How to Change Admin User for Ring Doorbell

Changing the admin user for your Ring Doorbell ensures better security and control over who manages your device. This guide walks you through the process step by step, including account transfers, permissions, and troubleshooting tips.

Key Takeaways

Only the current admin can transfer ownership: You must be logged in as the admin to change the primary account holder.
Use the Ring app for all changes: The process is done entirely within the Ring mobile app—no web browser required.
New admin must have a Ring account: The person taking over must already have a verified Ring account or create one.
All devices transfer with the account: When you transfer admin rights, all linked Ring devices move to the new user.
Guest users remain unaffected: Existing shared users will keep their access unless manually removed by the new admin.
Two-factor authentication is recommended: Enable 2FA on both accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Contact Ring Support if stuck: If the transfer fails, Ring’s customer service can assist with account recovery.

How to Change Admin User for Ring Doorbell

So, you’ve got a Ring Doorbell—great choice! It keeps your home secure, sends alerts when someone’s at the door, and even lets you talk to visitors remotely. But what happens when you need to hand over control? Maybe you’re moving out, selling your home, or just want your partner or family member to take the lead on managing the device. That’s where changing the admin user comes in.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to change the admin user for your Ring Doorbell—step by step, in plain English. No tech jargon, no confusion. Whether you’re a first-time user or just need a refresher, you’ll learn how to transfer ownership safely, keep your data secure, and ensure the new admin has full control.

We’ll cover everything from preparing for the transfer to troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll feel confident handing over the reins—or taking them over yourself.

Let’s get started.

Why Change the Admin User?

Visual guide about How to Change Admin User for Ring Doorbell

Image source: hellotech.com

Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why you might need to change the admin user. Here are the most common scenarios:

Moving to a new home: If you’re selling your house, the new owner will want full control of the Ring Doorbell.
Sharing responsibility: You might want your spouse, roommate, or property manager to manage the device.
Account security: If your account was compromised, transferring admin rights can help lock out unauthorized users.
Gifting the device: Giving your Ring Doorbell to a family member? They’ll need to be the admin to use it properly.
Business use: For rental properties or offices, the property manager may need admin access instead of the tenant or employee.

No matter your reason, the process is straightforward—but it must be done correctly to avoid losing access or leaving security gaps.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Before you begin the transfer, make sure you have the following:

Access to the current admin account: You must be logged in as the admin to initiate the transfer.
The Ring mobile app: Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) if you haven’t already.
The new admin’s email address: They must have a Ring account linked to that email.
Stable internet connection: Both devices should be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled (recommended): This adds an extra layer of security during the transfer.

If the new admin doesn’t have a Ring account yet, they’ll need to create one first. We’ll cover that in the next section.

Step 1: Ensure the New Admin Has a Ring Account

The person taking over as admin must have their own Ring account. Here’s how to set one up:

Creating a New Ring Account

Open the Ring app on their smartphone.
Tap “Create Account” on the welcome screen.
Enter their email address and create a strong password.
Verify their email by clicking the link sent to their inbox.
Complete the setup by adding their name and phone number.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for security.

Pro Tip: Use a unique password and avoid reusing passwords from other accounts. This helps protect both the Ring device and their personal information.

Once the new admin has a verified account, you’re ready to proceed.

Step 2: Log In as the Current Admin

Only the current admin can transfer ownership. If you’re not already logged in, follow these steps:

Accessing the Admin Account

Open the Ring app on your phone.
Enter your email and password.
If prompted, complete two-factor authentication (e.g., enter the code sent to your phone).
Wait for the app to load your dashboard.

You should now see your Ring Doorbell listed under “Devices.” If you don’t, make sure you’re logged into the correct account.

Important: If you’ve forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password?” link to reset it. You’ll need access to the email associated with the account.

Step 3: Initiate the Admin Transfer

Now it’s time to transfer ownership. Here’s how:

Starting the Transfer Process

In the Ring app, tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-left corner.
Select “Devices” from the menu.
Find your Ring Doorbell and tap on it to open its settings.
Scroll down and tap “Device Ownership”.
Tap “Transfer Ownership”.
Enter the email address of the new admin.
Tap “Send Transfer Request”.

The new admin will receive an email with a link to accept the transfer. They must open the link and confirm within 24 hours, or the request expires.

Note: You can only transfer ownership to one person at a time. If you need to transfer to multiple people, you’ll need to repeat the process after the first transfer is complete.

Step 4: New Admin Accepts the Transfer

Once the transfer request is sent, the new admin must accept it. Here’s what they need to do:

Accepting the Transfer Request

Check their email for a message from Ring with the subject “You’ve been invited to manage a Ring device.”
Open the email and tap the “Accept Transfer” button.
This will open the Ring app (or prompt them to download it).
Log in with their Ring account credentials.
Confirm the transfer by tapping “Accept” in the app.

