Alexa Guard (available in the US)
Alexa Guard is a free feature available for supported Amazon Echo devices that can detect the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking when you set Guard to Away mode. Alexa can send you Smart Alerts via notifications* to your mobile device.
*Ring Alarm and all Ring Alarm accessories require a subscription for digital notifications, in-app features, digital arming/disarming, and integration with other Ring, Echo, and third party products. Subscription sold separately. View ring.com/protect-plans for pricing and details.
To learn more about Alexa Guard features, click here.
With a Ring Alarm security system, Alexa can arm* your system when you set Guard to Away mode.* You can opt to forward Smart Alerts to your security provider or to Ring Alarm if you are professionally monitored. If you have Smart Lights, Alexa can automatically turn your lights on and off when Guard is in Away mode to make it look like someone is home.
Click here to learn how to arm and disarm your Ring devices with Alexa using your voice.
To learn more about Ring Modes, click here.
Alexa Guard Plus (available in the US)
Alexa Guard Plus2 is a subscription service available for supported Amazon Echo devices that has all of the features of Alexa Guard with additional detection, deterrence, and assistance capabilities. With Alexa Guard Plus,2 in addition to detecting the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking, your Echo device can detect activity sounds such as footsteps or doors closing when you set Guard to Away mode* and sends you smart alerts via notifications* on your mobile device or plays a siren on your Echo. In addition, with Guard Plus,2 you’ll be able to call the Emergency Helpline hands-free from your Echo device using your voice and have a feature to activate the sound of dogs barking when motion is detected outside.
*Ring Alarm and all Ring Alarm accessories require a subscription for digital notifications, in-app features, digital arming/disarming, and integration with other Ring, Echo, and third party products. Subscription sold separately. View ring.com/protect-plans for pricing and details.
Alexa Guard Plus and Ring Protect
The Alexa Guard Plus2 subscription is included for U.S. Ring Protect Pro and Plus (1st Gen) subscribers after your Ring and Amazon accounts have been linked together.
To learn more about Ring Protect plans, click here.
Alexa Guard Plus2 is also available for purchase without a Ring Protect plan.
Currently Supported Echo Devices
- Echo Show
- Echo Dot
- Echo Plus
- Echo
Alexa cannot detect selected sounds on the following Amazon devices:
- Echo Look
- Amazon Tap
- The Alexa app
- Alexa Mobile Accessories
- Echo Auto
- Echo Buds
- Echo devices without a microphone, such as:
- Echo Link
- Echo Glow
- Echo Wall Clock
How to Enable Alexa Guard Plus if you have a Ring Protect Plan
If you already have Ring Protect Pro or Plus (1st Gen) and want to enable Alexa Guard Plus,2 you’ll need the latest version of the Alexa app and Echo software that's up to date. Your Alexa app should update itself automatically. If you need to make sure your Echo device software is updated, click here.
You can only set up Alexa Guard in the Alexa app, not the Ring app. Once you’ve successfully linked your Ring and Amazon accounts, proceed to the Alexa app to activate Guard Plus.2 Go to Settings, select Guard, and follow the on-screen instructions to confirm an emergency address.
Note: If you have a 30-day or extended Ring Protect trial subscription, you must subscribe to Ring Protect to be eligible for Alexa Guard Plus.2 You will be charged when you subscribe to a plan and after your trial subscription ends.
To check for updates go to the appropriate app store for your mobile device. Once you’re in the app store, look for an Update button. If you don’t see an update button, you have the latest version of the Alexa app.
You’ll also need to link your Ring account and Amazon account. Keep in mind that the Amazon account that you link to your Ring account must be the same account where the Alexa device is registered.
You can find out more about linking your Ring and Amazon account here.
To see if your Ring Account is linked to your Amazon Account already:
- Tap the three lines (≡) on the top left of your Ring app.
- Tap Account.
- In Account Settings.
- Scroll down to Linked Accounts.
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- If your Amazon Account is linked you’ll see Amazon under Linked Accounts with your email address.
- If your Amazon account is not linked you’ll see Link Your Amazon Account.
- Tap to link your Amazon account and you’ll be prompted to enter your password for your Ring account.
- Then, you’ll see a prompt to Sign In to your Amazon account.
- Once you’ve successfully entered your login credentials, you’ll receive a message that says Success! Accounts linked.
- Then, you can tap Got It! on the bottom of the screen and you will be returned to your Ring Account Settings page.
- To navigate back to the main menu, tap the three lines on the top left side of the screen.
Note: If you have more than one person in your household that uses the Ring app or more than one person with an Amazon account, make sure to use the Ring account of the owner of the Ring device(s) and link the Ring owner’s account with the Amazon account where the Echo device is registered. The email that you use for your Ring account does not need to be the same email that you use for your Amazon account.
The person that originally installed the Ring product on their mobile device is the account owner.
To find out more about Ring account ownership, click here.
You can only set up Guard Plus2 in the Alexa app, not the Ring app.
To see Alexa set up instructions, click here.
Alexa Guard Plus and Ring Alarm
To learn more about how Alexa Guard Plus2 works with Ring Alarm, click here.
1 A compatible Ring Protect subscription is required to enroll in the Ring Alarm professional monitoring service. Professional monitoring service is available only within the U.S. (all 50 states, but not U.S. territories) and in Canada (excluding Quebec). Ring does not own its own professional monitoring center. Smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring is not available for commercial properties. See Ring Alarm licenses at: https://www.ring.com/licenses.
2 Alexa Guard and Alexa Guard Plus are available only to customers located in the U.S. You must have a supported Echo device to enable Guard. To access Guard features, you must link your Ring and Amazon accounts to complete the Guard setup in the Alexa app. The Alexa Emergency Helpline, which is available for Guard Plus subscribers, is not a 911 service and may not work during outages or if you're experiencing internet connectivity issues.
