Adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell allows trusted individuals to receive alerts, view live video, and respond to visitors. This guide walks you through the simple process using the Ring app, ensuring seamless sharing without compromising security.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite users: The easiest way to add a second person is through the Ring mobile app by sending an invitation via email.
- Choose the right sharing level: You can grant full access or limited permissions like viewing only or receiving motion alerts.
- Ensure both users have Ring accounts: The person you’re adding must have a registered Ring account to accept the invitation.
- Manage shared users anytime: You can remove or adjust permissions for shared users directly from the app.
- Works with all Ring Doorbell models: Whether you have a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell Pro, or Ring Doorbell Elite, the sharing process is the same.
- Enhance home security through collaboration: Sharing access helps family members or roommates monitor your home when you’re away.
- Troubleshoot common issues: If the invitation fails, check email settings, internet connection, or resend the invite.
How to Add Second Person to Ring Doorbell
So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and love how it keeps your home secure—now you want to share that peace of mind with someone else. Maybe it’s your spouse, a roommate, a trusted neighbor, or even an adult child who lives with you. Whatever the reason, adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell is a smart move. It ensures that more than one person can see who’s at the door, respond to visitors, and stay informed about activity around your home.
The good news? It’s incredibly easy to do—and you don’t need to be a tech expert. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from sending the invitation to managing shared access. We’ll also cover troubleshooting tips and best practices to keep your Ring Doorbell secure while sharing it with others.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to add a second person to your Ring Doorbell, customize their permissions, and maintain control over your device. Let’s get started!
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add Second Person to Ring Doorbell
Image source: doorbellnest.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why sharing your Ring Doorbell with a second person is a great idea.
First, it improves home security. If you’re at work and someone rings the doorbell, your partner or roommate can answer it. If there’s suspicious activity, multiple people can respond quickly. This is especially helpful for families with kids, elderly parents, or people who work irregular hours.
Second, it adds convenience. You don’t always have your phone nearby. Maybe you’re in the shower, mowing the lawn, or in a meeting. With shared access, someone else can check the live feed or talk to the delivery person.
Third, it strengthens trust and communication. When everyone in the household has access, there’s no confusion about who saw what or when. It creates a shared sense of responsibility for home safety.
And finally, it’s completely secure. Ring uses encrypted connections and allows you to control exactly what the second person can do. You’re not giving away full control—just the access you want them to have.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and working: Your device should be connected to Wi-Fi and functioning properly.
- The Ring mobile app installed: Available for free on iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices.
- Your Ring account logged in: You must be signed in as the owner or admin of the device.
- The email address of the person you want to add: They’ll need this to receive the invitation.
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and the Ring Doorbell should be online.
If any of these are missing, take care of them first. For example, if your Ring Doorbell isn’t connected, follow the setup steps in the app. If the other person doesn’t have a Ring account, they’ll need to download the app and create one.
Step-by-Step: How to Add a Second Person to Ring Doorbell
Now that you’re prepared, let’s go through the process step by step. The entire process takes less than five minutes and can be done entirely from your smartphone.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your iPhone or Android device. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the Ring Doorbell. If you have multiple devices, ensure you’re viewing the correct one.
Once the app opens, you’ll see your dashboard with live feeds, recent events, and device status. Tap on the three horizontal lines (also called the hamburger menu) in the top-left corner to open the main menu.
Step 2: Select Your Doorbell Device
From the menu, tap on Devices. This will show a list of all your Ring devices—cameras, doorbells, alarms, etc.
Find your Ring Doorbell in the list and tap on it. This will take you to the device’s control screen, where you can view live video, check settings, and manage features.
Step 3: Go to Device Sharing
On the device screen, scroll down until you see the Device Sharing option. It’s usually located under the “Settings” or “More” section, depending on your app version.
Tap on Device Sharing. This will open a new screen where you can manage who has access to your doorbell.
Step 4: Send an Invitation
On the Device Sharing screen, you’ll see a button that says Invite Users or Add User. Tap on it.
You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to add. Make sure you type it correctly—this is how they’ll receive the invitation.
After entering the email, tap Send Invitation.
Step 5: Choose Permissions (Optional)
Before sending, you may have the option to choose what level of access the second person will have. Ring offers different permission levels:
- Full Access: The user can view live video, receive alerts, talk to visitors, review past events, and change settings.
- View Only: The user can see live video and past recordings but cannot talk to visitors or change settings.
- Motion Alerts Only: The user receives notifications when motion is detected but cannot view video or interact.
For most people, Full Access is the best choice if you trust the person completely—like a spouse or family member. If you’re sharing with a neighbor or babysitter, you might choose View Only or Motion Alerts Only.
Select the appropriate permission level, then tap Send.
Step 6: The Second Person Accepts the Invitation
Now, the person you invited will receive an email from Ring with a link to accept the invitation. They must:
- Open the email on their phone or computer.
- Tap the link, which will open the Ring app (or prompt them to download it).
- Log in to their Ring account (or create one if they don’t have one).
- Accept the invitation.
