This guide walks you through how to add spouse to Ring Doorbell so both of you can receive alerts, view live feeds, and manage settings. No technical skills needed—just follow our simple steps using the Ring app.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite your spouse: The process is done entirely through the mobile app, not the device itself.
- Your spouse needs a Ring account: They must have their own Ring account (free) to accept the invitation.
- Shared access includes live view and alerts: Once added, your spouse can see motion alerts, answer the doorbell, and review recordings.
- You control permissions: As the owner, you can remove access or adjust settings anytime.
- Works with all Ring doorbell models: This method applies to Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2, 3, 4, Pro, and Battery models.
- No extra cost for sharing: Adding users doesn’t require a paid Ring Protect plan unless you want cloud recordings.
- Troubleshooting tips included: Fix common issues like invitation not received or login problems.
How to Add Spouse to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell, and now you want your spouse to get in on the action. Maybe they’re often home when you’re at work, or you just want peace of mind knowing someone else can see who’s at the door. Whatever the reason, sharing access to your Ring Doorbell is easy—and completely free.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add spouse to Ring Doorbell using the Ring mobile app. Whether you have a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell 2, 3, 4, Pro, or even a battery-powered model, the process is the same. You’ll learn how to send an invitation, what permissions your spouse will have, and how to troubleshoot if things don’t go smoothly.
By the end of this article, you and your spouse will both be able to receive motion alerts, answer the doorbell remotely, view live video, and review past recordings—all from your own phones.
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add Spouse to Ring Doorbell
Image source: storables.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why sharing access is a smart move.
First, it increases security. If you’re at work and your spouse is home, they can see who’s approaching the house and respond accordingly. Even if they’re not home, they can still check in during the day and alert you if something seems off.
Second, it improves convenience. No more missed packages or surprise visitors. With shared access, either of you can talk to delivery drivers, neighbors, or family members through the two-way audio feature.
Third, it strengthens household coordination. You can both stay in the loop about who’s coming and going, which is especially helpful for families with kids, elderly parents, or frequent guests.
And best of all? It’s free. You don’t need a Ring Protect subscription to share access—though that plan does unlock cloud video recording, which we’ll touch on later.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin the process of adding your spouse, make sure you have the following:
- A working Ring Doorbell installed and connected to your Wi-Fi.
- The Ring app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
- Your spouse’s email address—this is how you’ll send the invitation.
- Your spouse’s own Ring account—they’ll need to sign up for a free account if they don’t already have one.
- A stable internet connection on your phone during setup.
If your spouse doesn’t have a Ring account yet, don’t worry—we’ll cover how they can create one in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Open the Ring App on Your Phone
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the doorbell—this is usually the account used during the initial setup.
Once the app opens, you’ll see the home screen with a list of your devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to share access to. This will take you to the device dashboard, where you can view live video, check battery status, and adjust settings.
Tip: Ensure Your App Is Updated
Before proceeding, check that your Ring app is up to date. Outdated versions can cause glitches during the sharing process. Go to your phone’s app store (Google Play or Apple App Store), search for “Ring,” and update if needed.
Step 2: Navigate to the Device Settings
From the device dashboard, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. Tap it to open the device settings menu.
Scroll down until you find the option labeled “Shared Users” or “People” (the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your app version). Tap on it.
This section allows you to manage who has access to your doorbell. You’ll see a list of current users (if any) and an option to add a new person.
Step 3: Send an Invitation to Your Spouse
Tap the “Add Person” or “Invite User” button. A form will appear asking for your spouse’s email address.
Enter your spouse’s email address carefully—double-check for typos. This is the email they’ll use to log into their Ring account, so it must be accurate.
After entering the email, tap “Send Invitation.” The app will confirm that the invitation has been sent.
What Happens Next?
Your spouse will receive an email from Ring with a link to accept the invitation. The email will look something like this:
“[Your Name] has invited you to share access to their Ring Video Doorbell. Click here to accept.”
They’ll need to click the link and follow the instructions to complete the process.
Step 4: Your Spouse Creates or Logs Into Their Ring Account
When your spouse clicks the invitation link, they’ll be taken to the Ring website or prompted to open the Ring app.
If they already have a Ring account, they can simply log in with their email and password.
If they don’t have an account, they’ll need to create one. Here’s how:
Creating a New Ring Account
- Tap “Sign Up” on the login screen.
- Enter their email address, create a password, and provide their name.
- Agree to the terms of service and privacy policy.
- Verify their email address by clicking the confirmation link sent to their inbox.
Once the account is set up, they’ll be redirected back to the invitation screen.
Accepting the Invitation
After logging in or creating an account, your spouse will see a prompt asking if they want to accept access to your doorbell. They should tap “Accept.”
That’s it! They now have shared access to your Ring Doorbell.
Step 5: Confirm Access in the Ring App
Once your spouse accepts the invitation, you’ll both see the doorbell appear in your respective Ring apps.
