Wondering why your Ring Doorbell isn’t ringing on your phone? This guide walks you through setup, app settings, Wi-Fi troubleshooting, and notification fixes to ensure you never miss a delivery or visitor. Follow these simple steps to get instant alerts every time someone presses your doorbell.
Key Takeaways
- Proper app installation and login are essential: Make sure the Ring app is installed, updated, and you’re logged into the correct account.
- Notification permissions must be enabled: Check your phone’s settings to allow Ring to send alerts, including sounds and banners.
- Wi-Fi signal strength affects performance: A weak connection can delay or prevent doorbell rings from reaching your phone.
- Motion and doorbell alerts need to be turned on: Customize alert settings in the app to ensure both motion and button presses trigger notifications.
- Do Not Disturb and Focus modes can block alerts: Temporarily disable these features or add Ring as an exception to receive rings.
- Device syncing and firmware updates matter: Keep your Ring Doorbell and phone app updated to avoid compatibility issues.
- Troubleshooting steps resolve most issues: Restarting devices, re-linking accounts, and checking network settings often fix notification problems.
How to Get Ring Doorbell to Ring on Phone
Have you ever missed a package delivery because your Ring Doorbell didn’t ring on your phone? Or maybe you didn’t hear the alert when a friend stopped by? You’re not alone. Many Ring users struggle with getting their doorbell to reliably send notifications to their smartphones. The good news? It’s usually fixable with a few simple steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your Ring Doorbell ringing on your phone—every single time. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2, Ring Doorbell Pro, or Ring Doorbell Elite, these instructions apply across most models. We’ll cover app setup, notification settings, Wi-Fi troubleshooting, and advanced fixes so you can stay connected to your front door no matter where you are.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to configure your Ring Doorbell and phone so that every press of the button sends an instant alert to your device. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Install and Set Up the Ring App
Visual guide about How to Get Ring Doorbell to Ring on Phone
Image source: i.ytimg.com
Before your Ring Doorbell can send notifications to your phone, you need to have the Ring app installed and properly configured. This app is the control center for all your Ring devices, including doorbells, cameras, and security systems.
Download the Ring App
First, make sure you have the official Ring app on your smartphone. You can download it for free from the Apple App Store (for iPhone users) or Google Play Store (for Android users). Search for “Ring – Always Home” and install the app.
Once installed, open the app and create a Ring account if you don’t already have one. You’ll need to provide an email address, create a password, and verify your account via email. If you already have an account, simply log in.
Link Your Doorbell to the App
After logging in, tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner of the app and select “Set up a device.” Choose “Doorbells” from the list, then follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code on your Ring Doorbell or enter the serial number manually.
The app will guide you through connecting your doorbell to your home Wi-Fi network. Make sure you’re within range of your Wi-Fi router during this process. You’ll need to enter your Wi-Fi password, and the app will send the network credentials to your doorbell.
Once connected, the app will confirm that your doorbell is online. You should see a live video feed from your doorbell, which means it’s successfully linked to your phone.
Test the Connection
To make sure everything is working, press the button on your Ring Doorbell. You should see a notification pop up on your phone within a few seconds. If you don’t, don’t worry—we’ll troubleshoot that in later steps.
Step 2: Enable Notifications in the Ring App
Even if your doorbell is connected, you won’t receive alerts unless notifications are turned on in the Ring app. This is one of the most common reasons people don’t get doorbell rings on their phones.
Open Notification Settings in the App
In the Ring app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left corner. Select “Devices,” then choose your doorbell from the list. Tap on “Device Settings,” then scroll down to “Notifications.”
Here, you’ll see options for “Motion Alerts” and “Doorbell Press Alerts.” Make sure both are toggled on. You can also customize when you receive alerts—for example, only during certain hours or only when motion is detected in specific zones.
Choose Notification Types
Ring allows you to choose how you want to be notified. You can select:
– Push notifications (appears on your screen)
– Email alerts
– Text messages (if you have Ring Protect Plus)
For most users, push notifications are the fastest and most reliable. Make sure “Push Notifications” is enabled.
You can also choose whether you want a sound to play when you receive an alert. Tap “Notification Sound” and select a tone that’s easy to hear, especially if your phone is in another room.
Test the Notification
After enabling notifications, press your doorbell button again. You should receive a push notification on your phone within 5–10 seconds. If you don’t, move on to the next step.
Step 3: Check Phone Notification Settings
Sometimes, the Ring app is set up correctly, but your phone’s system settings are blocking the alerts. Both iPhone and Android devices have built-in controls that can prevent apps from sending notifications.
For iPhone Users
Go to your iPhone’s “Settings” app and scroll down to find “Ring.” Tap on it and make sure “Allow Notifications” is turned on. You’ll also want to enable:
– “Sounds” (so you hear the alert)
– “Badges” (shows a red dot on the app icon)
– “Banners” (displays a notification at the top of the screen)
If you’re using iOS 15 or later, check “Focus” settings. If “Do Not Disturb” or another Focus mode is active, it might block Ring notifications. You can allow Ring to bypass Focus by going to “Focus” > “Do Not Disturb” > “People & Apps” and adding Ring as an allowed app.
For Android Users
Open your phone’s “Settings” app and go to “Apps” or “Applications.” Find and tap on “Ring.” Select “Notifications” and make sure they’re enabled. You may also need to check “App permissions” and ensure Ring has access to “Notifications,” “Microphone,” and “Camera” (for live view).
