How to add Ring Doorbell to Apple HomeKit

Erandika Priyadarshani
The Tech Space
Published in
5 min readJul 29, 2024

Your Ring Doorbell doesn’t work with HomeKit? Want to control it using Apple Home App and Siri voice? I’ve got your back! I tried out some solutions that will that was created to connect incompatible devices to HomeKit. With these methods you can control Apple HomeKit with Ring Doorbell. Let’s get started!

Add ring doorbell to your house
Credits: https://www.addtohomekit.com/

AddtoHomeKit [Recommended Solution]

Addtohomekit is one of the easiest methods to use, it is a desktop solution that allows you to add your smart devices to HomeKit. You can easily control your Ring Doorbell or any other smart device with Apple Home and Siri.

This will allow you to operate or control your Ring Doorbell through the Apple Home App and Siri voice commands. You need to follow a very few simple steps to integrate your Ring Doorbell with Apple HomeKit.

AddtoHomeKit

Alternative solutions to add Ring Doorbell to HomeKit

There are a few alternative options to add Ring Doorbell to HomeKit. Not only Ring Doorbell, but All these methods can also be used to add TP-Link Kasa smart devices and Hive smart devices.

Athom Bridge [Affordable Solution]

When you are searching for a budget-friendly and affordable solution to connect Ring Doorbell to Apple HomeKit, Athom Bridge is a great solution for you! It is a simple device solution that allows you to add your Ring Doorbell to HomeKit, not just Ring Doorbell, of course. It supports a large range of products.

You can integrate any smart device with Apple HomeKit using Athom Bridge. It is specifically compiled and pre-flashed to HomeBridge server, you just have to download the plugins and configure them, and your Ring Doorbell will respond to HomeKit in an instance!

Get Athom Bridge

HOOBS Solution

HOOBS stands for HomeBridge Out of the Box System. It’s a user-friendly software solution designed to bridge the gap between non-HomeKit devices and the Apple HomeKit ecosystem. It is the most popular open-source software available.

Ring HomeKit Integration with HOOBS

Step 01: Setup HomeBridge

  • Prepare Hardware
  • Obtain HOOBS Image
  • Setup Raspberry Pi
  • Access HOOBS Interface
  • Create Administrator Account

Step 02: Pair HOOBS Device to HomeKit

  • Locate QR Code
  • Open Apple Home App
  • Add Accessory

Step 03: Add Ring plugin to HOOBS

  • Access Plugin Installation
  • Search for Ring Plugin
  • Install Plugin

Step 04: Connect Your Ring Account to the Plugin

  • Access Plugin Settings
  • Select Server
  • Configure Ring Plugin
  • Link Account
  • Log in to Ring Account
  • Enter Authentication Code
  • Save Changes

HomeBridge Solution

HomeBridge is a piece of open-source software that acts as a bridge between Ring’s cloud services and the Home Hub, enabling HomeKit to recognize Ring devices as HomeKit accessories. By using the appropriate Ring plugin within HomeBridge, you can seamlessly integrate your Ring smart devices into the HomeKit ecosystem. If you’re a tech-savvy person, this is the best solution for you.

Ring HomeKit Integration with HomeBridge

  1. Download HomeBridge: You can download it for free from homebridge.io.
  2. Install and open HomeBridge: After downloading, install and open the HomeBridge software program.
  3. Install the Ring plugin: In the menu section of the HomeBridge dashboard, click on the “Plugins” option and search for the Ring plugin. Click on the install link to install the plugin.
  4. Configure the plugin: Once installed, configure the Ring plugin by providing it with a unique name and other necessary settings. This configuration screen will be automatically displayed after installation.
  5. Restart HomeBridge: After configuring the plugin, restart HomeBridge to apply the settings. This can be done by clicking the restart button on the top right of the dashboard screen.

Why is Ring Doorbell Incompatible with HomeKit?

Ring doorbells are incompatible with Apple HomeKit primarily due to differences in their technology and ecosystems. Ring, owned by Amazon, operates within its own smart home ecosystem centered around the Ring app and integration with Amazon Alexa for voice control.

Ring doorbells currently do not include these protocols out of the box, which means they cannot directly communicate or interact with the Apple Home app or respond to Siri commands without additional hardware or software bridges.

Ring has introduced the Ring Alarm Pro as a solution for integrating some of its devices with HomeKit. This device acts as a bridge, enabling certain Ring devices to connect with HomeKit via the Home app on iOS devices. However, compatibility is limited to devices that are explicitly supported by the Ring Alarm Pro.

Does Ring Devices Support with Matter?

The company has announced its commitment to Matter support for Ring smart devices in the future. It is likely that upcoming versions of Ring doorbells and Ring alarm systems will include Matter compatibility.

Comparison of the Best Methods to Connect Ring Doorbell to HomeKit

Comparison between those solution

Editor’s Pick

Personally, my pick would be to go with AddtoHomeKit, as Ring Doorbell does not work with HomeKit natively. What I like most about AddtoHomeKit is how low on effort and less time-consuming it is. However, before deciding which option to select, make sure to consider other factors that will affect the decision about your purchase as well!

FAQs

Is a Ring Doorbell easy to install?

  • Compared to other home security and convenience installations, a Ring Doorbell is easy to install. It should take around an hour and requires basic tools. That said, if you’re at all unsure or don’t have the right tools, we recommend hiring a professional to do the job properly.

How long does a Ring battery last?

  • The Ring outdoor camera runs on rechargeable batteries that can last six to twelve months on a single charge. It takes five to ten hours to recharge the battery, so you should have contingent security measures while the camera is out of operation.

Can you use Ring alarm without subscription?

  • Ring Alarm and all Ring Alarm accessories require a subscription for digital notifications, in-app features, digital arming/disarming, and integration with other Ring, Echo, and third-party products.

Does Ring require Wi-Fi?

  • In short, Ring cameras can’t work without Wi-Fi. While some smart devices can function without the Internet, most security cameras require it to work at their best. Therefore, consider installing a stable Wi-Fi connection to ensure the safety of your property.

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