How to Connect a Ring Doorbell to Alexa

Step 1: Set Up the Ring Doorbell

To connect your Ring Doorbell to Alexa, you’ll first need to set up the Ring Doorbell itself. Follow these steps to get started:

Unbox the Ring Doorbell: Begin by unboxing the Ring Doorbell and gathering all the necessary components, including the doorbell itself, the mounting bracket, screws, and the charging cable.
Choose a Location: Select an optimal location for your Ring Doorbell. Ensure it has a clear view of the area you want to monitor and is within the Wi-Fi range. It should also be easily accessible for installation and maintenance.
Install the Ring App: Download and install the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. This app will be used for the initial setup process and to manage your Ring devices.
Create a Ring Account: Open the Ring app and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new Ring account. If you already have an account, simply log in.
Add a New Device: Once logged in, tap on the “Set Up a Device” option within the app. From the list of available Ring devices, select “Video Doorbell” and follow the prompts to add your Ring Doorbell.
Connect to Wi-Fi: The app will guide you through the process of connecting your Ring Doorbell to your home’s Wi-Fi network. Make sure to enter the correct network credentials to establish a stable connection.
Mount the Doorbell: Attach the mounting bracket to the desired location and use the provided screws to secure it in place. Then, attach the Ring Doorbell onto the mounting bracket. Ensure it is securely fixed and level.
Charge the Battery: If your Ring Doorbell model has a rechargeable battery, connect the charging cable to the device and plug it into a power source. Allow the battery to charge fully before proceeding.
Test the Doorbell: With the installation complete, press the doorbell button to check if it is working properly. You should receive a notification on your smartphone or hear a chime if you have a Ring Chime installed.

Once you have successfully set up your Ring Doorbell, you’re ready to move on to the next step of connecting it to Alexa.

Step 2: Install the Ring Skill on Alexa

After setting up your Ring Doorbell, the next step is to install the Ring skill on your Alexa-enabled device. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Alexa App: Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Tap on Skills & Games: In the bottom navigation menu of the Alexa app, tap on the “More” icon (three horizontal lines) and then select “Skills & Games” from the list.
Search for Ring: Use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for “Ring” among the available skills.
Select the Ring Skill: From the search results, find the official Ring Skill developed by Ring. Tap on it to open the skill’s page.
Enable the Skill: On the Ring Skill page, tap on the “Enable” button to add the skill to your Alexa account.
Link Ring Account: You will be prompted to enter your Ring account credentials. Provide your email address and password associated with your Ring account, and then click on the “Link Account” button.
Authorize Alexa Access: Grant permission for Alexa to access your Ring devices and information by tapping on the “Authorize” button. This allows Alexa to interact with your Ring Doorbell.
Discover Devices: After successfully linking your Ring account, select “Discover Devices” from the Alexa app to initiate the device discovery process. Alexa will search for your Ring devices and connect them to your Alexa-enabled device.

Once the Ring skill is installed and your Ring devices are discovered, you’re ready to proceed to the next step of linking your Ring and Alexa accounts.

Step 3: Link Ring and Alexa Accounts

To fully integrate your Ring Doorbell with Alexa, you need to link your Ring and Alexa accounts. Follow these steps:

Open the Alexa App: Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet and ensure you are signed in with your Amazon account.
Navigate to Skills & Games: Tap on the “More” icon (three horizontal lines) located at the bottom navigation menu, and then select “Skills & Games” from the list.
Select the Ring Skill: Search for the Ring skill using the search bar at the top of the screen. When you find it, tap on the skill to open the Ring Skill page.
Open Skill Settings: On the Ring Skill page, select “Settings” to access the skill’s settings menu.
Link Ring Account: In the settings menu, choose “Link Account” to link your Ring account with Alexa.
Provide Ring Account Details: Enter your Ring account credentials, including your email address and password, and click on the “Link Account” button to proceed.
Authorize Access: Grant permission for Alexa to access your Ring devices and information by tapping on the “Authorize” button. This allows Alexa to control and interact with your Ring Doorbell.

Once you have successfully linked your Ring and Alexa accounts, they will be synchronized, and you can move on to the next step of discovering your Ring devices with Alexa.

