This guide walks you through the simple process of adding another phone to your Ring Doorbell 2, so multiple users can receive alerts and view live footage. Whether you’re sharing access with a partner, roommate, or family member, we’ll show you how to do it safely and efficiently.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple users can access Ring Doorbell 2: You can invite up to 20 people to share access to your Ring device through the app.
- Use the Ring app to send invitations: The process is done entirely within the Ring mobile app—no need for physical access to the doorbell.
- Guests need a Ring account: Anyone you invite must have their own Ring account (free to create) to receive notifications and view video.
- Control user permissions: You can choose whether guests can view live video, receive motion alerts, or access recorded footage.
- Revoke access anytime: If someone no longer needs access, you can remove them instantly from the device settings.
- Works across iOS and Android: The setup process is nearly identical on both iPhone and Android devices.
- Troubleshooting tips included: We cover common issues like invitation errors, login problems, and notification delays.
How to Add Another Phone to Ring Doorbell 2
So you’ve got your Ring Doorbell 2 installed and working perfectly—great job! But now you’re wondering: How can my partner, roommate, or family member also get alerts when someone’s at the door? The good news is, Ring makes it super easy to share access with others. You don’t need to buy another doorbell or set up a second account for the device. Instead, you can invite other people to connect their phones to your Ring Doorbell 2 using the Ring app.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of adding another phone to your Ring Doorbell 2. Whether you’re setting this up for your spouse, a roommate, or a trusted neighbor, we’ll cover every step—from sending the invitation to managing permissions and troubleshooting common problems. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to share your doorbell’s live view, motion alerts, and recorded footage with anyone you choose.
Let’s get started!
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell 2?
Visual guide about How to Add Another Phone to Ring Doorbell 2
Image source: i.pinimg.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to add another phone to your Ring Doorbell 2. There are several practical reasons:
- Family safety: If you have kids who come home from school before you, they can see who’s at the door and alert you if needed.
- Shared living spaces: Roommates or partners can all receive motion alerts and answer the door remotely.
- Pet monitoring: If you’re away and a pet sitter is watching your dog, they can check the doorbell feed to see if someone’s approaching.
- Neighborhood watch: You might want to share access with a trusted neighbor during vacation or while you’re at work.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that more than one person can respond to a visitor or package delivery reduces stress and increases security.
The best part? You remain in full control. You decide who gets access, what they can see, and when to remove them. It’s secure, flexible, and completely free.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin the process of adding another phone, make sure you have the following:
- Your Ring Doorbell 2 installed and connected: The device should already be set up and working with your Ring app.
- The Ring app installed on your phone: Available for free on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- Your Ring account login details: You’ll need to be signed in as the device owner.
- The email address of the person you want to invite: They’ll need this to accept the invitation and create or log into their Ring account.
- A stable Wi-Fi connection: Both your phone and the doorbell should be connected to the internet.
Once you’ve confirmed these items, you’re ready to proceed.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Another Phone to Ring Doorbell 2
Now for the main event—adding another phone to your Ring Doorbell 2. The process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone. Make sure you’re logged in with the account that owns the Ring Doorbell 2. If you’re not already signed in, tap “Sign In” and enter your email and password.
Once you’re in, you’ll see the home screen with a list of your Ring devices. Look for your Ring Doorbell 2—it should be listed with a live preview or a still image.
Step 2: Select Your Doorbell 2
Tap on the Ring Doorbell 2 from the device list. This will open the live view screen, where you can see what the camera is currently capturing.
At the top of the screen, you’ll see options like “Live View,” “History,” and “Settings.” We’re going to focus on the “Settings” option.
Step 3: Go to Device Settings
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen to access the device settings. This will open a menu with various options related to your doorbell, such as motion settings, alerts, and sharing.
Scroll down until you find the section labeled “Shared Users” or “People”. This is where you manage who has access to your doorbell.
Step 4: Invite a New User
Tap on “Shared Users” or “Add Person.” You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite. This should be the email they use for their Ring account (or the one they’ll create if they don’t have one yet).
Type in the email address carefully—double-check for typos. If the email is incorrect, the invitation won’t go through.
After entering the email, tap “Send Invitation.”
Step 5: Choose Permissions (Optional)
Ring allows you to customize what the new user can do. You’ll see options like:
- View Live Video: Allows them to see the camera feed in real time.
- Receive Motion Alerts: Sends them notifications when motion is detected.
- View Recorded Videos: Lets them watch past events from the timeline.
- Answer the Doorbell: Enables them to speak through the doorbell when someone rings.
By default, all permissions are usually enabled, but you can toggle them on or off based on your preference. For example, you might not want a child to answer the door remotely, so you could disable that option.
Once you’ve selected the desired permissions, confirm your choices.
Step 6: Wait for the Invitation to Be Accepted
The person you invited will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation. They’ll need to:
- Click the link in the email.
- Log in to their existing Ring account or create a new one (it’s free).
