Video Doorbell Series 2 Overview and Installation Guide

Overview

The Video Doorbell Series 2 is our most advanced doorbell yet! Its sharp, 2K video lets you see every detail from head-to-toe—day or night. Now, you’ll know with certainty who’s there and why as smart AI detects people and packages* the moment they arrive. The Video Doorbell also enables SimpliSafe® Active Guard Outdoor Protection, so you can help stop crime right at your front door.

*People and package detection are available with select monitoring plans. 

Video Doorbell Requirements

Before installing your Video Doorbell, it’s important to know that the device requires the following:

• Existing doorbell wiring

• A mechanical or digital chime

• A transformer rated for 16-24VAC, 10-30VA

Failure to meet these requirements may result in damage to your device and/or your home. If you’re unsure if your setup meets these requirements, we recommend contacting a licensed electrician. 

If your setup does not meet these requirements, you may power the Video Doorbell using a plug-in power adapter. For more details, see the How to Use the Video Doorbell Series 2 With a Plug-In Power Adapter guide.

Before Getting Started

Before installing the Video Doorbell, you will need to confirm that your setup aligns with the requirements mentioned above. 

What’s in the Box:

• Video Doorbell Series 2

• Mounting bracket

• Wedge and corner adapters

• Chime Connector (for mechanical chime boxes)

• Jumper wires (for digital chime boxes)

• Installation hardware

You Will Also Need

• A drill with a 3/32” drill bit when installing on wood or siding, or a ¼” masonry drill bit when installing on brick, stone, or stucco

• A Phillips head screwdriver

• Wire stripper or wire cutters

• A pen or pencil

• Electrical tape (optional)

How to Install the Video Doorbell

Add the Video Doorbell Pro in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet

2. Navigate to the three-bar menu on the upper left corner and select Add Device or Camera

3. Select Cameras from the list of available products, and then Video Doorbell Series 2

Confirm Your Doorbell’s Setup Aligns With Our Requirements

Before installing your Video Doorbell, confirm that your setup aligns with the following requirements:

• Existing doorbell wiring

• A mechanical or digital chime

• A transformer rated for 16-24VAC, 10-30VA

If your doorbell setup does not align with these requirements, you may connect the Video Doorbell to a plug-in power adapter that is rated for 20-24V, 500mA and is outdoor rated. For more information, refer to the How to Use the Video Doorbell Series 2 With a Plug-In Power Adapter guide.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in damage to your device and/or your home. If you’re unsure if your setup meets these requirements, we recommend contacting a licensed electrician. 

Turn Off the Power to Your Doorbell

1. Turn off the power to your existing doorbell at the circuit breaker

2. To locate the correct circuit breaker switch, try turning off each switch one at a time and pressing your doorbell to confirm that it does not ring, indicating that it is off

Install the Chime Connector or Jumper Wires

Next, you will need to install either the included Chime Connector or jumper wires. If you have a mechanical chime, you will need to install the Chime Connector, and if you have a digital chime you will need to install the jumper wire.

Failure to install the correct wiring may result in the Video Doorbell not working as intended, or cause damage to the device, so ensure you install the correct wires for your chime box. If you do not know what type of chime box you have, refer to the How to Tell if You Have a Mechanical or Digital Chime Box article in the Help Center.

How to Install the Chime Connector

1. Locate your doorbell’s chime box and remove the cover

   1. The chime box is located inside the home, often on the ceiling by the front door

2. While open, confirm again that the chime box is mechanical by checking for a striker pin that moves when the doorbell is rung

The Chime Connector has 2 wires, and each wire needs to be installed to a terminal on the chime box.

To connect the Chime Connector to the Front terminal:

1. The terminals on your chime box will either be labeled Front, Trans, Rear; A, B, C; or 1, 2, 3. To connect the Chime Connector to the Front terminal, locate the screw labeled Front, A, or 1

2. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the Front, A, or 1 screw, making sure that the wire behind the screw stays attached

3. Place one of the Chime Connector’s prongs under the terminal screw. Once connected, tighten the terminal screw back in place

To connect the Chime Connector to the Trans terminal:

1. The terminals on your chime box will either be labeled Front, Trans, Rear; A, B, C; or 1, 2, 3. To connect the Chime Connector to the Trans terminal, locate the screw labeled Trans, B, or 2

2. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the Trans, B, or 2 screw, making sure that the wire behind the screw stays attached

3. Place the Chime Connector’s second prong under the terminal screw. Once connected, tighten the terminal screw back in place

How to Install Jumper Wires

1. Locate your doorbell’s chime box and remove the cover

   1. The chime box is located inside the home, often on the ceiling by the front door.

2. While open, confirm again that the chime box is digital by checking for a speaker and/or battery compartment

The jumper wire has 2 prongs, and each prong needs to be connected to a terminal on the chime box.

To connect the jumper wire to the Front terminal:

1. The terminals on your chime box will either be labeled Front, Trans, Rear; A, B, C; or 1, 2, 3. To connect the Chime Connector to the Front terminal, locate the screw labeled Front, A, or 1 

2. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the Front, A, or 1 screw, making sure that the wire behind the screw stays attached

3. Place one of the jumper wire’s prongs under the terminal screw. Once connected, tighten the terminal screw back in place

To connect the jumper wire to the Trans terminal:

1. The terminals on your chime box will either be labeled Front, Trans, Rear; A, B, C; or 1, 2, 3. To connect the Chime Connector to the Trans terminal, locate the screw labeled Trans, B, or 2

2. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the Trans, B, or 2 screw, making sure that the wire behind the screw stays attached

3. Place the jumper wire’s second prong under the terminal screw. Once connected, tighten the terminal screw back in place

Remove Your Existing Doorbell

After installing your Chime Connector or jumper wires, you will need to take down your existing doorbell.

