Longclaw using a Ring to open a portal to Earth, from Sonic the Hedgehog (film). However, a Ring usually closes up after someone or something, be they either a singular entity or multiple ones, have passed through it. The stability and duration of the transition through Rings vary. Also, once used, the Ring that made the portal will either shrink away until it ceases to exist or simply fade away. Once in position, the Ring will open a portal inside its inner rim that leads to the wielder's desired location. However, should the Ring collide with something before it positions itself following the user's release of it, it will not activate. The size the Ring will assume seems to depend on the user's preference. After moving an appropriate distance following the user's release of it, the Ring will position itself vertically, although it can also set itself up horizontally when lying on the ground, and expand significantly. Furthermore, they cannot be used to track a person Tom could for example not open a Ring to Sonic's whereabouts in Siberia without being able to picture where Sonic was. Conversely, if its wielder has no intention of using it, a Ring will not activate, meaning that accidentally dropping a Ring will not activate it. The user does not even need to have any prior knowledge of the place they want to go to with a Ring, as long as they can picture it in their mind. To utilize a Ring, the user must either throw or drop a Ring with the intention of using it while thinking of the place they want the other end of the Ring to appear. They are seemingly able to interface with their wielder's mind, allowing them to be controlled by thought.

However, it is implied that there is a limit to their warpable range. Rings can create portals that can reach practically anywhere in the universe that the user can imagine, from several dozen meters away from their origin point to planets on the far side of the universe. Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (film) Now, all I have to do is think of where I want the other end of the Ring to appear, and I throw it.

Sonic generations dash ring model