Ring – secure & open source alternative to Skype messenger

Ring (formerly SFLphone) is an open-source free software for communication that allows its users to make audio or video calls, in pairs or groups, and to send messages, safely and freely, in confidence. Ring developed & maintained by Savoir-faire Linux and a community of contributors worldwide. It is available on GNU/Linux, Windows, Mac OSX and Android and Separate GNOME and KDE versions also available.

freedoms and privacy for users which respects, No personal information is stored on a central server. Audio, video and text are converted into a coded message that only the recipient can decrypt. Ring creates its own network over distribute directory functions. It positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement.

Ring Features

  • SIP-compatible with OpenDHT support
  • Unlimited calls, view call history, Call recording, call transfer & Call holding
  • Instant messaging
  • TLS and ZRTP support
  • Multiple audio codecs & SIP accounts supported
  • Desktop notification: voicemail number, incoming call, information messages
  • Address book integration in GNOME and KDE
  • Supports PulseAudio

1) Install Ring Soft phone on Ubuntu 16.04/14.04 & Mint 17.x/18

Ring has an official APT repository for Ubuntu 16.04/14.04 & Mint 17.x/18 distribution. So we can easily install Ring by adding below APT repository.

[Change Version Number to 16.04, 14.04 (Ubuntu Users) & Mint 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 18.0]
$ sudo sh -c "echo 'deb https://dl.ring.cx/ring-nightly/ubuntu_[Version Number]/ ring main' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ring-nightly-man.list"
$ sudo apt-key adv --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys A295D773307D25A33AE72F2F64CD5FA175348F84
$ sudo add-apt-repository universe
$ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install ring-gnome

2) Install Ring Soft phone on Debian 8 & 9

Ring has an official APT repository for Debian 8 & 9 distribution. So we can easily install Ring by adding below APT repository.

[Change Version Number to 8,9]
$ sudo sh -c "echo 'deb https://dl.ring.cx/ring-nightly/debian_[Version Number]/ ring main' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ring-nightly-man.list"
$ sudo apt-key adv --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys A295D773307D25A33AE72F2F64CD5FA175348F84
$ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install ring-gnome

3) Install Ring Soft phone on Fedora 22, 23 & 24

Ring has an official APT repository for Fedora 22, 23 & 24 distribution. So we can easily install Ring by adding below yum repository.

[Change Version Number to 22,23,24]
$ sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://dl.ring.cx/fedora_[Version Number]/ring-nightly-man.repo
$ sudo dnf install ring-gnome

4) Launch Ring

After successful installation of Ring, Navigate to menu and open the Ring application.

5) Create a Ring account

After launch, A welcome window will appear. Write in your name or alias. And click on Next.
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6) Share your RingID

In the below window, You will find your Ring ID. It is composed of 40 characters. You need to Share it with your contacts & Ask them for their RingID. Finally click Done to access Ring’s interface.
install-ring-on-linux-2

7) Make a first call or accept a call

Just follow the below procedure to make a call or accept the call.

  • To make a call, enter your contact’s Ring ID in the search bar, Then press the following button téléphone-Ring or the Enter key on your keyboard.
  • To accept a call, just click on the Call accept button. You can deny it, by clicking on the reject button.
  • To end a call, just click on the cross button

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8) Create a SIP Account

Ring is based on SFLPhone which support SIP client. However, in order to use SIP, first we need to create a SIP account and cannot use your Ring account to call a SIP account at the moment (and vice versa).

Click the Gear icon on the top right of your Ring interface >> then click on the Accounts tab >> Select SIP, click the + sign >> Under the General tab, enter the SIP account parameters (hostname, username and password).
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Congratulations..! You have Successfully installed Ring and you have made your first call…Enjoy…!

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