Once they accept, they’ll have access to your Ring Doorbell based on the permissions you set.
Step 7: Confirm Access in the App
Back in your Ring app, go to Device Sharing again. You should now see the new user listed under “Shared Users.”
You can tap on their name to view or change their permissions at any time.
Tips for Successful Sharing
To make the process smooth and secure, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a trusted email address: Make sure the email you enter belongs to the person you intend to share with. Avoid using shared or public emails.
- Communicate with the other person: Let them know they’ll receive an email and what to expect. This prevents confusion or accidental deletion of the invitation.
- Check their app version: For the best experience, both users should have the latest version of the Ring app. Older versions may not support all features.
- Test the connection: After sharing, ask the second person to open the app and check if they can see the live feed or receive alerts.
- Review permissions regularly: If someone moves out or no longer needs access, remove them promptly.
Managing Shared Users
You’re not stuck with the same settings forever. Ring makes it easy to manage shared users at any time.
How to Change Permissions
To change what a shared user can do:
- Go to Devices > select your doorbell > Device Sharing.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Select a new permission level (Full Access, View Only, etc.).
- Tap Save.
Changes take effect immediately.
How to Remove a User
If you no longer want someone to have access:
- Go to Device Sharing.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Tap Remove User.
- Confirm the action.
Once removed, they will no longer receive alerts or be able to view your doorbell.
How to See Who Has Access
To view all users with access to your doorbell:
- Go to Device Sharing.
- You’ll see a list of all shared users, their email addresses, and their permission levels.
This is helpful for auditing access, especially if you’ve shared with multiple people over time.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Problem: The Invitation Email Isn’t Received
If the second person doesn’t get the email:
- Check the spam or junk folder.
- Make sure you entered the correct email address.
- Ask them to check if they have any email filters blocking messages from Ring.
- Try resending the invitation from the app.
If the email still doesn’t arrive, the person can try creating a new Ring account with a different email and send the invitation again.
Problem: The Invitation Link Doesn’t Work
If the link in the email is broken or expired:
- Invitations typically expire after 7 days. If it’s been longer, resend it.
- Make sure the person is using the same email address you invited.
- Ask them to open the link on their phone, not a computer, for best results.
Problem: The Second Person Can’t See the Doorbell
If they’ve accepted the invitation but still can’t access the doorbell:
- Ensure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
- Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
- Check that your doorbell is online (green status light in the app).
- Restart your Wi-Fi router and the Ring Doorbell.
Problem: Permissions Aren’t Working as Expected
If the second person can do more (or less) than they should:
- Go back to Device Sharing and double-check the permission level.
- Make sure you saved the changes after adjusting permissions.
- Ask the user to log out and back into the app to refresh settings.
Security Best Practices When Sharing Your Ring Doorbell
While sharing access is convenient, it’s important to do it safely. Here are some security tips:
- Only share with people you trust: This includes family, roommates, or close friends. Avoid sharing with strangers or service providers unless absolutely necessary.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Both you and the shared user should have strong passwords for your Ring accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone when logging in.
- Monitor activity logs: Ring keeps a record of who viewed the camera and when. Check this periodically for unusual access.
- Revoke access when no longer needed: If someone moves out or you no longer trust them, remove them immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing Ring Doorbell Access
Can I add more than one person to my Ring Doorbell?
Yes! You can add multiple people to your Ring Doorbell. There’s no strict limit, but Ring recommends keeping the number reasonable for security and performance. Each person must have their own Ring account.
Can the second person answer the doorbell?
Yes, if you’ve given them Full Access, they can answer the doorbell just like you. They’ll receive notifications when someone rings and can use the two-way talk feature to speak with visitors.
Will the second person see my other Ring devices?
No. When you share a specific device (like your doorbell), only that device is shared. Your other Ring cameras or alarms remain private unless you specifically share them too.
Can I share my Ring Doorbell with someone in another country?
Yes, as long as they have a smartphone, internet access, and can download the Ring app. However, some features may vary by region due to local laws or service availability.
What if the second person doesn’t have a smartphone?
Unfortunately, the Ring app is required to access the doorbell. If they don’t have a smartphone, they won’t be able to receive alerts or view video. In that case, consider sharing access with someone else who does.
Does sharing affect my Ring Protect Plan?
No. Your Ring Protect Plan (if you have one) covers all users with access to the device. There’s no extra charge for sharing.
Conclusion
Adding a second person to your Ring Doorbell is a simple, secure, and smart way to enhance your home’s safety and convenience. Whether it’s your partner, a roommate, or a trusted neighbor, sharing access ensures that someone is always available to respond to visitors, monitor activity, and keep your home secure.
The process takes just a few minutes: open the Ring app, go to Device Sharing, send an invitation, and choose the right permissions. You can manage users anytime, change access levels, or remove people as needed.
By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be able to share your Ring Doorbell confidently and responsibly. And with the troubleshooting tips and security best practices, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and keep your home protected.
So go ahead—send that invitation. Give someone else the peace of mind that comes with knowing who’s at your door. After all, safety is better when it’s shared.