This guide walks you through how to add someone on Ring Doorbell so they can view live feeds, receive alerts, and manage your device. Whether it’s a family member, roommate, or trusted neighbor, sharing access is simple and secure with Ring’s user management tools.
Key Takeaways
- Ring allows multiple users: You can invite up to 20 people to share access to your Ring Doorbell, making it ideal for families or shared homes.
- Use the Ring app: All user management happens within the Ring mobile app—no need for physical access to the doorbell.
- Set custom permissions: Choose whether guests can view live video, receive motion alerts, or access recorded footage.
- Invitations are email-based: Recipients must have a Ring account and accept the invitation via email to gain access.
- Revoke access anytime: You can remove users instantly from the app if needed, ensuring full control over who sees your footage.
- Troubleshooting tips included: Common issues like failed invitations or login problems are covered with practical fixes.
- Works with all Ring Doorbells: This process applies to Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Elite, and newer models.
How to Add Someone on Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and it’s working perfectly—great job! But now you want to share access with your partner, roommate, or maybe even a trusted neighbor who watches your house while you’re away. The good news? Adding someone on Ring Doorbell is quick, secure, and totally manageable right from your smartphone.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process—from sending the invitation to managing user permissions and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with smart home devices, this guide is written in plain, friendly language so you can follow along with confidence.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to add someone on Ring Doorbell, customize their access level, and keep your home security system running smoothly for everyone involved.
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add Someone on Ring Doorbell
Image source: en-uk.ring.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to share access in the first place.
Maybe you’re going on vacation and want your neighbor to keep an eye on your front porch. Or perhaps your teenager is home alone and should be able to see who’s at the door. Sharing access means more eyes on your home—without giving out your personal login.
Ring makes it easy to invite others while keeping control over what they can and can’t do. You decide whether they get full access or just limited viewing rights. It’s a smart way to enhance security without compromising privacy.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin adding someone to your Ring Doorbell, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be properly set up and linked to your Ring account.
- The Ring mobile app: Available for free on iOS and Android. Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
- Your Ring account credentials: You’ll need to be logged in as the primary account holder (admin).
- The email address of the person you want to add: They must have a Ring account or be willing to create one.
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and the doorbell should be online.
Once you’ve confirmed these basics, you’re ready to start.
Step 1: Open the Ring App and Log In
The first step is simple: open the Ring app on your smartphone.
If you haven’t used it in a while, you may need to log in again. Enter your email and password, or use biometric login if you’ve set that up (like fingerprint or Face ID).
Once you’re in, you’ll see the home screen with your devices listed. Look for your Ring Doorbell—it should appear with a live preview or a still image from the last motion event.
Tap on the doorbell to open its control panel. This is where you’ll manage settings, view recordings, and—most importantly—add new users.
Step 2: Navigate to Device Settings
Now that you’re viewing your doorbell, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. This is the Device Settings button.
Tap it to open a menu with options like Motion Settings, Video Settings, and Linked Chimes.
Scroll down until you find the section labeled Shared Users or User Management. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your app version, but it’s usually near the bottom.
Tap on Shared Users to begin adding someone new.
Step 3: Send an Invitation to a New User
Inside the Shared Users menu, you’ll see a button that says Invite User or Add User. Tap it.
You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite. Make sure you type it correctly—this is how Ring sends the invitation.
After entering the email, tap Send Invitation.
That’s it! The person will receive an email from Ring with a link to accept the invitation. But there’s one important catch: they must have a Ring account to accept it.
What If They Don’t Have a Ring Account?
No problem. When they click the link in the email, Ring will guide them through creating a free account. They’ll need to provide their name, email, and create a password. Once they’re set up, they can log in and accept your invitation.
It’s a seamless process, and Ring makes it easy for new users to join.
Step 4: Set User Permissions
Here’s where you get to control what the new user can do.
After sending the invitation, you’ll see an option to set their permissions. Ring offers three main levels of access:
- Viewer: Can view live video and recorded clips, but cannot change settings or receive motion alerts.
- User: Can view live video, receive motion and doorbell alerts, and access recordings. Cannot change device settings.
- Admin: Has full control—can change settings, add or remove other users, and manage subscriptions. Only the primary account holder should be an admin.
For most people, User is the best choice. It gives them access to see who’s at the door and get alerts, without letting them mess with your settings.
To set the permission level, tap on the dropdown menu next to the user’s email and select the appropriate role.
Then tap Save or Update to confirm.
Step 5: Confirm the Invitation Was Sent
Once you’ve sent the invitation and set permissions, you’ll see the user listed under Shared Users with a status like “Pending” or “Invitation Sent.”
This means the email has been sent, but the person hasn’t accepted it yet.
You can check this status anytime by returning to the Shared Users section.
If the invitation expires (usually after 7 days), you’ll need to send a new one.
Step 6: The Recipient Accepts the Invitation
Now it’s up to the other person to complete the process.
They’ll receive an email from Ring with a subject like “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
When they open the email, they’ll see a button that says Accept Invitation. They should tap it.
If they’re not logged into the Ring app, they’ll be prompted to do so. If they don’t have an account, they’ll be guided to create one.
Once they accept, they’ll be added to your shared users list, and they’ll be able to see your doorbell in their Ring app.
Step 7: Test the Connection
After the person accepts the invitation, it’s a good idea to test that everything is working.
Ask them to open the Ring app and check if your doorbell appears in their device list.
