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 the simple process using the Ring app, whether you’re granting full admin access or limited user permissions.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite users: All sharing happens through the official Ring mobile app—no website or email required.
- Choose between Admin and User roles: Admins can manage settings and invite others; Users can only view live feeds and receive alerts.
- Invitations are sent via email: The person you’re adding must accept the invite using the email address you provide.
- Multiple devices supported: You can add as many people as you want, ideal for families, roommates, or property managers.
- Revoke access anytime: Remove users instantly from the app if someone no longer needs access.
- Ensure strong Wi-Fi for shared users: Poor signal affects video quality for everyone, so check your network before inviting others.
- Keep your account secure: Only share access with people you trust, and use two-factor authentication for added protection.
How to Add Someone to the Ring Doorbell
So, you’ve got your Ring Doorbell set up and working perfectly—great job! But now you’re wondering: How do I let my partner, roommate, or neighbor see who’s at the door? Maybe you’re going on vacation and want a trusted friend to keep an eye on things. Or perhaps you share a home with family members who should also get motion alerts. Whatever the reason, sharing access to your Ring Doorbell is not only possible—it’s surprisingly easy.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how to add someone to the Ring Doorbell step by step. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Doorbell Pro, Ring Doorbell Elite, or any other Ring model, the process is nearly identical. You’ll learn how to invite users, choose their access level, troubleshoot common issues, and even remove someone if needed. By the end, you’ll be a pro at managing shared access—keeping your home secure while giving peace of mind to those you trust.
Let’s get started!
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add Someone to the Ring Doorbell
Image source: storables.com
Before diving into the steps, it’s worth understanding why you might want to share access in the first place. Ring Doorbells are designed for personal use, but real-life situations often call for collaboration.
For example:
– Families: Parents, teens, or grandparents may all benefit from seeing who’s at the door—especially if someone is home alone.
– Roommates: If you live with others, sharing access ensures everyone knows when packages arrive or visitors come by.
– Property managers: If you rent out a property, giving your manager access helps them monitor deliveries or maintenance visits.
– Trusted neighbors: During vacations or extended absences, a neighbor can check for suspicious activity and alert you.
– Elderly relatives: If you care for aging parents, sharing access lets you remotely check on them and ensure their safety.
Sharing access doesn’t mean giving up control. You decide who sees what and when. And best of all, you can revoke access at any time. So whether it’s temporary or long-term, adding someone to your Ring Doorbell is a smart, flexible way to enhance home security.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin the process of adding someone, make sure you have the following ready:
1. The Ring App Installed
You’ll need the official Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. It’s available for free on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Make sure it’s updated to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
2. Your Ring Account Logged In
You must be logged into the Ring app with the account that owns the doorbell. Only the primary account holder (or an Admin user) can invite others.
3. The Recipient’s Email Address
You’ll need the email address of the person you want to add. Ring sends the invitation via email, so it must be accurate and accessible to them.
4. A Stable Internet Connection
Both your device and your Ring Doorbell should be connected to Wi-Fi. A weak signal can cause delays or failures during the setup process.
5. Two-Factor Authentication (Recommended)
For security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Ring account. This adds an extra layer of protection, especially when sharing access with others.
Once you’ve checked these boxes, you’re ready to proceed.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Someone to Your Ring Doorbell
Now for the main event—adding a user to your Ring Doorbell. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have someone else viewing your doorbell feed in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Launch the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the doorbell. If you have multiple locations (like a home and a rental property), select the correct one from the top menu.
Step 2: Go to the Device Dashboard
Once inside the app, you’ll see your Ring devices listed on the home screen. Tap on the doorbell you want to share access to. This will open the device’s live view or recent activity feed.
Step 3: Access Device Settings
In the top-right corner of the screen, tap the gear icon (⚙️). This opens the Device Settings menu for your doorbell.
Step 4: Select “Shared Users”
Scroll down until you find the Shared Users option. Tap on it. This section shows a list of people who already have access to the doorbell (if any) and allows you to add new ones.
Step 5: Tap “Add Shared User”
You’ll see a button labeled Add Shared User. Tap it to begin the invitation process.
Step 6: Enter the Recipient’s Email
A form will appear asking for the email address of the person you want to add. Type in their email carefully—double-check for typos. Ring will send the invitation to this address.
Step 7: Choose Access Level
Here’s where you decide how much control the new user will have. Ring offers two permission levels:
- Admin: Can view live video, receive alerts, manage device settings, invite or remove other users, and delete recordings. Ideal for co-owners or trusted family members.
- User: Can view live video and receive motion or ring alerts, but cannot change settings or invite others. Best for roommates, neighbors, or temporary access.
Select the appropriate role based on how much access you want to grant.
Step 8: Send the Invitation
Once you’ve entered the email and selected the role, tap Send Invitation. The app will confirm that the invite has been sent.
Step 9: Recipient Accepts the Invite
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.
- Click the “Accept Invitation” button.
- Log in to their existing Ring account or create a new one if they don’t have one.
- Follow the prompts to complete the setup.
Once they accept, they’ll see your doorbell in their Ring app and can start receiving alerts and viewing live feeds.
Step 10: Confirm Access
Return to the Shared Users section in your app. You should now see the new user listed with their assigned role (Admin or User). If they don’t appear, ask them to check their email for the invite or resend it.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully added someone to your Ring Doorbell.
