Home security is of utmost importance, and with the advancement of technology, arming and disarming your security system has become more convenient and user-friendly.
One such modern solution is the integration of the Ring Alarm system with Amazon’s voice-controlled virtual assistant, Alexa. This article will guide you through the process of setting up Alexa to arm and disarm your Ring Alarm system, providing added security and peace of mind to your household.
The Ring Alarm system is designed to monitor your home for potential security risks, while Alexa’s voice control allows you to manage these devices using simple verbal commands. By pairing the two technologies, homeowners can easily switch between armed and disarmed modes, offering a seamless experience without compromising on security.
Table of Contents
Setting Up Ring Alarm Integration with Alexa
Ring and Alexa Apps
To begin the process of integrating your Ring Alarm with Alexa, you will need both the Ring and Alexa apps installed on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure that you have the latest version of both apps and that you are logged into your respective accounts.
Enabling Alexa Ring Alarm Skill
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap on the More button (three-lined icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select Skills & Games from the menu.
- Search for the Ring skill in the search bar.
- Once you find the Ring skill, tap on it and then tap the Enable To Use button.
- You will be prompted to sign in to your Ring account with the email and password you use for the Ring app. This allows Alexa to access your Ring devices.
- After signing in, a screen will appear asking for permission to link your Ring account with Alexa. Tap on Authorize.
Now your Ring Alarm is successfully integrated with Alexa. Here are some commands you can use with Alexa:
“Alexa, arm Ring Alarm in Home mode.” |
“Alexa, arm Ring Alarm in Away mode.” |
“Alexa, disarm Ring Alarm.” (You will need to provide a security code.) |
You can also create routines in the Alexa app to automate arming and disarming the Ring Alarm. For example, you can set a routine to arm the alarm at night or disarm it in the morning.
To create a routine:
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap on the More button (three-lined icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select Routines and tap the + icon in the top right corner to create a new routine.
- Enter a name for your routine and set the trigger for when the routine will run (e.g., schedule, voice command).
- Add actions for the routine, such as arming or disarming the Ring Alarm.
Following the steps above, you can easily set up your Ring Alarm integration with Alexa and use voice commands for added convenience and security in your home.
How to Arm Ring Alarm Using Alexa
Arming with Voice Commands
To arm your Ring Alarm using Alexa, start by ensuring that your Ring and Alexa devices are connected. Open the Alexa app on your phone, navigate to the Skills & Games section, and search for Ring. Enable the Ring Skill and sign in with your Ring account to link it with your Alexa device.
Once connected, you can use voice commands to arm your Ring Alarm. For example, say “Alexa, arm Ring Alarm,” or “Alexa, set Ring Alarm to Home mode.” Alexa will then confirm that the Ring Alarm has been armed.
Arming with Routines
To further automate the process, you can create an Alexa routine to arm your Ring Alarm. Follow these steps:
- Open the Alexa app and tap the “More” menu (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner.
- Select “Routines” and tap the “+” icon to create a new routine.
- Enter a name for the routine, such as “Arm Ring Alarm.”
- For the “When this happens” trigger, select “Voice” and enter the phrase you’d like to use, such as “Alexa, goodnight.”
- Tap “Add action” and then select “Guard” from the list of actions.
- Choose “Set to Away” or “Set to Home” depending on your desired arming mode, and then tap “Next.”
- Review your new routine and press the “Save” button to finish.
With the new routine in place, you can arm your Ring Alarm by simply saying the custom phrase you created, like “Alexa, goodnight.” This allows for a seamless integration of your Ring Alarm into your daily routine, providing added security and convenience in your home environment.
How to Disarm Ring Alarm with Alexa
Disarming Using Voice Passcode
To disarm your Ring Alarm using a voice passcode, you’ll need to set it up first. Follow these steps:
- Open the Ring app and go to the main menu (three-lined icon).
- Tap on “Settings” and then “Modes.”
- Enable the “Disarm by Voice” option.
Once you’ve set up the voice passcode, you can use an Echo device to disarm the Ring Alarm:
Say “Alexa, disarm Ring” followed by your passcode. |
Make sure to speak clearly so the Echo device can pick up your voice command and passcode. It is important to use a unique passcode to maintain security.
Disarming Ring Alarm through the Ring App
If you prefer to disarm Ring Alarm using the Ring app, follow these instructions:
- Open the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap on the “Dashboard” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Locate the “Mode” section, which displays the current status of your Ring Alarm (e.g., Home, Away, or Disarmed).
- Tap on the “Disarmed” icon, and you’ll be prompted to enter your passcode.
You can also use the Alexa app to disarm Ring Alarm if you have set up Alexa Guard. Here’s how:
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap “Devices” on the bottom right corner.
- Look for the Ring Alarm device (usually named “Ring” and displaying a shield icon with a checkbox in the center) in the list of devices and tap on it.
- Select the “Disarmed” mode and provide your passcode.
