Connecting two phones to a Ring Doorbell allows multiple users to receive alerts and view live footage. This guide walks you through adding a second user, managing permissions, and fixing common setup problems.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple users can share one Ring Doorbell: You can invite family members or roommates to access the same device through the Ring app.
- Each phone needs the Ring app installed: Both users must download the official Ring app and create their own accounts.
- Admin controls are essential: Only the primary account holder (admin) can invite others and manage device settings.
- Permissions can be customized: Choose whether secondary users can view live video, receive alerts, or change settings.
- Same Wi-Fi network isn’t required: Users can access the doorbell from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Troubleshooting is simple: Most connection issues are resolved by checking app updates, Wi-Fi strength, and account permissions.
- Security remains strong: Ring uses encryption and two-factor authentication to protect shared access.
How to Connect 2 Phones to Ring Doorbell
So you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and love getting instant alerts when someone’s at your door. But what if your partner, roommate, or family member also wants to see who’s knocking? The good news? You can easily connect two phones to the same Ring Doorbell. Whether you’re setting up a shared household or just want peace of mind knowing someone else can respond when you’re away, this guide will walk you through every step.
In this detailed how-to, you’ll learn how to add a second phone to your Ring Doorbell, manage user permissions, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your home security system running smoothly. No technical expertise required—just follow along, and you’ll have both phones connected in under 15 minutes.
Why Connect Two Phones to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Connect 2 Phones to Ring Doorbell
Image source: robots.net
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to connect two phones to your Ring Doorbell. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about safety, communication, and shared responsibility.
Imagine you’re at work, and your partner is home with the kids. If the doorbell rings, both of you can see who’s there and decide how to respond. Or maybe you’re traveling, and you want your neighbor to keep an eye on things. With two phones connected, you’re never out of the loop.
Other benefits include:
- Shared alerts: Both users get motion and doorbell notifications.
- Live video access: Either phone can view the camera feed in real time.
- Two-way audio: Both users can speak to visitors remotely.
- Peace of mind: Knowing someone else is watching when you can’t be.
Whether you’re managing a busy household or just want backup monitoring, connecting two phones is a smart move.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- A working Ring Doorbell: Installed and connected to Wi-Fi.
- The Ring app installed on both phones: Available for free on iOS and Android.
- Two Ring accounts: One for each user (the primary admin and the secondary user).
- An active internet connection: Both phones should have Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- The email address of the second user: You’ll need this to send the invitation.
Don’t worry if the second user doesn’t have a Ring account yet—they can create one during the setup process.
Step 1: Ensure Your Ring Doorbell Is Set Up Correctly
Before adding a second phone, confirm that your Ring Doorbell is working properly on your primary phone. Here’s how:
Check the Ring App on Your Phone
Open the Ring app and tap on your doorbell device. You should see a live video feed. If you don’t, try refreshing the screen or restarting the app.
Test Notifications
Have someone press the doorbell or walk in front of the motion sensor. You should receive a push notification on your phone. If not, go to your phone’s settings and make sure notifications are enabled for the Ring app.
Verify Wi-Fi Connection
A strong Wi-Fi signal is crucial. If your doorbell keeps disconnecting, move your router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender. Ring recommends a signal strength of at least -60 dBm for reliable performance.
Once everything is working on your end, you’re ready to invite the second user.
Step 2: Open the Ring App and Access Device Settings
Now it’s time to invite the second phone. You’ll do this from the primary account—the one that originally set up the doorbell.
Launch the Ring App
Open the Ring app on your phone and log in with your credentials.
Select Your Doorbell
Tap on the doorbell device you want to share. This will open the live view screen.
Go to Device Settings
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner. This opens the settings menu for your doorbell.
Find the “Shared Users” Option
Scroll down until you see “Shared Users” or “People with Access.” Tap on it.
This is where you’ll manage who can access your doorbell.
Step 3: Invite the Second User
Now you’ll send an invitation to the second phone.
Tap “Add Person”
In the Shared Users menu, tap the “Add Person” button. You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite.
Enter the Email Address
Type in the email address associated with the second user’s Ring account. If they don’t have one yet, they’ll be guided to create it when they accept the invitation.
Choose Permissions
You’ll see options for what the second user can do. You can choose from:
- View Live Video: Allows them to see the camera feed.
- Receive Alerts: Sends them motion and doorbell notifications.
- Talk to Visitors: Enables two-way audio.
- Change Settings: Lets them adjust motion zones, alerts, etc. (Use with caution.)
For most households, we recommend enabling “View Live Video,” “Receive Alerts,” and “Talk to Visitors.” Avoid giving “Change Settings” unless you fully trust the user.
Send the Invitation
Tap “Send Invitation.” The second user will receive an email with a link to accept.
Step 4: The Second User Accepts the Invitation
Now it’s the second user’s turn to complete the setup.
Check Their Email
The second user should receive an email from Ring with the subject “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
Tap the Invitation Link
They should open the email and tap the “Accept Invitation” button. This will redirect them to the Ring app or website.
