Create automation rules for Alarm.com Chimes

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Alarm.com video customers can use the New Rules Builder on their Alarm.com Chimes for greater customization and awareness. Accounts with multiple video doorbells can create rules for each device to play unique chime tones. Additionally, it is possible to create time-bound chime rules, like silencing your Smart Chime every day during a child's nap time.

Compatibility requirements

An Alarm.com Chime.

Note: The Alarm.com Smart Chime (ADC-W115C) needs to be on firmware version 2.0.7+ to create automation rules.
One of the following compatible doorbell cameras:
- SkyBell Doorbell Camera (ADC-VDB101/102/105/106/105x/106x)
- ADC-VDB750
- ADC-VDB755P
- ADC-VDB770
- ADC-VDB780B
- ADC-VDB775
Doorbell camera button press notifications must be enabled.

Feature details

Customers can select unique chimes and time-bound rules for different doorbells on the same account, allowing residents to easily identify which door has a visitor.
Users can control their chime tone and volume based on the time of day (e.g., creating quiet times to limit disruptions).

Create chime automation rules

Automation rules for Alarm.com Chimes can be configured using the Alarm.com customer website and Alarm.com app.

To create a chime automation rule using the Alarm.com app:

Log in to the Alarm.com app.
Tap .
Tap Automation.
Tap .
Tap New Rule.
Tap When to select devices to trigger the rule.
Tap to select Doorbell.
Tap to select the desired doorbells and Button Pressed for the Status, then tap Done.
Tap Then to select devices to be triggered.
Tap to select Smart Chime.
Tap to select the desired chimes and action (i.e., Volume and Ringtone), then tap Done.
In Type Rule Name Here, enter a name for the rule.
If desired, configure when the rule will run:
1. Tap Run at All Times to edit when the rule will run.
2. Select one of the following options:
  - At All Times for the rule will be carried out any time of day.
  - Only during the following times to determine the specific days and times the rule will be carried out.
    1. Tap to select the days of the week the rule will be active.
    2. Using the Starting at dropdown menu, select the start time for this rule.
    3. Using the Ending at dropdown menu, select the end time for this rule.
3. Tap Done.
Verify the rule is configured with the desired settings.
Tap Save.

Note: When saving a rule for an Alarm.com Chime, allow a few minutes for the chime tune to change. A pop-up appears: [Rule name] is saved. It may take a few minutes to update the configuration of the Alarm.com Chime.

To create a chime automation rule using the Alarm.com customer website:

Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
Click Automation.
Click Add New Rule.
Click New Rules Builder.
Click When to select devices to trigger the rule.
Tap to select Doorbell.
Tap to select the desired doorbells and Button Pressed for the Status, then tap Done.
Tap Then to select devices to be triggered.
Tap to select Smart Chime.
Tap to select the desired chimes and action (i.e., Volume and Ringtone), then click Done.
In Type Rule Name Here, enter a name for the rule.
If desired, configure when the rule will run:
1. Click Run at All Times to edit when the rule will run.
2. Select one of the following options:
  - Click to select At All Times for the rule will be carried out any time of day.
  - Click to select Only during the following times to determine the specific days and times the rule will be carried out.
    1. Click to select the days of the week the rule will be active.
    2. Using the Starting at dropdown menu, select the start time for this rule.
    3. Using the Ending at dropdown menu, select the end time for this rule.
3. Click Done.
Verify the rule is configured with the desired settings.
Click Save.

Configure an Alarm.com Chime to work with multiple doorbells or Chimes

For systems with multiple doorbells:

If the user wants a unique Chime sound for each doorbell, each doorbell should have its own Chime automation rule created for the Chime with different tones.

For systems with multiple chimes:

If the user wants Chimes to be triggered by only one doorbell each, lower the default tone volume to 0% and only making one automation rule for that doorbell is the preferred way to configure this setup.

Default tone

The default tone setting for an Alarm.com Chime is configured during installation of the Chime. By default, any doorbell already on the account (or added at a later date) will play the default tone for the Chime upon a doorbell button-press, unless the default tone volume is lowered to 0%. It is possible to configure the default tone and volume for each Chime as desired. For the steps to configure the default tone, see Adjust the chime sound and volume.

If a Chime automation rule is configured for a doorbell, that rule will control the tone for button-press events from that doorbell instead of using the default tone.

Frequently asked questions

How do I silence the chime outside of my recording rules?

Customers can silence the chime by setting the default tone volume to zero.

To change the default tone:

Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
Click Settings.
Click Manage Devices.
Click to select the desired chime.
Click Device Settings.
- Chime rules can also be created from this page by clicking Chime Rules.
Click Default Tone.
Use the Chime Volume slider to put the volume to the lowest sound.
Click Save.

Can a doorbell have multiple rules?

Yes. A single doorbell can have multiple rules at a time.

Can a single rule apply to multiple doorbells?

Yes. Users can apply a rule to multiple doorbells at a time.

Can I create rules on multiple chimes?

Yes, a user can select multiple chimes of the same model to ring for a single doorbell button press rule.

Example: Multiple W115Cs can be selected to ring for a single rule, but it is not possible to have a W115C and a different type of chime on the same rule.

When creating a new rule using the "New Rules Builder," users can select multiple chimes. However, after saving and completing the unified flow, the devices will be separated, and a unique rule will be generated for each chime model selected. To view the rules saved for each chime device, visit the Device Settings.