Never miss a Ring Doorbell notification again—even when Do Not Disturb is on. This guide walks you through simple settings on both Android and iPhone to ensure your doorbell alerts come through loud and clear.
Key Takeaways
- Do Not Disturb can silence Ring alerts: Without proper settings, your phone may block doorbell notifications during DND mode.
- Android and iPhone require different steps: Each operating system has unique ways to allow specific app notifications through DND.
- Use “Allow Exceptions” on Android: Add the Ring app to your priority list so it bypasses silent mode.
- Enable “Critical Alerts” on iPhone: This special permission lets Ring notifications override Do Not Disturb and even silent mode.
- Test after setup: Always trigger a test notification to confirm your changes work before relying on them.
- Keep Ring app updated: Older versions may not support override features—update regularly for best performance.
- Check device compatibility: Some older phones may have limited DND customization options.
How to Have Ring Doorbell Override Do Not Disturb
If you’ve ever missed a delivery, visitor, or package because your phone was in Do Not Disturb (DND) mode, you’re not alone. Many Ring Doorbell users assume their smart doorbell will always alert them—but that’s not always true. When DND is active, your phone silences most notifications, including those from Ring. The good news? You can configure your phone to let Ring alerts come through, even when everything else is muted.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make your Ring Doorbell override Do Not Disturb mode on both Android and iPhone. We’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions, explain why these settings matter, and share troubleshooting tips to ensure your doorbell notifications are always heard. Whether you’re a new Ring owner or just upgrading your notification setup, this guide will help you stay connected—no matter what mode your phone is in.
Why Ring Alerts Might Be Silenced by Do Not Disturb
Visual guide about How to Have Ring Doorbell Override Do Not Disturb
Image source: i.stack.imgur.com
Before diving into the fix, it’s important to understand why this happens. Do Not Disturb is designed to minimize distractions by silencing calls, texts, and app notifications during set times or activities—like sleeping, working, or driving. While helpful, it can be too aggressive. By default, most apps—including Ring—are treated as non-essential and get blocked.
Ring sends two main types of alerts: motion alerts and doorbell presses. Both rely on push notifications from the Ring app. If DND is on and Ring isn’t whitelisted, those notifications won’t make sound, vibrate, or appear on your lock screen. This means you could miss someone at your door, even if your Ring is working perfectly.
The solution is to tell your phone that Ring is an exception. Both Android and iOS allow you to grant special permissions to certain apps so they can bypass DND. Once configured, your Ring Doorbell will override Do Not Disturb and alert you—just like a phone call or emergency notification would.
How to Allow Ring to Override Do Not Disturb on Android
Android offers flexible notification controls, but the exact steps vary slightly depending on your phone’s brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.) and Android version. However, the core process remains the same: you need to add the Ring app to your “priority” or “allowed” list in Do Not Disturb settings.
Step 1: Open Do Not Disturb Settings
Start by opening your phone’s Settings app. Scroll down and tap on “Sound & vibration” or “Notifications” (the name may vary). Look for “Do Not Disturb” or “Focus mode” and tap to open it.
On Samsung devices, go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.
On Google Pixel, it’s Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb.
On OnePlus, navigate to Settings > Utilities > Do Not Disturb.
Step 2: Access Allowed Exceptions
Once inside Do Not Disturb settings, look for an option like “Allowed exceptions,” “Priority only,” or “Apps that can bypass.” Tap on it. This section controls which apps can send notifications even when DND is active.
You may see categories like “Calls,” “Messages,” “Reminders,” and “Apps.” We’re interested in the “Apps” section.
Step 3: Add the Ring App to the Allowed List
Tap on “Apps” or “Add apps.” A list of installed apps will appear. Scroll through and find “Ring.” Tap the toggle switch next to it to enable it. Some phones may require you to tap “Add” or confirm your selection.
Once enabled, the Ring app will be allowed to send sound and vibration alerts during Do Not Disturb mode.
Step 4: Confirm Notification Settings in the Ring App
Now, open the Ring app on your phone. Go to the menu (usually three lines in the top-left corner) and tap “Device Settings.” Select your doorbell, then tap “Motion Settings” or “Notification Settings.”
Make sure “Motion Alerts” and “Doorbell Press” are turned on. Also, check that “Alert Tones” are set to a sound (not silent) and that “Vibration” is enabled if you want physical feedback.
Step 5: Test the Setup
To confirm everything works, ask someone to press your doorbell or walk in front of it to trigger motion. With your phone in Do Not Disturb mode, you should hear the alert and feel the vibration (if enabled).
If you don’t hear anything, double-check the steps above. Also, ensure your phone’s media volume and notification volume are turned up.
Bonus Tip: Use “Alarms Only” Mode Wisely
Some Android phones have a “Alarms only” DND mode that blocks almost everything—including app notifications. If you use this mode, even Ring won’t come through. Instead, choose “Priority only” and customize it to include Ring.
