Adding more phones to your Ring Doorbell lets multiple people receive motion alerts and answer the door from anywhere. This guide walks you through sharing access via the Ring app, managing user permissions, and troubleshooting common issues.
Key Takeaways
- Share access instantly: Use the Ring app to invite family or roommates to your Ring Doorbell in minutes.
- Control user permissions: Choose between Owner, Admin, or Guest roles to limit what others can do.
- Works on any smartphone: Android and iOS users can join your Ring network with just an email invite.
- No extra hardware needed: Adding phones doesn’t require new devices—just the free Ring app.
- Stay secure: Only verified users can access your doorbell, and you can remove access anytime.
- Troubleshoot easily: Fix common issues like failed invites or app errors with simple steps.
- Perfect for homes and rentals: Great for families, roommates, or Airbnb hosts who want shared access.
How to Add More Phones to Ring Doorbell
If you’ve ever missed a delivery because you weren’t home—or wished your partner could see who’s at the door while you’re at work—you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to be the only one with access to your Ring Doorbell. Thanks to Ring’s smart sharing features, you can easily add more phones to your Ring Doorbell so multiple people can receive alerts, view live video, and even speak to visitors.
Whether you live with family, share a home with roommates, manage a rental property, or just want your teen to be able to answer the door after school, adding more phones is simple, secure, and completely free. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process—from sending invites to managing user roles and troubleshooting common problems.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to add more phones to Ring Doorbell, customize access levels, and keep your home security system running smoothly for everyone in your household.
Why Add More Phones to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add More Phones to Ring Doorbell
Image source: hellotech.com
Before diving into the steps, let’s talk about why this feature is so valuable. The Ring Doorbell isn’t just a camera—it’s a communication tool that connects your home to the people who matter. But if only one person can use it, you’re missing out on its full potential.
Here are a few real-life scenarios where adding more phones makes a big difference:
- Families: Parents can monitor the front door while kids are home alone. Teens can see who’s visiting after school without needing a key.
- Roommates: Everyone gets alerts when someone arrives, so no one misses a package or guest.
- Rental hosts: Airbnb or vacation rental owners can give temporary access to guests without sharing login details.
- Elderly care: Adult children can check in on aging parents by seeing who comes to the door.
- Remote workers: You can answer the door even if you’re in the backyard or on a call in another room.
Adding more phones also improves security. If you’re away and your spouse gets a motion alert, they can check the camera and decide whether to answer—no need to call you first. It’s peace of mind for everyone.
And the best part? You don’t need to buy extra hardware or pay for a subscription. Ring’s sharing feature is built into the app and works with any smartphone.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin adding phones to your Ring Doorbell, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be set up and working with the 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: You must be the Owner or an Admin to invite others.
- Email addresses of the people you want to invite: Each person will need a valid email to accept the invite.
- Stable Wi-Fi connection: Both your phone and the Ring Doorbell should be online.
If you’re not the account owner, check with them first. Only Owners and Admins can send invites. Guests can’t add new users.
Step-by-Step: How to Add More Phones to Ring Doorbell
Now let’s get into the actual process. Adding more phones is quick and easy—usually taking less than five minutes per person. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth setup.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the Ring Doorbell. If you’re not the owner, ask them to log in and follow these steps.
Once the app opens, you’ll see your dashboard with all your Ring devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to share.
Step 2: Go to Device Settings
On the device screen, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This is the Settings menu. Tap it to open the device settings.
Here, you’ll see options like Motion Settings, Video Quality, and Shared Users. We’re interested in the last one.
Step 3: Select “Shared Users”
Scroll down until you find the “Shared Users” section. Tap on it. This is where you manage who has access to your doorbell.
You’ll see a list of current users (if any) and an option to “Add Shared User.” Tap that button to start inviting someone new.
Step 4: Enter the Invitee’s Email
Now, enter the email address of the person you want to add. This must be the email they use for their Ring account (or the one they’ll create if they don’t have one yet).
Double-check the spelling—typos are a common reason invites fail.
Step 5: Choose a User Role
Ring offers three user roles, each with different levels of access:
- Owner: Full control. Can add/remove users, change settings, and delete the device. Only one Owner per device.
- Admin: Almost full access. Can view live video, answer the door, adjust settings, and invite others—but can’t remove the Owner or delete the device.
- Guest: Limited access. Can view live video and receive alerts, but can’t change settings or invite others.
For most people, “Admin” is the best choice for family members or roommates. Use “Guest” for temporary access, like a babysitter or Airbnb guest.
Select the appropriate role, then tap “Send Invite.”