- Accept the invitation to join your device.
Once they complete these steps, their phone will be linked to your Ring Doorbell 2. They’ll start receiving alerts and can view the live feed through their own Ring app.
Step 7: Confirm the User Is Added
Go back to the “Shared Users” section in your Ring app. You should now see the new user listed with their email and the permissions you granted.
If they haven’t accepted yet, you’ll see a status like “Pending.” You can resend the invitation if needed.
Tips for a Smooth Setup
To make the process as smooth as possible, here are some practical tips:
- Use a trusted email: Make sure the person you’re inviting checks the email you used. Sometimes invitations go to spam or junk folders.
- Guide them through the setup: If they’re not tech-savvy, walk them through downloading the Ring app and creating an account.
- Test the connection: Once they’ve accepted, have them open the app and check if they can see the live feed and receive a test motion alert.
- Use descriptive names: If you have multiple shared users, consider renaming them in the app (e.g., “Sarah – Spouse” or “Mike – Roommate”) for easy identification.
- Keep your app updated: Make sure both you and the new user have the latest version of the Ring app to avoid compatibility issues.
Managing Shared Users
Adding someone is just the beginning. You’ll also want to know how to manage their access over time.
How to Remove a User
If someone no longer needs access—maybe a roommate moved out or a neighbor no longer requires monitoring—you can remove them easily.
Go to:
- Ring App → Device Settings → Shared Users
Find the person you want to remove and tap on their name. Then select “Remove Access” or “Delete User.” Confirm the action, and they’ll immediately lose access to your doorbell.
How to Change Permissions
You can adjust what a shared user can do at any time. For example, you might want to disable “Answer the Doorbell” for a child but keep motion alerts on.
Simply go to the user’s profile in the Shared Users section and toggle the permissions on or off.
How to See Who Has Access
It’s a good idea to periodically review who has access to your doorbell. Go to the Shared Users section to see a full list of active users and their permissions.
This is especially important if you’ve shared access with multiple people over time and want to ensure only trusted individuals remain.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a simple process, things don’t always go perfectly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Invitation Not Received
If the person you invited says they didn’t get the email:
- Check the email address for typos.
- Ask them to check their spam or junk folder.
- Resend the invitation from the Shared Users section.
- Ensure their email provider isn’t blocking messages from Ring.
User Can’t Log In or Accept Invitation
If the invited person is having trouble:
- Make sure they’re using the correct email and password.
- Have them reset their Ring password if needed.
- Ensure they’ve downloaded the official Ring app (not a third-party app).
- Try logging out and back in on their device.
No Live Video or Alerts on the New Phone
If the new user can’t see the camera feed or get alerts:
- Confirm they’ve accepted the invitation.
- Check that their app permissions (camera, microphone, notifications) are enabled.
- Restart the Ring app on their phone.
- Ensure their phone has a stable internet connection.
- Verify that motion alerts are enabled in the device settings.
“Device Not Found” Error
If the new user sees an error saying the device isn’t available:
- Make sure you’re both connected to the same Ring account network.
- Check that the doorbell is online (green light on the device).
- Restart the Ring app on both phones.
- Reboot your Wi-Fi router if the connection seems slow.
Delayed Notifications
Sometimes alerts take a few seconds (or longer) to arrive:
- This is normal, especially on slower networks.
- Ensure the doorbell has a strong Wi-Fi signal (check the signal strength in the app).
- Move the router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender if needed.
- Update the Ring app and device firmware.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Sharing access to your doorbell is convenient, but it’s important to do it safely.
- Only invite people you trust: Anyone with access can see who comes to your door and when.
- Use strong passwords: Encourage shared users to use unique, secure passwords for their Ring accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
- Monitor activity: Check the event history occasionally to see who’s been viewing the feed.
- Revoke access promptly: If someone moves out or you no longer trust them, remove them immediately.
Remember, you’re in control. You decide who sees what and when.
Alternative Methods (Not Recommended)
Some people try to share access by giving out their own Ring login credentials. This is not recommended. Here’s why:
- Security risk: If someone has your login, they can change settings, remove users, or even delete your device.
- No individual control: You can’t customize permissions or remove one person without affecting others.
- Account lockout: If too many people log in from different devices, Ring may flag your account for suspicious activity.
- No audit trail: You won’t know who viewed what or when.
Always use the official “Shared Users” feature instead. It’s safer, more flexible, and designed for this exact purpose.
Final Thoughts
Adding another phone to your Ring Doorbell 2 is a smart, simple way to enhance your home security and share peace of mind with others. Whether it’s your partner, a roommate, or a trusted neighbor, the process takes just a few minutes and gives everyone real-time access to your doorbell’s camera and alerts.
By following the steps in this guide, you can confidently invite others, manage their permissions, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. And with Ring’s secure sharing system, you maintain full control over who sees what—and when.
So go ahead—send that invitation. Your doorbell is ready to welcome more eyes (and phones) onto your front step.