Some Android phones have a “Battery optimization” feature that can limit background activity for apps. To prevent this, go to “Battery” > “Battery optimization” and set Ring to “Don’t optimize.”
Test Again
After adjusting your phone’s settings, press the doorbell button again. If you still don’t get a notification, continue to the next step.
Step 4: Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection is one of the top reasons Ring Doorbells fail to send notifications. Your doorbell needs a strong signal to communicate with the Ring servers and your phone.
Check Your Doorbell’s Signal
In the Ring app, go to “Devices” > select your doorbell > “Device Health.” Look for the “Wi-Fi Signal” indicator. It should show “Good” or “Excellent.” If it says “Poor” or “Fair,” your signal is too weak.
Move Your Router or Use a Wi-Fi Extender
If your doorbell is far from your router, consider moving the router closer or using a Wi-Fi extender. Place the extender halfway between your router and the doorbell for the best coverage.
Alternatively, you can upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system, which provides more consistent coverage throughout your home.
Reduce Interference
Other electronic devices—like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors—can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Try to keep your router away from these devices. Also, avoid placing your router inside cabinets or behind large metal objects.
Change Wi-Fi Channel
If your Wi-Fi network is crowded (common in apartments), switching to a less congested channel can help. You can do this through your router’s admin settings. Look for “Wireless Settings” and change the channel to 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4 GHz networks.
Test the Connection
After improving your Wi-Fi, check the signal strength in the Ring app again. Then press the doorbell button to see if notifications arrive faster.
Step 5: Update Firmware and App
Outdated software can cause compatibility issues and prevent notifications from working. Ring regularly releases updates to improve performance and fix bugs.
Update the Ring App
Go to your phone’s app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and search for “Ring.” If an update is available, tap “Update.” Make sure you’re using the latest version.
Update Doorbell Firmware
The Ring app will usually notify you when a firmware update is available. To check manually, go to “Devices” > select your doorbell > “Device Health” > “Firmware.” If an update is pending, tap “Update Now.”
Firmware updates may take a few minutes and will temporarily disconnect your doorbell from Wi-Fi. Don’t unplug or restart the device during this process.
Restart Your Phone and Doorbell
After updating, restart both your phone and your Ring Doorbell. For the doorbell, remove the battery (if applicable) or turn off the power at the breaker for 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
This helps clear any temporary glitches and ensures all updates are applied correctly.
Step 6: Disable Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes
Modern smartphones have features like “Do Not Disturb” (iPhone) or “Focus Mode” (Android) that silence notifications. If these are active, your Ring alerts might be blocked.
Check Do Not Disturb on iPhone
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Look for the moon icon. If it’s highlighted, Do Not Disturb is on. Tap it to turn it off.
Alternatively, go to “Settings” > “Focus” > “Do Not Disturb” and toggle it off. You can also schedule it to turn off automatically.
Check Focus Mode on Android
Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel. Look for a “Focus Mode” or “Do Not Disturb” icon. Tap it to turn it off.
You can also go to “Settings” > “Sound & vibration” > “Do Not Disturb” and disable it.
Allow Ring as an Exception
Instead of turning off Do Not Disturb completely, you can allow Ring to send alerts even when it’s active.
On iPhone: Go to “Focus” > “Do Not Disturb” > “People & Apps” > “Apps” and add Ring.
On Android: Go to “Do Not Disturb” > “Exceptions” > “Apps” and select Ring.
This way, you’ll still get doorbell alerts without being disturbed by other notifications.
Step 7: Re-Link Your Account (Advanced Fix)
If none of the above steps work, your Ring account might not be properly linked to your doorbell. Re-linking can resolve hidden sync issues.
Remove the Device from the App
In the Ring app, go to “Devices” > select your doorbell > “Device Settings” > “General” > “Remove Device.” Confirm the removal.
Re-Add the Doorbell
Tap the “+” icon and follow the setup process again. Scan the QR code or enter the serial number. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and complete the setup.
Test Notifications
Once re-added, press the doorbell button. You should now receive a notification on your phone.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even after following all steps, you might still face problems. Here are solutions to the most common issues.
Doorbell Rings but No Phone Notification
– Check if your phone is in silent mode.
– Ensure the Ring app is not force-closed.
– Verify that your phone has internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
Delayed Notifications
– Weak Wi-Fi is the usual culprit. Improve signal strength.
– Your phone’s battery saver mode might be slowing down the app. Disable it for Ring.
Notifications Stop Working After Update
– Re-enable notifications in both the app and phone settings.
– Restart your phone and doorbell.
Multiple Users Not Receiving Alerts
– Make sure all users are added as “Shared Users” in the Ring app.
– Each user must have the app installed and notifications enabled on their phone.
Conclusion
Getting your Ring Doorbell to ring on your phone doesn’t have to be frustrating. With the right setup and a few troubleshooting steps, you can ensure you never miss a visitor, delivery, or unexpected motion at your door.
Start by installing the Ring app and linking your device. Then, enable notifications in both the app and your phone’s settings. Check your Wi-Fi signal, update your software, and make sure Do Not Disturb modes aren’t blocking alerts. If all else fails, re-linking your account often does the trick.
By following this guide, you’ll have a reliable, real-time connection between your Ring Doorbell and your phone. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re always connected to your home.