which charges are required and which are optional.
Advertised rent is not necessarily the whole monthly cost. A refundable deposit still needs cash now. An application does not mean you have a signed lease.
