How to Get Notifications from My Ring Doorbell

This guide walks you through setting up and troubleshooting notifications for your Ring Doorbell. You’ll learn how to enable alerts, adjust settings, and fix common issues so you never miss a visitor again.

Key Takeaways

Enable Motion and Ring Alerts: Make sure both motion and doorbell ring notifications are turned on in the Ring app for full coverage.
Check Notification Settings on Your Phone: Ensure your phone’s Do Not Disturb, battery saver, or app-specific settings aren’t blocking Ring alerts.
Update the Ring App Regularly: Outdated apps can cause notification delays or failures—always keep it updated.
Optimize Wi-Fi Signal Strength: Weak Wi-Fi can delay or prevent notifications; use a Wi-Fi extender if needed.
Use Motion Zones Wisely: Customize motion zones to reduce false alerts while ensuring important areas are monitored.
Test Notifications After Setup: Always test your doorbell after configuration to confirm alerts are working properly.
Contact Ring Support if Needed: If troubleshooting doesn’t work, Ring’s customer support can help resolve deeper technical issues.

How to Get Notifications from My Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell—great choice! But now you’re wondering: Why am I not getting notifications when someone rings the bell or walks by? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many Ring users face this issue, especially after setup or a software update. The good news? Getting reliable notifications from your Ring Doorbell is totally doable with the right steps.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get notifications from your Ring Doorbell. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2, Ring Doorbell Pro, or Ring Doorbell Elite, these instructions apply to all models. We’ll cover initial setup, adjusting settings, troubleshooting common problems, and tips to keep your alerts working smoothly.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to:

Enable and customize notifications in the Ring app
Fix delayed or missing alerts
Optimize your phone and Wi-Fi for better performance
Test your system to ensure it’s working correctly

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Download and Set Up the Ring App

The Ring app is the control center for your doorbell. Without it, you won’t receive any notifications. If you haven’t already, download the official Ring app from the Apple App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android).

Visual guide about How to Get Notifications from My Ring Doorbell

Image source: lifewire.com

How to Install the Ring App

Open your phone’s app store.
Search for “Ring – Always Home” or “Ring Home.”
Download and install the app.
Open the app and create a Ring account (or log in if you already have one).

Once installed, the app will guide you through pairing your doorbell. Make sure your doorbell is powered (via battery or wired) and in setup mode (usually indicated by a spinning blue light).

Pair Your Doorbell with the App

Tap “Set Up a Device” in the app.
Select “Doorbells” and choose your model.
Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your doorbell to your home Wi-Fi network.
Name your doorbell (e.g., “Front Door”) and assign it to a location.

After pairing, the app will automatically enable basic notifications. But to get the most out of your Ring Doorbell, you’ll need to customize these settings.

Step 2: Enable Notifications in the Ring App

Now that your doorbell is connected, it’s time to make sure notifications are turned on. Here’s how to check and enable them.

Turn On Ring and Motion Alerts

Open the Ring app.
Tap the three lines (☰) in the top-left corner to open the menu.
Select “Devices” and choose your doorbell.
Tap “Device Settings.”
Go to “Notifications.”
Make sure both “Ring Alerts” and “Motion Alerts” are toggled ON.

You can also choose how you want to be notified—via push notification, email, or both. For real-time alerts, push notifications are best.

Customize Alert Types

Ring lets you choose what kind of alerts you receive:

All Motion: Notifies you every time motion is detected.
People Only: Uses Ring’s AI to detect only human movement (reduces false alarms).
Motion Zones: Lets you define specific areas where you want to be alerted (e.g., your driveway but not the sidewalk).

To set up Motion Zones:

In the “Notifications” section, tap “Motion Zones.”
Drag the corners of the zone map to highlight the area you want to monitor.
Save your changes.

Pro tip: Start with “People Only” mode if you’re getting too many alerts from cars or animals.

Step 3: Check Your Phone’s Notification Settings

Even if Ring alerts are enabled in the app, your phone might be blocking them. This is a common issue, especially on iPhones and Android devices with strict privacy settings.

For iPhone Users

Go to Settings > Notifications.
Scroll down and find “Ring.”
Make sure “Allow Notifications” is turned ON.
Enable “Sounds,” “Badges,” and “Lock Screen” for full visibility.
Also, check that “Do Not Disturb” isn’t blocking Ring alerts. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and add Ring as an allowed app.

For Android Users

Go to Settings > Apps > Ring.
Tap “Notifications” and ensure they’re enabled.
Check “Battery optimization” settings—some Android phones restrict background apps to save power. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization and set Ring to “Don’t optimize.”
If you use “Digital Wellbeing” or “Focus Mode,” make sure Ring is allowed during focus sessions.

Bonus tip: On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Connections > More Connection Settings > Smart Pop-up View and enable it for Ring so alerts appear as pop-ups.

Step 4: Ensure Your Wi-Fi Connection Is Strong

Your Ring Doorbell sends notifications over Wi-Fi. If the signal is weak, alerts can be delayed or never arrive. Here’s how to check and improve your connection.