After acceptance, the new admin will see the Ring Doorbell in their device list and have full control.

Pro Tip: If the email doesn’t arrive, ask the new admin to check their spam or junk folder. They can also contact Ring Support if the link doesn’t work.

Step 5: Verify the Transfer Is Complete

Once the new admin accepts the transfer, it’s important to confirm everything worked correctly.

Checking the Transfer Status

The current admin should open the Ring app and go to “Devices”.
The Ring Doorbell should no longer appear in their device list.
The new admin should see the device in their app under “Devices”.
They can test the doorbell by pressing the button or using the live view.

If the device still appears under the old admin’s account, the transfer may not have completed. Try restarting the app or repeating the process.

What Happens to Shared Users?

You might be wondering: what about people who already have access to the doorbell, like family members or roommates?

Good news—shared users are not affected by the admin transfer. They’ll continue to receive notifications, view live feeds, and talk through the doorbell as before.

However, only the new admin can:

Add or remove shared users.
Change device settings (like motion zones or alerts).
Transfer ownership again.
Delete the device from the account.

So while guests keep their access, the new admin has full management control.

Can You Transfer Multiple Devices?

Yes! If you have more than one Ring device (like a doorbell, spotlight cam, or alarm), you can transfer them all at once—or individually.

Transferring All Devices at Once

When you initiate a transfer, Ring gives you the option to transfer all devices on your account. This is useful if you’re moving or selling your entire Ring system.

To do this:

Go to “Account” in the Ring app menu.
Tap “Transfer Account Ownership”.
Enter the new admin’s email.
Confirm the transfer.

This moves every Ring device, subscription, and setting to the new user.

Warning: Once transferred, you’ll lose access to all devices. Make sure this is what you want before proceeding.

Transferring Devices Individually

If you only want to transfer the doorbell (and keep other devices), use the “Device Ownership” method we covered earlier. This lets you pick and choose which devices to transfer.

Security Tips After the Transfer

Changing the admin user is a big step—so it’s important to keep things secure.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Both the old and new admins should have 2FA enabled. This prevents unauthorized access even if a password is compromised.

To enable 2FA:

Go to “Account” in the Ring app.
Tap “Two-Factor Authentication”.
Follow the prompts to link your phone number.
Enter the verification code sent via SMS.

Remove Old Devices from Your Account

After the transfer, the old admin should:

Log out of the Ring app on all devices.
Remove saved login details from browsers and phones.
Consider changing their Ring password as a precaution.

This ensures no one can accidentally (or intentionally) regain access.

Update Subscription Plans

If you have a Ring Protect Plan (for video recording), it will transfer with the device. The new admin will be billed for future renewals.

If you don’t want the new admin to have access to past recordings, you can:

Cancel the subscription before transferring.
Download any important videos first.

The new admin can then start their own Ring Protect Plan if they choose.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.

Transfer Request Not Received

If the new admin doesn’t get the email:

Check the spam/junk folder.
Make sure the email address was entered correctly.
Resend the transfer request from the Ring app.
Ask the new admin to check if they have email filters blocking Ring messages.

Transfer Link Expired

Transfer requests expire after 24 hours. If the link doesn’t work:

The current admin must send a new request.
Make sure the new admin accepts it promptly.

Device Still Shows Under Old Admin

If the doorbell remains in the old account:

Restart the Ring app on both phones.
Log out and log back in.
Check if the transfer was completed on Ring’s end by contacting Support.

New Admin Can’t Access the Device

If the new admin sees the device but can’t use it:

Ensure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
Check that the device is online (green light on the doorbell).
Restart the doorbell by removing and reinserting the battery (or turning off power for hardwired models).

Forgot Admin Password

If you can’t log in to transfer ownership:

Use the “Forgot Password?” link on the login screen.
Check your email for a reset link.
If you no longer have access to the email, contact Ring Support for account recovery.

When to Contact Ring Support

Most transfer issues can be resolved with the steps above. But if you’re still stuck, Ring’s customer support can help.

Contact them if:

You no longer have access to the admin account.
The transfer fails repeatedly.
You suspect unauthorized access.
You need help recovering a deleted device.

You can reach Ring Support through:

The “Help” section in the Ring app.
The Ring website’s support page.
Phone or live chat (available during business hours).

Have your account email, device serial number, and proof of purchase ready to speed up the process.

Final Thoughts

Changing the admin user for your Ring Doorbell doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right steps, you can transfer ownership quickly and securely—whether you’re moving, sharing access, or upgrading your system.

Remember:

Only the current admin can initiate the transfer.
The new admin must have a Ring account.
All devices can be transferred together or individually.
Shared users keep their access unless removed by the new admin.
Always enable two-factor authentication for safety.

By following this guide, you’ll ensure a smooth transition and keep your home security system running smoothly under new management.

Now go ahead—hand over the keys (or the app) with confidence!