Adding another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell lets multiple people receive alerts and view live footage. This guide walks you through the simple process using the Ring app, whether you’re sharing access with family, roommates, or trusted neighbors.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple users can access one Ring doorbell: You can invite up to 20 people to share access to your Ring device through the app.
- Use the Ring app to send invites: 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 or paid) to accept the invitation.
- Control permissions for each user: You can choose whether guests can view live video, receive motion alerts, or access recorded footage.
- Works across different phone types: Whether it’s an iPhone, Android, or tablet, as long as the Ring app is installed, access works seamlessly.
- Revoke access anytime: If someone no longer needs access, you can remove them instantly from the device settings.
- Ensure strong Wi-Fi for best performance: All connected devices rely on your home network, so a stable connection improves reliability.
How to Add Another Phone to Ring Video Doorbell
If you’ve recently installed a Ring Video Doorbell, you’re already enjoying features like real-time alerts, two-way audio, and motion detection. But what if you want your spouse, roommate, or even a trusted neighbor to also receive notifications when someone’s at the door? The good news is, Ring makes it easy to share access with others—no extra hardware or complicated setup required.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of adding another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell (1st or 2nd Gen), Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Ring Video Doorbell Elite, or Ring Video Doorbell Wired, the steps are nearly identical. You’ll learn how to invite users, manage permissions, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your smart home secure.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently share your Ring doorbell with others while maintaining full control over who sees what. Let’s get started!
Why Share Your Ring Doorbell?
Before diving into the technical steps, it’s worth understanding why you might want to add another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell. Here are a few common scenarios:
- Family members: Your partner, older kids, or elderly parents may want to see who’s at the door when you’re not home.
- Roommates or housemates: In shared living spaces, everyone benefits from knowing when deliveries arrive or visitors stop by.
- Neighbors or caregivers: If you’re away, you might want a trusted neighbor to monitor your front door for suspicious activity.
- Remote monitoring: Even if you’re traveling, shared access ensures someone local can respond to alerts.
Sharing access doesn’t mean giving up control. As the primary owner, you decide who gets invited and what they can do. This flexibility makes Ring a great choice for households with multiple users.
What You’ll Need Before You Begin
Before you start adding another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell, make sure you have the following:
- A working Ring Video Doorbell: It should be properly installed and connected to your Wi-Fi network.
- The Ring app installed on your phone: Available for free on iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices.
- Your Ring account login credentials: You’ll need to be logged in as the device owner.
- The email address of the person you want to invite: They must have a Ring account (or be willing to create one).
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and the doorbell should have good Wi-Fi signal strength.
If your doorbell isn’t working or isn’t connected to Wi-Fi, fix those issues first. You can’t share access to a device that isn’t online.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Another Phone to Ring Video Doorbell
Now that you’re prepared, let’s walk through the process of inviting someone to access your Ring Video Doorbell. The entire process takes just a few minutes and is done entirely within the Ring app.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the doorbell. If you have multiple Ring devices, ensure you’re viewing the correct one.
Once the app loads, you’ll see a dashboard with all your connected devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to share.
Step 2: Access Device Settings
After selecting your doorbell, you’ll see a live view (if motion is detected) or a still image. Look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. This is the Device Settings button.
Tap it to open a menu with various options like Motion Settings, Video Quality, and Device Health.
Step 3: Find the “Shared Users” Option
Scroll down in the Device Settings menu until you find the section labeled Shared Users. This is where you manage who has access to your doorbell.
Tap on Shared Users to view a list of people already invited (if any) and to add new ones.
Step 4: Invite a New User
Inside the Shared Users screen, tap the + Invite User button. You’ll be prompted to enter the email address associated with the person’s Ring account.
Important: The person must already have a Ring account. If they don’t, they’ll need to download the Ring app and create one using the same email address you enter here.
Type in the email carefully—typos are a common cause of failed invitations.
Step 5: Choose Permissions
After entering the email, you’ll see a list of permissions you can grant. These determine what the invited user can do. Options typically include:
- View Live Video: Allows them to see real-time footage when they open the app.
- Receive Motion Alerts: Sends push notifications when motion is detected.
- View Event History: Lets them see past recordings (requires a Ring Protect Plan).
- Answer the Doorbell: Enables two-way audio so they can speak to visitors.
- Manage Device Settings: Gives them control over motion zones, chimes, and other settings (use with caution).
For most users, we recommend enabling View Live Video and Receive Motion Alerts. Avoid giving Manage Device Settings unless you fully trust the person.
Tap the toggles to select the permissions you want to grant.
Step 6: Send the Invitation
Once you’ve selected the permissions, tap Send Invitation. The app will send an email to the address you provided.
The recipient will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation. They must open the link and log in to their Ring account to complete the process.
Step 7: Confirm Access
After the invitation is accepted, the new user will appear in your Shared Users list. They can now open the Ring app on their phone and see your doorbell under their device list.
They’ll receive alerts and be able to view live video based on the permissions you granted.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
To ensure everything works perfectly when you add another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell, keep these tips in mind:
- Use the correct email: Double-check the email address before sending the invite. If the person uses a different email for their Ring account, the invitation won’t work.
