How to Add Second User to Ring Doorbell

Adding a second user to your Ring doorbell is simple and secure, allowing family members or trusted neighbors to receive alerts and view live video. This guide walks you through the entire process using the Ring app, including permissions, troubleshooting, and best practices.

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 the second user can view live video, receive motion alerts, or access recorded footage.
• Require email verification: The invited user must accept the invitation using the email linked to their Ring account.
• Manage users anytime: You can remove or adjust permissions for shared users directly from your account settings.
• Troubleshoot common issues: If the invitation fails, check internet connection, app updates, or email spam folders.
• Ensure device compatibility: Most Ring doorbell models support shared users, but confirm your model in the app under Device Health.
• Keep your account secure: Only share access with trusted individuals and review permissions regularly.

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

So, you’ve installed your Ring doorbell, set up motion alerts, and maybe even integrated it with Alexa. But now you want to share access with your spouse, roommate, or a trusted neighbor. Maybe you’re going on vacation and want someone to keep an eye on things while you’re away. Or perhaps your teenager is home alone and should be able to see who’s at the door.

Whatever the reason, adding a second user to your Ring doorbell is not only possible—it’s easy. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from sending the invitation to managing permissions and troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to safely and effectively share your Ring doorbell access with others.

Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell Pro, Ring Doorbell Elite, or any other model, the process is nearly identical. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including tips for security, best practices, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Let’s get started.

Why Add a Second User to Your Ring Doorbell?

Before diving into the steps, it’s worth understanding why you might want to add a second user. Ring doorbells are designed to enhance home security, but their full potential is realized when multiple people can monitor activity.

Here are some common scenarios where sharing access makes sense:

• Family members: Your partner, older children, or elderly parents may need to see who’s at the door when you’re not home.
• Roommates or housemates: In shared living spaces, everyone should have access to doorbell alerts and live video.
• Trusted neighbors: If you’re away on vacation, a neighbor can monitor your home and respond to deliveries or suspicious activity.
• Property managers: If you rent out a property, you might want to give your manager access to the doorbell for maintenance or guest check-ins.
• Caregivers or babysitters: Temporary access can be granted for short-term needs, like childcare or pet sitting.

Sharing access doesn’t mean giving up control. As the primary account holder, you retain full administrative rights. You can set permissions, remove users, and monitor activity logs. It’s a flexible and secure way to extend the benefits of your Ring doorbell to others.

What You’ll Need Before You Begin

Before you start the process of adding a second user, make sure you have the following:

• A Ring account: You must be the primary account holder (the person who originally set up the doorbell).
• The Ring mobile app: Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) if you haven’t already.
• An email address for the second user: They’ll need a valid email to receive and accept the invitation.
• Internet connection: Both your phone and the Ring doorbell should be connected to Wi-Fi.
• Updated app and firmware: Ensure your Ring app and doorbell firmware are up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

It’s also helpful if the person you’re inviting already has a Ring account. If they don’t, they’ll need to create one when they accept the invitation. But don’t worry—we’ll walk through that too.

Step-by-Step: How to Add a Second User to Your Ring Doorbell

Now that you’re prepared, let’s go through the process step by step. The entire process takes just a few minutes and can be done entirely from the Ring app.

Step 1: Open the Ring App

Launch the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged in with the primary account—the one linked to your doorbell.

Once the app opens, you’ll see your dashboard with a list of your devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to share access to.

Step 2: Access Device Settings

After selecting your doorbell, you’ll see a live view (if enabled) and several options below. Look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This is the Settings menu.

Tap the gear icon to open the device settings.

Step 3: Navigate to Shared Users

In the settings menu, scroll down until you find the “Shared Users” option. It’s usually located under the “General” or “Account” section, depending on your app version.

Tap on “Shared Users.”

Step 4: Send an Invitation

On the Shared Users screen, you’ll see a button that says “Add Shared User” or “Invite User.” Tap it.

You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite. This must be the email associated with their Ring account (or the one they’ll use to create one).

Type in the email address carefully. Double-check for typos—incorrect emails are a common reason invitations fail.

Step 5: Set Permissions

After entering the email, you’ll be asked to choose what permissions to grant. Ring offers several levels of access:

• Live View: Allows the user to see live video from the doorbell.
• Motion Alerts: Sends notifications when motion is detected.
• Recorded Video: Grants access to past recordings stored in the Ring cloud.
• Two-Way Talk: Enables the user to speak through the doorbell’s speaker.
• Doorbell Press Alerts: Notifies the user when someone rings the doorbell.

You can toggle each permission on or off based on what you’re comfortable sharing. For example, you might allow a neighbor to receive motion alerts but not access recorded videos.

