How to Add Family Member to Nest Doorbell

This guide walks you through how to add a family member to Nest Doorbell using the Google Home or Nest app. You’ll learn to share access, set permissions, and troubleshoot common issues—so everyone in your household can stay connected and secure.

Key Takeaways

Use the Google Home or Nest app: Adding family members is done through one of these official apps, depending on your device model and setup.
Ensure everyone has a Google Account: Only users with a valid Google Account can be added to your Nest Doorbell.
Choose the right access level: You can grant full access or limited permissions like viewing only or managing recordings.
Family members receive notifications: Once added, they’ll get alerts for doorbell rings, motion, and other events.
Manage users anytime: You can remove or adjust permissions for family members directly from the app.
Keep your Wi-Fi stable: A strong internet connection ensures smooth setup and real-time alerts for all users.
Troubleshoot with ease: If someone can’t connect, check app updates, account sync, and network settings.

Introduction: Why Share Access to Your Nest Doorbell?

Your Nest Doorbell is more than just a camera—it’s a smart security tool that keeps your home safe and your family informed. Whether it’s a package delivery, a visitor at the door, or unexpected motion detected at night, your doorbell sends real-time alerts straight to your phone. But what if you’re not the only one who needs to know?

That’s where adding family members comes in. By sharing access to your Nest Doorbell, you empower everyone in your household—spouses, older kids, or even trusted caregivers—to see who’s at the door, review recordings, and respond to alerts. It’s a simple way to boost home security and convenience without buying extra devices.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add a family member to Nest Doorbell step by step. Whether you’re using the Google Home app or the older Nest app, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn how to invite users, set permissions, manage access, and troubleshoot common problems—all in plain, easy-to-follow language.

By the end, your whole family will be connected, informed, and ready to respond—no matter who’s home.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you begin adding family members, make sure you have the following ready:

Visual guide about How to Add Family Member to Nest Doorbell

Image source: i0.wp.com

A working Nest Doorbell: Your doorbell should be installed, powered, and connected to Wi-Fi.
The correct app installed: Depending on your doorbell model, you’ll use either the Google Home app or the Nest app. Most newer models (like Nest Doorbell (battery) or Nest Doorbell (wired) 2nd gen) use the Google Home app. Older models may still use the Nest app.
Your Google Account: You must be signed in as the primary account holder (the person who set up the doorbell).
Family members’ Google Accounts: Each person you want to add must have their own Google Account (Gmail or Google Workspace).
Stable Wi-Fi connection: A strong internet signal ensures smooth setup and reliable alerts.
App permissions enabled: Make sure your phone allows the app to send notifications and access your camera.

Having these in place will make the process quick and hassle-free. If your doorbell isn’t set up yet, check our guide on how to install a Nest Doorbell first.

Step 1: Open the Correct App

The first step in how to add a family member to Nest Doorbell is opening the right app. This depends on your doorbell model and when it was set up.

For Newer Nest Doorbells (Google Home App)

If you have a Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired) 2nd gen, or any model released after 2021, you’ll use the Google Home app. This is the current standard for managing Nest devices.

Open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
Make sure you’re signed in with the Google Account that owns the doorbell.
Tap the home icon (usually in the top-left) to see all your devices.
Locate your Nest Doorbell in the list and tap on it to open its settings.

For Older Nest Doorbells (Nest App)

If you have an original Nest Doorbell (1st gen) or a model set up before the Google Home transition, you may still be using the Nest app.

Open the Nest app on your device.
Sign in with your Nest account (this may be linked to your Google Account).
Tap the menu (three lines) and select “Settings.”
Choose your doorbell from the device list.

Tip: If you’re unsure which app to use, check your device model in the app or look at the box it came in. Google has been migrating all Nest devices to the Google Home app, so newer users will almost always use that.

Step 2: Navigate to User Management

Once you’re in the correct app and viewing your doorbell, it’s time to find the user management section. This is where you’ll invite family members.

In the Google Home App

Follow these steps:

Tap on your Nest Doorbell to open its device card.
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner to access settings.
Scroll down and tap “Users” or “People with access”.
You’ll see a list of current users (likely just you).
Tap “Add person” or the “+” icon.

In the Nest App

Here’s how to do it:

Go to the main menu and select “Settings”.
Tap “Users” under the “Structure” section.
Tap “Add User”.
Choose whether to add a family member or a guest (we’ll cover the difference below).

Note: If you don’t see the “Users” option, make sure you’re signed in as the primary account holder. Only the owner can add or remove users.

Step 3: Invite a Family Member

Now it’s time to send the invitation. This step is simple but important—make sure you enter the correct email address.

Enter Their Google Account Email

In the “Add person” screen:

Type the email address associated with their Google Account (e.g., [email protected]).
Double-check for typos—incorrect emails are a common reason invites fail.
Tap “Next” or “Send Invitation”.

The person will receive an email and a notification in their Google Home or Nest app (if installed). They’ll need to accept the invitation to gain access.