On your end, go back to the “Shared Users” section in the device settings. You should now see your spouse’s name and email listed as an active user.
On their end, when they open the Ring app, the shared doorbell will appear under “Shared Devices” or directly on their home screen, depending on their app version.
Test the Connection
To make sure everything is working, have your spouse:
- Open the Ring app and tap on the shared doorbell.
- View the live video feed.
- Try using the two-way talk feature (if available).
- Check if motion alerts appear on their phone.
If all of these work, the setup is complete!
What Can Your Spouse Do with Shared Access?
Now that your spouse has access, here’s what they can (and can’t) do:
What They Can Do:
- View live video from the doorbell at any time.
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts on their phone.
- Answer the doorbell using two-way audio.
- Review past events if you have a Ring Protect plan (more on that below).
- Adjust motion zones and sensitivity (if you allow it).
- Turn alerts on or off for their own notifications.
What They Cannot Do:
- Remove the device from your account.
- Delete recordings (unless you grant full admin access, which isn’t recommended).
- Change Wi-Fi settings or factory reset the device.
- Invite other users unless you give them permission.
As the device owner, you retain full control. You can revoke access or adjust permissions anytime.
Managing Shared Users: How to Remove or Adjust Access
If you ever need to remove your spouse’s access—or adjust what they can do—here’s how:
To Remove Access:
- Open the Ring app and go to the device settings.
- Tap “Shared Users” or “People.”
- Find your spouse’s name and tap the “Remove” or “X” button next to it.
- Confirm the removal.
Once removed, they’ll no longer receive alerts or be able to view the doorbell.
To Adjust Permissions:
Currently, Ring doesn’t offer granular permission settings (like “view only” vs. “full access”). Shared users have the same basic access level. However, you can control whether they receive notifications by having them adjust their own alert settings in the app.
Do You Need a Ring Protect Plan to Share Access?
Short answer: No.
You do not need a Ring Protect subscription to share access to your doorbell. The invitation and sharing features are free.
However, if you want to save and review video recordings, you’ll need a Ring Protect plan. Without it, you can only view live video and receive alerts—past events are not stored.
Ring Protect Plans at a Glance:
- Ring Protect Basic ($3.99/month or $39.99/year): Covers one device. Includes video recording, snapshot capture, and 180 days of cloud storage.
- Ring Protect Plus ($19.99/month or $199.99/year): Covers all Ring devices at one location. Includes extended warranties and 180-day storage.
If you and your spouse want to review who came to the door last Tuesday, a Protect plan is worth considering.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Problem: Spouse Didn’t Receive the Invitation Email
Solution:
Check the spam or junk folder in their email. If it’s not there, resend the invitation from the Ring app. Make sure you entered the correct email address.
Problem: Invitation Link Doesn’t Work
Solution:
Links can expire after 24–48 hours. Resend the invitation and have your spouse try again immediately. Also, ensure they’re using the same email address you sent it to.
Problem: Spouse Can’t Log Into Their Ring Account
Solution:
Have them reset their password using the “Forgot Password” link. If they never created an account, they’ll need to sign up first.
Problem: Doorbell Doesn’t Appear in Spouse’s App
Solution:
Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app. If that doesn’t work, have them log out and log back in. Sometimes a quick app restart fixes sync issues.
Problem: Alerts Aren’t Coming Through
Solution:
Check that notifications are enabled in the Ring app and in their phone’s settings. Also, ensure motion and doorbell alerts are turned on in the device settings.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
To make sharing your Ring Doorbell as seamless as possible, keep these tips in mind:
- Use the same Wi-Fi network during setup: It’s not required, but it can help avoid connection hiccups.
- Keep both apps updated: Regular updates fix bugs and improve performance.
- Set up custom motion zones: This reduces false alerts and ensures both of you only get notified about important activity.
- Agree on alert preferences: Decide together whether you want alerts for all motion or just doorbell rings.
- Test the two-way talk: Make sure the audio is clear and loud enough for both of you.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Sharing access to your doorbell means sharing a live view of your home’s entrance. While Ring takes privacy seriously, it’s important to trust the person you’re sharing with.
Here are a few security tips:
- Only share with trusted individuals: This should go without saying, but only invite people you fully trust.
- Use strong passwords: Encourage your spouse to use a unique, strong password for their Ring account.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Both of you should turn on 2FA in the Ring app for extra security.
- Monitor shared users: Periodically check the “Shared Users” list to ensure no one unauthorized has access.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Shared Peace of Mind
Adding your spouse to your Ring Doorbell is a simple process that brings big benefits. From increased security to better coordination, shared access makes life easier for both of you.
By following the steps in this guide, you’ve ensured that your spouse can stay connected to your home, even when they’re not there. And with full control over permissions, you can adjust or remove access anytime.
So go ahead—send that invitation, test the connection, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re both watching over your home.