Check Signal Strength in the Ring App

Open the Ring app.
Go to “Devices” and select your doorbell.
Tap “Device Health.”
Look at the “Signal Strength” indicator. It should show “Good” or “Excellent.”

If it shows “Weak” or “Poor,” your doorbell may not be getting a stable connection.

Improve Wi-Fi Signal

Move your router closer to the doorbell (if possible).
Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network system (like Eero or Google Nest Wi-Fi) to boost coverage near your front door.
Avoid interference from thick walls, metal objects, or other electronics.
Switch to the 2.4 GHz band if your router supports dual-band. Ring devices work best on 2.4 GHz, which has better range (even though it’s slower than 5 GHz).

Pro tip: If you’re using a Ring Doorbell Pro or Elite (which require a wired connection), make sure the transformer provides enough power (16–24V). Low voltage can cause connectivity issues.

Step 5: Update the Ring App and Firmware

Outdated software is a common cause of notification problems. Ring regularly releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance.

Update the Ring App

iPhone: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to see pending updates. Update Ring if available.
Android: Open Google Play Store, tap the menu (☰), go to “Manage apps & device,” and update Ring.

Update Doorbell Firmware

Open the Ring app.
Go to “Devices” and select your doorbell.
Tap “Device Health.”
If a firmware update is available, you’ll see a prompt. Tap “Update Now.”

Firmware updates happen automatically in the background, but checking manually ensures you’re on the latest version.

Step 6: Test Your Notifications

After making changes, always test your setup to confirm notifications are working.

How to Test Ring Alerts

Have someone press the doorbell button.
Check if you receive a push notification on your phone.
Walk in front of the doorbell to trigger motion detection.
Verify that motion alerts appear in the app and on your phone.

If you don’t get alerts, go back through the steps above. Pay special attention to phone settings and Wi-Fi strength.

Step 7: Troubleshoot Common Notification Issues

Still not getting notifications? Here are some common problems and fixes.

Problem: Delayed Notifications

Alerts come in minutes after the event.

Cause: Weak Wi-Fi or high network traffic.
Fix: Improve signal strength or reduce the number of devices on your network.

Problem: No Notifications at All

You never receive alerts, even after setup.

Cause: App permissions, phone settings, or account issues.
Fix: Reinstall the Ring app, log out and back in, and recheck all notification settings.

Problem: False Alerts (Too Many Notifications)

You get alerts from cars, animals, or wind.

Cause: Motion sensitivity is too high or zones are too broad.
Fix: Switch to “People Only” mode or adjust motion zones to exclude busy areas.

Problem: Notifications Stop After a While

Alerts work at first, then stop.

Cause: Phone battery optimization or app being force-closed.
Fix: Disable battery optimization for Ring and avoid swiping the app away from recent apps.

Step 8: Use Ring Protect Plan (Optional but Recommended)

While basic notifications are free, Ring offers a Ring Protect Plan that enhances your experience.

Benefits of Ring Protect

Extended video history (30–60 days)
Person and package detection
Snapshot capture every 3 minutes
Professional monitoring (with Ring Alarm)

With a Protect Plan, you’ll get smarter alerts—like “Motion detected: Person at front door” instead of just “Motion detected.” This reduces false alarms and helps you respond faster.

Plans start at $3.99/month per device or $10/month for unlimited devices. You can try it free for 30 days when you first set up your doorbell.

Step 9: Contact Ring Support if Needed

If you’ve tried everything and still aren’t getting notifications, it’s time to reach out to Ring Support.

How to Contact Ring

Live Chat: Available in the Ring app under “Help.”
Phone: Call 1-800-656-1918 (U.S.) during business hours.
Email: Use the contact form on Ring’s support website.

Have your device model, app version, and a description of the issue ready. Ring’s support team is generally responsive and can help with account issues, firmware problems, or hardware defects.

Final Tips for Reliable Notifications

To keep your Ring Doorbell notifications working smoothly:

Restart your doorbell once a month by removing the battery or turning off the power for 10 seconds.
Keep your phone charged—low battery can delay app performance.
Avoid using VPNs on your phone, as they can interfere with Ring’s connection.
Check for app updates every few weeks.
Use a strong, unique password for your Ring account to prevent unauthorized access.

Conclusion

Getting notifications from your Ring Doorbell doesn’t have to be frustrating. With the right setup and a few tweaks, you can ensure you’re alerted the moment someone approaches your door. Remember: it’s not just about turning on alerts—it’s about optimizing your phone, Wi-Fi, and app settings for the best experience.

Start by enabling notifications in the Ring app, then check your phone’s settings. Make sure your Wi-Fi is strong, your app is updated, and your motion zones are set correctly. Test everything, and don’t hesitate to contact Ring Support if you run into issues.

Now that you know how to get notifications from your Ring Doorbell, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’ll never miss a visitor, package, or unexpected guest again. Stay safe, stay connected, and let your Ring Doorbell do the watching for you.