Adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell is simple and secure with the Ring app. This guide walks you through inviting users, managing permissions, and resolving setup issues so everyone stays connected.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite users: Only the owner can send invitations via the app’s “Shared Users” menu.
- Shared users get live view and motion alerts: They can answer the doorbell and view recordings based on permissions.
- Each person needs their own Ring account: Invitees must sign up or log in to accept the invitation.
- Manage permissions carefully: Choose whether shared users can view live video, receive alerts, or access recordings.
- Remove access anytime: Owners can revoke shared access instantly from the app if needed.
- Troubleshoot failed invites: Check email accuracy, internet connection, and app updates if invitations don’t arrive.
- Works with all Ring Doorbells: Compatible with Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Elite, and Battery models.
How to Add a Second Person to Ring Doorbell
If you’ve recently installed a Ring Doorbell or have been using one for a while, you might be wondering how to let family members, roommates, or trusted neighbors join in on the action. Whether it’s your partner who’s often home during the day, a teenager coming home from school, or a neighbor who watches your house while you’re away, sharing access to your Ring Doorbell ensures everyone stays informed and secure.
The good news? Adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell is quick, easy, and completely free. You don’t need extra hardware, subscriptions, or technical know-how. All it takes is a few taps in the Ring app, and your trusted contact will be able to see who’s at the door, receive motion alerts, and even speak through the doorbell if needed.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell—from sending the invitation to managing permissions and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), Ring Doorbell Pro, Ring Doorbell Elite, or the battery-powered model, the process is nearly identical. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to share access safely and effectively.
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add a Second Person to Ring Doorbell
Image source: en-uk.ring.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to add a second person in the first place. Security isn’t just about having a camera—it’s about making sure the right people can respond when something happens.
Imagine this: You’re at work, and your Ring Doorbell detects motion at your front door. You get an alert, but you can’t answer because you’re in a meeting. Meanwhile, your spouse is home and could easily check who’s there—if they had access. By adding them as a shared user, they’ll receive the same alerts and can view the live feed instantly.
Or maybe you’re traveling, and a package is delivered. Your neighbor offers to keep an eye on your home. With shared access, they can see when the delivery arrives and even communicate with the courier if needed.
Sharing access also helps in emergencies. If someone rings the doorbell unexpectedly—like a family member who forgot their key—any shared user can answer and let them in without you having to rush home.
Bottom line: Adding a second person increases responsiveness, improves home security, and gives peace of mind—all without compromising control.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin the process of adding a second person, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be properly set up, connected to Wi-Fi, and functioning normally.
- The Ring app installed on your smartphone: Available for both iOS and Android. Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
- Your Ring account login details: You must be logged in as the device owner to send invitations.
- The email address of the person you want to add: This must be the email they use for their Ring account (or the one they’ll create).
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and the Ring Doorbell should be online.
It’s also helpful if the person you’re adding already has a Ring account. If not, they’ll need to create one when they accept your invitation. We’ll cover that process too.
Step-by-Step: How to Add a Second Person to Ring Doorbell
Now that you’re prepared, let’s walk through the exact steps to add a second person to your Ring Doorbell. The process is straightforward and takes less than five minutes.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by unlocking your smartphone and opening the Ring app. If you don’t have it yet, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Once installed, log in using your Ring account credentials—the same ones you used to set up your doorbell.
Once you’re in, you’ll see the home screen with a live view of your doorbell (if it’s active) and a list of your devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to share access to. This will open the device dashboard.
Step 2: Access the Device Settings
In the device dashboard, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This is the settings menu. Tap on it to open the device settings.
Here, you’ll see various options like Motion Settings, Chime Pro, Device Health, and more. Scroll down until you find the section labeled “Shared Users”. Tap on it.
Step 3: Send an Invitation
Inside the Shared Users menu, you’ll see a button that says “Add Shared User”. Tap on it.
A new screen will appear asking for the email address of the person you want to invite. Enter their email carefully—double-check for typos. This must be the email they use for their Ring account. If they don’t have one yet, they’ll be prompted to create one when they receive the invitation.
After entering the email, tap “Send Invitation”.
That’s it! The invitation has been sent. The person will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation.
Step 4: The Invitee Accepts the Invitation
Now, the second person needs to take action. They’ll receive an email from Ring with the subject line something like “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
When they open the email, they’ll see a button that says “Accept Invitation”. They should tap or click on it.
This will redirect them to the Ring website or open the Ring app (if installed). If they don’t have a Ring account, they’ll be prompted to create one using the same email address. The sign-up process is quick—just enter a password, verify their email, and agree to the terms.
Once their account is set up, they’ll be automatically added as a shared user. They can now open the Ring app, and your doorbell will appear in their device list.
Step 5: Confirm Access and Test
Back in your Ring app, go back to the Shared Users section. You should now see the new user listed. You can tap on their name to view or adjust their permissions.
To test that everything works, ask the new user to open the Ring app and check if they can:
- See your doorbell in their device list
- View the live feed
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts
- Answer the doorbell when someone rings
If all of these work, congratulations—you’ve successfully added a second person to your Ring Doorbell!
Understanding Shared User Permissions
When you add a second person, you’re not giving them full control—just specific access based on permissions. It’s important to understand what they can and can’t do.
By default, shared users can:
- View live video: They can open the app and see who’s at the door in real time.
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts: They’ll get push notifications when motion is detected or someone rings the bell.
