Adding users to your Ring Doorbell lets you share live video, motion alerts, and two-way audio with trusted people. This guide walks you through the simple process using the Ring app on iOS or Android.
Key Takeaways
- Only the Ring account owner can add users: You must be the primary account holder to invite others to access your doorbell.
- Shared users get limited control: They can view live feeds and recordings but can’t change device settings or delete videos.
- Use the Ring app for setup: All user invitations are managed through the mobile app, not the website or device itself.
- Each user needs their own Ring account: Invitees must have a verified Ring account with a confirmed email address.
- You can revoke access anytime: Remove users instantly from the app if someone no longer needs access.
- Multiple devices can be shared: One user can be added to multiple Ring doorbells under the same account.
- Notifications are customizable: Shared users can choose which alerts they receive, like motion or doorbell rings.
How to Add Users to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell, set up motion zones, and are enjoying peace of mind knowing you’ll never miss a package or visitor again. But what if you want your spouse, roommate, or trusted neighbor to also get alerts and see who’s at the door? That’s where adding users comes in.
Adding users to your Ring Doorbell is a simple process that lets you share access without giving away full control of your device. Whether you’re setting up a smart home for your family or sharing access with a caretaker while you’re away, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from sending the invite to managing permissions.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to add users to your Ring Doorbell using the Ring app, what permissions they’ll have, how to troubleshoot common issues, and best practices for keeping your home secure. Let’s get started.
Why Add Users to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Add Users to Ring Doorbell
Image source: reviews.org
Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why sharing access is useful—and safe.
Ring allows multiple people to view your doorbell’s live feed, receive motion alerts, and even talk to visitors through two-way audio. This is especially helpful in households with more than one adult, families with older kids, or people who travel frequently and want a trusted friend to keep an eye on things.
For example, imagine you’re at work and your Ring Doorbell detects motion. Your partner gets the alert, sees a delivery person, and can communicate with them to leave the package safely—all without you lifting a finger.
Or maybe you’re on vacation and want your neighbor to check if someone rings the doorbell. With shared access, they can see who’s there and even speak to them if needed.
Adding users to Ring Doorbell enhances convenience and security, but it’s important to only share access with people you trust. Ring gives you full control over who sees your footage and when, so you can revoke access at any time.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin the process of adding users, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be set up and working with the Ring app.
- The Ring mobile app: Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) if you haven’t already.
- Your login credentials: You must be logged into the primary Ring account that owns the doorbell.
- The email address of the person you want to add: They must have a Ring account with a verified email.
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and the doorbell should be online.
If the person you’re adding doesn’t have a Ring account yet, they’ll need to create one first. We’ll cover that in a later section.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Users to Ring Doorbell
Now that you’re prepared, let’s walk through the process of adding users to your Ring Doorbell. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth setup.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the doorbell. If you have multiple Ring devices, confirm you’re viewing the correct one.
The app’s home screen will show a list of your devices. Tap on the doorbell you want to share access to.
Step 2: Go to Device Settings
Once you’ve selected your doorbell, tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the device settings menu.
Scroll down until you see the “Shared Users” option. Tap on it to proceed.
Step 3: Tap “Add Shared User”
In the Shared Users section, you’ll see a list of people who already have access (if any). At the bottom, tap the “Add Shared User” button.
You’ll be prompted to enter the email address associated with the Ring account of the person you want to invite.
Important: The email must match the one used to create their Ring account. If they signed up with a different email, the invite won’t go through.
Step 4: Send the Invitation
After entering the email, tap “Send Invitation.” Ring will send an email to that address with a link to accept the shared access.
The recipient will need to open the email and click the link to confirm. They’ll be taken to the Ring app (or prompted to download it) and asked to log in with their account.
Once they accept, they’ll automatically gain access to your doorbell.
Step 5: Confirm Access in the App
Go back to the “Shared Users” section in your Ring app. You should now see the new user listed with a status of “Active” or “Pending” if they haven’t accepted yet.
If it says “Pending,” remind them to check their email and accept the invitation.
Once accepted, they’ll appear as an active shared user and can start receiving alerts and viewing the doorbell feed.
What Can Shared Users Do?
It’s important to understand the level of access you’re granting when you add users to Ring Doorbell.
Shared users can:
- View live video from the doorbell
- Watch recorded videos from the past (if you have Ring Protect)
- Receive motion and doorbell ring notifications
- Use two-way audio to speak with visitors
- View event history and timeline
However, they cannot:
- Change device settings (like motion zones or sensitivity)
- Delete videos or recordings
- Remove other shared users
- Change Wi-Fi settings or update firmware
- Access billing or subscription details
This ensures that only you, the primary account holder, maintain full control over your device and data.