Choose Access Level (Permissions)

Before sending, you’ll usually be asked to set their access level. Here are the typical options:

Full access (Owner or Admin): Can view live video, review recordings, change settings, and add/remove other users. Only give this to trusted family members.
View only: Can see live video and recordings but can’t change settings or manage users. Good for older kids or babysitters.
Guest access: Limited time access (e.g., for a house cleaner or repair person). Often expires after a set period.

Example: If you’re adding your teenage son, you might choose “View only” so he can see who’s at the door but can’t change your doorbell settings.

Tip: You can change these permissions later, so don’t stress too much about getting it perfect the first time.

Step 4: Family Member Accepts the Invitation

Once you send the invite, your family member needs to accept it. Here’s what they should do:

Check Their Email or App

They’ll receive an email from Google or Nest with the subject “You’ve been invited to access [Your Home Name].”
They can also open the Google Home or Nest app and look for a notification.
Tap the notification or email link to open the invitation.

Sign In and Accept

If they’re not already signed in, they’ll be prompted to log in with their Google Account.
Review the access level you granted.
Tap “Accept” to join.

Once accepted, they’ll see your doorbell in their app and start receiving alerts.

Pro Tip: If they don’t see the invitation, ask them to check their spam folder or resend it from your app.

Step 5: Confirm Access and Test

After your family member accepts, it’s time to make sure everything works.

Check Their App

Ask them to open the Google Home or Nest app.
They should see your doorbell listed under “Devices” or “Your Home.”
Tap on it to view live video or check recent clips.

Test Notifications

Have someone ring the doorbell or walk in front of it.
Both of you should receive a notification on your phones.
Open the notification to confirm it opens the live feed.

If everything works, congratulations—you’ve successfully added a family member!

Note: If they don’t receive alerts, check that notifications are enabled in the app and on their phone settings.

Managing Family Members After Setup

Adding someone is just the beginning. You’ll likely need to manage access over time—here’s how.

Change Permissions

To adjust what a family member can do:

Go back to the “Users” or “People with access” section in your app.
Tap on their name.
Select a new access level (e.g., from “View only” to “Full access”).
Save the changes.

Remove a Family Member

If someone no longer needs access (e.g., a babysitter or college student moving out):

Go to the user list.
Tap on their name.
Select “Remove access” or “Delete user.”
Confirm the action.

They’ll lose access immediately and stop receiving alerts.

View Activity History

Some apps let you see who viewed the doorbell and when:

In the Nest app, go to “Settings” > “Activity History.”
In the Google Home app, this feature may be limited, but you can check “Event history” on the doorbell itself.

This is useful for monitoring usage, especially with younger family members.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are solutions to the most common problems when adding family members.

“Invitation Not Received”

Problem: Your family member says they didn’t get the invite.

Solutions:

Double-check the email address you entered.
Ask them to check their spam or promotions folder.
Resend the invitation from your app.
Make sure their Google Account is active and not restricted.

“Can’t Accept Invitation”

Problem: They get an error when trying to accept.

Solutions:

Ensure they’re using the correct Google Account (the one you invited).
Clear the app cache or reinstall the Google Home/Nest app.
Try accepting from a web browser by clicking the email link.
Make sure their app is updated to the latest version.

“No Notifications After Adding”

Problem: They can see the doorbell but don’t get alerts.

Solutions:

Check that notifications are enabled in the app settings.
Go to their phone’s Settings > Apps > Google Home (or Nest) > Notifications and turn them on.
Ensure “Do Not Disturb” mode is off.
Restart their phone and the doorbell.

“Doorbell Not Showing in Their App”

Problem: The device doesn’t appear after accepting.

Solutions:

Ask them to sign out and back into the app.
Force close and reopen the app.
Check that your home is shared correctly—sometimes homes get split during Google account migrations.
Contact Google Support if the issue persists.

“Wi-Fi or Connection Issues”

Problem: The doorbell disconnects or lags for all users.

Solutions:

Restart your router and the doorbell.
Move the doorbell closer to the Wi-Fi router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
Check for interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones).
Ensure your internet speed meets Nest’s requirements (at least 2 Mbps upload).

Best Practices for Sharing Access

To keep your home secure and your family happy, follow these tips:

Only add people you trust: Full access lets users change settings or remove others.
Use strong passwords: Encourage family members to use unique, secure passwords for their Google Accounts.
Review access regularly: Remove users who no longer need access (e.g., seasonal helpers).
Teach kids how to use it safely: Show them how to view the feed without sharing screenshots or recordings.
Keep apps updated: Updates often fix bugs and improve security.

Conclusion: Keep Your Home Connected and Secure

Adding a family member to your Nest Doorbell is a smart, simple way to share the benefits of smart home security. Whether it’s your spouse checking who’s at the door while you’re at work or your teen seeing if their friend has arrived, shared access keeps everyone in the loop.

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to add a family member to Nest Doorbell using the Google Home or Nest app, set the right permissions, and troubleshoot common issues. You now have the tools to manage access confidently and keep your home safe—together.

Remember, security is a team effort. The more people who can respond to alerts, the safer your home becomes. So go ahead—invite your family, test the system, and enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re all connected.