Adding people to your Ring Doorbell lets family members or trusted neighbors receive alerts and view live video. This guide walks you through the process using the Ring app, covering user roles, permissions, and troubleshooting tips for a smooth setup.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite users: Only the owner can send invitations via email or phone number.
- Choose the right user role: Assign “Shared User” for limited access or “Owner” for full control.
- Ensure strong Wi-Fi and app updates: Poor connectivity or outdated apps can block invitations.
- Accept invitations promptly: Users must accept within 7 days or the link expires.
- Manage permissions carefully: Shared users can’t delete devices or change billing info.
- Troubleshoot failed invites: Check spam folders, re-send links, or restart the app.
- Remove users anytime: Owners can revoke access instantly from the app.
How to Add People to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell, and it’s working great—motion alerts, live view, two-way talk—everything’s smooth. But now you want to share access with your spouse, roommate, or maybe a trusted neighbor who watches your home while you’re away. That’s where adding people to your Ring Doorbell comes in.
Whether you have a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell Pro, or Ring Doorbell Elite, the process of sharing access is simple—but it’s important to do it correctly to keep your home secure and ensure everyone gets the alerts they need.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add people to Ring Doorbell using the Ring app, explain the different user roles, share practical tips for smooth setup, and help you troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to invite others, manage their permissions, and keep your smart doorbell working perfectly for your whole household.
Let’s get started.
Why Add People to Your Ring Doorbell?
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why sharing access is useful.
Imagine you’re at work and your Ring Doorbell detects motion. You get an alert, but so does your partner at home. With shared access, they can open the app, see who’s at the door, and even speak to them—without needing your phone. That’s peace of mind.
Adding people also helps in situations like:
– House-sitters or dog walkers who need to monitor deliveries.
– Adult children living at home who want to answer the door remotely.
– Neighbors helping during vacations.
But remember: only the device owner can add or remove users. This keeps control in the right hands and prevents unauthorized access.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin adding people to your Ring Doorbell, make sure you have the following:
- The Ring app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
- Your Ring account logged in with owner privileges.
- The email address or phone number of the person you want to invite.
- A stable internet connection—both on your phone and for your Ring device.
- The latest version of the Ring app—check your app store for updates.
Having these ready will prevent delays and ensure a smooth invitation process.
Step 1: Open the Ring App and Log In
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone. If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password to access your account.
Once inside, you’ll see the home screen with your devices listed. Make sure your Ring Doorbell is online and showing a green status indicator. If it’s offline, check your Wi-Fi or power source before proceeding.
Tip: Use the Same Account
Only the account that originally set up the Ring Doorbell can add users. If you’re not the owner, ask them to send you an invitation instead.
Visual guide about How to Add People to Ring Doorbell
Image source: i.ytimg.com
Step 2: Navigate to Device Settings
From the home screen, tap on your Ring Doorbell to open its live view or event history.
Then, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This opens the device settings menu.
Scroll down until you see the option labeled “Shared Users” or “People”, depending on your app version. Tap on it.
What If I Don’t See “Shared Users”?
If you don’t see this option, make sure you’re logged in as the owner. Shared user accounts won’t have access to this menu. Also, confirm your app is updated—older versions may have different layouts.
Step 3: Send an Invitation
Once you’re in the Shared Users section, tap the “Add Person” button.
You’ll be prompted to enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to invite. Ring supports both methods, but email is more reliable.
Enter the Correct Contact Info
Double-check the email or phone number. If it’s wrong, the invitation won’t go through, and the person won’t receive it. Use the same email they use for their Ring account (if they have one).
After entering the contact, tap “Send Invitation”.
Ring will send a notification to that person with a link to accept the invite. They’ll need to open it on a smartphone with the Ring app installed.
Example: Inviting Your Partner
Let’s say you want to add your spouse, Maria. You enter her email ([email protected]), tap send, and she gets a push notification. She opens it, logs into her Ring app (or creates an account), and accepts. Now she can see your doorbell alerts.
Step 4: Choose the Right User Role
When sending the invitation, you’ll also choose the user’s role. Ring offers two main options:
- Shared User: Can view live video, receive alerts, and talk through the doorbell. Cannot delete the device, change settings, or manage other users.
- Owner: Has full control, including adding/removing users, changing billing, and deleting the device. Use this sparingly—only for trusted individuals.
For most people, “Shared User” is the best choice. It gives access without risking accidental changes.
Can I Change the Role Later?
Yes. As the owner, you can go back to the Shared Users menu, tap on a person’s name, and change their role from Shared User to Owner or vice versa.
Step 5: The Invitee Accepts the Invitation
Once you send the invite, the other person will receive a notification. Here’s what they need to do:
- Open the notification or check their email.
- Tap the link to open it in the Ring app.
- If they don’t have a Ring account, they’ll be prompted to create one (free).
- Log in or sign up, then accept the invitation.
After accepting, the Ring Doorbell will appear in their app under “Shared Devices.”
What If They Don’t Get the Invite?
