How to Add Family Member to Ring Doorbell

Adding a family member to your Ring Doorbell is simple and secure with the Ring app. This guide walks you through sharing access, setting permissions, and troubleshooting common issues so everyone stays connected and safe.

Key Takeaways

Use the Ring app to invite family members: You can grant access to up to 20 users through the app’s sharing feature.
Choose the right permission level: Decide whether the family member can view live video, receive alerts, or manage device settings.
Ensure they have a Ring account: The person you’re adding must have their own Ring account (free or Ring Protect plan).
Accept the invitation on their device: The family member must open the app and accept the invite to gain access.
Revoke access anytime: You can remove a family member’s access instantly from the app if needed.
Keep firmware updated: Regular updates improve security and compatibility for shared users.
Troubleshoot common issues: Problems like failed invites or missing notifications can often be fixed with a few simple steps.

How to Add Family Member to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome! If you’ve recently installed a Ring Doorbell or you’re looking to share access with a spouse, partner, parent, or teen, you’re in the right place. Adding a family member to your Ring Doorbell is not only easy—it’s also a great way to keep everyone in the loop when someone’s at the door, whether you’re home or away.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to add a family member to your Ring Doorbell using the Ring app. You’ll learn how to send invitations, set permission levels, troubleshoot common problems, and even remove access if needed. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell Pro, or Ring Doorbell Elite, the process is nearly identical. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to share your doorbell securely and confidently with the people you trust most.

Let’s get started!

Why Share Your Ring Doorbell with Family?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why sharing your Ring Doorbell makes sense. Modern smart doorbells are more than just security cameras—they’re communication tools. When someone rings the bell, you can see, hear, and speak to them in real time from your phone, tablet, or even an Echo Show.

Visual guide about How to Add Family Member to Ring Doorbell

Image source: m.media-amazon.com

But what if you’re at work and your teenager is home? Or your spouse is running errands and a delivery person shows up? Sharing access ensures that multiple people can respond to visitors, receive motion alerts, and check recorded footage. This is especially helpful for families with busy schedules, elderly parents who want peace of mind, or households with multiple caregivers.

Plus, Ring allows up to 20 shared users per device, so you can include everyone from your partner to your in-laws or trusted neighbors. Just remember: with great access comes great responsibility. That’s why Ring gives you control over what each person can do.

What You’ll Need Before You Begin

Before you start the process of adding a family member, make sure you have the following:

A working Ring Doorbell: Your device should be installed, connected to Wi-Fi, and functioning properly.
The Ring app installed on your phone: Available for iOS and Android. Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
Your Ring account login: You must be the primary owner of the device to share access.
The family member’s email address: This is how you’ll send the invitation.
Their own Ring account: They’ll need to sign up for a free Ring account (or have an existing one) to accept the invite.

It’s also a good idea to ensure your doorbell’s firmware is up to date. You can check this in the Ring app under Device Health. Updated firmware improves performance and security, especially when multiple users are accessing the device.

Step 1: Open the Ring App and Navigate to Your Device

Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. If you have multiple Ring devices (like a doorbell and a security camera), make sure you’re selecting the correct one.

How to Find Your Doorbell in the App

Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the screen.
Select Devices from the menu.
Scroll through your list of devices and tap on your Ring Doorbell.

Once you’ve selected your doorbell, you’ll see a dashboard with live view, motion settings, and device options. This is your control center.

Step 2: Access the Sharing Settings

Now that you’re on your doorbell’s main screen, it’s time to find the sharing feature.

Locate the Share Option

Scroll down on the device screen until you see the Shared Users section.
Tap on Shared Users or Manage Shared Users (the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your app version).

This will open a new screen showing any existing shared users and an option to add a new one.

Step 3: Send an Invitation to a Family Member

This is where the magic happens. You’ll send an invitation to your family member via email.

How to Invite a New User

Tap the + Add Shared User button.
Enter the email address associated with their Ring account.
Tap Send Invitation.

That’s it! The invitation will be sent instantly to their email. They’ll receive a message that looks something like: “You’ve been invited to share [Your Name]’s Ring Doorbell.”

Pro Tip: Make sure the email you enter matches the one they used to create their Ring account. If they signed up with a different email (like a work address instead of personal), the invite won’t go through.

Step 4: Set Permission Levels

One of the best features of Ring’s sharing system is the ability to control what your family member can do. When you send the invitation, you can choose from three permission levels:

View Only: Can watch live video and view recordings, but cannot change settings or receive alerts.
Standard: Can view live video, receive motion and ring alerts, and access recordings. Cannot change device settings.
Admin: Full access, including the ability to change settings, add/remove users, and manage subscriptions.

