How To Connect Your Ring Doorbell To Alexa

I love the convenience of answering my Ring Doorbell using the Echo Dot in the kitchen or the Echo Show I have in my office.

By configuring Ring and Alexa enabled devices you can answer your door, receive chime notifications, and speak to visitors using your Amazon Echo, Echo Show, Fire TV, or Fire Tablet.

Setting up this integration is a straightforward process that involves linking your Ring and Alexa accounts, and then using the Alexa app to discover and connect your Ring devices.

Read on to learn the step-by-step process for connecting your Ring Doorbell to Alexa, and unlocking the potential of these two powerful technologies combined.

Setting Up Ring and Alexa

Create a Ring Account

Before connecting your Ring devices to Alexa:

1. Create a Ring account (if you don’t have one).
2. Download the Ring app on your smartphone and follow the in-app instructions to create an account.
3. After you have signed up, you can start adding your Ring devices, like video doorbells or security cameras, to your account.

Link Ring and Amazon Accounts

To use your Ring devices with Alexa, you need to link your Ring account with your Amazon account. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap the “More” icon in the lower-right corner.
3. Select “Skills & Games.”
4. Tap the search icon and search for “Ring.”
5. Choose the Ring skill from the list of search results.
6. Tap “Enable Skill” or “Enable to Use.”
7. Sign in to your Amazon account when prompted.
8. Log in to your Ring account when requested.

This will connect your Ring and Amazon accounts, allowing you to control your Ring devices with Alexa.

Connect Ring Devices to Alexa

Now that your accounts are linked, follow these steps to connect your Ring devices to Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap the “Devices” icon in the footer.
3. Tap “All Devices” at the top.
4. Locate and select your Ring device, such as “Ring Video Doorbell” or “Ring Security Camera.”
5. Tap “Settings” on the top-right corner.

• For doorbell devices, enable “Doorbell Press Announcements” to receive notifications on your Alexa device when someone presses the doorbell.
• For camera devices, enable “Motion Announcements” to get notifications on your Alexa device when motion is detected.

Finally, you can choose which Alexa devices should receive these notifications by selecting “Announcement Devices.”

Now, your Ring and Alexa devices are set up, and you can use them together seamlessly. For example, you can use voice commands like “Alexa, show me the front door” to access live video feeds, or “Alexa, answer the door” to use the Ring’s two-way communication feature.

Compatible Devices and Requirements

Supported Ring Devices

To get the most out of your experience connecting Ring to Alexa, it’s essential to use compatible Ring devices. These include:

These Ring devices can work efficiently with Alexa, allowing you to control the doorbell or security camera and receive announcement notifications.

Alexa-Enabled Devices Compatible With Ring

Your Alexa-enabled devices play a crucial role in the integration of your smart home setup. Here is a list of Alexa-enabled devices compatible with supported Ring devices:

• Amazon Echo Speakers (Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Dot Clock, Echo Flex, Echo Studio, all generations)
• Amazon Echo Show (all generations)
• Amazon Echo Spot (all generations)
• Amazon Astro
• Fire Tablets (Gen 7 and up)
• Fire TV Stick (2nd gen)
• Fire TV Stick 4K
• Fire TV Cube (1st and 2nd gen)
• Fire TV (2nd and 3rd gen)
• Fire TV Nebula Soundbar

Please keep in mind your mobile device’s operating system as well. The Alexa app is compatible with:

• iOS 14.0+
• Android 8.0+
• Fire OS

Connecting your Ring devices with these Alexa-enabled devices will give you seamless control and access to your smart home via voice commands or through the Alexa app. Remember to add Ring as a skill in your Alexa app to successfully connect and manage your devices.

Configuring Ring and Alexa Features

Enable Ring Skill in Alexa App

To connect your Ring device to Alexa, you’ll first need to enable the Ring Skill in the Alexa App. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
2. Tap on the ‘More‘ option on the bottom right corner.
3. Select ‘Skills & Games‘.
4. Use the search icon to search for “Ring“.
5. Choose the Ring skill from the search results.
6. Click ‘Enable Skill‘ and then ‘Link Accounts’.
7. Sign in to your Ring account.

Discover Devices

Once the Ring Skill is enabled, you’ll need to discover your Ring devices within the Alexa app:

1. Tap on the ‘Devices’ icon in the app’s footer.
2. Select the ‘+’ symbol in the top right corner.
3. Choose ‘Discover Devices’ and let Alexa find your Ring devices.

Customize Notifications

To customize notifications for your Ring devices, follow these steps:

1. Select your Ring device within the ‘Devices’ section of the Alexa app.
2. Tap ‘Settings’ (gear icon) in the top right corner.
3. Adjust the notification settings, such as motion alerts and doorbell presses, to your preference.

Set Up Live View and Voice Commands

To enable Live View and Voice Commands with your Ring devices, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Alexa app and go to the ‘Devices’ section.
2. Choose your Ring device.
3. For Live View, simply say: “Alexa, show me [Ring device name]” to your Alexa-enabled device.
4. To use Voice Commands, enable ‘Unlock by voice’ in the device settings.