1. With the power to your doorbell still off, unscrew the doorbell and disconnect its wiring

2. Once the wires have been removed from the doorbell, tape them to the door frame or wrap them tightly around a pencil to prevent them from falling into the wall

Install the Corner Adapter

If you would like to adjust the Video Doorbell’s view to the left or right, we recommend installing the included corner adapter to ensure the Video Doorbell captures your desired view.

1. Turn the mounting bracket around so its back is facing up

2. Connect the mounting bracket to the side of the corner adapter that is marked “C”

   1. To tilt your Video Doorbell to the left, make sure that the letter “D” on the front of the corner adapter is on the right side 

   2. To tilt your Video Doorbell to the right, make sure that the letter “D” on the front of the corner adapter is on the left side 

Install the Wedge Adapter

If you are installing the Video Doorbell on angled siding, the wedge adapter should be used to ensure that the camera’s field of view isn’t tilted. The wedge adapter can either be installed on top of the corner adapter, or directly on the mounting bracket.

How to Install the Wedge Adapter on Top of the Corner Adapter

1. Hold the mounting bracket and corner adapter together, with the letter “D” on the previously installed corner adapter facing up

2. Connect the side of the wedge adapter with the letter “B” to the letter “D” on the corner adapter

3. To confirm that the wedge adapter was installed correctly, tilt it upright and confirm that the thickest part of the wedge adapter is at the top of the mounting bracket

How to Install the Wedge Adapter Directly on the Mounting Bracket

1. Turn the mounting bracket around so its back is facing up

2. Connect the bracket to the wedge adapter’s side that is marked with the letter “A” 

3. To confirm that the wedge adapter was installed correctly, tilt it upright and confirm that the thickest part of the wedge adapter is at the top of the mounting bracket

Secure the Mounting Bracket to The Surface

1. Thread your doorbell wiring through the opening of any adapters you installed and the mounting bracket

2. Hold the mounting bracket in place and drill pilot holes through the top and bottom holes of the mounting bracket

   1. If you are installing the Video Doorbell on a wood or vinyl surface, use a drill with a 3/32 inch drill bit

   2. If you are installing the Video Doorbell on a brick, stone, or stucco surface, you will need to insert wall anchors into the pilot holes

      1. Use a drill with a ¼ inch masonry drill bit to create your pilot holes; and then use a hammer to lightly tap the wall anchors into place

3. Line up the mounting bracket and any attached adapters with the pilot holes

4. Secure them in place using the included screws and your own Phillips head screwdriver

   1. If you are installing just the mounting bracket without any adapters, you can affix it to your surface using the two shorter screws

   2. If you have attached any adapters to the mounting bracket, you will need to use the longer screws

Attach the Doorbell Wiring to the Video Doorbell

1. Loosen the terminal screws on the back of the Video Doorbell

2. Wrap the tips of the exposed doorbell wires into a hooked shape

3. Hook each wire behind one of the screws - we recommend hooking each wire to the left of the screws so they do not touch

4. Tighten the terminal screws to secure the wires in place

Doorbell Wiring Won’t Extend to the Video Doorbell?

If your existing doorbell wiring is not long enough to reach the Video Doorbell’s terminal screws, you can connect the included wire extensions to make the wires longer. 

1. Using wire strippers or pliers, strip the ends of the black wire extensions

2. Connect the stripped wire extensions to the end of your doorbell wiring

3. Twist the ends of the wires together and secure them in place using the included caps

4. Attach the prongs on the ends of the wire extensions to the terminal screws - making sure that the prongs face down and the wires face up

5. Tighten the terminal screws to secure the prongs in place

Attach the Video Doorbell to the Mounting Bracket

1. Guide the doorbell wiring back through the opening in the wall

2. Slot the hooks at the top of the Video Doorbell into the mounting bracket

3. Press the Video Doorbell flush against the mounting bracket

4. Using the included security tool, tighten the security screw at the bottom of the Video Doorbell in place

5. Once the Video Doorbell is attached to the mounting bracket, turn the power back on at the circuit breaker

6. The Video Doorbell can take up to a minute to power up. You’ll know the Video Doorbell has power and is ready for setup when you see a steady white status light on the top of the device, below the camera lens

Connect the Video Doorbell to Wi-Fi

1. The SimpliSafe® app will prompt you to connect the Video Doorbell to the same Wi-Fi network your Base Station is connected to

2. You may either select “Connect” to pair the camera to that network, or select “Choose a different network” if you wish to connect the Video Doorbell to a different Wi-Fi network

3. You will next be asked to name the Video Doorbell by picking one of our pre-selected names or selecting “Custom Name” to input your own

4. Next, you will see the “Choose a doorbell to install” screen in the app. Select your Video Doorbell when it appears on screen to finish connecting it to Wi-Fi

5. Once the Video Doorbell successfully connects to Wi-Fi, you will see a confirmation message on the screen

Test the Video Doorbell’s Chime

After installing the Video Doorbell, press its doorbell button to confirm that it chimes as intended. If you have a mechanical chime, you should hear the doorbell ring from the chime box, and if you have a digital chime, you should hear it ring from the Base Station. If the chime box or the Base Station did not make a sound when the doorbell was rung, please refer to the Video Doorbell Series 2 Won’t Ring article in the Help Center.

Enroll the Video Doorbell Pro in Active Guard Outdoor Protection

If you are subscribed to either our Pro Plus or Pro monitoring plans, you will then be prompted to enroll your Video Doorbell Pro in Active Guard Outdoor Protection. If you do not want to enroll your camera now, you may always do so at a later time.