This guide walks you through how to add a user to your Ring Doorbell using the Ring app. Whether you’re sharing access with family or guests, we’ll show you how to do it safely and efficiently.
Key Takeaways
- Adding users is easy: Use the Ring app to invite family, roommates, or trusted neighbors to view your doorbell feed.
- Control access levels: Choose between Live View only or full access to settings and recordings.
- Secure sharing: Only invite people you trust and revoke access anytime through the app.
- Works on all Ring Doorbells: Compatible with Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Elite, and Doorbell Wired.
- Instant notifications: Added users receive alerts when motion is detected or someone rings the bell.
- No extra hardware needed: All setup is done through the Ring app—no need for additional devices.
- Troubleshooting tips included: Solve common issues like failed invites or missing permissions.
How to Add User Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and everything’s working great. But now you want to share access with your spouse, roommate, or maybe a trusted neighbor who watches your house while you’re away. No problem! Adding a user to your Ring Doorbell is simple, secure, and takes just a few minutes.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add a user to your Ring Doorbell using the official Ring app. Whether you’re using a Ring Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Wired, or Doorbell Elite, the process is nearly identical. You’ll learn how to invite users, set their access level, manage permissions, and troubleshoot common issues.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently share your Ring Doorbell access without compromising security. Let’s get started!
Why Add a User to Your Ring Doorbell?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to add a user in the first place.
Maybe you’re going on vacation and want your neighbor to keep an eye on your front door. Or perhaps your teenager is home alone and should be able to see who’s at the door. You might also want your partner to receive motion alerts so they’re aware of activity even when you’re not around.
Adding a user allows multiple people to:
- View live video feeds
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts
- Talk to visitors via two-way audio
- Access recorded videos (depending on permissions)
But here’s the best part: you control what each user can do. You can give them full access or limit them to just viewing live footage. It’s flexible, secure, and perfect for modern households.
What You’ll Need Before You Begin
Before adding a user, make sure you have the following:
- A working Ring Doorbell: It should be installed, powered, and connected to Wi-Fi.
- The Ring app installed: Available for free on iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices.
- Your Ring account login: You must be the primary account holder (admin).
- The email address of the person you’re adding: They’ll need this to accept the invitation.
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and the doorbell should be online.
Once you’ve confirmed these, you’re ready to proceed.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, search for “Ring” in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and install it.
Once installed, log in using your Ring account credentials—your email and password. If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication (which we highly recommend), you’ll need to enter the verification code sent to your phone or email.
After logging in, you’ll see the home screen with your Ring devices listed. Tap on your doorbell to open its live view or settings.
Step 2: Access Device Settings
To add a user, you need to go into your doorbell’s settings. Here’s how:
Navigate to the Device Dashboard
From the home screen, tap on your Ring Doorbell. This will open the live video feed. Now, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap it to open the device settings.
Visual guide about How to Add User Ring Doorbell
Image source: i.ytimg.com
Find the “Users” Section
Scroll down through the settings menu until you see a section labeled “Users” or “Shared Users”. Tap on it to proceed.
This is where you’ll manage who has access to your doorbell. You’ll see a list of current users (if any) and an option to add a new one.
Step 3: Invite a New User
Now it’s time to send an invitation.
Tap “Add User”
Inside the Users section, tap the “Add User” button. This will open a new screen where you can enter the person’s email address.
Enter the User’s Email
Type in the email address of the person you want to invite. Make sure it’s correct—this is how they’ll receive the invitation. You can add multiple users by repeating this process later.
Choose Access Level
Ring gives you two options for user permissions:
- Live View Only: The user can see live video and receive alerts but cannot access recordings, change settings, or delete videos.
- Full Access: The user can view live video, access recordings, adjust settings, and manage alerts—just like the primary account holder.
For most people, Live View Only is the safest choice. It allows others to stay informed without giving them control over your device. Only choose Full Access for trusted individuals like spouses or family members who need full management rights.
Send the Invitation
Once you’ve selected the access level, tap “Send Invitation”. The person will receive an email with a link to accept the invite.
Step 4: The User Accepts the Invitation
Now it’s up to the invited person to complete the process.
Check Their Email
The user will receive an email from Ring with the subject line: “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.” They should open this email and tap the “Accept Invitation” button.
Download the Ring App (If Needed)
If they don’t already have the Ring app, they’ll be prompted to download it from the App Store or Google Play. They’ll also need to create a Ring account using the same email address you invited.
