Adding your Arlo doorbell to another phone is simple and secure, allowing multiple users to receive alerts and view live video. This guide walks you through the entire process—from inviting users to troubleshooting common issues—so everyone stays connected and informed.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple users can access one Arlo doorbell: You can share your Arlo doorbell with family members, roommates, or trusted neighbors so they also receive motion alerts and video notifications.
- Use the Arlo app to invite users: The primary account holder must send an invitation through the Arlo mobile app—no need to share login credentials.
- Each user needs their own Arlo account: The person receiving access must have a free Arlo account linked to their email address.
- Permissions can be customized: You control what level of access each user has—view-only or full control including settings changes.
- Works across iOS and Android: The process is nearly identical on both iPhone and Android devices.
- Keep your network stable: A strong Wi-Fi connection ensures smooth video streaming and reliable notifications for all users.
- Troubleshooting is easy: Most issues like failed invitations or missing notifications can be fixed with a few quick steps.
Introduction: Why Share Your Arlo Doorbell?
Your Arlo doorbell isn’t just a security device—it’s a communication hub for your home. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just in another room, it keeps you connected to who’s at your door. But what if your spouse, roommate, or elderly parent also needs to see who’s knocking? That’s where sharing access comes in.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to add Arlo doorbell to another phone safely and efficiently. You’ll learn how to invite others without compromising your account security, customize their permissions, and ensure everyone gets timely alerts. By the end, your whole household (or trusted circle) will be able to answer the door—even when you’re not home.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before diving into the setup, make sure you have the following ready:
Visual guide about How to Add Arlo Doorbell to Another Phone
Image source: blog.arlo.com
- A working Arlo doorbell already set up and connected to your Wi-Fi network.
- The primary Arlo account (the one used to install the doorbell).
- The Arlo mobile app installed on your phone (available for iOS and Android).
- The email address of the person you want to add.
- A stable internet connection on both phones during setup.
Pro Tip: Make sure the person you’re adding has downloaded the Arlo app and created their own free Arlo account beforehand. This speeds up the process and avoids confusion later.
Step 1: Open the Arlo App on Your Phone
Start by launching the Arlo app on the phone that’s linked to your doorbell—this is your primary account. If you’re not already signed in, enter your email and password.
Once logged in, you’ll see your camera dashboard. Look for your doorbell in the list of devices. It should show a live preview or last recorded clip.
Verify Your Device Is Online
Before inviting someone else, confirm your doorbell is online and functioning:
- Tap on the doorbell icon.
- Check if the live view loads within a few seconds.
- Look for a green “Online” status indicator near the device name.
If your doorbell shows as offline, troubleshoot your Wi-Fi connection first. A weak signal or network outage can prevent sharing from working properly.
Step 2: Navigate to Device Settings
With your doorbell selected, tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the device settings menu.
Scroll down until you find the option labeled “Users” or “Shared Users”. On some Arlo models, this may appear under “Device Options” or “Access Control.”
Note: The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Arlo doorbell model (e.g., Arlo Essential, Arlo Pro 4, or Arlo Video Doorbell Wire-Free). But the location is consistent across recent app versions.
Step 3: Invite a New User
Tap “Add User” or “Invite User.” A new screen will appear asking for the email address of the person you want to grant access to.
Enter their email address carefully—double-check for typos. This must match the email they used to create their Arlo account.
Choose Permission Level
Arlo offers two main permission levels:
- Viewer: Can view live video, watch recordings, and receive notifications—but cannot change settings, delete clips, or remove the device.
- Admin (or Owner): Has full control, including adding/removing users, adjusting motion zones, and changing Wi-Fi settings. Only grant this to people you fully trust.
For most households, “Viewer” is the safest and most practical choice. Your spouse or teen can see who’s at the door without accidentally changing your motion sensitivity or deleting important footage.
After selecting the permission level, tap “Send Invitation.”
Step 4: The Recipient Accepts the Invitation
The person you invited will receive an email from Arlo with a link to accept the invitation. They should:
- Open the email on their phone or computer.
- Tap the “Accept Invitation” button.
