There are other ways to get your Ring Doorbell out that don’t require the special security screwdriver from Ring. To keep people from tinkering with their doorbells, they use screws designed specificly for it; no ordinary driver fits properly.
So you’ll have to work carefuly to get those screws out without ripping them off (or otherwise messing up the doorbell’s housing). It takes some patience and skill.
Using Alternative Tools
First, you need a standard flat head screwdriver. This one is counter-intuitive, as security screws is designed with a torx/star pattern instead of just a straight slot. But you’ll notice that around the star there’s a hexagonal opening which can be gripped by skinny flat blade.
Choose one where the inside of the head grips the outer walls tight. Alignment is critical so it won’t slip off or scratch the metal finish. Ideally we want to catch as much surface area as possible in order to twist the screw without shearing any metal off. Even if your driver isn’t perfectly lined up, low torque will still keep flat head stuck in place.
Try turning it counter clockwise and gently applying pressure. The fit is not perfect so you might think this isn’t going to work. But they don’t go very deep. These security screws are shallow. The outer edge is exposed enough for a small blade to catch onto.
It worked better when the screw was slightly loosened in advance or wasn’t overtightened. If need be, you could of actually back one all the way out with just this simple tool.
Before you get fancy, check your old Ring screwdriver
The screwdriver actually comes with two heads on it which means two screwdriver options depending on what’s needed. There’s one that looks like a cross and is a normal Phillips screwdriver option. Then there’s the other one that looks like a six sided star, which is known as a Torx bit.
Lots of people take the wrong end because they’ve been conditioned over time by using a Phillips head everywhere. When you’re in a hurry you may not notice that you picked up the wrong tip. But taking the time to make sure you have the right tip makes all the difference.
When you turn to the correct end the resistance immediately vanishes. The security screw fits into the Torx head. The head has a matching star pattern on the inside that grips the screw tightly and greatly reduces the chance of stripping the screw. There’s no wobbling or play at all in driver as you turn the screw.
The other end (Phillips head) doesn’t fit into this security mechanism. Many folks get in the habit of turning it this way because of course it will remove the screw but they can never get it back on.
Your flat-head screwdriver failed. No problem: Go grab a multi-bit screwdriver kit, something you probably have in your house anyway. Most include several different-sized Torx bits. Grab one with a star-shaped end whose diameter is similar to the size of the screw head and check each bit in the tray until you find a match.
Because the bits are labeled clearly, it’s easy to find what you need even in low light. You want it snug, so you don’t risk camming out when trying to remove the bit. Put it in the handle and go to town just like Ring tool itself.
The right size Torx bit works perfectly; there’s no need for excessive force and the resistance dissapears instantly. Best of all: They’re versatile enough that you don’t have to buy a dedicated tool for each task around the house. In this way, it’s a complete replacement… In fact, it replaces going to the store altogether.
It helps to hold the thing down firmly as you work your way through the screws. After all, gravity will want to tug the whole unit off. The bracket itself might not hold the doorbell quite straight. Try to keep it in place by supporting its weight with one hand while you guide the screwdriver into position with the other.
It provides better control when tightening down on fasteners (torque). Also, because these screws are so tiny, they can get lost in a heartbeat if you’re not careful. Maintaining stability throughout makes it very easy to remove cleanly.
Finally, back off both security screws until they come all the way out. At that point, the doorbell unit will simply pull up off the wall-mounting plate with no fuss whatsoever. Simply lift and detach.
If you need to put your plate back on in short order, it will still be hooked up inside.
Having spares handy eases anxiety when something goes wrong. A good multi-bit set comes in handy around the home anyway so why not leave it out for next time?
And there’s still the flat-head hack for emergencies if needed. But best case is to always make sure you have the appropriate Torx bit. All of us lose little tools from time to time. Adapting saves both money and time down the road.
