How to Add Phones to Ring Doorbell

This guide shows you how to add phones to Ring Doorbell so you and your family can receive alerts on multiple devices. Whether you’re setting up a new phone or sharing access with roommates, we cover everything from app setup to troubleshooting.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple devices can be linked: You can add several phones to one Ring Doorbell so everyone in your household gets notifications.
• Use the Ring app for setup: All device additions are managed through the official Ring app on iOS or Android.
• Shared users need an invite: To add another person’s phone, you must send them an invitation via email from your Ring account.
• Check Wi-Fi and permissions: Ensure your phone has a strong Wi-Fi connection and the Ring app has notification permissions enabled.
• Test after setup: Always test the doorbell after adding a new phone to confirm alerts are working properly.
• Troubleshoot common issues: Problems like delayed alerts or failed invites can often be fixed by restarting the app or re-sending the invitation.
• Keep firmware updated: Regularly update your Ring Doorbell firmware to ensure compatibility with new phones and features.

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

If you’ve recently installed a Ring Doorbell or want to make sure your family members never miss a delivery or visitor, you’re in the right place. One of the best features of Ring Doorbells is the ability to add multiple phones so that everyone in your household can receive real-time alerts when someone presses the doorbell or triggers a motion sensor.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to add phones to Ring Doorbell, whether you’re adding your own second device or inviting a spouse, roommate, or caregiver to share access. We’ll cover everything from initial setup to troubleshooting common issues, so you can enjoy seamless smart home security.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:
– Add your own phone or tablet to your Ring Doorbell
– Invite others to access your Ring device
– Manage shared users and permissions
– Fix common connection or notification problems
– Keep your system running smoothly

Let’s get started!

Why Add Multiple Phones to Your Ring Doorbell?

Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why adding phones is such a valuable feature.

Imagine this: You’re in the backyard gardening, and your phone is inside charging. Your Ring Doorbell detects motion and sends an alert—but you don’t hear it. Meanwhile, your partner is upstairs and misses the notification too. Now, a delivery person leaves a package unattended.

By adding phones to Ring Doorbell, you ensure that multiple people can receive alerts instantly. This is especially useful for:
– Families with kids or elderly relatives
– Roommates or shared housing
– Home-based businesses
– People who work from home and need to monitor deliveries

Plus, each user can customize their notification settings—like turning off motion alerts at night or only receiving doorbell press notifications.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you begin adding phones, make sure you have the following:

• A Ring Doorbell installed and connected to Wi-Fi – If you haven’t set up your doorbell yet, follow the Ring app’s installation guide first.
• The Ring app installed on your phone – Available for free on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
• An active Ring account – You’ll need to be logged in as the primary account holder to add other users.
• The email address of the person you want to invite – For shared access, they’ll need to accept an invitation via email.
• Strong Wi-Fi signal at your doorbell location – Weak signals can cause delays or failed notifications.

Once you’ve confirmed these basics, you’re ready to proceed.

Step 1: Open the Ring App and Log In

The first step in adding phones to Ring Doorbell is to open the Ring app on your primary device—the one already connected to your doorbell.

How to Open the Ring App

• Tap the Ring app icon on your home screen.
• If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password.
• If you’ve forgotten your password, tap “Forgot Password?” and follow the reset instructions.

Once logged in, you should see your Ring devices on the home screen. Tap on your doorbell to open its live view or settings.

Verify Your Device Is Online

Before adding new phones, make sure your doorbell is working properly:

• Check the battery level or power status.
• Ensure the device shows “Online” in the app.
• Test the doorbell by pressing it or triggering motion to confirm alerts are working.

If your doorbell is offline, troubleshoot the connection first (we’ll cover that later).

Step 2: Add Your Own Phone or Tablet

If you want to add a second device—like a tablet or another phone—that you own, you don’t need to send an invitation. You can simply log in with the same Ring account.

Download the Ring App on the New Device

• Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) on the new phone or tablet.
• Search for “Ring – Always Home” and download the official app.
• Open the app and tap “Log In.”
• Use the same email and password as your primary account.

Once logged in, your Ring Doorbell should appear automatically. You’ll now receive alerts on both devices.

Enable Notifications on the New Device

To ensure you get alerts:

• Go to your phone’s Settings > Notifications > Ring.
• Turn on “Allow Notifications.”
• Enable “Sounds,” “Badges,” and “Banners” for the best experience.
• Optional: Set custom notification tones in the Ring app under Device Settings > Notification Settings.

Now, when someone rings the doorbell, both your phones will alert you.

Step 3: Invite Others to Access Your Ring Doorbell

To let someone else—like your spouse, roommate, or caregiver—receive alerts on their phone, you’ll need to send them an invitation. This creates a “Shared User” account.

Send an Invitation from the Ring App

Follow these steps:

• Open the Ring app on your primary device.
• Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left corner.
• Select “Devices” and choose your doorbell.
• Tap “Shared Users” or “People” (depending on your app version).
• Tap “Add Person” or the “+” icon.
• Enter the person’s email address.
• Choose their access level:
  • Viewer: Can see live view and recordings, but can’t change settings.
  • User: Can view, receive alerts, and adjust some settings (like motion zones).
  • Owner: Full control, including adding/removing users (only one owner per device).
• Tap “Send Invitation.”

