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Most people install a doorbell camera like Ring, Nest, or Arlo to check who is at the front door without having to get off the couch or even be at home, to catch package and mail drops, or to deter porch pirates. But did you know these gadgets can now do much more? Beneath the basic motion alert system is a surprisingly robust ecosystem of secondary apps and hidden software tricks that can transform your doorbell into a home command center.
Linking your doorbell camera to some clever apps allows it to help with tasks like managing your landscaping, identifying wildlife visiting your property, and programming Alexa to turn on lights or music when someone rings. We spoke to several experts to share some of the lesser-known functions that will make you look at your video doorbell in an entirely new way.
1. Manage your yard.
With the push of a button, your doorbell camera can help keep your lawn and garden pristine. LawnWatch by AllScout uses AI-powered alerts to identify pet waste, trespassing pets, yard debris, trash, toys, and other outdoor eyesores in real-time so you can address them as soon as possible. This is especially important if you have a homeowners association (HOA) committee in your neighborhood tracking how your yard looks.
Additionally, Greenlapse transforms your video doorbell into a garden companion to take daily photos of your outdoor space. You can watch months of growth in just a few seconds using the timelapse option, which can help you catch problems before they spread. It also has a plant identification feature so you can best manage your landscape, not to mention the personalized care tips this tool provides based on what your camera sees going on in your yard.
2. Link to a broader security ecosystem.
Laura Finson, director of product and strategy at Brinks Home in Topeka, Kansas, shares how a camera can be integrated easily into a home’s overall security system to keep you as safe as possible. “Rather than a door lock here and a camera there, smart security is increasingly part of a cohesive network, combining sensors, alerts, and automation like lights and alarms, with oversight from anywhere,” says Finson. Advancements include recognizing familiar faces and vehicles to cut down on unnecessary alerts for people and cars that the system already knows and AI-powered presence sensing that can determine whether someone is home or not so it automatically sets the alarm, reduces the temperature inside the house, and triggers other automations.
“The tradeoff is that more integrations mean more points of failure, and interoperability across devices and providers is something homeowners should evaluate carefully rather than assume,” warns Finson. She recommends homeowners think about the entire security ecosystem, not just the device on the front door. “Confirm the system has a 24-hour backup battery in the main control panel; consider dual-path communication using both Wi-Fi and cellular so the system stays connected even if broadband is interrupted; and choose a system built for resilience to failures, network, power, or obsolescence, rather than one that just works under ideal conditions,” Finson advises.
3. Integrate the doorbell with the thermostat.
The Honeywell Home X8S smart thermostat features a video doorbell integration so that users can view live video streams from compatible First Alert or Ring doorbells directly on the thermostat’s 5-inch touchscreen. It also supports 2-way talk from the thermostat to speak to visitors at the door, and brings comfort and security together in one convenient touchpoint, says Paige Allbright on behalf of Resideo. “This can be especially useful when a homeowner is cooking, working, or simply doesn’t have their phone nearby when someone arrives at the door,” she notes. Just keep in mind that these products are sold separately.
4. Set a motion zone to reduce false alarms.
One of the biggest features that people don’t know about when it comes to doorbell cameras is that you can actually set a motion zone, says Tanner Fischbeck, a home technology designer and consultant at Automated Environments in Phoenix, Arizona. “A motion zone lets you ignore areas of the camera so you only get alerts when something moves within that zone, which helps reduce false alarms for things like trees, sidewalks, and streets with constant motion,” says Fischbeck. Unnecessary alerts can be a frustrating part of doorbell cameras, and using a motion zone significantly reduces them.
Furthermore, if a motion zone is still picking up too much motion, homeowners can adjust its sensitivity manually to their preferences. “The Ring app takes motion zone functionality a step further because it can provide a short description of what the doorbell camera sees when the motion zone is triggered right from your lock screen,” says Fischbeck. “Doorbell cameras work best when you aren’t constantly going into the app to confirm whether every notification is worth monitoring, which is why this functionality helps ensure you check your Ring camera only when you need to.”
5. Trigger Alexa to perform actions.
If you rely on using a tool like Alexa or Amazon Echo to control gadgets in your home, then connecting it to your doorbell camera can make the experience even better. Program your doorbell to trigger automations such as turning on lights and playing music to look like someone is home—just like in the movie Home Alone (minus the smart technology).
6. Track and identify wildlife.
Whether you are a wildlife lover or want to keep pesky animals off your property, there are apps for that, too. WhatsThatBird.AI detects and identifies birds using Ring camera motion detection. It can recognize more than 525 species of birds with annotated screenshots and activity analytics. The app will even compile a list so you can track every bird you have spotted. Birds must be close enough to trigger the motion detector, however. Additionally, YardWild turns your video doorbell into a wildlife observation system by using AI vision to capture sightings and identify different species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The tool also provides a timeline of every animal sighting, along with activity stats and patterns.
On the other hand, if you are trying to keep wild animals out of your yard, you might want to set up Wildlife Alert. This tool uses advanced AI technology to identify wildlife on your doorbell camera and protect your family and property from coyotes, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, skunks, and raccoons. This is perfect for pet owners in coyote-prone areas, rural homeowners with livestock, and families in mountain lion or bear territory.
7. Track wildfires threatening your community.
With Ring’s new Search Party feature, your doorbell can help warn you of wildfires threatening your community. If a wildfire is approaching, your camera will use AI to spot signs of fire. If found, the camera will send an alert so you can then choose how to respond, such as sharing relevant images or videos with first responders, HOA leadership, or your neighbors. Keep in mind that this technology is not perfect; your camera might make mistakes and detect a fire when there isn’t one or miss an actual fire approaching. Always follow official emergency guidance from local authorities.
