My brother and sister-in-law love using their Echo devices with Alexa to voice control their other smart home products. They are considering the purchase of a Ring Alarm, so to help them out, I did some research to see if they could use Alexa to voice control a Ring Alarm.
Does Ring Alarm work with Alexa? Yes, Ring Alarm works with Alexa. Once the devices are linked, users can arm, disarm, and check the status of their Ring Alarm using their voice. A four-digit voice code is required to disarm Ring Alarm with Alexa.
If you want to use Ring Alarm with Alexa, you will need to know how to link your devices and what voice commands to use. To get the most out of your Ring and Alexa integration, you will also want to know how to create home automation routines and link other devices as well.
Ring Alarm Works With Alexa
Ring Alarm is compatible with all Alexa devices.
Here are the commands you can use to control your Ring Alarm with an Alexa device. For each command, you must say your device’s wake word first.
- “Arm Ring.”“Set Ring to Home/Away.”“Is Ring armed?”“Disarm Ring.”
When you tell Alexa to disarm your Ring Alarm, she will ask for your four-digit voice code. Say your code, and your alarm will be disarmed.
Linking Ring Alarm and Alexa
Before you can voice control your Ring Alarm with Alexa, you will need to link the devices in the Alexa app.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet.Click on the three lines in the upper-left corner.Select “Skills & Games”.Search for “Ring.”Tap the “Enable” button next to the Ring skill.Sign in to your Ring account. Tap the “Discover Devices” button. All of your Ring devices should appear and be connected to Alexa automatically. If you don’t want Alexa to link with a specific Ring device, select “Forget” next to that device.
If you have previously linked your Ring account in the Alexa app, and you are setting up a new Ring device, you can ask, “Alexa, discover my devices.”
Ring Alarm Voice Code
After your Ring Alarm and Alexa devices are linked, you will need to enable the option to disarm your alarm with your voice.
- In the Alexa app, select your Ring Alarm under your list of devices.Under settings for this device, slide the “Disarm by voice” bar on.Follow the prompts to complete the setup process. You will have the choice to use your Ring Alarm system’s existing PIN code as your Alexa voice code or create a new 4-digit voice code.
If you or someone else has three consecutive, unsuccessful attempts at disarming your Ring Alarm with the voice code, the “Disarm by voice” setting will be automatically disabled for your protection. Re-enable it in the Alexa app.
More Alexa Compatibility
Alexa Guard
Alexa Guard has two modes, Away and Home. Initiate Away mode by saying “[wake word] I’m leaving,” and Alexa will automatically arm your Ring Alarm. Initiate Home mode with “[wake word] I’m home” to disarm the alarm.
Follow these steps to set up Alexa Guard:
- In the Alexa app, select the three lines in the top-left corner. Select “Settings.”Select “Guard.”Tap “Set Up Guard,” and follow the directions to connect your Alexa Guard compatible devices.
When in Away mode, Alexa Guard also sends notifications to your phone when your Echo device detects sounds such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking. The notifications include a 10-second audio recording on the event.
If you have Ring Alarm professional monitoring, you can choose for Alexa Guard to send these notifications and sound clips directly to the Monitoring Center for extra protection.
Alexa Routines
With Alexa Guard set up, you can automate other smart home devices to perform certain functions when you arm and disarm Ring Alarm with your Echo.
- In the Alexa app, select the three lines in the top-left corner. Select “Routines.” Click on the + sign.Select “When This Happens.”Select an option that will trigger the routine. Click on “Add action” to set up an action in the new routine. You can add as many actions in one routine as you like. Press “Save” when you are done creating your Alexa Routine.
Other Ring Devices Also Work With Alexa
If you have an Alexa-enabled device with a screen such as an Echo Show or a FireTV, you can view your Ring doorbell or security camera live stream and recorded videos using voice commands.
Your Echo device can also act as a doorbell chime for your Ring doorbell.
Check out this article for set up instructions and a list of Alexa voice commands for your Ring doorbells and cameras.
While Ring does not make their own smart locks or lights, they have certified “Works With Ring” devices that will integrate with your Ring Alarm and Alexa devices. Click here for a complete list of “Works With Ring” devices.