- Answer the doorbell: They can speak through the doorbell using the two-way audio feature.
- View event history: They can scroll through past motion and ring events, but only if you’ve enabled recording (requires a Ring Protect Plan).
However, shared users cannot:
- Change device settings (like motion zones or sensitivity)
- Remove the device or delete it from your account
- Invite other users
- Access your Ring Protect subscription details
- View your account information or billing
This means you, as the owner, retain full control. You can adjust permissions or remove access at any time.
How to Adjust Permissions
If you want to limit what a shared user can do, you can adjust their permissions:
- Go to the Ring app and open your doorbell’s settings.
- Tap on “Shared Users.”
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Toggle permissions on or off:
- Live View
- Motion Alerts
- Doorbell Press Alerts
- Event History
- Tap “Save” when done.
For example, if you don’t want your teenager to view live video when they’re home alone, you can disable Live View but keep alerts on.
Managing Multiple Shared Users
You’re not limited to just one shared user. You can add as many people as you trust—family members, roommates, babysitters, or even your parents who live nearby.
Each person will receive their own invitation and must accept it using their own Ring account. Once added, you can manage all users from the Shared Users menu.
To remove a user:
- Go to “Shared Users” in your doorbell settings.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Tap “Remove User.”
- Confirm the action.
The user will immediately lose access. They won’t be able to view the live feed, receive alerts, or answer the doorbell.
Pro Tip: If you’re removing access temporarily (like for a babysitter), consider just disabling their permissions instead of removing them entirely. That way, you can re-enable access quickly later.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a simple process, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Issue 1: The Invitation Email Isn’t Received
If the person you invited says they didn’t get the email, try these steps:
- Check the spam/junk folder: Sometimes Ring emails get filtered.
- Verify the email address: Make sure you typed it correctly. A single typo will prevent delivery.
- Resend the invitation: Go back to Shared Users and tap “Resend Invitation.”
- Ask them to check their email settings: Some email providers block automated messages.
If all else fails, try inviting them using a different email address (like a Gmail instead of a work email).
Issue 2: The Invitation Link Doesn’t Work
Sometimes the link in the email expires or doesn’t open properly.
- Ask the user to copy and paste the link into a browser: Instead of clicking it in the email.
- Make sure they’re using the correct email: The invitation is tied to the email you sent it to.
- Resend the invitation: Expired links can’t be reused.
Issue 3: The Shared User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the person accepted the invitation but the doorbell doesn’t appear in their app:
- Ask them to log out and back in: Sometimes the app needs a refresh.
- Check their device list: Make sure they’re looking under “Shared Devices,” not “My Devices.”
- Ensure the doorbell is online: If your doorbell is offline, shared users won’t see it.
- Update the Ring app: Outdated apps can cause sync issues.
Issue 4: Alerts Aren’t Coming Through
If the shared user isn’t receiving motion or doorbell alerts:
- Check notification settings in the app: Go to More > Settings > Alerts > [User Name] and make sure alerts are enabled.
- Check phone notification settings: On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Ring. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Ring > Notifications.
- Ensure the user hasn’t muted the device: In the app, tap the bell icon next to the device to unmute.
Issue 5: Live View Isn’t Working
If the shared user can’t see the live feed:
- Check internet connection: Both your doorbell and their phone need a stable connection.
- Verify Live View permission: Go to Shared Users and make sure “Live View” is enabled for that user.
- Restart the app: Close and reopen the Ring app on their phone.
- Reboot the doorbell: Press and hold the setup button for 10 seconds to restart it.
Best Practices for Sharing Access
To keep your home secure and avoid confusion, follow these best practices when adding a second person:
- Only invite people you trust: Shared users can see who comes to your door—don’t give access to strangers.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Encourage shared users to use secure passwords for their Ring accounts.
- Review access regularly: If someone moves out or no longer needs access, remove them promptly.
- Communicate expectations: Let shared users know when it’s appropriate to answer the doorbell or respond to alerts.
- Keep your app updated: Regular updates fix bugs and improve security.
Does This Work with All Ring Doorbells?
Yes! The shared user feature works with all current Ring Doorbell models, including:
- Ring Video Doorbell (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen)
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
- Ring Video Doorbell Elite
- Ring Video Doorbell Wired
- Ring Video Doorbell Battery
It also works with Ring security cameras, so you can share access to multiple devices if needed.
Do You Need a Ring Protect Plan?
Adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell does not require a Ring Protect subscription. The shared user feature is free and available to all Ring users.
However, if you want shared users to view recorded videos (not just live feeds), you’ll need a Ring Protect Plan. Without it, they can only see live video and event thumbnails—not full recordings.
With a Ring Protect Plan (Basic or Plus), shared users can:
- View saved recordings
- Download or share clips
- Access event history beyond 60 days (depending on plan)
So while the subscription isn’t required to add a user, it enhances their experience.
Conclusion
Adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell is one of the smartest things you can do to improve your home’s security and convenience. Whether it’s your spouse, a trusted neighbor, or a family member, sharing access ensures that someone is always available to respond when your doorbell rings or motion is detected.
The process is simple: open the Ring app, go to Shared Users, send an invitation, and let the other person accept it. From there, you can manage permissions, monitor activity, and remove access anytime.
With the tips and troubleshooting advice in this guide, you’ll be able to set up shared access quickly and confidently. And remember—security is stronger when it’s shared.
So go ahead, invite that second person, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is always being watched.