Step 6: The Invitee Accepts the Invitation
The person you invited will receive an email with a link to join your Ring network. They’ll need to:
- Click the link in the email.
- Download the Ring app (if they don’t have it).
- Create a Ring account (or log in if they already have one).
- Accept the invitation.
Once they accept, their phone will automatically sync with your Ring Doorbell. They’ll start receiving motion alerts and can view live video right away.
Step 7: Confirm Access in the App
Go back to the “Shared Users” section in your Ring app. You should now see the new user listed with their role (Admin or Guest).
Tap on their name to see their access level or remove them if needed.
That’s it! You’ve successfully added another phone to your Ring Doorbell.
Managing Shared Users: Tips and Best Practices
Adding users is just the beginning. To keep your system secure and functional, follow these best practices for managing shared access.
Use Roles Wisely
Don’t give Admin access to everyone. Reserve it for trusted family members or co-owners of the home. Use Guest access for temporary users like dog walkers, cleaners, or short-term renters.
For example:
- Your spouse → Admin
- Your teenager → Guest (so they can’t change settings)
- Airbnb guest → Guest (with access expiring after their stay)
Remove Access When Needed
If someone moves out, stops babysitting, or you no longer trust them with access, remove them immediately.
To do this:
- Go to Device Settings > Shared Users.
- Tap the user’s name.
- Select “Remove User.”
They’ll lose access right away—no need to wait for them to log out.
Monitor Activity
Ring doesn’t send detailed logs of who viewed what, but you can check the “Event History” in the app to see when the doorbell was activated. If you notice unusual activity, review your shared users list.
Keep the App Updated
Make sure all users have the latest version of the Ring app. Older versions may not support new features or could have security flaws.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear instructions, things can go wrong. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.
Invite Not Received
If the person didn’t get the email:
- Check the spam/junk folder.
- Confirm the email address was entered correctly.
- Resend the invite from the Shared Users menu.
- Ask them to check if they have a Ring account with a different email.
Invite Link Doesn’t Work
Sometimes links expire or fail to load. Try:
- Copying the link and pasting it into a browser.
- Asking the user to restart their phone.
- Resending the invite.
User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the new user opens the app but doesn’t see the doorbell:
- Make sure they accepted the invite.
- Check that their app is updated.
- Log them out and back in.
- Restart the Ring app.
App Crashes or Freezes
This can happen on older phones or with outdated apps. Try:
- Closing and reopening the app.
- Clearing the app cache (in phone settings).
- Reinstalling the Ring app.
Wi-Fi Connection Issues
If the doorbell goes offline after adding a user:
- Check your Wi-Fi signal strength at the doorbell location.
- Restart your router.
- Reconnect the doorbell to Wi-Fi via the app.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these advanced tips to get even more out of your shared Ring setup.
Use Multiple Doorbells
If you have more than one Ring Doorbell (e.g., front and back door), you can share each one separately. Just repeat the process for each device.
Set Up Motion Zones for Different Users
You can’t assign motion zones to specific users, but you can adjust zones to reduce false alerts. For example, exclude the street if kids are playing outside.
Enable Two-Way Talk for Guests
By default, Guests can use Two-Way Talk. Make sure it’s enabled in Device Settings > Audio Settings. This lets them speak to visitors even if they’re not home.
Use Ring Chimes for Audible Alerts
If someone doesn’t check their phone often, pair a Ring Chime to play a sound when the doorbell rings. You can assign Chimes to specific users.
Schedule Access for Temporary Users
While Ring doesn’t offer automatic expiration, you can manually remove Guest users after a set time. For Airbnb hosts, consider creating a checklist to remove access after each guest checks out.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to protect your privacy and security.
Only Share with Trusted People
Anyone with access can see who comes to your door. Don’t share with strangers or people you don’t fully trust.
Use Strong Passwords
Make sure all users have strong, unique passwords for their Ring accounts. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra security.
Review Shared Users Regularly
Every few months, check your Shared Users list and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
Disable Motion Alerts for Guests if Needed
If a Guest is getting too many alerts, you can’t disable them directly—but you can reduce motion sensitivity in the app to cut down on notifications.
Conclusion
Adding more phones to your Ring Doorbell is one of the smartest things you can do to enhance your home security and convenience. Whether you’re sharing access with family, roommates, or guests, the process is simple, secure, and completely free.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to invite users, assign roles, manage access, and troubleshoot common issues. You’ve also picked up tips for keeping your system secure and running smoothly.
Remember: the goal isn’t just to add more phones—it’s to make your home smarter, safer, and more connected. With Ring’s sharing features, everyone in your household can stay in the loop, no matter where they are.
So go ahead—send that invite, share the access, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your door is always being watched.