Installing a Ring doorbell on brick means drilling into the brick face, never the mortar joints, with a masonry bit and the plastic anchors Ring includes in the box. Mortar crumbles under pressure and will not hold a screw long term. The included drill template shows you exactly where those two holes go before you touch the trigger.
Brick installs trip people up because a standard bit just spins and smokes against the surface. Get the bit, the anchor, and the patience right, and the bracket will outlast the doorbell.
Why Brick Installation Is Different From Wood or Vinyl
Wood and vinyl take a self-tapping screw straight in. Brick does not. You are drilling into a dense, brittle material that chips if you rush it or grab the wrong bit.
A standard twist bit barely scratches brick. Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit, sized to match the plastic anchors in your Ring kit.
Use the Included Drill Template First
Every Ring doorbell box ships with a template showing the two mounting holes and the correct height, roughly 48 inches off the ground. Tape it to the wall before you drill anything.
Mark through the template’s holes with a pencil. This one step prevents the crooked, off-center brackets you see on half the doorbells in any neighborhood.
Drill Into the Brick, Not the Mortar
Center your marks on solid brick whenever the template allows it. Mortar looks like the easier target, but it crumbles and loses grip within months under weather and vibration.
Set your drill to hammer mode if it has one. Drill slow and steady, pulling the bit out every few seconds to clear dust and prevent overheating.
Drill to the depth marked on the anchor packaging, usually about an inch. Too shallow and the anchor will not seat. Too deep risks hitting wiring behind older brick veneer.
Set the Masonry Anchors Correctly
Tap the plastic anchor in with a hammer until it sits flush. If it will not go in easily, the hole is too small. Redrill instead of forcing it, since a cracked anchor will not grip.
Hold the bracket against the wall and drive the included screws into the anchors. Snug is enough. Overtightening on brick can crack the anchor or the mortar around it.
Going in without any existing wiring at all? The process runs almost identically minus the chime step. This guide on installing a Ring doorbell without existing wiring covers the battery and app side in more detail.
Snap the Doorbell On and Finish Setup
Slide the doorbell onto the bracket tabs until it clicks, then secure it with the small security screw underneath. Open the Ring app, pick your model, and connect to your home’s 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.
Test live view and motion zones from your phone before you call it done. Brick reflects sound differently than siding, so check two-way talk clarity from the sidewalk too.
Not sure if this is a solo project or worth hiring out? This breakdown of smart home installation DIY versus hire shows where doorbells rank against locks and thermostats on difficulty.
Curious what a full smart entry setup runs once locks and cameras join the doorbell? Check this smart home installation cost breakdown for the bigger picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a Ring doorbell on brick without a masonry bit?
No. A standard twist bit will not cut through brick cleanly and often cracks the surface. Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit sized to match the plastic anchors in your kit.
Is it better to drill into the brick or the mortar joint?
Drill into solid brick whenever the template allows it. Mortar is softer and easier to penetrate, but it loosens its grip over time under weather and vibration.
What happens if I drill the anchor hole too deep on brick?
Going past the depth marked on the anchor packaging risks hitting wiring, plumbing, or weep holes behind older brick veneer. Stick to the depth the anchor manufacturer specifies, usually about an inch.