How to Allow Ring to Override Do Not Disturb on iPhone
iPhones handle Do Not Disturb (called “Focus” in iOS 15 and later) with more granular control. To make Ring override DND, you’ll need to enable “Critical Alerts”—a special permission that allows certain apps to bypass silent mode and Focus settings.
Step 1: Enable Critical Alerts for Ring
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap “Ring.” If you don’t see Ring listed, make sure the app is installed and you’ve opened it at least once.
Inside the Ring settings, look for “Critical Alerts.” Toggle it on. You may see a prompt explaining that Critical Alerts can override Do Not Disturb and silent mode. Tap “Allow” to confirm.
Note: If you don’t see this option, your iPhone may not support it (older models or iOS versions). Critical Alerts require iOS 12 or later and are available on iPhone 6s and newer.
Step 2: Add Ring to Focus Mode Exceptions
Even with Critical Alerts enabled, you should also add Ring to your Focus mode exceptions for extra reliability.
Go to Settings > Focus. Tap on “Do Not Disturb” (or any other Focus mode you use, like “Sleep” or “Work”). Scroll down and tap “People” or “Apps.”
Under “Apps,” tap “Add Apps” and select “Ring.” This ensures Ring notifications are allowed during that Focus session.
Step 3: Check Ring App Notification Settings
Open the Ring app and go to the menu. Tap “Device Settings,” select your doorbell, and go to “Notification Settings.” Make sure “Doorbell Press” and “Motion Alerts” are enabled.
Also, tap “Alert Tones” and choose a sound. Avoid “None” or “Silent.” For maximum reliability, pick a tone you’ll easily recognize.
Step 4: Test with Do Not Disturb On
Turn on Do Not Disturb (swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the moon icon). Then, have someone press your doorbell or trigger motion.
You should hear the alert, even if your phone is on silent. The screen may also light up with a notification banner.
If it doesn’t work, go back and confirm Critical Alerts are enabled and Ring is added to your Focus exceptions.
Bonus Tip: Use “Time Sensitive” Notifications (iOS 15+)
In addition to Critical Alerts, iOS 15 introduced “Time Sensitive” notifications. While Ring uses Critical Alerts by default, enabling Time Sensitive can help ensure alerts appear on the lock screen even during Focus mode.
To check, go to Settings > Notifications > Ring. Make sure “Time Sensitive” is toggled on.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the right settings, you might still face issues. Here are common problems and how to fix them.
Ring Notifications Still Silent in DND Mode
If your Ring alerts aren’t coming through, double-check the following:
– Is the Ring app updated? Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and check for updates.
– Is Do Not Disturb actually on? Sometimes users think it’s active when it’s not—or vice versa.
– Are other apps also blocked? Test with a phone call or text to confirm DND is working as expected.
– Is your phone in “Alarms only” mode? This blocks almost everything—switch to “Priority only” and add Ring.
Critical Alerts Not Available on iPhone
If you don’t see the Critical Alerts option, your device or iOS version may not support it. Critical Alerts require:
– iPhone 6s or newer
– iOS 12 or later
– Ring app version 5.0 or higher
Update your iPhone and the Ring app. If the option still doesn’t appear, contact Ring support—your device may not be fully compatible.
Alerts Work Intermittently
If Ring alerts come through sometimes but not others, it could be due to:
– Poor Wi-Fi signal: Weak connectivity can delay or drop notifications. Move your router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender.
– Battery-saving mode: Some Android phones restrict background app activity to save power. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and add Ring to the “Unrestricted” list.
– App background refresh disabled: On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and make sure Ring is enabled.
False Alerts or Delayed Notifications
If you’re getting too many alerts or they’re delayed, adjust your motion zones in the Ring app. Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings > Motion Zones and reduce sensitivity or exclude areas like busy streets.
Also, ensure your doorbell’s firmware is up to date. Open the Ring app, go to Device Health, and check for updates.
Best Practices for Reliable Ring Alerts
To get the most out of your Ring Doorbell and ensure it overrides Do Not Disturb consistently, follow these best practices:
– Update regularly: Keep your phone’s OS and the Ring app updated to access the latest features and bug fixes.
– Use strong Wi-Fi: A stable internet connection is crucial for real-time alerts. Consider a mesh network if your home has dead zones.
– Charge your phone: Low battery mode can restrict notifications. Keep your phone charged, especially overnight.
– Test weekly: Once a week, test your doorbell with DND on to ensure everything still works.
– Use a smart speaker: Pair your Ring with an Amazon Echo or Google Nest device. Even if your phone is silent, the speaker can announce visitors.
Conclusion
Missing a Ring Doorbell notification because of Do Not Disturb mode is frustrating—but completely avoidable. By following the steps in this guide, you can ensure your Ring alerts come through loud and clear, no matter what mode your phone is in.
On Android, add Ring to your Do Not Disturb allowed apps. On iPhone, enable Critical Alerts and add Ring to your Focus exceptions. Test your setup, troubleshoot any issues, and keep your apps updated for the best experience.
With these simple changes, you’ll never miss a visitor, delivery, or package again. Your Ring Doorbell will truly work as intended: keeping you connected and informed, 24/7.