Turning off Amazon Sidewalk for your Ring devices is a straightforward process that can be completed through either the Ring app or the Alexa app settings. This gives you full control over your device's connectivity preferences.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Amazon Sidewalk
You can easily opt out of Amazon Sidewalk directly from your mobile application. Follow these simple steps to manage your Sidewalk preferences:
- Open the App: Launch either the Ring app or the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Navigate to More: Tap the "More" icon. This is typically found as three horizontal lines or an icon with three dots (ellipsis) in the bottom right corner of the app screen.
- Access Settings: From the menu that appears, select "Settings."
- Go to Account Settings: Within the Settings menu, choose "Account Settings."
- Find Amazon Sidewalk: Tap on "Amazon Sidewalk."
- Toggle Off: Here, you will find the option to turn Amazon Sidewalk on or off. Simply toggle the switch to the off position to disable it for your eligible devices.
For a quick reference, here's a summary of the navigation:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open Ring or Alexa App |
| 2 | Tap 'More' |
| 3 | Select 'Settings' |
| 4 | Choose 'Account Settings' |
| 5 | Tap 'Amazon Sidewalk' |
| 6 | Toggle the Sidewalk feature Off |
What is Amazon Sidewalk?
Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network designed to help your devices, including select Ring cameras and Amazon Echo devices, extend their range and stay connected even if they are slightly out of your home Wi-Fi's reach. It utilizes a small portion of your internet bandwidth to create a low-bandwidth, long-range network that can assist with tasks like keeping smart devices online or helping you find lost items with Tile trackers. You can learn more about its functionalities on the official Amazon Sidewalk page.
Why Consider Turning Off Sidewalk?
While Amazon Sidewalk offers convenience, some users choose to disable it for various reasons:
- Privacy Concerns: Despite Amazon's assurances regarding privacy and security, some users prefer to have full control over how their devices connect and share network resources.
- Bandwidth Usage: Although Sidewalk uses a minimal amount of your internet bandwidth (up to 80 Kbps, capped at 500 MB per month), some users may prefer to conserve every bit of their allocated data.
- Personal Preference: Simply, some users may not see a benefit for their specific device setup and prefer to opt out of shared network features.
What Happens When You Turn Off Amazon Sidewalk?
When you disable Amazon Sidewalk:
- No Shared Network Benefits: Your eligible Ring devices will no longer contribute to or benefit from the Sidewalk network.
- Reliance on Wi-Fi: Your devices will rely solely on your home Wi-Fi network for connectivity.
- Potential for Reduced Range: If your devices were previously benefiting from Sidewalk's extended range, they might experience reduced connectivity in areas where your Wi-Fi signal is weak.
Ultimately, turning off Amazon Sidewalk is a personal choice that allows you to manage your device connectivity according to your preferences.
