This guide walks you through how to change notifications on Ring Doorbell using the Ring app. You’ll learn to customize motion alerts, adjust chime settings, and manage notification schedules for a smarter, quieter home.
Key Takeaways
- Access notification settings via the Ring app: All customization happens in the app, not on the device itself.
- Adjust motion sensitivity and zones: Reduce false alerts by fine-tuning where and how your doorbell detects movement.
- Enable or disable chime alerts: Choose whether your indoor chime rings when motion or a doorbell press is detected.
- Set up notification schedules: Silence alerts during specific times like nighttime or work hours.
- Use modes to automate notifications: Home, Away, and Disarmed modes let you control alerts based on your routine.
- Manage linked devices and shared users: Ensure all users receive the right alerts by adjusting permissions.
- Troubleshoot common notification issues: Fix problems like delayed alerts or missing notifications with simple checks.
How to Change Notifications on Ring Doorbell: A Complete Guide
If you’ve ever been woken up by a false motion alert from your Ring Doorbell or missed an important visitor because notifications didn’t come through, you’re not alone. The good news? You can easily customize how and when your Ring Doorbell sends alerts. Whether you want to silence chimes at night, reduce false alarms from passing cars, or make sure your family gets notified too, this guide will show you exactly how to change notifications on Ring Doorbell—step by step.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to access and adjust every notification setting available in the Ring app. We’ll cover motion alerts, chime controls, notification schedules, and advanced features like modes and shared access. By the end, you’ll have full control over your doorbell’s alerts, making your smart home smarter and more convenient.
Let’s get started!
Why Customize Your Ring Doorbell Notifications?
Visual guide about How to Change Notifications on Ring Doorbell
Image source: smarthomeways.com
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why adjusting your notifications matters. Ring Doorbells are designed to keep you informed, but default settings might not match your lifestyle. For example:
– You might get alerts every time a squirrel runs across your lawn.
– Your indoor chime might ring during a nap or late at night.
– Family members or roommates might not receive alerts if they’re not set up properly.
By customizing your notifications, you can:
– Reduce unnecessary alerts
– Improve response time to real events
– Protect your privacy and peace
– Ensure everyone in your household stays informed
Think of it like tuning a radio—you want to hear the right stations at the right volume. The same goes for your Ring Doorbell.
Getting Started: Open the Ring App
All notification settings for your Ring Doorbell are managed through the Ring app, available for free on iOS and Android. You can’t change these settings directly on the doorbell itself, so the app is your control center.
Step 1: Download and Log In
If you haven’t already, download the Ring app from the App Store or Google Play. Open it and log in with your Ring account credentials. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one using your email address.
Step 2: Select Your Device
Once logged in, you’ll see a dashboard with all your Ring devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to adjust. It might be labeled “Front Door,” “Back Door,” or whatever name you gave it during setup.
Step 3: Access Device Settings
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the device screen. This opens the settings menu, where you’ll find all the options for customizing notifications.
Now you’re ready to start making changes!
How to Adjust Motion Alerts
Motion alerts are one of the most useful—and sometimes most annoying—features of your Ring Doorbell. By default, your doorbell may detect motion from a wide area, including sidewalks, driveways, or even trees swaying in the wind. Let’s fine-tune that.
Step 1: Open Motion Settings
In the device settings menu, tap on “Motion Settings.” Here, you’ll see options for motion detection, sensitivity, and zones.
Step 2: Adjust Motion Sensitivity
You’ll see a slider labeled “Motion Sensitivity.” Slide it left to reduce sensitivity (fewer alerts) or right to increase it (more alerts). For most homes, a medium setting (around 50–70%) works well. If you’re getting too many false alerts, try lowering it.
Step 3: Set Up Motion Zones
Tap “Motion Zones” to define specific areas where you want motion detected. For example, you might want alerts only when someone approaches your front door, not when a car drives by on the street.
– Tap “Add Zone” and drag the corners to cover the desired area.
– You can create up to three zones.
– Name each zone (e.g., “Front Walk,” “Driveway”) for easy reference.
Tip: Avoid overlapping zones with busy streets or neighbor’s yards to reduce false alerts.
Step 4: Enable or Disable Motion Alerts
At the top of the Motion Settings screen, you’ll see a toggle for “Motion Alerts.” If it’s off, your doorbell won’t send any motion notifications. Make sure it’s on unless you want to silence motion alerts completely.
Step 5: Choose Alert Types
Under “Alert Types,” you can choose what kind of motion triggers a notification:
– People Only: Only alerts when a person is detected (requires Ring Protect plan).
– All Motion: Alerts for any movement, including animals or vehicles.
Select “People Only” if you want fewer false alarms and have a Ring Protect subscription.
How to Customize Doorbell Press Alerts
When someone presses your doorbell, you’ll get a notification—but you can control how and when that happens.
Step 1: Go to Doorbell Press Settings
In the device settings, tap “Doorbell Press.” Here, you can manage how your doorbell responds when pressed.
Step 2: Enable or Disable Press Alerts
Toggle “Doorbell Press Alerts” on or off. If it’s off, you won’t get any notifications when the button is pressed. This is useful if you’re expecting a delivery and don’t want repeated alerts.
Step 3: Adjust Chime Settings
If you have a Ring Chime or Chime Pro, you can control whether it rings when the doorbell is pressed.
– Tap “Chime Settings.”
– Toggle “Chime on Doorbell Press” on or off.
– You can also adjust the chime volume and select different sounds.
Tip: If you have multiple chimes (e.g., one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom), make sure they’re all linked and set to ring when needed.