Step 4: Discover Devices

After linking your Ring and Alexa accounts, you need to discover your Ring devices so that Alexa can recognize and control them. Follow these steps to discover your Ring devices:

Open the Alexa App: Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
Navigate to Devices: Tap on the “Devices” icon located at the bottom navigation menu of the Alexa app.
Choose All Devices: In the Devices tab, select “All Devices” to view all the devices connected to your Alexa account.
Discover Devices: Tap on the “Discover” or “Discover Devices” button to start the device discovery process.
Wait for Discovery: Alexa will now search for compatible devices connected to your Ring account. This process may take a few moments.
Confirmation: Once the discovery process is complete, you will see a message confirming that your Ring devices have been successfully discovered and added to your Alexa account.

Now that your Ring devices are discovered, you can start using voice commands to control your Ring Doorbell through Alexa. It’s time to move on to the next step of setting up an Alexa Routine.

Step 5: Set up Alexa Routine

Setting up an Alexa Routine allows you to automate certain actions with your Ring Doorbell and Alexa. Follow these steps to create an Alexa Routine:

Open the Alexa App: Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
Navigate to Routines: Tap on the “Routines” icon located at the bottom navigation menu of the Alexa app.
Create a New Routine: Tap on the “+” icon to create a new routine.
Choose a Trigger: Select a trigger for your routine. This can be a voice command, a specific time, or a device event.
Add Actions: Tap on “Add action” to add an action to your routine. For example, you can choose to have Alexa announce when there is motion detected by the Ring Doorbell.
Set Conditions (Optional): If desired, you can add conditions to your routine. This allows you to specify certain circumstances that need to be met for the routine to execute.
Save the Routine: Once you have set up the trigger and actions, tap on “Save” to save your routine.

Creating an Alexa Routine provides you with a convenient way to automate actions and control your Ring Doorbell based on specific events or schedules. Proceed to the next step to test the connection between your Ring Doorbell and Alexa.

Step 6: Testing the Connection

Now that you have completed the setup process, it’s time to test the connection between your Ring Doorbell and Alexa. Follow these steps to ensure everything is working smoothly:

Invoke Alexa: Use the wake word “Alexa” followed by a voice command to interact with Alexa. For example, you can say, “Alexa, show me the front door” to see the live feed from your Ring Doorbell.
Verify Video Feed: If your Ring Doorbell has video capabilities, Alexa should display a live video feed on your Alexa-enabled device or Amazon Echo Show.
Check Notifications: When someone presses the doorbell button or when motion is detected, Alexa should send you a notification or announce it, depending on your Alexa Routine settings.
Test Voice Commands: Try using various voice commands to control your Ring Doorbell through Alexa. For instance, you can ask Alexa to “turn on/off motion alerts” or “answer the front door.”
Review System Integration: Ensure that the doorbell and camera features of your Ring Doorbell are seamlessly integrated with Alexa. This includes the ability to view live feeds, receive notifications, and control settings through voice commands.

By testing the connection and functionality between your Ring Doorbell and Alexa, you can ensure a reliable and smooth integration. If any issues arise, proceed to the next step for troubleshooting tips.

Step 7: Troubleshooting Tips

While connecting your Ring Doorbell to Alexa is typically a straightforward process, you may encounter some troubleshooting issues along the way. Here are a few tips to help you troubleshoot common problems:

Check Wi-Fi Connection: Ensure that your Ring Doorbell and Alexa-enabled device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A stable and reliable internet connection is essential for proper communication between the devices.
Restart Devices: Try restarting both your Ring Doorbell and Alexa-enabled device. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues and restore functionality.
Update Firmware: Make sure that both your Ring Doorbell and Alexa devices have the latest firmware updates installed. Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues.
Reinstall Ring Skill: If you are experiencing persistent issues, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Ring skill on your Alexa device. This can refresh the connection and resolve any software-related issues.
Reset Devices: As a last resort, you can try resetting both your Ring Doorbell and Alexa-enabled device to their factory settings. Note that this will erase all settings and configurations, so proceed with caution.
Contact Support: If the above troubleshooting steps do not resolve your issues, do not hesitate to reach out to Ring’s customer support or Amazon’s Alexa support for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance tailored to your situation.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can overcome any obstacles you may encounter during the connection and integration process between your Ring Doorbell and Alexa. Enjoy the convenience and enhanced functionality that comes with this integration!