With Voice Commands, you can interact with your Ring device using phrases such as “Alexa, answer the front door” or “Alexa, arm my security system.”

Manage Modes

To manage the different modes of your Ring devices (Disarmed, Home, and Away), follow these steps:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Select the ‘Mode’ icon at the top of the app.
3. Choose your preferred mode: Disarmed, Home, or Away.

You can also control Ring Modes using Alexa voice commands, such as “Alexa, set my security system to Away” or “Alexa, disarm my security system.”

By following these steps, you’ll be able to set up and configure your Ring devices with Alexa easily, making your smart home experience more seamless and convenient.

Using Ring and Alexa Together

Arm and Disarm Ring Alarm with Alexa

To use Alexa with your Ring Alarm system, open the Alexa app and enable the Ring skill. Link your Ring account and you’ll be able to arm and disarm your security system using voice commands.

For example, simply say “Alexa, arm Ring” to enable the system or “Alexa, disarm Ring” to disable it.

Communicate Through Video Doorbell

With a Ring Video Doorbell and Alexa-enabled devices, you can enjoy two-way communication between your doorbell and Echo devices.

When someone presses the doorbell or triggers motion detection, you can ask Alexa to show you the live video feed and talk to the visitor through your Echo device.

Control Playback and Live Video Stream

Integrate your Ring security cameras with Alexa to control the playback and live video stream. With Alexa-enabled devices, you can ask to view the live feed from your cameras, as well as rewind and fast-forward video history.

For instance, say “Alexa, show me the front door camera” or “Alexa, go back 10 seconds in the backyard camera feed.”

Integrations with Third-Party Products

Ring devices can work seamlessly with various third-party products, especially those that are compatible with Alexa. You can control lights, locks, and other smart home devices in conjunction with your Ring system to enhance your home’s security and automation.

Set Up Routines with Alexa

Using Alexa Routines, you can automate specific actions alongside your Ring devices. For example, you can create a routine to turn on your porch light when your Ring Video Doorbell detects motion at night or automatically lock your smart lock after the Ring Alarm is armed.

By connecting your Ring devices with Alexa, you can simplify the control of your home security and efficiently create a smart and secure environment.

Troubleshooting and Tips

Common Issues and Resolutions

WiFi Network Problems

If you’re experiencing issues with your Ring and Alexa connection, first ensure that both devices are connected to a stable WiFi network.

• Check your WiFi router and modem, restart them if necessary.

• Move your Ring and Alexa devices closer to the router, if possible, to improve the signal strength.

• If you’re still experiencing issues, try changing your WiFi channel to avoid interference.

Alex Skill Troubleshooting

Ring Alexa Skill Not Working

If your Ring and Alexa features have stopped working, disable the Ring skill and re-enable it to restore the connection:

1. Open the Alexa app and select “Skills & Games.”
2. Locate the Ring skill and tap “Disable Skill.”
3. After disabling, tap “Enable Skill” to reconnect Ring and Alexa services.

Additional Tips

• Always ensure your Ring and Alexa devices’ firmware is up-to-date for optimal performance.
• Regularly test Ring device functionality (e.g., motion sensors, doorbell button) and address any issues promptly.
• For a comprehensive, device-specific list of troubleshooting steps, consult the respective user manuals or support websites.

Advanced Ring and Alexa Features

In this section, you will learn about a few advanced features that you can utilize when integrating your Ring devices with Alexa for added convenience and security.

Unlock by Voice and Voice Code

One popular feature is the ability to unlock your Ring device using voice commands.

With compatible smart locks, you can easily unlock your door by saying, “Alexa, unlock [lock name].” For added security, you need to set a voice code in the Alexa app. When prompted, you must provide the correct voice code to complete the unlocking process.

Adding Shared Users

To give other members of your household access to your Ring security cameras and doorbells, you can add shared users. This allows them to view live video feeds, respond to alerts, and use Alexa voice commands as well. You can add shared users through the Ring app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Integrating with Works with Ring Smart Locks

Integrating your Ring devices with compatible smart locks, such as Works with Ring Smart Locks, offers additional security options. By linking these devices, you can manage, monitor, and control your smart locks and Ring devices together.

When someone rings your doorbell or triggers a motion alert, you can check the live video feed and remotely unlock the door if you choose.

Using Other Amazon Products

Alexa offers compatibility with a wide range of Amazon devices that can enhance your Ring experience. Some compatible devices with screen displays include the Echo Show, Echo Spot, and Fire Tablets.

These devices allow you to view your Ring security camera feeds, adjust Ring modes, and even create routines with Alexa to trigger specific actions based on events, such as detecting motion or receiving a doorbell ring.

Remember, combining your Ring devices with Alexa can greatly improve your smart home experience, and these advanced features can make managing your home’s security even more effortless.