This guide walks you through how to add people to Ring 2 doorbell so family or trusted neighbors can view live video, receive alerts, and manage recordings. Follow simple steps in the Ring app to share access securely and customize permissions.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite users: Only the primary account holder can send invitations via the app’s “Shared Users” feature.
- Set custom permissions: Choose whether added users can view live video, receive motion alerts, or delete recordings.
- Require Ring account for access: Anyone you add must have a verified Ring account to accept the invitation.
- Manage users anytime: You can remove or edit permissions for shared users directly from the device settings.
- Troubleshoot common issues: Problems like failed invites or login errors can often be fixed by checking Wi-Fi, app updates, or re-sending the invitation.
- Keep your home secure: Only share access with trusted individuals and regularly review who has permissions.
- Works with Ring 2 and newer models: This process applies to Ring Video Doorbell 2, 3, 4, Pro, and other compatible devices.
How to Add People to Ring 2 Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Video Doorbell 2 and love how it keeps your home secure with real-time alerts and crystal-clear video. But what if you want your spouse, roommate, or a trusted neighbor to also get notifications when someone’s at the door? That’s where sharing access comes in.
Adding people to your Ring 2 doorbell is simple, safe, and gives you peace of mind knowing that more than one person can monitor your front door. Whether it’s so your partner can see who’s visiting while you’re at work or so your neighbor can check on your home while you’re on vacation, sharing access is a smart move.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add people to Ring 2 doorbell using the Ring app. We’ll walk you through every step—from sending the invitation to customizing what each person can do. Plus, we’ll cover troubleshooting tips and best practices to keep your home secure.
Let’s get started!
Why Share Access to Your Ring 2 Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add People to Ring 2 Doorbell
Image source: i.pinimg.com
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why sharing access is useful.
First, it increases convenience. If you’re not home, someone else can answer the door virtually or check who’s ringing the bell. Second, it improves security. More eyes on your door mean faster response to suspicious activity. And third, it’s great for families or roommates who all want to stay in the loop.
But remember: sharing access doesn’t mean giving away control. You, as the primary account holder, always manage who has access and what they can do.
What You’ll Need Before Adding Someone
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring account: You must be the primary owner of the Ring 2 doorbell.
- The Ring app installed: Available on iOS and Android. Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
- The email address of the person you want to add: They’ll need this to accept the invitation.
- A stable Wi-Fi connection: Both your phone and the Ring doorbell should be connected to the internet.
Also, the person you’re adding must have their own Ring account. If they don’t, they’ll need to create one before they can accept your invite.
Step 1: Open the Ring App and Log In
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password to access your account.
Once you’re in, you’ll see the home screen with your devices. Look for your Ring Video Doorbell 2 in the list. It should show a live preview or the last recorded event.
Check Your Device Status
Before adding someone, make sure your Ring 2 is online and working properly. You’ll see a green dot or “Online” status next to the device name. If it says “Offline,” check your Wi-Fi connection or power source before proceeding.
Step 2: Navigate to Device Settings
Now, let’s go to the settings for your Ring 2 doorbell.
Tap on the device icon for your Ring Video Doorbell 2. This will open the live view or event history screen.
Next, tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This opens the device settings menu.
Find the “Shared Users” Option
Scroll down until you see the section labeled “Shared Users”. This is where you can manage who has access to your doorbell.
Tap on “Shared Users” to open the list of current users (if any) and to add new ones.
Step 3: Invite a New User
Now it’s time to send an invitation.
Tap the “Add Shared User” button. You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite.
Type in their email carefully. Make sure it matches the one they use for their Ring account.
Choose Permissions
After entering the email, you’ll see a list of permissions you can grant. These include:
- Live View: Allows the user to see real-time video from the doorbell.
- Motion Alerts: Sends notifications when motion is detected.
- Event History: Lets the user view past recordings and events.
- Delete Events: Allows the user to delete recordings (use with caution).
- Device Settings: Lets the user change settings like motion zones or chime settings (not recommended for most users).
For most people, we recommend enabling Live View and Motion Alerts only. This gives them useful access without letting them change settings or delete important footage.
Tap the toggles to select the permissions you want to grant.
Send the Invitation
Once you’ve selected the permissions, tap “Send Invitation”.
The person will receive an email with a link to accept the invite. They must click the link and log in to their Ring account to complete the process.
Step 4: The Recipient Accepts the Invitation
Now, the person you invited needs to take action.
They’ll receive an email from Ring with the subject line something like “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
Inside the email, they’ll see your name, the device name (e.g., “Front Door – Ring Video Doorbell 2”), and a button that says “Accept Invitation.”
They should tap that button, which will open the Ring app or direct them to download it if they don’t have it.
Log In to Their Ring Account
If they already have a Ring account, they’ll log in with their email and password. If not, they’ll need to create one first.
Once logged in, they’ll see the invitation in the app. They can review the permissions and tap “Accept” to gain access.
After accepting, your Ring 2 doorbell will appear in their device list, and they’ll start receiving alerts based on the permissions you set.
Step 5: Verify Access and Test the Connection
Once the invitation is accepted, it’s a good idea to test that everything is working.
Ask the person to open the Ring app and check if they can:
- See the live view from your doorbell.
- Receive a motion alert (you can trigger this by walking in front of the doorbell).
