December 01, 2025

Notify when traditional doorbell rings

If you don’t want a smart doorbell, but still want a notification when someone rings the doorbell, then this is for you. It comes in handy when you are outside in the backyard and can’t hear the chime. It requires a little bit of extra work to set up but works like a charm.

Use cases

Awareness

Backyard Notification - Know when someone's at the door even when outside
Large House - Don't miss doorbell in distant rooms
Hearing Impaired - Visual/vibration notification alternative

Away Notifications

Package Delivery - Know when delivery person arrives
Visitor Log - Track when doorbell is pressed

Products needed

Essential Equipment

Regular "Dumb" Doorbell

Your existing wired doorbell with transformer

Dry Contact Sensor with External Wires

Options:
• Aqara Door/Window Sensor (has external wire terminals)
• Ecolink Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor
• Any contact sensor with external input terminals

🔧 How It Works

The contact sensor is wired in parallel with your doorbell chime. When someone presses the doorbell button, the sensor detects the circuit change and triggers your automation. The existing doorbell continues to work normally.

Video Tutorial: This one is best explained if you watch a video on how to do it. There are several available online. Here is one that I like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IsiWG-BOTs

Basic automation setup

IF contact sensor changes state (open or closed) THEN send notification to phone "Someone is at the front door"

Hardware Setup (Summary)

Turn off power to doorbell transformer
Connect sensor wires to doorbell chime terminals
Restore power
Test: Press doorbell button, sensor should change state

Triggers

Contact changes to open or closed (depending on how you set it up)
Some setups trigger on open, some on closed - test yours

Conditions

None - always notify on doorbell press

Actions

Send notification to phone: "Someone is at the front door"
Optional: Flash lights
Optional: Play chime on smart speaker

Platform-specific examples

Home Assistant

Trigger binary_sensor.doorbell_sensor changes to "on"

Action notify.mobile_app with "Someone at the door"

Optional: Add media_player.play_media for chime sound

SmartThings

IF Contact opens

THEN Send push notification

Optional: Add smart speaker chime action

Hubitat

Trigger Contact sensor opens/closes

Action Send push notification via Hubitat app

Setup: Use Rule Machine or Notification rule

Apple HomeKit

When Sensor opens

Do Send notification

Note: May need Home app or third-party for notifications

Alexa

When Sensor detects

Action Send notification, announce on Echo devices

Google Home

When Sensor trigger via compatible integration

Action Send notification or announce

Advanced features

Multi-location notification

Different notifications for different situations:

At Home:

Flash lights in current room
Play chime on nearby speaker
Send standard notification

Away:

High-priority push notification
Start camera recording (if available)
Activate porch light

Time-based behavior

Adjust response based on time:

Daytime:

Standard notification
Normal chime

Evening (after 8 PM):

Quieter chime volume
Still send notification

Nighttime (10 PM - 7 AM):

Silent chime (or very quiet)
Notification only
Perhaps flash bedroom light instead

Visitor detection pattern

Track and identify visitors:

Logging:

Record timestamp of each ring
Track frequency
Identify patterns

Repeat Detection:

If doorbell pressed twice in 2 minutes: “Persistent visitor at door”
Different notification for repeat presses

Integration with cameras

If you have a porch camera:

Trigger on Doorbell:

Send snapshot from camera with notification
Start recording
Keep recording for 2 minutes after last motion

Visual alerts for accessibility

For hearing impaired household members:

Flash Lights:

Flash hallway light 3 times
Pulse smart bulb in living room
Different flash pattern for doorbell vs. other alerts

Smart Display:

Show “Doorbell” on smart display
Pop up notification on tablets
Dashboard tile activation

Troubleshooting

Issue: Sensor doesn’t trigger when doorbell pressed

Causes:

Wiring not connected properly
Wrong terminals on chime
Sensor not detecting voltage change

Solutions: ✅ Verify wiring connections at chime ✅ Test with multimeter during button press ✅ Try different terminals on chime ✅ Ensure sensor is designed for this use (has external wire capability)

Issue: Sensor triggers constantly

Causes:

Wiring picking up interference
Sensor too sensitive
Doorbell transformer voltage issues

Solutions: ✅ Check for loose connections ✅ Add capacitor if sensor supports it ✅ Verify transformer is correct voltage ✅ Shield wiring from interference

Issue: False notifications

Causes:

Electrical noise triggering sensor
Doorbell transformer humming
Other electrical interference

Solutions: ✅ Add debounce delay in automation (ignore triggers within 10 seconds) ✅ Check transformer condition ✅ Add filtering capacitor ✅ Relocate sensor away from interference sources

Issue: Notifications arrive late

Causes:

Cloud processing delay
Network latency
Phone notification settings

Solutions: ✅ Use local processing hub if possible ✅ Check network connectivity ✅ Verify app notification permissions ✅ Disable battery optimization for smart home app

Best practices

Wiring safety

Important:

Turn off power before any wiring work
Doorbell transformers are typically 16-24V AC (low voltage, but still be careful)
If unsure, consult an electrician
Don’t modify the doorbell button or transformer

Recommended Approach:

Work only at the chime unit
Add sensor in parallel (existing doorbell still works)
Secure all connections properly
Test thoroughly before closing up

Debounce logic

Why Needed:

Doorbell button can bounce (multiple quick signals)
Prevents multiple notifications for one press
Cleaner automation behavior

Implementation:

Ignore repeat triggers within 30 seconds
Only notify on first press
Reset after delay

Notification management

Keep Useful:

Include location: “Front doorbell”
Include time if logged
Different tone than other notifications

Avoid Fatigue:

Don’t over-notify
Group repeat presses
Consider quiet hours

Related automations: