Adding someone to your Ring Doorbell lets you share live view, motion alerts, and two-way talk with trusted people. This guide walks you through every step—from inviting users to managing permissions—so you can keep your home secure together.
Key Takeaways
- Only the owner can invite new users: You must have admin access to your Ring account to send invitations.
- Shared users get limited control: They can view live feeds and recordings but can’t change device settings or delete your account.
- Use the Ring app for setup: All sharing is done through the mobile app—no web browser needed.
- Manage permissions anytime: You can remove users or adjust their access levels in just a few taps.
- Works with all Ring Doorbells: Whether you have a Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, or Doorbell Elite, the process is the same.
- Keep your account secure: Always use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication when sharing access.
- Troubleshoot common issues: If someone doesn’t receive an invite, check spam folders or resend the link.
How to Add Someone to My Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell, set up motion zones, and maybe even scared off a porch pirate with a well-timed “Hey, I see you!”—but now you want to share that peace of mind with someone else. Maybe it’s your partner who works late, your teenager coming home from school, or a trusted neighbor who watches your house while you’re away. Whatever the reason, adding someone to your Ring Doorbell is simple, secure, and totally doable in under five minutes.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from sending the first invite to managing user permissions down the line. Whether you’re tech-savvy or still figuring out how to change your Wi-Fi password, we’ve got you covered with clear, jargon-free instructions. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently share access without compromising your account security.
Let’s get started!
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add Someone to My Ring Doorbell
Image source: storables.com
Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Sharing your Ring Doorbell isn’t just convenient—it’s a smart security move.
Imagine you’re on vacation, and your Ring detects motion at your front door. If only you have access, you might miss the alert if you’re asleep or in a meeting. But if your spouse, roommate, or neighbor also gets notified, they can check the live feed and even speak to the visitor—whether it’s a delivery person, a friend stopping by, or something more suspicious.
Sharing access also helps in emergencies. If your teen comes home to an empty house and sees someone lurking near the door, they can use the two-way talk feature to ask who’s there—or alert you immediately. It’s like having an extra set of eyes (and ears) on your home, 24/7.
And don’t worry—you’re not handing over the keys to your digital kingdom. Ring’s sharing system is designed so that only you (the account owner) can make major changes. Shared users can view footage and respond to alerts, but they can’t uninstall the device, change your Wi-Fi settings, or delete your account. It’s collaboration with control.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you invite someone 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 admin privileges (you must be the owner).
- The email address of the person you want to invite.
- A stable internet connection—both on your phone and your Ring device.
- Two-factor authentication enabled (recommended for security).
If you’re not the original owner of the Ring device (for example, if you bought a used one), you’ll need to transfer ownership first. We’ll cover that briefly later, but for now, assume you’re the admin.
Step 1: Open the Ring App and Go to Device Settings
Start by opening the Ring app on your phone. You should see your dashboard with all your Ring devices—cameras, doorbells, alarms, etc.
Locate Your Doorbell
Tap on the image or name of the Ring Doorbell you want to share. This will open the live view screen.
Access Device Settings
In the top-right corner of the screen, tap the gear icon (⚙️). This opens the device settings menu.
Find the “Shared Users” Option
Scroll down until you see a section labeled “Shared Users” or “People” (the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your app version). Tap on it.
This is where you’ll manage who has access to your doorbell.
Step 2: Send an Invitation to a New User
Now it’s time to invite someone.
Tap “Add Person”
Inside the Shared Users menu, look for a button that says “Add Person” or “Invite User”. Tap it.
Enter the Recipient’s Email
Type in the email address of the person you want to invite. Make sure it’s accurate—this is where they’ll receive the invitation link.
> 💡 Pro Tip: Use the email they’ll actually check. If they rarely log into their work email but live on Gmail, use the Gmail address.
Choose Their Access Level (Optional)
Ring allows you to set basic permissions, though options are limited. Most users will be added as “Shared Users,” which means they can:
- View live video
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts
- Use two-way talk
- View past recordings (if you have Ring Protect)
They cannot:
- Change device settings
- Remove the device from your account
- Invite other users
- Delete your account
Currently, Ring doesn’t offer granular permission tiers (like “view-only” vs. “full control”), so all shared users get the same level of access. If you need more control, consider creating a separate Ring account and linking devices via Ring’s “Household” feature (more on that later).
Send the Invitation
Once you’ve entered the email and confirmed the settings, tap “Send Invitation”.
You’ll see a confirmation message: “Invitation sent to [email].”
Step 3: The Recipient Accepts the Invitation
Now it’s up to the other person to accept the invite.
Check Their Email
The recipient will receive an email from Ring with the subject line:
“You’ve been invited to view a Ring device”
Inside the email, there’s a button that says “Accept Invitation”.
> ⚠️ Important: If they don’t see the email, ask them to check their spam or junk folder. Sometimes Ring emails get filtered.
Create or Log Into a Ring Account
When they click “Accept Invitation,” they’ll be taken to the Ring website or prompted to open the Ring app.
If they already have a Ring account, they’ll log in. If not, they’ll need to create one using the same email address you invited.
> 💡 Note: They don’t need to own a Ring device to accept the invitation. They just need a free Ring account.
Grant Permissions (If Prompted)
Depending on their device and app version, they may be asked to allow notifications or camera access. Make sure they enable these so they can receive alerts and view live video.