Managing Shared Users: Tips and Best Practices
Adding someone is just the beginning. To keep your system running smoothly and securely, follow these best practices for managing shared access.
1. Use Descriptive Names
When you add a user, the app may display their email address. To make it easier to identify who’s who, encourage users to set up a profile name in their Ring account. You can also note who each email belongs to in your own records.
2. Limit Admin Access
Only grant Admin privileges to people you fully trust. Admins can change settings, delete recordings, and even remove you from the device. For most situations, User access is sufficient and safer.
3. Monitor Activity
The Ring app logs when users view live feeds or access recordings. While you can’t see every action in real time, you can check the Event History to see when the doorbell was accessed. This helps you stay aware of who’s using the system.
4. Revoke Access When Needed
If someone moves out, you no longer trust them, or they no longer need access, you can remove them instantly:
- Go to Device Settings > Shared Users.
- Tap on the user you want to remove.
- Select Remove User and confirm.
They will lose access immediately and stop receiving alerts.
5. Update Permissions as Needed
If you initially gave someone User access but now want to upgrade them to Admin (or vice versa), you’ll need to remove them and re-invite them with the new role. Ring doesn’t currently allow in-app permission changes.
6. Keep Your Own Account Secure
Since shared users rely on your device, make sure your Ring account is protected:
– Use a strong, unique password.
– Enable two-factor authentication.
– Never share your login credentials.
– Log out of shared devices (like family tablets) when not in use.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear instructions, things don’t always go perfectly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Problem: The Invitation Email Isn’t Received
Sometimes, the invite email ends up in the recipient’s spam or promotions folder. Ask them to check there first. If it’s not found:
– Resend the invitation from the Shared Users section.
– Ensure the email address was entered correctly.
– Try using a different email provider (e.g., Gmail instead of Yahoo).
Problem: The Recipient Can’t Accept the Invite
If the “Accept Invitation” link doesn’t work:
– Make sure they’re using the same email address you sent the invite to.
– Have them try opening the email on a mobile device and using the Ring app to accept.
– If they have an existing Ring account, they must log in with that account—not create a new one.
Problem: The Doorbell Doesn’t Appear in Their App
After accepting the invite, the doorbell should show up in their app within a few minutes. If it doesn’t:
– Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
– Check that they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
– Ensure your doorbell is online (green status light in the app).
– Restart your doorbell by removing and reinserting the battery (for battery models) or turning the power off and on (for wired models).
Problem: Shared User Can’t View Live Video
If the live feed is blank or says “Camera Offline”:
– Check your Wi-Fi signal strength at the doorbell location.
– Make sure your Ring plan (if applicable) includes live viewing.
– Verify that motion and live view are enabled in the device settings.
Problem: You Can’t Add More Users
Ring doesn’t officially limit the number of shared users, but performance may degrade with too many active viewers. If you’re having trouble:
– Remove inactive users.
– Ensure your Wi-Fi network can handle multiple devices.
– Contact Ring Support if the issue persists.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
If you’re managing multiple Ring devices or sharing with several people, these advanced tips will help you stay organized.
Use Locations for Multiple Properties
If you have Ring devices at more than one home (e.g., a primary residence and a vacation cabin), use the Locations feature in the Ring app. This lets you group devices and share access by location, so users only see the doors relevant to them.
Set Up Custom Motion Zones
To reduce false alerts for shared users, customize motion zones in your doorbell settings. For example, exclude areas like busy sidewalks or tree branches that trigger unnecessary notifications.
Enable Smart Alerts
Use Ring’s Smart Alerts feature to filter notifications by person, package, or vehicle. This helps shared users focus on important events and ignore routine activity.
Schedule Quiet Hours
If you don’t want alerts during certain times (like late at night), set up Quiet Hours in the app. This applies to all users, so everyone gets a break from notifications.
Use Ring Protect Plans Wisely
If you have a Ring Protect subscription, shared users can access recorded videos—depending on their role. Admins can view and delete recordings; Users can only view them. Make sure your plan covers all devices you’re sharing.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Sharing access to your doorbell means sharing a piece of your home’s security system. While Ring takes privacy seriously, it’s important to be mindful of how and with whom you share.
Only Share with Trusted Individuals
Your doorbell shows who comes and goes—sometimes at sensitive times. Only invite people you trust not to misuse the information or share it with others.
Review Privacy Settings
In the Ring app, go to Control Center > Privacy Settings to:
– Disable audio recording (if desired).
– Limit data sharing with third parties.
– Control who can see your location.
Be Aware of Legal Implications
In some areas, recording audio or video of people (even on your own property) may have legal restrictions. Check local laws, especially if you’re sharing access with neighbors or tenants.
Log Out of Shared Devices
If you let someone use your phone or tablet to set up access, make sure to log out of your Ring account afterward. Better yet, guide them through the process on their own device.
Conclusion
Adding someone to your Ring Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to extend the benefits of smart home security to those you trust. Whether it’s a family member, roommate, or neighbor, shared access means more eyes on your home—and greater peace of mind for everyone involved.
By following the steps in this guide, you can invite users in minutes, choose the right level of access, and manage permissions with confidence. And if issues arise, the troubleshooting tips will help you resolve them quickly.
Remember: with great power comes great responsibility. Use shared access wisely, keep your account secure, and only invite people who truly need to be there.
Now that you know how to add someone to the Ring Doorbell, you’re ready to make your smart home even smarter—together.