With over 100 million cameras deployed, Ring—owned by Amazon—is leveraging its extensive reach by introducing a new app store designed to broaden the functionality of its devices. Initially concentrating on sectors such as elder care, workforce analytics, and rental management, the store will enable developers of various scales to connect with customers through Ring’s ecosystem. Originally unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, this launch coincides with Ring’s expansion from residential smart doorbells and cameras to solutions tailored for businesses.

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Crucially, the new store is powered by advances in artificial intelligence, which can interpret the visual and auditory data captured by Ring cameras to deliver insights for specific scenarios. For example, launch partner Density—backed by SoftBank—offers an app called Routines for elder care, using Ring cameras to help families monitor aging loved ones and receive alerts about potential falls or routine changes. Another app, from QueueFlow, assists businesses in analyzing wait times and congestion at venues like restaurants, events, or service desks. Additionally, Minut provides an app for Airbnb hosts to oversee their properties, integrating with its camera-free sensors that detect issues such as excessive noise or temperature fluctuations.

According to Ring founder and CEO Jamie Siminoff, the goal is to move beyond basic home security and unlock new possibilities for Ring cameras. “We are unlocking value that our customers have invested in, in things that…all of us together never thought we could do.”

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Nevertheless, certain restrictions will apply in response to growing public concern over surveillance technology, which has previously affected Ring. After introducing features for locating lost pets or detecting wildfires, customers grew more aware of these cameras’ capabilities—and the potential for a society where individuals are constantly tracked, recorded, and even identified by AI-driven systems. Mindful of similar backlash, Siminoff emphasized that the app store’s terms will prohibit privacy-invasive tools like facial recognition or license plate readers. “We’re trying to be careful to make sure that it is being used for…apps that deliver value to the customer,” he stated. “Certainly, we have to listen to what’s happening out in the market and the scrutiny.”

Following customer criticism, Ring ended its partnership with Flock Safety, a company that produces AI cameras which share footage with law enforcement. That collaboration would have allowed agencies using Flock to request video from Ring device owners. Ring itself has faced ongoing scrutiny from privacy advocates for its history of data-sharing with police and recent partnerships with entities like Axon.

**The Future of Ring’s App Store**

The new app store will be accessible within the Ring app on iOS and Android, launching first in the U.S. before a wider rollout. Notably, adding apps will not utilize in-app purchase systems, meaning Ring avoids paying commissions to Apple or Google when users enhance their setup with partner tools. Siminoff clarified that Ring does not distribute the apps directly; users will likely need to download a partner’s standalone app to access new features. The Ring app itself will not be modified to include these external functionalities.

This approach creates an intriguing ecosystem that operates alongside, but independent from, traditional phone app stores, while still benefiting from Ring’s installation base on mobile platforms. “It’s not just that Ring is doing an app store. It’s that Ring has a lot of cameras out there, and so therefore it is a big enough surface area that if [developers] do write something, [they] can get a decent number of customers and have a hopefully successful business,” Siminoff explained.

For monetization, Ring will receive a commission—initially set at 10%—when it directs customers to a partner. The company is open to various business models beyond subscriptions, including one-time fees or free, ad-supported apps, depending on customer demand. At launch, approximately 15 apps are available, with many more in development. Developers can submit applications through Ring’s developer portal.

Current offerings include a bird-identification app called WhatsThatBird.AI; a risk and security detection app from memories.ai for hazards like fires, smoke, or leaks; Lumeo for business alerts and people counting; LawnWatch for lawn health monitoring; ProxView for loitering detection; StoreTraffic for traffic and queue monitoring; Package Protect for delivery tracking; and Amazon’s own Cheer Chime, which chimes when a person leaves a tip at checkout. “I would say that the goal by the end of the year is that there’s hundreds of apps in tens of verticals,” Siminoff remarked.