Check their spam or junk folder. Sometimes Ring emails get filtered. You can also ask them to search for “Ring” in their email. If it’s been more than a few minutes, try re-sending the invite.
Step 6: Confirm Access and Test
Once the person accepts, go back to your Ring app and check the Shared Users list. You should see their name and email with a “Accepted” status.
To test, ask them to open the app and view the live feed. They should be able to see the camera, hear audio, and use two-way talk—just like you.
Pro Tip: Test at Night
Try testing after dark to ensure night vision and motion detection work for them too. This confirms full functionality.
Managing Shared Users: Adding, Editing, and Removing
As the owner, you have full control over who has access. Here’s how to manage users after the initial setup.
Adding More People
You can add as many Shared Users as you want. Just repeat the steps above. There’s no limit, but keep it to people you trust.
Editing Permissions
Tap on a user’s name in the Shared Users menu to change their role or resend an invitation if it expired.
Removing a User
To remove someone, go to Shared Users, tap their name, and select “Remove Access.” They’ll lose all permissions immediately. This is useful if someone moves out or you no longer trust them with access.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are common problems and how to fix them.
Invitation Not Received
If the person didn’t get the invite:
- Check the email address for typos.
- Ask them to check spam/junk folders.
- Re-send the invitation from the app.
- Ensure their phone has notifications enabled for the Ring app.
Invitation Link Expired
Ring invitations expire after 7 days. If the link doesn’t work, simply send a new one. The old link becomes invalid automatically.
Person Can’t See the Doorbell
If they accepted but don’t see the device:
- Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
- Check that they’re logged into the correct account.
- Ensure the doorbell is online (green status).
- Restart their phone or reinstall the app if needed.
App Crashes or Freezes
Outdated apps can cause glitches. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), search for “Ring,” and update if available. Also, restart your phone.
Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues
Poor Wi-Fi can prevent invites from sending or devices from syncing. Make sure your doorbell is within range of your router. Use a Wi-Fi extender if needed. Ring recommends at least 2 Mbps upload speed.
Security Tips When Adding People
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to stay secure.
- Only invite people you trust. Shared users can see who comes to your door—don’t give access to strangers.
- Use strong passwords. Encourage all users to enable two-factor authentication in their Ring accounts.
- Monitor activity. Check the event history regularly to see who’s viewing the camera.
- Remove access when no longer needed. If someone moves out or you stop trusting them, remove them immediately.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for setup. Use a secure home network when adding users to prevent hacking.
Advanced Features for Shared Users
Once added, Shared Users can do more than just watch the camera.
Receive Motion and Ring Alerts
They’ll get push notifications when someone presses the doorbell or motion is detected—just like the owner.
Use Two-Way Talk
They can speak to visitors through the doorbell’s speaker and microphone. Great for greeting delivery drivers or warning off suspicious activity.
View Event History
Shared Users can scroll through past recordings (if you have Ring Protect) to see who visited when you were away.
Customize Alert Settings
They can adjust motion zones, sensitivity, and notification schedules—but only for their own app. These settings don’t affect the owner’s experience.
Can You Add People to Multiple Ring Devices?
Yes! If you have more than one Ring device—like a doorbell and a security camera—you can share access to all of them at once.
When you send an invitation, you can choose which devices the person can access. For example, you might let your teen see the front door but not the backyard camera.
To do this:
- Go to Shared Users.
- Tap “Add Person.”
- After entering their info, select which devices to share.
- Send the invite.
This gives you fine-grained control over privacy and access.
What If the Person Doesn’t Have a Smartphone?
Ring requires the app to view live video or receive alerts, so a smartphone is necessary. However, there are workarounds:
- Use a tablet: Install the Ring app on a family iPad or Android tablet.
- Share your phone temporarily: Not ideal, but you can log them in on your device (not recommended for security).
- Use Alexa-enabled devices: If you have an Echo Show, they can view the doorbell feed hands-free by saying, “Alexa, show the front door.”
Best Practices for a Smooth Experience
To keep everything running smoothly, follow these tips:
- Update the app regularly. New versions fix bugs and improve performance.
- Keep your doorbell charged or wired properly. Low power can cause disconnections.
- Name your devices clearly. If you have multiple Ring products, label them (e.g., “Front Door,” “Backyard”) to avoid confusion.
- Communicate with shared users. Let them know how to use the app and what to do in an emergency.
- Review access monthly. Check who has access and remove anyone who no longer needs it.
Conclusion
Adding people to your Ring Doorbell is a simple but powerful way to enhance home security and convenience. Whether it’s your partner, a family member, or a trusted neighbor, shared access means more eyes on your home—and faster responses to visitors or alerts.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to send invitations, choose the right user roles, manage permissions, and troubleshoot common issues. You now have the tools to keep your Ring Doorbell working perfectly for everyone in your household.
Remember: only the owner can add or remove users, so keep your account secure. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and only invite people you trust.
With the right setup, your Ring Doorbell becomes more than just a camera—it becomes a shared tool for safety, communication, and peace of mind.
So go ahead, invite that first person, and start enjoying the full benefits of your smart doorbell today.