The person will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation.

The Recipient Accepts the Invitation

The invited person should:

• Open the email and tap “Accept Invitation.”
• If they don’t have a Ring account, they’ll be prompted to create one.
• Download the Ring app if they haven’t already.
• Log in with their new or existing account.
• Once accepted, your doorbell will appear in their app.

Now, they’ll receive alerts just like you do.

Step 4: Manage Shared Users and Permissions

As the primary account holder, you can manage who has access and what they can do.

View or Remove Shared Users

• Go to the Ring app > Menu > Devices > Your Doorbell > Shared Users.
• Tap on a user’s name to see their access level.
• To remove someone, tap “Remove Access” and confirm.

Change Access Levels

You can upgrade or downgrade a user’s permissions:

• Tap the user’s name in the Shared Users list.
• Select a new role (Viewer, User, or Owner).
• Tap “Save.”

Note: Only one person can be the Owner. If you change someone else to Owner, you’ll become a User.

Step 5: Customize Notification Settings

Each user can personalize how and when they receive alerts.

Adjust Notification Preferences

• Open the Ring app on the device you want to customize.
• Tap the menu > Devices > Your Doorbell.
• Tap “Notification Settings.”
• Choose which alerts to receive:
  • Doorbell Press
  • Motion Alerts
  • Package Detection (if supported)
• Set quiet hours to mute alerts during specific times (e.g., overnight).
• Enable “Smart Alerts” to reduce false motion triggers.

Use Do Not Disturb Mode

If you’re in a meeting or sleeping:

• Swipe down from the top of your phone screen to open quick settings.
• Enable “Do Not Disturb” or “Focus Mode.”
• Or, within the Ring app, tap the bell icon to temporarily mute alerts.

This ensures you’re not disturbed unnecessarily while still staying secure.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with proper setup, you might run into problems when adding phones to Ring Doorbell. Here’s how to fix the most common issues.

Problem: Invitation Email Not Received

• Check the recipient’s spam or junk folder.
• Ensure the email address was entered correctly.
• Resend the invitation from the Shared Users menu.
• Ask the recipient to check if they have a Ring account with a different email.

Problem: Delayed or Missing Alerts

• Check Wi-Fi strength at the doorbell location—use the Ring app’s Wi-Fi signal tool.
• Restart the Ring app and your phone.
• Ensure notification permissions are enabled in phone settings.
• Update the Ring app to the latest version.
• Reboot your doorbell by removing and reinserting the battery (or turning off the power for hardwired models).

Problem: New Phone Doesn’t Show the Doorbell

• Log out and log back into the Ring app on the new device.
• Ensure you’re using the same account (for personal devices) or that the invitation was accepted (for shared users).
• Check if the doorbell is assigned to a different location in the app.
• Force close the app and reopen it.

Problem: App Crashes or Freezes

• Update the Ring app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Clear the app cache (Android: Settings > Apps > Ring > Storage > Clear Cache).
• Reinstall the app if problems persist.

Problem: Weak Wi-Fi Signal

• Move your router closer to the doorbell.
• Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network.
• Switch to a 2.4 GHz network (Ring devices don’t support 5 GHz).
• Check for interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones).

Best Practices for Managing Multiple Devices

To keep your Ring Doorbell system running smoothly with multiple phones, follow these tips:

• Limit shared users to trusted individuals – Only invite people you trust with access to your home security.
• Regularly review shared users – Remove access for people who no longer need it (e.g., former roommates).
• Keep the app updated – New updates often include bug fixes and security improvements.
• Use strong, unique passwords – Protect your Ring account with a secure password and enable two-factor authentication.
• Test alerts weekly – Press the doorbell or walk in front of the sensor to ensure all devices are receiving notifications.
• Monitor battery levels – Low battery can cause delays or missed alerts, especially on battery-powered models.

Advanced Tips for Power Users

If you’re managing a large household or smart home setup, consider these advanced strategies:

Use Alexa or Google Assistant Integration

• Link your Ring account to Alexa or Google Home.
• Receive voice alerts on Echo devices or Google Nest speakers.
• Say “Alexa, show me the front door” to view the live feed on a compatible screen.

Set Up Motion Zones

• In the Ring app, go to Device Settings > Motion Settings > Motion Zones.
• Draw zones to focus alerts on specific areas (e.g., driveway, walkway).
• Reduce false alerts from passing cars or trees.

Enable Professional Monitoring (Optional)

• Subscribe to Ring Protect Pro for 24/7 professional monitoring.
• Authorize emergency responders if motion or doorbell alerts indicate a break-in.
• Add peace of mind for families or frequent travelers.

Conclusion

Adding phones to your Ring Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your home security. Whether you’re sharing access with family members or ensuring you never miss a delivery, the process is straightforward when you follow the right steps.

To recap:
– Use the Ring app to log in on additional devices you own.
– Send invitations via email to let others receive alerts.
– Customize notification settings for each user.
– Troubleshoot common issues like delayed alerts or failed invites.
– Keep your system updated and secure.

With multiple phones connected, your Ring Doorbell becomes a true team effort—keeping everyone informed and your home safer.

So go ahead, invite your loved ones, and enjoy the convenience of shared smart security. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.