They should be able to:
- View the live feed
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts (if set to User or Admin)
- Access recent recordings (if permitted)
You can also test it yourself by checking the Shared Users list—the status should now show “Active” instead of “Pending.”
If everything looks good, congratulations! You’ve successfully added someone to your Ring Doorbell.
Managing Existing Shared Users
Adding someone is just the beginning. You’ll also want to know how to manage users over time.
Here’s how to view, edit, or remove shared users:
View All Shared Users
Go back to the Shared Users section in your doorbell’s settings. You’ll see a list of everyone who has access.
Each entry shows their name, email, permission level, and status (Active or Pending).
Change Permissions
If you want to upgrade or downgrade someone’s access, simply tap on their name.
You’ll see their current permission level. Tap the dropdown menu to change it—for example, from Viewer to User.
Then tap Save to apply the change.
This is useful if, say, your teenager is now old enough to receive alerts, or if a neighbor no longer needs access.
Remove a User
If someone no longer needs access—maybe they moved out or you’re no longer comfortable sharing—you can remove them instantly.
In the Shared Users list, tap on the person’s name.
Look for a button that says Remove User or Revoke Access.
Tap it, and confirm when prompted.
Once removed, they’ll lose all access to your doorbell immediately. They won’t be able to view live feeds, receive alerts, or see recordings.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a straightforward process, things don’t always go perfectly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Invitation Not Received
If the person says they didn’t get the email, check these things:
- Spam or junk folder: Sometimes Ring emails get filtered. Ask them to check their spam folder.
- Wrong email address: Double-check that you entered the correct email. If it’s wrong, remove the pending invitation and send a new one.
- Email delays: It can take a few minutes for the email to arrive. Wait 5–10 minutes before resending.
If the problem persists, try sending the invitation again from the Shared Users menu.
Invitation Expired
Ring invitations expire after 7 days. If the person didn’t accept in time, you’ll see “Expired” next to their name.
To fix this, tap on their entry and select Resend Invitation. They’ll get a new email with a fresh link.
User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the person accepted the invitation but still can’t see your doorbell in their app:
- Check their app: Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
- Restart the app: Close and reopen the Ring app on their phone.
- Update the app: Outdated apps can cause sync issues. Check the App Store or Google Play for updates.
- Check permissions: Go back to Shared Users and confirm their permission level is set correctly.
If none of these work, try removing and re-adding the user.
“User Already Has Access” Error
If you try to invite someone who’s already on the list, Ring will show an error.
This usually means they’re already added—either to this doorbell or another device on your account.
Check the Shared Users list to see if they’re already there. If so, you can adjust their permissions instead of re-adding them.
Login Issues for the New User
Sometimes the person accepting the invitation has trouble logging in.
Make sure they:
- Use the exact email you invited
- Create a strong password
- Verify their email address if prompted
If they’re still stuck, they can use the “Forgot Password” feature on the Ring login screen.
Best Practices for Sharing Access
To keep your home security system safe and effective, follow these best practices:
- Only share with trusted people: Think carefully before giving access. Once someone is added, they can see who comes and goes.
- Use the right permission level: Don’t make everyone an admin. Stick to Viewer or User for most people.
- Review shared users regularly: Every few months, check who has access and remove anyone who no longer needs it.
- Use two-factor authentication: Enable 2FA on your Ring account to prevent unauthorized access.
- Keep your app updated: Regular updates fix bugs and improve security.
These simple habits go a long way in protecting your privacy and keeping your Ring Doorbell secure.
Does This Work with All Ring Doorbells?
Yes! The process for adding someone on Ring Doorbell is the same across all models, including:
- Ring Video Doorbell (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Gen)
- Ring Doorbell Pro
- Ring Doorbell Pro 2
- Ring Doorbell Elite
- Ring Doorbell Wired
- Ring Doorbell (Battery)
Whether your doorbell is wired, battery-powered, or hardwired with a transformer, the user management features work the same way.
The only difference might be in the app interface—older models may have slightly different menu layouts—but the core steps remain consistent.
Can You Add More Than One Person?
Absolutely. Ring allows you to add up to 20 shared users per device.
That’s plenty for families, roommates, property managers, or even a neighborhood watch group.
Each person gets their own login and can be assigned individual permissions.
Just remember: only one person can be the primary account holder (admin). Everyone else is a shared user.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Sharing access doesn’t mean giving up control. Ring gives you tools to protect your privacy:
- No shared passwords: Each user logs in with their own account. You never have to share your password.
- Activity logs: You can see when shared users view live feeds or access recordings (available with Ring Protect plans).
- Instant removal: If someone misuses access, you can remove them in seconds.
- No remote access to settings: Viewers and Users can’t change your doorbell’s motion zones or video quality.
These features help ensure that sharing access enhances security—not compromises it.
Final Thoughts
Adding someone on Ring Doorbell is a smart way to keep your home secure while involving the people you trust. Whether it’s your spouse, a family member, or a helpful neighbor, shared access means more eyes on your front door—without sacrificing control.
The process is simple: open the app, go to Shared Users, send an invitation, set permissions, and let the other person accept. With a few taps, you’ve expanded your security network.
And if something goes wrong, the troubleshooting tips in this guide will help you get back on track quickly.
Remember, your Ring Doorbell is only as secure as the people who use it. Share wisely, manage access regularly, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a connected, collaborative home security system.
Now go ahead—add that first user and start sharing the view!