How Ring Grandfather Clauses Work

When Ring raises subscription prices, existing members often keep their old rate under what's called a grandfather clause. This means if you had an active Ring Protect subscription before a price increase took effect, you typically continue paying your original monthly or annual rate instead of the new higher one. The protection applies as long as you keep your subscription active without cancelling.

Ring has used this approach several times as it has expanded its service offerings and added features to its plans. The company notifies members before a price change goes into effect, giving you time to understand what's changing and whether the grandfather protection applies to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Grandfather protection locks in your current Ring Protect price if you had an active subscription before the increase date, as long as you don't cancel.
  • The protection applies to both monthly and annual plans, though the specific rates depend on which plan you held before the change.
  • If you cancel your subscription and later reactivate it, you will be charged the new current price, not your old grandfathered rate.
  • Ring sends email notifications before price increases take effect, so check your inbox for details about your account's status.
  • Switching between plan tiers (like upgrading from Basic to Plus) may affect your grandfathered rate depending on Ring's policy at the time of change.

When Grandfather Protection Starts and Stops

Your grandfathered rate begins on the date Ring announces the price increase, provided your subscription was active at that moment. If you were already paying for Ring Protect on that date, you keep your rate. If your subscription had lapsed or you didn't have one yet, you pay the new price when you start or restart service.

The protection ends if you cancel your subscription. Once you turn off automatic renewal or manually cancel, you lose the grandfathered rate. If you reactivate later, Ring charges you the current price for new subscribers, not your old rate. This is an important distinction: the protection is tied to continuous active service, not to your account history.

Some members also lose grandfather protection if they switch to a different plan tier. Ring's policies on this have varied, so if you're considering an upgrade or downgrade, contact Ring Support to confirm whether the change will affect your rate.

What Happens When You Upgrade or Downgrade

If you currently have a grandfathered rate and want to change plans—for example, moving from Ring Protect Basic to Ring Protect Plus—you should check with Ring Support first. The outcome depends on Ring's current policy and the specific change you're making. Some upgrades preserve the grandfather rate at the higher tier's grandfathered price, while others may reset you to the current market rate.

Downgrades are generally safer: moving to a lower tier usually keeps your grandfathered status, though your bill will reflect the lower plan's price. The safest approach is to contact Ring Support through the app or website before making any plan changes if you want to confirm your rate will be protected.

How to Check Your Current Ring Subscription Rate

Open the Ring app on your phone or visit Ring.com and log into your account. Go to your subscription or billing settings—this is usually under Account or Settings. Your current plan and monthly or annual price will be listed there. This is the rate you're paying right now, whether it's grandfathered or not.

If you want to know whether your rate is grandfathered, you can compare it to Ring's current published prices on their website. If your rate is lower than what new subscribers pay, you likely have grandfather protection. Ring does not always label it explicitly in your account, so the price comparison is the clearest way to confirm.

What to Do If You Cancel and Want to Reactivate

If you've cancelled your Ring Protect subscription and now want to turn it back on, understand that you will not get your old grandfathered rate back. You'll be charged the current price for new subscribers. This applies even if you cancelled just a few weeks ago or if you had been grandfathered for years.

Before you cancel, consider whether pausing or downgrading to a lower tier might work instead. Some members pause their subscription temporarily during financial hardship rather than cancelling outright, though Ring's pause policies vary by region. Contact Ring Support to ask about your options if you need to reduce your costs without losing grandfather protection.

Ring Protect Plan Tiers and Their Grandfathered Rates

Ring offers several subscription tiers: Basic (single device coverage), Plus (all devices at one location), and Pro (multiple locations). The grandfathered rate you keep depends on which plan you held before the price increase. A member grandfathered on Basic keeps the old Basic price, not the old Plus price.

When Ring raises prices, it typically increases rates across all tiers, but not always by the same dollar amount. Your grandfathered rate reflects the specific plan you had at the time of the increase. If you later upgrade to a higher tier, the new tier's price may or may not be grandfathered—this is where contacting Ring Support becomes important.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I cancel Ring Protect, can I get my grandfathered rate back later?

No. Once you cancel, you lose grandfather protection. If you reactivate, you pay the current price for new subscribers. If you need to pause service temporarily, ask Ring Support whether they offer a pause option that preserves your rate.

Does grandfather protection explore to annual plans the same way as monthly?

Yes. If you had an active annual plan before a price increase, you keep that grandfathered annual rate when you renew. The same rule applies: cancellation ends the protection, and reactivation charges the new rate.

What if I upgrade from Ring Protect Basic to Plus—do I keep my grandfathered price?

It depends on Ring's current policy. Contact Ring Support before upgrading to confirm whether you'll keep grandfather protection on the higher tier or be charged the new market rate for Plus.

How do I know if my current Ring rate is grandfathered?

Compare your monthly or annual price in the Ring app to the prices listed on Ring.com for new subscribers. If your rate is lower, you're likely grandfathered. Ring does not always label it explicitly, so price comparison is the clearest way to check.

Can Ring remove my grandfather protection without cancelling my subscription?

Ring's terms allow them to change pricing, but grandfather protection is typically honored as long as your subscription remains active. If Ring changes its grandfather policy, they would notify you in advance. Cancellation is the main action that ends the protection.