- Check spam folders: Sometimes invitation emails land in spam or promotions folders. Ask the recipient to check there if they don’t see it.
- Ensure the recipient has the Ring app: They need the app installed on their phone to accept the invite and use the doorbell.
- Update the app regularly: Both you and the invited user should keep the Ring app updated to avoid compatibility issues.
- Test the connection: After the invite is accepted, have the new user test viewing live video to confirm everything is working.
Managing Shared Users
As the device owner, you have full control over who has access. You can edit permissions or remove users at any time.
How to Change Permissions
To modify what a shared user can do:
- Go to Device Settings > Shared Users.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Adjust the permission toggles as needed.
- Tap Save to apply changes.
For example, if you no longer want someone to receive motion alerts, simply turn off that permission.
How to Remove a User
If someone no longer needs access—like a former roommate or temporary helper—you can remove them instantly:
- Go to Shared Users.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Scroll down and tap Remove User.
- Confirm the action.
Once removed, they’ll no longer receive alerts or be able to view the doorbell in their app.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear instructions, you might run into problems when adding another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell. Here are some common issues and how to fix them.
Invitation Not Received
Symptoms: The person says they didn’t get the email.
Possible Causes & Fixes:
- Wrong email entered: Double-check the email address in the Shared Users list. If it’s incorrect, remove the invite and send a new one.
- Email in spam folder: Ask the recipient to check their spam or junk folder.
- Ring account not created: Confirm the person has a Ring account using the same email. If not, have them create one first.
- Email delay: Sometimes emails take a few minutes. Wait 10–15 minutes before resending.
User Can’t See the Doorbell
Symptoms: The invitation was accepted, but the doorbell doesn’t appear in their app.
Possible Causes & Fixes:
- App not updated: Make sure both you and the user have the latest version of the Ring app.
- Device not shared correctly: Go back to Shared Users and confirm the person is listed with the correct permissions.
- Wi-Fi issues: If the doorbell is offline, shared users won’t see it. Check Device Health in your app to ensure it’s connected.
- Log out and back in: Have the user log out of the Ring app and log back in to refresh their device list.
Alerts Not Working for Shared User
Symptoms: The user can see live video but isn’t getting motion or ring alerts.
Possible Causes & Fixes:
- Permissions not set: Go to Shared Users and ensure “Receive Motion Alerts” is enabled.
- Phone notifications disabled: The user may have turned off Ring notifications in their phone settings. Guide them to enable notifications for the Ring app.
- Do Not Disturb mode: Check if the phone is in Do Not Disturb or silent mode, which can block alerts.
- App permissions: On Android, ensure the Ring app has permission to send notifications. On iOS, check Notification settings.
Doorbell Goes Offline After Sharing
Symptoms: The doorbell disconnects from Wi-Fi after adding a new user.
Possible Causes & Fixes:
- Network overload: Too many devices on the same Wi-Fi network can cause instability. Consider upgrading your router or using a Wi-Fi extender.
- Firmware update in progress: Ring sometimes pushes updates that temporarily disconnect the device. Wait 10–15 minutes and check again.
- Power issues: If using a battery-powered doorbell, low battery can cause disconnections. Charge or replace the battery.
- Reconnect manually: Use the Ring app to reconnect the doorbell to Wi-Fi under Device Settings > Device Health.
Security and Privacy Considerations
While sharing your Ring doorbell is convenient, it’s important to think about security and privacy.
- Only invite trusted people: Anyone with access can see who comes to your door. Avoid sharing with strangers or casual acquaintances.
- Review shared users regularly: Periodically check your Shared Users list and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
- Use strong passwords: Ensure both your Ring account and your Wi-Fi network use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your Ring account to prevent unauthorized access.
- Be mindful of recordings: If you have a Ring Protect Plan, shared users can view past recordings. Consider whether this is appropriate for everyone you invite.
Remember, you’re in control. Ring gives you the tools to manage access, but it’s up to you to use them wisely.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
If you’re managing a household with multiple Ring devices or frequent visitors, here are some advanced strategies:
- Create a family group: Use the same email domain (e.g., @gmail.com) for all family members to make invitations easier.
- Use custom motion zones: Set up motion zones so shared users only get alerts for specific areas (like the front walkway, not the street).
- Schedule alerts: Some users may only need access during certain hours (e.g., a dog walker from 9 AM to 5 PM). While Ring doesn’t support time-based sharing, you can manually enable/disable permissions as needed.
- Monitor activity logs: Check the Event History to see when shared users viewed live video or answered the doorbell.
- Use multiple doorbells: If you have a large property, consider installing additional Ring doorbells and sharing access selectively (e.g., backyard doorbell with gardeners).
Conclusion
Adding another phone to your Ring Video Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your home security and convenience. Whether you’re sharing access with family, roommates, or trusted neighbors, the process is quick, secure, and fully manageable from the Ring app.
By following the steps in this guide, you can invite users, customize their permissions, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Remember to prioritize security by only inviting people you trust and regularly reviewing who has access.
With shared access, everyone in your household can stay informed and respond quickly to visitors, deliveries, or potential security concerns. Your Ring doorbell becomes more than just a camera—it becomes a collaborative tool for safer, smarter living.
So go ahead, invite that second phone, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with shared vigilance.