- View recent events in the timeline.
If they can do all of these, the setup was successful.
What If They Can’t Access the Doorbell?
If the person can’t see the device or get alerts, try these quick fixes:
- Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
- Check that they accepted the invitation (sometimes emails go to spam).
- Restart the Ring app on their phone.
- Ensure your Ring 2 is online and functioning.
If problems persist, see the troubleshooting section below.
Managing Shared Users After Setup
You’re not stuck with the same settings forever. You can change or remove access at any time.
To manage shared users:
Go back to the Ring app → Tap your Ring 2 → Gear icon → “Shared Users.”
Here, you’ll see a list of everyone you’ve invited.
Edit Permissions
Tap on a user’s name to change what they can do. You can turn off Live View, disable alerts, or remove delete access.
This is useful if someone no longer needs full access—like a house sitter after your vacation ends.
Remove a User
To completely remove someone, tap their name and select “Remove User.”
They’ll lose all access immediately and stop receiving alerts.
Best Practices for Sharing Access
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to do it safely.
Here are some tips to keep your home secure:
- Only invite people you trust: This includes family, close friends, or trusted neighbors—not just anyone.
- Limit permissions: Don’t give everyone full control. Most users only need to see live video and get alerts.
- Review access regularly: Every few months, check who has access and remove anyone who no longer needs it.
- Use strong passwords: Make sure your Ring account has a unique, strong password to prevent unauthorized access.
- Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security to your account.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear steps, things can go wrong. Here are solutions to the most common problems when adding people to your Ring 2 doorbell.
Problem: Invitation Email Not Received
Sometimes the invite email doesn’t arrive.
- Check the spam or junk folder.
- Make sure you entered the correct email address.
- Ask the recipient to check if they have a Ring account with a different email.
- Try re-sending the invitation.
Problem: “User Already Has Access” Error
If you get this message, it means the person is already linked to your device—either as a shared user or through another account.
- Check the Shared Users list to see if they’re already there.
- If they’re on a different Ring account, ask them to log out and use the correct one.
Problem: Can’t See Live View or Get Alerts
If the person accepts the invite but can’t see video or get notifications:
- Ensure your Ring 2 is online (check the status in the app).
- Verify that Live View and Motion Alerts are enabled in their permissions.
- Restart the Ring app on their phone.
- Make sure their phone has a good internet connection.
- Update the Ring app to the latest version.
Problem: Device Not Showing Up in Their App
If the Ring 2 doesn’t appear in their device list:
- Ask them to log out and log back into the Ring app.
- Check that they accepted the invitation on the correct account.
- Ensure your Ring 2 is properly connected to Wi-Fi.
- Try removing and re-adding them as a shared user.
Problem: App Crashes or Freezes
If the Ring app crashes when trying to add a user:
- Close and reopen the app.
- Restart your phone.
- Update the app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Clear the app cache (on Android) or reinstall the app if needed.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
If you’re comfortable with technology, here are some advanced ways to get the most out of shared access.
Use Shared Users for Pet Sitters or House Sitters
Going on vacation? Add a trusted friend or pet sitter as a shared user with limited permissions—just Live View and Motion Alerts. This way, they can check on your home without changing settings.
Create a Family Group
If multiple family members use Ring devices, consider setting up a “Ring Family” group. This lets you share multiple devices (like doorbells and cameras) with the same people easily.
Use Motion Zones to Reduce False Alerts
If your shared users are getting too many alerts (like from passing cars), adjust the motion zones in the device settings. This ensures they only get notified for activity near your front door.
Monitor Activity Logs
Ring keeps a log of who views your device and when. You can check this in the app under “Device History” to see if someone accessed your doorbell unexpectedly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Users
We’ve covered a lot, but you might still have questions. Here are answers to common concerns.
Can I add unlimited people to my Ring 2?
Ring allows up to 10 shared users per device. This is usually more than enough for most households.
Can shared users answer the doorbell?
Yes, if they have Live View access, they can see and talk to visitors using the two-way audio feature—just like you can.
Do shared users need a Ring Protect plan?
No. Shared users can view live video and receive alerts without a Ring Protect subscription. However, to view past recordings, they’ll need access to your Ring Protect plan (which you manage).
Can I add someone who lives far away?
Absolutely. As long as they have the Ring app and a stable internet connection, they can monitor your doorbell from anywhere in the world.
What if I change my mind after adding someone?
You can remove them anytime from the Shared Users section. They’ll lose access immediately.
Does adding users affect my Ring Protect recordings?
No. Your recordings are stored securely and only accessible to you and users with Event History permission. Adding users doesn’t change your storage or plan.
Conclusion: Share Access Safely and Smartly
Adding people to your Ring 2 doorbell is a great way to enhance home security and convenience. Whether it’s for family, roommates, or trusted neighbors, sharing access means more people can help keep an eye on your home.
By following the steps in this guide, you can invite users, set custom permissions, and manage access with confidence. Just remember to only share with people you trust, limit their permissions, and review access regularly.
With the right setup, your Ring 2 doorbell becomes a team effort—keeping your home safe, no matter who’s watching the door.
Now that you know how to add people to Ring 2 doorbell, you’re ready to share the benefits of smart security with others. Stay safe, stay connected, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a smarter front door.