- Log in to their Arlo account (or create one if they haven’t already).
- Confirm the device appears in their app.
Once accepted, your Arlo doorbell will instantly appear in their app’s device list. They’ll start receiving motion and doorbell press notifications right away—no extra setup needed!
Pro Tip: If the recipient doesn’t see the email, ask them to check their spam or promotions folder. Sometimes Arlo emails get filtered automatically.
Step 5: Test the Connection
To ensure everything works correctly, do a quick test:
- Have the new user open the Arlo app and tap on your doorbell.
- Ask them to view the live feed—it should load within 5–10 seconds.
- Press the doorbell button (or simulate motion if it’s a wired model).
- Confirm they receive a push notification and can answer the call.
If the live view is slow or notifications are delayed, check both phones’ internet connections. Also, ensure the Arlo app has notification permissions enabled in the phone’s settings.
Managing Shared Users Later
You can always view, edit, or remove shared users from the same “Users” section in your device settings.
To Remove a User:
- Go to Device Settings → Users.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Select “Remove Access” and confirm.
Their device will disappear from their app immediately, and they’ll stop receiving alerts.
To Change Permissions:
- Tap the user’s name in the Users list.
- Switch between “Viewer” and “Admin” as needed.
- Save changes.
Important: Only the primary account holder (you) can remove users or change permissions. Shared users cannot modify access for others.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with perfect setup, occasional hiccups happen. Here’s how to fix the most common problems when adding your Arlo doorbell to another phone.
Invitation Email Not Received
Symptoms: The recipient says they never got the email.
Solution:
- Double-check the email address you entered—typos are the #1 cause.
- Ask them to search their inbox for “Arlo” or “[email protected].”
- Resend the invitation from the Users menu.
- If still not working, have them create a new Arlo account with a different email (e.g., Gmail instead of Outlook).
Doorbell Doesn’t Appear in Their App
Symptoms: They accepted the invite, but the doorbell isn’t showing up.
Solution:
- Force-close and reopen the Arlo app on their phone.
- Log out and log back into their Arlo account.
- Ensure they’re logged into the correct Arlo account (the one matching the invited email).
- Restart their phone—this refreshes app permissions and network connections.
Delayed or Missing Notifications
Symptoms: They see the live feed but don’t get alerts when someone rings the doorbell.
Solution:
- Check that notifications are enabled for the Arlo app in their phone’s Settings > Apps > Arlo > Notifications.
- Ensure “Do Not Disturb” mode is off.
- Verify their phone isn’t in battery-saving mode, which can restrict background app activity.
- In the Arlo app, go to Settings > Notifications and confirm alerts are turned on for the doorbell.
“Device Offline” Error for Shared User
Symptoms: The shared user sees “Device Offline” even though it works on your phone.
Solution:
- This usually means a network sync issue. Have them toggle airplane mode on/off.
- Update the Arlo app to the latest version.
- If the problem persists, remove and re-invite the user.
Best Practices for Sharing Your Arlo Doorbell
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to do it securely. Follow these best practices:
- Only share with trusted individuals. Remember, viewers can see who comes to your door—including delivery people, guests, or strangers.
- Use strong, unique passwords for your primary Arlo account. Never share your login details.
- Regularly review shared users. If someone moves out or you no longer trust them, remove access immediately.
- Keep your Arlo app updated. New versions often include security patches and bug fixes.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your primary account for extra protection.
Bonus Tip: If you have multiple Arlo cameras (like indoor cams or floodlights), you can share each device individually or grant access to your entire Arlo “location” (i.e., your home). For most users, sharing just the doorbell is sufficient.
Conclusion: Stay Connected, Stay Secure
Adding your Arlo doorbell to another phone is a smart way to keep your household informed and secure. Whether it’s your partner answering the door while you’re cooking dinner or your teen checking who’s ringing the bell after school, shared access makes life easier—without sacrificing control.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to invite users, set permissions, troubleshoot issues, and maintain security. Now, everyone who matters can stay in the loop, no matter where they are.
Remember: You’re in charge. You decide who sees your doorbell feed and what they can do with it. So go ahead—share the convenience, but keep the control.