Once they accept, they’ll see your doorbell in their Ring app under “Shared Devices.”
Step 4: Confirm the User Is Added
Back in your Ring app, go to the Shared Users section again. You should now see the person’s name or email listed.
If they’ve accepted, their status will show as “Active.” If they haven’t responded yet, it will say “Pending.”
You can resend the invitation anytime by tapping the three dots next to their name and selecting “Resend Invitation.”
Managing Shared Users: What You Can Do
Adding someone is just the beginning. As the account owner, you have full control over who sees your doorbell—and when.
Remove a User
If someone moves out, you no longer trust them, or they just don’t need access anymore, you can remove them easily.
- Go to Device Settings > Shared Users
- Tap the three dots next to their name
- Select “Remove User”
- Confirm the action
Once removed, they’ll lose access immediately. They won’t be able to view live feeds, receive alerts, or see past recordings.
> 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re removing a user because of a conflict, consider changing your Ring account password afterward for extra security.
Resend an Invitation
If someone says they never got the email, don’t panic. Just resend the invite:
- Go to Shared Users
- Find the pending invitation
- Tap the three dots > “Resend Invitation”
The new link will be sent to their email.
View Activity Logs (With Ring Protect)
If you have a Ring Protect subscription, you can see who viewed your doorbell and when. This is useful if you suspect someone is checking your feed without your knowledge.
Go to Account Settings > Activity Log to review access history.
Sharing with Multiple People
You’re not limited to just one person. You can add as many shared users as you like—your whole family, your dog walker, your Airbnb guests (temporarily), or your elderly parent who lives nearby.
Just repeat the invitation process for each person using their unique email address.
> ⚠️ Caution: The more people who have access, the higher the risk of accidental changes or privacy concerns. Only share with people you trust.
Using Ring Household for Advanced Sharing
If you want more control over permissions—like giving someone full admin rights without making them the owner—consider using Ring Household.
This feature lets you create a shared household with up to 10 members. Each person can have different roles:
- Owner: Full control (only one per household)
- Admin: Can manage devices, invite users, and change settings
- User: Can view and respond to alerts (same as Shared Users)
To set up a Household:
- Go to Account Settings > Household
- Tap “Create Household”
- Add members by email and assign roles
- Send invitations
This is ideal for families, roommates, or small businesses using Ring devices.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best instructions, things don’t always go smoothly. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.
“I Sent the Invite, But They Didn’t Get It”
- Ask them to check their spam/junk folder.
- Make sure you entered the correct email address.
- Resend the invitation from the Shared Users menu.
- Try sending it to a different email (e.g., Gmail instead of Yahoo).
“They Accepted, But Can’t See the Doorbell”
- Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
- Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
- Check that your doorbell is online (green status light in the app).
- Restart your Ring device by removing and reinserting the battery (or turning off power for wired models).
“I Can’t Find the Shared Users Option”
- Make sure you’re the account owner (not a shared user).
- Update the Ring app to the latest version.
- Try accessing settings from the main dashboard instead of the live view.
“They’re Getting Alerts, But I’m Not”
This usually means notification settings are off on your end.
- Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings > Motion Alerts
- Make sure alerts are turned on.
- Check your phone’s notification settings for the Ring app.
“I Accidentally Removed the Wrong Person”
Don’t panic—you can always re-invite them. Just go back to Shared Users, tap “Add Person,” and send the invite again.
Security Tips When Sharing Your Ring Doorbell
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to do it safely.
- Use strong, unique passwords for your Ring account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized logins.
- Only share with people you trust—once someone has access, they can see who comes and goes at your home.
- Review shared users regularly—remove access when it’s no longer needed.
- Never share your login credentials—always use the invitation system instead.
- Monitor activity logs if you suspect misuse.
> 🔒 Remember: Your Ring account is linked to your home’s security. Treat it like your front door key—don’t hand it out carelessly.
Can You Share a Ring Doorbell with Someone in Another Country?
Yes—but with caveats.
Ring works internationally, but some features (like 911 calling or local emergency contacts) may not be available outside the U.S. Also, video quality can be affected by slow internet connections abroad.
If you’re sharing with someone overseas, make sure they have a reliable internet connection and the Ring app installed. The invitation process is the same.
What Happens If You Sell Your Home?
If you’re moving, don’t forget to remove shared users—and transfer ownership of the Ring device to the new homeowner.
To transfer ownership:
- Go to Device Settings > General > Transfer Device
- Enter the new owner’s email
- They’ll receive an invitation to take over
- Once accepted, you’ll lose all access
This ensures the new owner has full control, and you’re not accidentally getting alerts from a house you no longer live in.
Final Thoughts: Sharing Is Caring (and Smart)
Adding someone to your Ring Doorbell isn’t just about convenience—it’s about building a safer, more connected home. Whether it’s your partner, your kid, or your neighbor, sharing access means more eyes on your property and quicker responses to potential issues.
And thanks to Ring’s secure invitation system, you can do it without compromising your account or your privacy. Just remember: only invite people you trust, keep your account secure, and review access regularly.
With this guide, you’re now equipped to share your Ring Doorbell like a pro. So go ahead—send that invite, keep your home safe, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re never truly alone when it comes to home security.