Sometimes you just can't answer the door. Whether you're in the middle of an intense moment in the movie you're watching, you're out and about, or you're hard at work in your home office, a ringing doorbell is almost always an interruption. Wouldn't it be great if someone could answer the door for you?
You'll be happy to learn that Amazon has recently rolled out Alexa Greetings for its Ring cameras and doorbells. Alexa Greetings is just one part of three new Smart Responses that Amazon has included in a recent Ring software update.
These responses are designed to save you from the hassle of getting to the door. We'll be telling you more about Alexa Greetings, as well as the other Smart Responses, and highlight how to set everything up.
What Are Smart Responses?
Smart Responses are three new software-based features for the Ring app for iOS and Android. These responses help your Ring device answer the door. This first feature is Alexa Greetings, which lets Ring and Alexa greet visitors.
Next is Quick Replies, which can play pre-recorded alerts. Both Alexa Greetings and Quick Replies can also record messages for you. Last on the list is Motion Warnings which audibly alerts visitors they are being monitored whenever your Ring device detects motion.
What's Required for Smart Responses?
For Alexa Greetings, you'll need a Ring Video Pro Doorbell, a Ring Protect subscription, and the Ring app.
For Quick Replies, you'll need a newer model Ring Video Doorbell, and of course, the Ring app. Unfortunately, Quick Replies aren't available for first-generation Ring Video Doorbell models.
If you'd like to see if your Ring device is compatible with Quick Replies, please see the list on Ring's website. Additionally, a Ring Protect subscription is recommended for Quick Replies. It's not required, but subscribing allows you to access and review recordings in the Ring app's Event History timeline.
For Motion Warnings, the following devices are supported: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro, the Ring Video Doorbell Elite, the Ring Spotlight Cam (wired/mount), Floodlight Cam, and Stick Up Cam Elite.
How to Set up Alexa Greetings
Once you've downloaded the Ring app, open it. Then click on the three lines in the upper left-hand corner of the app. Tap on Devices, select the Doorbell you'd like to set up and tap on Smart Responses. Then tap Alexa Greetings and then Continue. Finally, tap Enable Feature to turn on Alexa Greetings.
After enabling this feature, you can choose the amount of time Alexa should wait to answer the door, and you can decide where Alexa instructs visitors to leave packages. Alexa Greetings also allows the recording of messages when someone rings your doorbell. You can view these messages inside of the Ring app.
How to Set up Quick Replies
Unfortunately, Alexa Greetings only works with the Pro version of the Ring Video Doorbell. If you don't have a Ring Video Doorbell Pro, you can still have Ring deliver a pre-recorded message to visitors using Quick Replies. Think of Quick Replies like an answering machine for your door. All newer model Ring Video Doorbells support this feature.
Quick Replies can also take messages that you can watch in real-time using your Ring device's Live View feature. This feature is enabled on all Ring Video Doorbells and does not need a Ring Protect subscription to work. However, if you do have a subscription, then you'll be able to access any messages just by checking out your Event History.
To get started with Quick Replies, open the Ring app, and tap the three lines on the top left. Then tap Devices. Select the doorbell you'd like to set up, and then tap Smart Responses followed by Quick Replies. You should see a blue Enable Autoreply button on the screen. Tap it, and set one five-second default message. Unfortunately, custom Quick Replies are not supported at this time.
Once you've selected your reply, set your delay time anywhere from Right Away up to 20 Seconds. Finally, tap Got It! to finish configuring this feature. Now, whenever someone presses your doorbell, Alexa will deliver your selected pre-recorded message, and the visitor can leave a message in response.
How to Set up Motion Warnings
If you've ever had a package stolen or know someone who has, Motion Alerts is another feature you'll appreciate. When Motion Alerts detects motion, the feature announces, "Warning! You are being monitored and recorded by Ring."
This audible alert is designed to make porch pirates and other would-be intruders think twice before they misbehave. The best part of this feature is that you can set custom motion zones in the Ring app to only monitor specific areas. That way you don't have to worry about false alarms.
To set up Motion Warnings, open the Ring app, and navigate to your device dashboard. From there, you should see a Motion Message toggle. Slide the toggle to the right until it turns blue. Congratulations, Motion Warnings is now active. If you'd like to customize this feature, tap on the Motion Settings tile and follow the prompts to set custom motion zones.
Enjoy Your New Door Answering Service From Amazon and Ring
The three new Smart Responses from Amazon and Ring are a fantastic way to add some extra security to your home.
They are easy to set up and keep you informed about what is happening at your front door. If you haven't explored this upgraded feature set, then you should certainly check it out.
And the Ring doorbells offer great functionality even when paired with a non-Amazon smart speaker like the Google Home lineup.