How to Set Up Notification Schedules
Sometimes you don’t want to be notified—like during a nap, a meeting, or late at night. That’s where notification schedules come in.
Step 1: Open Notification Schedule
In the device settings, tap “Notification Schedule.” This feature lets you silence alerts during specific times of day.
Step 2: Create a New Schedule
Tap “Add Schedule” and choose the days of the week (e.g., Monday to Friday).
Set the start and end times. For example:
– Start: 10:00 PM
– End: 7:00 AM
During this time, your doorbell won’t send motion or press alerts to your phone.
Step 3: Choose What to Silence
You can choose to silence:
– Motion Alerts only
– Doorbell Press Alerts only
– Both
Select the option that fits your needs. For example, you might want to silence motion alerts at night but still hear the doorbell if someone rings it.
Step 4: Save and Repeat
Tap “Save” to activate the schedule. You can create multiple schedules for different days or times.
Tip: Use this feature during vacations or when you have guests staying over to avoid constant alerts.
How to Use Modes to Automate Notifications
Ring’s Modes feature lets you automatically adjust notifications based on your routine. It’s like having a smart home assistant that knows when you’re home, away, or sleeping.
Step 1: Enable Modes
In the Ring app, go to the main dashboard and tap “Modes” at the top. If you haven’t set it up yet, tap “Set Up Modes.”
Step 2: Choose Your Modes
Ring offers three default modes:
– Home: For when you’re at home. You might want fewer motion alerts but still hear the doorbell.
– Away: For when you’re out. Full alerts for motion and doorbell presses.
– Disarmed: For when you’re sleeping or don’t want any alerts.
You can customize what each mode does.
Step 3: Customize Notification Settings per Mode
Tap on a mode (e.g., “Home”) and adjust:
– Motion Alerts: On or off
– Doorbell Press Alerts: On or off
– Chime Settings: On or off
– Notification Schedule: Active or inactive
For example:
– In “Home” mode: Turn off motion alerts but keep doorbell press alerts on.
– In “Away” mode: Turn on all alerts and enable chimes.
– In “Disarmed” mode: Silence everything.
Step 4: Set Up Automation (Optional)
You can link Modes to other smart devices. For example:
– When your phone connects to home Wi-Fi, switch to “Home” mode.
– When you leave, switch to “Away” mode.
This requires linking Ring to services like Alexa, Google Home, or IFTTT.
Tip: Modes are especially useful if you have a busy household or travel frequently.
How to Manage Shared Users and Permissions
If you live with family, roommates, or have a property manager, you might want them to receive notifications too. Here’s how to set that up.
Step 1: Add a Shared User
In the device settings, tap “Shared Users.” Then tap “Add Shared User.”
Enter their email address and select their access level:
– Viewer: Can view live video and recordings but can’t change settings.
– User: Can view video, receive alerts, and adjust some settings.
– Owner: Full control, including adding/removing users.
Step 2: Customize Their Notifications
Each shared user can customize their own notification preferences in their Ring app. They can:
– Turn alerts on or off
– Set their own schedules
– Adjust motion sensitivity
This means your roommate can silence alerts during work hours while you keep them on.
Step 3: Remove or Edit Access
To remove a user, tap their name and select “Remove Access.” You can also change their permission level at any time.
Tip: Only give “Owner” access to people you fully trust, as they can delete devices or change critical settings.
How to Troubleshoot Notification Issues
Even with perfect settings, you might run into problems. Here are common issues and how to fix them.
Problem: No Notifications at All
– Check if your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode is on.
– Make sure the Ring app has notification permissions (go to phone Settings > Apps > Ring > Notifications).
– Ensure your doorbell is online (check the app dashboard for a green dot).
– Restart your phone and the Ring app.
Problem: Delayed or Missed Alerts
– Weak Wi-Fi can cause delays. Move your router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender.
– If using a Ring Chime Pro, it can boost signal strength.
– Update the Ring app and your phone’s operating system.
Problem: False Motion Alerts
– Adjust motion zones to exclude busy areas.
– Lower motion sensitivity.
– Trim bushes or trees that might sway in the wind.
– Use “People Only” mode if available.
Problem: Chime Doesn’t Ring
– Check if the chime is plugged in and powered.
– Ensure it’s linked to your doorbell in the app.
– Test the chime manually from the app.
– Replace batteries if it’s a wireless model.
Problem: Notifications Stop Working After an Update
– Force close and reopen the Ring app.
– Reinstall the app if needed.
– Check Ring’s status page for outages.
Best Practices for Managing Ring Notifications
To get the most out of your Ring Doorbell, follow these tips:
– Review settings monthly: Your needs may change with seasons, schedules, or new routines.
– Use motion zones wisely: Focus on high-traffic areas like walkways and porches.
– Combine with other Ring devices: Link your doorbell to cameras, lights, or alarms for a complete security system.
– Keep your app updated: New features and bug fixes are released regularly.
– Test your settings: Ask a friend to ring the doorbell or walk past to confirm alerts work.
Conclusion
Changing notifications on your Ring Doorbell doesn’t have to be complicated. With the Ring app, you have powerful tools to customize alerts, reduce noise, and stay informed—only when it matters. Whether you’re silencing chimes at night, setting up motion zones, or automating alerts with Modes, you now know exactly how to change notifications on Ring Doorbell to fit your lifestyle.
Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate all alerts—it’s to make them smarter. By taking a few minutes to adjust your settings, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful, secure, and convenient home.
So open the Ring app today, explore the options, and take control of your doorbell’s notifications. Your future self will thank you.