Once you’ve selected the desired permissions, tap “Send Invitation.”

Step 6: The Invited User Accepts

The second user will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation. They’ll need to:

1. Open the email on their phone or computer.
2. Tap the “Accept Invitation” button.
3. Log in to their Ring account (or create one if they don’t have one).
4. Confirm the permissions and complete the setup.

Once accepted, the user will appear in your “Shared Users” list, and they’ll be able to access the doorbell through their own Ring app.

Step 7: Verify Access

To make sure everything worked, ask the second user to open their Ring app and check if your doorbell appears in their device list. They should be able to view live video, receive alerts, and use any features you’ve enabled.

You can also verify the setup from your end by returning to the “Shared Users” section in your app. The new user should be listed with their permissions displayed.

Managing Shared Users: Editing or Removing Access

Adding a user is just the beginning. As the primary account holder, you have full control over who has access and what they can do.

How to Edit Permissions

If you want to change what a shared user can access:

1. Go to the Ring app and select your doorbell.
2. Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
3. Select “Shared Users.”
4. Tap on the user’s name.
5. Adjust the permissions as needed (e.g., turn off “Recorded Video” access).
6. Tap “Save” to apply the changes.

Changes take effect immediately. The user will no longer have access to disabled features.

How to Remove a Shared User

If you no longer want someone to have access:

1. Navigate to “Shared Users” in the device settings.
2. Tap on the user’s name.
3. Select “Remove User” or “Revoke Access.”
4. Confirm the action when prompted.

Once removed, the user will lose all access to your doorbell. They won’t receive alerts, view live video, or see recordings.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with clear instructions, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Invitation Not Received

If the second user doesn’t get the email:

• Check the spam or junk folder.
• Confirm the email address was entered correctly.
• Resend the invitation from the Ring app.
• Ask the user to check if they have a Ring account with a different email.

Sometimes, email delays can take up to 15 minutes. If it’s been longer, resending is the best option.

User Can’t Accept the Invitation

If the link in the email doesn’t work:

• Make sure the user is using the correct email to log in.
• Try opening the link on a mobile device instead of a computer.
• Clear the browser cache or try a different browser.
• Ensure the Ring app is updated to the latest version.

If the user doesn’t have a Ring account, they’ll be prompted to create one during the acceptance process. Make sure they complete all steps.

Shared User Can’t See the Doorbell

If the user accepts the invitation but doesn’t see the doorbell in their app:

• Ask them to log out and log back into the Ring app.
• Check that the doorbell is online (green status in your app).
• Verify that the correct permissions were granted.
• Restart the Ring app or reinstall it if necessary.

Sometimes, a simple app refresh or device restart resolves the issue.

Permission Changes Not Applying

If you’ve updated permissions but the user still has access:

• Ensure you tapped “Save” after making changes.
• Ask the user to close and reopen the app.
• Check that both devices have a stable internet connection.
• Try removing and re-adding the user if the problem persists.

Best Practices for Sharing Your Ring Doorbell

To keep your home secure and avoid misunderstandings, follow these best practices when adding a second user:

• Only share with trusted individuals: Avoid giving access to people you don’t know well.
• Review permissions regularly: Check who has access and what they can do—especially after vacations or changes in household members.
• Use temporary access when possible: For babysitters or repair workers, consider granting access only for a short period.
• Educate users on privacy: Remind shared users not to share recordings or screenshots without permission.
• Monitor activity logs: The Ring app shows when users view live video or access recordings. Use this to stay informed.
• Keep your app updated: Regular updates improve security and fix bugs that could affect shared access.

Security Tips for Shared Ring Access

While sharing your doorbell can be convenient, it’s important to prioritize security.

• Use strong passwords: Ensure both your account and the shared user’s account have unique, strong passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi: Never manage shared users or view your doorbell on public networks.
• Log out on shared devices: If you use a family tablet or computer, always log out after use.
• Report suspicious activity: If you notice unusual access patterns, remove the user and contact Ring support.

Conclusion

Adding a second user to your Ring doorbell is a smart way to enhance home security and convenience. Whether you’re sharing access with family, roommates, or trusted neighbors, the process is straightforward and secure when done correctly.

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to invite users, set custom permissions, manage access, and troubleshoot common issues. You’ve also picked up best practices to keep your account and home safe.

Remember, you’re in control. You decide who gets access, what they can see, and when to revoke permissions. With the right setup, your Ring doorbell becomes a shared tool for peace of mind—not a security risk.

So go ahead, send that invitation, and enjoy the added confidence that comes with knowing someone else is watching over your home.