For most family members, Standard access is ideal. It gives them the ability to see who’s at the door and respond, without letting them mess with your motion zones or Wi-Fi settings.

To set the permission level:

After entering the email, tap the Permission Level dropdown.
Select the appropriate level (e.g., Standard).
Tap Send Invitation to confirm.

Note: You can change the permission level later if needed. Just go back to Shared Users, tap on their name, and adjust the settings.

Step 5: Family Member Accepts the Invitation

Once you’ve sent the invite, your family member needs to accept it on their end. Here’s what they should do:

Steps for the Family Member

Open the email invitation on their phone or computer.
Tap the Accept Invitation button in the email.
This will open the Ring app (or prompt them to download it if they don’t have it).
If they don’t have a Ring account, they’ll be guided to create one (it’s free).
Once logged in, the doorbell will appear in their app under “Shared Devices.”

After acceptance, they’ll be able to see live video, receive alerts, and interact with visitors—depending on the permission level you set.

Example: Let’s say you’re adding your teenage daughter. You send the invite with Standard access. She gets the email, accepts it, and now she can see when the mailman comes or if a friend stops by after school—even if you’re at work.

Step 6: Test the Connection

After the family member accepts the invite, it’s a good idea to test the connection to make sure everything is working.

How to Test Shared Access

Have your family member open the Ring app.
They should see your doorbell listed under “Shared Devices.”
Ask them to tap on the doorbell and view the live feed.
You can also test by ringing the doorbell and seeing if they receive the notification.

If they can see the live video and get alerts, congratulations—you’ve successfully added a family member to your Ring Doorbell!

Managing Shared Users

Over time, you may want to add more people, change permissions, or remove access. The Ring app makes this easy.

How to Edit or Remove a Shared User

Go to your doorbell in the Ring app.
Tap Shared Users.
Tap on the person’s name.
You’ll see options to Change Permission Level or Remove User.
Tap Remove User to revoke access immediately.

Important: Removing a user only stops them from accessing that specific device. It doesn’t delete their Ring account or affect other shared devices.

You can also see a log of recent activity, including who viewed the camera and when. This is helpful for monitoring usage and ensuring security.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Problem: The Invitation Wasn’t Received

Possible Causes:

The email was entered incorrectly.
The email went to spam or junk folder.
The family member doesn’t have a Ring account with that email.

Solutions:

Double-check the email address for typos.
Ask the family member to check their spam folder.
Have them log into their Ring account and confirm the email on file.
Resend the invitation if needed.

Problem: The Family Member Can’t See the Doorbell

Possible Causes:

The invitation wasn’t accepted.
The app needs to be refreshed.
The device is offline.

Solutions:

Confirm the invitation was accepted in the app.
Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
Check your doorbell’s status in Device Health—ensure it’s online.
Restart their phone or tablet.

Problem: No Alerts or Notifications

Possible Causes:

Notifications are turned off in the app.
Do Not Disturb mode is active on their phone.
Permission level is set to View Only.

Solutions:

Go to the Ring app > Settings > Notifications and ensure alerts are enabled.
Check their phone’s notification settings for the Ring app.
Verify the permission level allows alerts (Standard or Admin).

Problem: Live View Is Lagging or Buffering

Possible Causes:

Weak Wi-Fi signal at the doorbell.
Too many devices using the network.
Outdated app or firmware.

Solutions:

Move your router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender.
Limit bandwidth-heavy activities (like streaming) during testing.
Update the Ring app and check for firmware updates in Device Health.

Best Practices for Sharing Your Ring Doorbell

To keep your home secure and your family connected, follow these best practices:

Only share with trusted individuals: While Ring is secure, limit access to people you know and trust.
Use Standard access for most users: Avoid giving Admin rights unless absolutely necessary.
Regularly review shared users: Periodically check who has access and remove anyone who no longer needs it.
Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your Ring account.
Keep the app updated: New versions often include security patches and performance improvements.

By following these tips, you’ll ensure that your Ring Doorbell remains a helpful tool—not a security risk.

Conclusion

Adding a family member to your Ring Doorbell is a simple, secure way to keep everyone informed and safe. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can share live video, alerts, and recordings with the people who matter most. Whether it’s your spouse, teenager, or aging parent, shared access means no one misses a delivery, visitor, or unexpected event at the front door.

Remember to choose the right permission level, test the connection, and troubleshoot any issues promptly. And don’t forget—you’re always in control. You can add, edit, or remove users anytime from the app.

Now that you know how to add a family member to your Ring Doorbell, you can enjoy greater peace of mind and convenience. Your home is smarter, safer, and more connected than ever.