Log In and Confirm
After creating an account, they should log in to the app. The shared doorbell will appear in their device list automatically. They can now view live video, receive alerts, and use features based on the access level you granted.
Step 5: Verify the User Is Added
Once the invitation is accepted, go back to your Ring app to confirm the user has been added.
Return to the Users Section
Go back to your doorbell’s settings and tap on “Users” again. You should now see the new user listed with their email and access level.
Test the Connection
Ask the user to open the Ring app and check if they can see your doorbell. They should be able to view the live feed and receive motion or doorbell alerts.
If everything works, congratulations—you’ve successfully added a user to your Ring Doorbell!
Managing Users: Editing or Removing Access
What if you want to change a user’s permissions or remove them entirely? It’s easy to do.
Edit User Permissions
In the Users section, tap on the user’s name. You’ll see options to change their access level from Live View Only to Full Access (or vice versa). Make your selection and save the changes.
Remove a User
To remove someone, tap their name and select “Remove User”. Confirm the action. They will immediately lose access to your doorbell and stop receiving alerts.
This is useful if someone moves out, you no longer trust them with access, or you just want to clean up your user list.
Tips for Safe and Effective User Management
Adding users is convenient, but it’s important to do it responsibly. Here are some best practices:
- Only invite people you trust: Remember, users with Full Access can change settings and delete recordings. Be selective.
- Use two-factor authentication: Enable 2FA on your Ring account to prevent unauthorized access.
- Review users regularly: Check your user list every few months and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
- Communicate access levels: Let users know what they can and can’t do. This avoids confusion and frustration.
- Monitor activity: If you notice unusual behavior, check your user list and consider changing your password.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, adding a user doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are solutions to the most common problems.
Invitation Not Received
If the user didn’t get the email, check the following:
- Did you enter the correct email address?
- Is the email in their spam or junk folder?
- Did they check the email associated with their Ring account?
Try resending the invitation from the Users section. If it still doesn’t work, ask the user to check their email settings or contact Ring support.
User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the user accepted the invite but the doorbell doesn’t appear in their app:
- Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
- Ask them to close and reopen the app.
- Check that your doorbell is online (green status light in the app).
- Ensure you selected the correct access level—Live View Only still allows them to see the feed.
Access Level Not Working
If a user with Full Access can’t change settings, or a Live View user can’t see the feed:
- Go back to the Users section and verify the access level.
- Remove and re-add the user if necessary.
- Restart the Ring app on both devices.
Doorbell Offline During Setup
If your doorbell is offline, you won’t be able to add users. Check your Wi-Fi connection, power source, and Ring app status. Once it’s back online, try adding the user again.
App Crashes or Freezes
If the Ring app freezes during the process:
- Close the app completely and reopen it.
- Update the app to the latest version.
- Restart your phone or tablet.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
If you’re managing multiple Ring devices or a smart home ecosystem, here are some advanced tips:
- Use Shared Users for Multiple Devices: You can share the same user across your Ring Doorbell, Ring Security Cameras, and Ring Alarm system. Just repeat the process for each device.
- Create a Family Group: If you have several family members, consider adding them all as users. This ensures everyone stays informed.
- Set Up Motion Zones: Customize motion detection areas so users only get alerts for relevant activity (e.g., front walkway, not the street).
- Use Ring Protect Plan: With a Ring Protect subscription, users can access recorded videos. Without it, they’ll only see live feeds.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Sharing access to your doorbell means sharing a piece of your home’s security. Keep these privacy tips in mind:
- Never share your login credentials: Always use the “Add User” feature instead of giving someone your password.
- Limit Full Access: Only grant Full Access to people who truly need it.
- Monitor recordings: If you’re concerned about privacy, review recorded videos periodically.
- Update firmware: Keep your Ring Doorbell’s firmware up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Adding a user to your Ring Doorbell is a smart, secure way to keep your household or trusted contacts informed about activity at your front door. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can invite family, roommates, or neighbors to view live video, receive alerts, and even communicate with visitors.
Whether you’re sharing access for convenience or security, the process is simple and customizable. You control who sees what, and you can revoke access anytime. Plus, with built-in safeguards like two-factor authentication and access levels, your privacy stays protected.
Now that you know how to add a user to your Ring Doorbell, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that more eyes are watching over your home—without sacrificing control.
So go ahead, open the Ring app, and start sharing. Your doorbell is ready for company.