How to Remove a Shared User
If someone no longer needs access—maybe a roommate moved out or a neighbor is no longer helping—you can easily remove them.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Go to the Ring app and select your doorbell.
Step 2: Go to Shared Users
Tap the gear icon, then select “Shared Users.”
Step 3: Select the User
Tap on the name of the person you want to remove.
Step 4: Remove Access
Tap “Remove User” and confirm your choice.
They will immediately lose access to your doorbell. They won’t receive any further alerts or be able to view live or recorded video.
Tip: If you’re unsure whether to remove someone permanently, you can always re-invite them later if needed.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, adding users to Ring Doorbell doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Problem: Invitation Not Received
If the person you invited says they didn’t get the email:
- Check the email address for typos.
- Ask them to check their spam or junk folder.
- Resend the invitation from the Shared Users section.
- Ensure their Ring account email is verified (they should have received a confirmation email when signing up).
Problem: “User Not Found” Error
This usually means the email you entered doesn’t match a Ring account.
- Double-check the email address.
- Ask the person to confirm the email they used to sign up.
- If they don’t have a Ring account, guide them to create one at ring.com.
Problem: Shared User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the person accepted the invite but still can’t access the doorbell:
- Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account in the app.
- Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
- Check that your doorbell is online (look for a green dot next to the device name).
- Restart your Wi-Fi router if the doorbell appears offline.
Problem: Notifications Not Working for Shared User
Shared users might not receive alerts if their notification settings are turned off.
- Have them open the Ring app and go to Settings > Notifications.
- Ensure “Motion Alerts” and “Doorbell Press” are enabled.
- Check their phone’s notification settings to make sure Ring is allowed to send alerts.
Best Practices for Sharing Access
To keep your home secure and avoid confusion, follow these best practices when adding users to Ring Doorbell.
Only Share with Trusted Individuals
Just because you can share access doesn’t mean you should. Only invite people you trust—like family members, roommates, or close friends.
Avoid sharing with coworkers, distant relatives, or people you don’t know well.
Use Descriptive Names
When adding users, Ring allows you to assign a nickname (e.g., “Sarah – Spouse” or “Mike – Neighbor”). Use this feature to make it easy to identify who has access.
This is especially helpful if you have multiple shared users.
Review Access Regularly
Life changes—people move, relationships end, jobs change. Periodically review your shared users list and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
Set a reminder every 6 months to check who has access to your doorbell.
Educate Shared Users
Make sure the people you add understand how to use the Ring app responsibly.
For example:
- Don’t share login credentials.
- Don’t record or save videos without permission.
- Report suspicious activity to you immediately.
Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
For added security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Ring account. This requires a code sent to your phone when logging in from a new device.
Go to Settings > Two-Factor Authentication in the Ring app to turn it on.
This protects your account—and your shared users—from unauthorized access.
Can You Add Users Without Ring Protect?
Yes! You can add users to Ring Doorbell even if you don’t have a Ring Protect subscription.
Shared users will still be able to:
- View live video
- Use two-way audio
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts
However, they won’t be able to view recorded videos unless you have Ring Protect. Without a subscription, your doorbell only saves short video clips when motion is detected, and these are deleted after a short time.
If you want shared users to see past events, consider upgrading to Ring Protect. Plans start at $3.99/month per device.
Adding Multiple Users to One Doorbell
You can add as many users as you want to a single Ring Doorbell. There’s no official limit, but Ring recommends keeping the number reasonable for security and clarity.
To add multiple users:
- Repeat the “Add Shared User” process for each person.
- Use unique email addresses for each invite.
- Assign clear nicknames to avoid confusion.
For example, you might add your spouse, your teenage child, and a trusted neighbor—all with their own Ring accounts.
Can Shared Users Add More People?
No. Only the primary account holder (you) can add or remove shared users.
Shared users cannot invite others to access your doorbell. This prevents unauthorized sharing and keeps control in your hands.
If someone wants to add a friend or family member, they’ll need to ask you to send the invitation.
What Happens If You Change Your Phone or Email?
If you get a new phone or change your email address, your shared users will still retain access—as long as your Ring account remains active.
However, you should:
- Update your email in the Ring app under Settings > Account Settings.
- Log in to the new device with your existing Ring credentials.
- Re-enable two-factor authentication if needed.
Shared users don’t need to do anything unless you remove and re-invite them.
Final Thoughts: Sharing Access Responsibly
Adding users to Ring Doorbell is a powerful feature that enhances convenience and security. Whether you’re keeping your family in the loop or asking a neighbor to keep an eye on your home, shared access makes life easier.
But with great power comes great responsibility. Only share access with people you trust, monitor who has permissions, and remove users when they’re no longer needed.
By following this guide, you’ll ensure a smooth, secure experience for everyone involved. Your Ring Doorbell isn’t just a smart device—it’s a tool for peace of mind. Share it wisely.