You can have Alexa announce when someone presses your Ring doorbell or when motion is detected. This article gives you steps for enabling this feature and answers frequently asked questions about announcement and motion notifications.
Click here for information on setting up two-way communication through your Amazon Echo.
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How do I opt-in to get doorbell notifications through my Alexa?
How do I select which Echo Devices send announcements?
How does my Echo device let me know that someone is at my door?
I already get announcement notifications on my Ring app. If I set up an Announcement from Alexa, will I receive duplicate Announcements on my mobile device?
Can I select separate Announcement for each of my Ring devices?
Do chime announcements expire?
If I disable or turn off the camera's motion detection on my doorbell, will I still receive chime announcements when the doorbell is pressed?
If an Announcement played while I was not at home, is there a way to view the history of Announcements?
Where are Announcements currently supported?
Is there more than one sound available?
How do I opt-in to get doorbell, person and motion notifications through my Alexa?
You can enable and customize Doorbell Press Announcements and other Alexa notifications in the Alexa app.
Follow these steps to enable Alexa Announcements:
- Download the latest Alexa app.
- Tap the Devices tab at the lower right-hand section of your screen.
- Tap All Devices.
- Tap the security camera or doorbell camera you wish to be notified about.
- Turn on the Doorbell Press (for doorbells) and/or the Motion toggle (for both doorbells and security cameras).
Note: This is applicable for both Echo Show and Echo speakers.
Note: Each Echo device will need the communication and Announcements setting enabled, and the Do Not Disturb feature turned off.
Note: Ring device owners can enable Alexa announcements for Doorbell Press and other notifications in the Alexa app, but will not receive announcements for any shared devices.
How do I select which Echo Devices send announcements?
You can select which of your Echo devices make an announcement in the Alexa app. Just follow the instructions below:
- Download the latest Alexa app.
- Tap the Devices tab at the lower right-hand section of your screen.
- Tap All Devices.
- Tap the security camera or doorbell camera you wish to be notified about.
- Tap “Announcement devices” and select the Echo device(s) on which you wish to hear announcements.
Note: Compatible Echo devices with a screen will also show you a live view of your doorbell camera for 15 seconds after the doorbell is pressed.
How does my Echo device let me know that someone is at my door?
When a motion alert is triggered on your Ring device, your Amazon Echo will flash yellow, send an audible chime and announce that someone is at the front door (or back door/side yard/etc. depending on what you've named your Ring device.)
Note: If you have multiple Echo devices, all of the devices will make the announcement. You can adjust this through the Alexa app on your mobile device.
I already get announcement notifications on my Ring app. If I set up an Announcement from Alexa, will I receive duplicate Announcements on my mobile device?
No. Announcements are only applicable to Echo devices and are not available on your Ring app.
Can I select separate Announcement for each of my Ring devices?
Yes. You can select a separate Announcement for each device
Do chime announcements expire?
Yes. Chime announcements expire as soon as they are played on your Echo device. They are not queued for future retrieval and the notifications do not have to be cleared.
If I disable or turn off the camera's motion detection on my doorbell, will I still receive chime announcements when the doorbell is pressed?
Yes. Doorbell button presses are considered separate events from motion events. Regardless of the state of your camera, doorbell presses will be announced.
If an Announcement played while I was not at home, is there a way to view the history of Announcements?
Not on your Echo device. You cannot ask Alexa the history of Chime announcement events or view a list on the Echo Show. You can, however, log in to your Alexa app where there will be a card that indicates when a chime announcement is delivered.
Where are Announcements currently supported?
Announcements are currently supported in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy & Spain.
Is there more than one sound available?
Yes. There are a number of sounds available to choose from.