Home Assistant Ring: The Complete Guide to Integrating Ring with HA

Token Expiration Warning

Ring tokens expire periodically, and Amazon has been shortening the expiration window. When it happens, you'll see "Authentication failed" errors in your logs. Just re-authenticate through the integration page. The ring-mqtt add-on handles token refresh more reliably.

What ring-mqtt Adds Over the Official Integration

Installing ring-mqtt

Video Doorbells

Security Cameras

Ring Alarm System

1. Smart Doorbell Notification with Camera Snapshot

When someone presses the doorbell, grab a snapshot and send it as a push notification with an actionable button to unlock the door (if you have a smart lock).

automation:
  - alias: "Ring Doorbell Press with Snapshot"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.front_door_ding
        to: "on"
    action:
      - service: camera.snapshot
        target:
          entity_id: camera.front_door
        data:
          filename: /config/www/ring_snapshot.jpg
      - service: notify.mobile_app_your_phone
        data:
          title: "Someone at the door"
          message: "Doorbell pressed at { now().strftime('%H:%M') }"
          data:
            image: /local/ring_snapshot.jpg
            actions:
              - action: UNLOCK_FRONT
                title: "Unlock Door"

2. Auto-Arm Ring Alarm When Everyone Leaves

Use Home Assistant's person tracking to automatically arm Ring Alarm in away mode when the last person leaves, and disarm when someone comes home.

automation:
  - alias: "Arm Ring When Everyone Leaves"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: zone.home
        to: "0"
        for:
          minutes: 5
    action:
      - service: alarm_control_panel.alarm_arm_away
        target:
          entity_id: alarm_control_panel.ring_alarm

  - alias: "Disarm Ring When Someone Arrives"
    trigger:
      - platform: zone
        entity_id: person.your_name
        zone: zone.home
        event: enter
    action:
      - service: alarm_control_panel.alarm_disarm
        target:
          entity_id: alarm_control_panel.ring_alarm
        data:
          code: "1234"

3. Turn On Porch Lights on Doorbell Motion at Night

When Ring detects motion after dark, light up the porch using your smart lights. Way more welcoming than a security spotlight blasting someone in the face.

automation:
  - alias: "Porch Lights on Ring Motion at Night"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.front_door_motion
        to: "on"
    condition:
      - condition: sun
        after: sunset
        after_offset: "-00:30:00"
    action:
      - service: light.turn_on
        target:
          entity_id: light.porch
        data:
          brightness_pct: 100
      - delay:
          minutes: 5
      - service: light.turn_on
        target:
          entity_id: light.porch
        data:
          brightness_pct: 20

4. Package Delivery Alert (Motion + No Doorbell)

Delivery drivers often don't ring the bell. This catches motion at the front door without a doorbell press during delivery hours, so you know your package arrived.

automation:
  - alias: "Package Delivery Alert"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.front_door_motion
        to: "on"
    condition:
      - condition: time
        after: "08:00:00"
        before: "20:00:00"
      - condition: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.front_door_ding
        state: "off"
      - condition: state
        entity_id: person.your_name
        state: "not_home"
    action:
      - delay:
          seconds: 3
      - service: camera.snapshot
        target:
          entity_id: camera.front_door
        data:
          filename: /config/www/delivery_snapshot.jpg
      - service: notify.mobile_app_your_phone
        data:
          title: "Possible delivery"
          message: "Motion at front door (no doorbell press)"
          data:
            image: /local/delivery_snapshot.jpg

5. Ring Alarm Triggered: Full House Response

When Ring Alarm triggers, light up every room, send an urgent notification with the zone that tripped, and start recording snapshots from all cameras.

automation:
  - alias: "Ring Alarm Triggered Response"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: alarm_control_panel.ring_alarm
        to: "triggered"
    action:
      - service: light.turn_on
        target:
          entity_id: all
        data:
          brightness_pct: 100
      - service: notify.mobile_app_your_phone
        data:
          title: "🚨 ALARM TRIGGERED"
          message: "Ring Alarm triggered at { now().strftime('%H:%M') }"
          data:
            push:
              sound:
                name: default
                critical: 1
                volume: 1.0
      - repeat:
          count: 6
          sequence:
            - service: camera.snapshot
              target:
                entity_id: camera.front_door
              data:
                filename: "/config/www/alarm_{ now().strftime('%H%M%S') }}.jpg"
            - delay:
                seconds: 10

Camera Replacements

Alarm Alternatives

The Migration Path Most People Follow

Phase 1: Add Ring to HA via ring-mqtt (instant value, no hardware changes). Phase 2: Replace Ring cameras with Reolink/Amcrest + Frigate (local recording, AI detection). Phase 3: Optionally replace Ring Alarm with Alarmo + Zigbee sensors (fully local). Most people stop at Phase 2 because Ring Alarm with ring-mqtt works well enough.