For added convenience, you can disarm Ring Alarm with voice commands on Fire TV or Echo Show devices:
Say, “Alexa, show Ring” on your Fire TV or Echo Show. |
A live view from your Ring cameras will appear on the screen. |
Say, “Alexa, disarm Ring” followed by your passcode. |
Remember to be cautious when using voice commands to disarm your Ring Alarm, as it can be overheard by others. Keep your voice passcode private and secure.
Customizing Ring Alarm Modes and Settings
In this section, we will discuss how to customize the Ring Alarm modes and settings using the Ring app and integration with Alexa. We will cover adjusting default mode settings and adding new mode customizations.
Adjusting Default Ring Alarm Mode Settings
The Ring Alarm system has three default modes: Home, Away, and Disarmed. To adjust the settings, follow these steps:
- Open the Ring app and tap on the menu (≡).
- Tap on “Settings” and then “Modes.”
- Select the mode you want to customize: Home, Away, or Disarmed.
- You can now adjust the settings for each mode, such as enabling or disabling device notifications, customizing entry and exit delays, and more.
Note that if you have Ring cameras or doorbells, you can also customize their settings within each mode. For example, you can set the Ring Doorbell Chime to be silent in Away mode to avoid unnecessary noise.
Adding New Mode Customizations
You can further enhance your Ring Alarm experience by creating mode customizations. These allow you to have your Ring devices or Amazon Echo speakers respond to certain actions or events during specific modes.
Here are some examples of new mode customizations:
- Motion detection on Ring Camera during Away mode
- Doorbell announcements on Amazon Echo during Home mode
- Custom entry and exit delay times during Home or Away mode
To set up a new mode customization:
- Open the Ring app and tap on the menu (≡).
- Tap on “Settings” and then “Customize Modes.”
- Tap on “Add New Customization.”
- Select the device you want to customize, such as a Ring Camera or Amazon Echo speaker.
- Configure the settings for the device based on the mode and event you want to trigger the action.
- Save your new customization.
By adjusting the default mode settings and adding customizations, you can create a tailored and efficient Ring Alarm system for your home’s unique needs. Remember that integration with Alexa further expands the possibilities, allowing you to arm, disarm, or check arming status via voice commands.
Troubleshooting Ring Alarm and Alexa Integration
Re-Discovering Devices
If you are experiencing problems with your Ring Alarm and Alexa integration, one of the first steps to take is to rediscover your devices. This process ensures that Alexa recognizes your Ring devices properly:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap on “Devices” at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Tap the “+” icon at the top right corner.
- Choose “Add Device.”
- Select “Ring” as the device type.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the discovery process.
By rediscovering your devices, you can refresh the connection between your Ring Alarm and Alexa, potentially resolving any issues with the integration.
Checking Subscription and Account Settings
It is essential to ensure your Ring account is in good standing, and you have an active subscription, as this can directly impact your integration with Alexa. Make sure you have the required subscription for the Ring Alarm features you intend to use with Alexa.
Furthermore, verify that you have properly linked your Ring and Amazon accounts. Check that you have signed in to the right account in both the Ring app and the Amazon Alexa app.
To verify the account and the permission settings, follow these steps:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap on “More” at the bottom right corner.
- Select “Skills & Games.”
- Search for “Ring” (or find it in your “Your Skills” section).
- Tap the “Ring” skill and check if it says “Disable Skill” (meaning it is enabled).
- Make sure the Voice Passcode is properly set up in the Ring app.
By maintaining your subscription and ensuring the correct account settings, you can improve the integration between your Ring Alarm system and Alexa device.
Finally, remember that door, window, or any other security sensors should be correctly configured and working within your Ring Alarm system before using Alexa integration. These devices should function as intended within your Ring system before bringing Alexa into the mix.
Other Smart Home Security Integrations with Alexa
ADT
ADT’s smart home security solutions are designed to work seamlessly with Alexa, making it easy to arm, disarm and control your system through voice commands.
Some features include:
- Arm and disarm your ADT home security system with simple voice commands like “Alexa, arm ADT.”
- Check the status of your system by asking, “Alexa, is the ADT system armed?”
- Control smart home devices such as lights, locks, and thermostats that are integrated with your ADT system using Alexa commands.
Abode
Abode offers comprehensive smart home security solutions that you can control with Alexa.
Here’s how you can make use of this integration:
- Ask Alexa to “arm Abode” or “disarm Abode” to manage your security system.
- Use voice commands to control devices connected to your Abode system, like “Alexa, turn off the living room lights.”
- Monitor the status of your security system by asking, “Alexa, what’s the status of my Abode system?”
Scout
Scout’s user-friendly security system can also integrate with Alexa for easy voice command control.
With this integration, users can:
- Arm or disarm your Scout security system with commands like “Alexa, arm Scout” or “Alexa, disarm Scout.”
- Check the status of your system by inquiring, “Alexa, is my Scout system armed?”
- Control connected devices, such as smart lights and locks, by saying, “Alexa, lock the front door” or “Alexa, turn off the bedroom lights.”
Integration between these security systems and Alexa provides users with an enhanced level of convenience and control over their smart home security. By confidently using voice commands, homeowners can effortlessly control their [adt,abode,scout,ring alarm system] and other connected devices.