Log In or Create an Account
If they already have a Ring account, they’ll log in. If not, they’ll be prompted to create one using their email and a secure password.
Grant App Permissions
The app may ask for access to notifications, camera, and microphone. Make sure they allow these so they can receive alerts and use two-way audio.
Confirm Access
Once logged in, they’ll see your doorbell listed under “Shared Devices.” They can now view live video, receive alerts, and interact with visitors—just like you.
Step 5: Test the Connection on Both Phones
After the invitation is accepted, test everything to make sure both phones are working correctly.
Test Live Video
On both phones, open the Ring app and tap the shared doorbell. You should see the live feed. Try it from different locations—like another room or outside—to ensure connectivity.
Test Notifications
Have someone press the doorbell or walk in front of the camera. Both phones should receive a push notification within a few seconds.
Test Two-Way Audio
Tap the talk button on either phone and speak. The visitor should hear you, and you should hear them. This confirms audio is working on both devices.
Check Motion Alerts
Walk in front of the doorbell to trigger motion detection. Both phones should get an alert with a snapshot or video clip.
If everything works, congratulations—you’ve successfully connected two phones to your Ring Doorbell!
Managing Shared Users: Tips and Best Practices
Once you’ve added a second user, it’s important to manage access properly. Here are some tips to keep things running smoothly.
Review Permissions Regularly
People’s roles change. Maybe your roommate is moving out, or your teen no longer needs access. Go back to the “Shared Users” section and adjust permissions or remove users as needed.
Use Strong Passwords
Both users should use unique, strong passwords for their Ring accounts. Avoid sharing login details—each person should have their own account.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
For extra security, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on both accounts. This adds a verification step when logging in from a new device.
Keep the App Updated
Ring frequently releases app updates with bug fixes and new features. Make sure both phones are running the latest version of the Ring app.
Monitor Activity
The primary admin can view a log of who accessed the doorbell and when. This is useful for tracking usage and spotting unusual activity.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with perfect setup, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common issues when connecting two phones to a Ring Doorbell.
Issue: Second User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the second phone doesn’t show the shared device, try these steps:
- Make sure the invitation was accepted.
- Check that the email address was entered correctly.
- Ask the second user to log out and back into the Ring app.
- Restart both phones.
- Ensure both devices have internet access.
Issue: No Notifications on the Second Phone
If the second user isn’t getting alerts:
- Check phone settings: Go to Settings > Notifications > Ring, and make sure alerts are enabled.
- Verify permissions in the Ring app: The user must have “Receive Alerts” enabled.
- Test with a different notification type (e.g., motion vs. doorbell press).
- Ensure Do Not Disturb or Focus mode isn’t blocking alerts.
Issue: Live Video Won’t Load
If the camera feed is stuck or won’t load:
- Check Wi-Fi strength at the doorbell location.
- Restart the Ring Doorbell by removing and reinserting the battery (or turning off the power for wired models).
- Update the Ring app on both phones.
- Try viewing the feed from a different network (e.g., switch from Wi-Fi to cellular).
Issue: Audio Doesn’t Work
If two-way audio is silent or choppy:
- Make sure the microphone and speaker permissions are granted on both phones.
- Check for background noise or interference.
- Test audio in a quiet environment.
- Restart the app and try again.
Issue: Invitation Email Not Received
If the second user didn’t get the email:
- Check the spam or junk folder.
- Resend the invitation from the Shared Users menu.
- Verify the email address was typed correctly.
- Try using a different email provider (e.g., Gmail instead of Outlook).
Advanced Tips for Multiple Users
If you’re managing a larger household or want more control, here are some advanced tips.
Add More Than Two Users
You’re not limited to just two phones. Ring allows multiple shared users—perfect for families, roommates, or caregivers. Just repeat the invitation process for each person.
Use Shared Users for Pets or Babies
If you have a pet camera or indoor Ring device, you can share access with a pet sitter or babysitter. Give them limited permissions so they can check in without changing settings.
Set Up Motion Zones Together
If both users are home, you can collaborate on motion zones. For example, one person might want alerts for the front walk, while the other prefers alerts only at the door. The admin can adjust these settings based on feedback.
Use Ring Chime for Audible Alerts
If you want a physical alert inside the house, pair your Ring Doorbell with a Ring Chime. It plugs into an outlet and plays a sound when the doorbell is pressed—great for people who don’t always check their phones.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Sharing access to your doorbell is convenient, but it’s important to think about security.
Only Share with Trusted People
Anyone with access can see who comes and goes. Only invite people you trust—family, close friends, or reliable neighbors.
Monitor Access Logs
The primary admin can view a history of who accessed the device and when. Check this regularly for unusual activity.
Revoke Access When Needed
If someone moves out or you no longer want them to have access, go to Shared Users and tap “Remove.” They’ll lose access immediately.
Use End-to-End Encryption (If Available)
Some Ring devices support end-to-end encryption for video. This means only you and the shared users can view the footage—not even Ring can access it. Check your device settings to see if this feature is enabled.
Conclusion
Connecting two phones to your Ring Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your home security. Whether you’re sharing access with a partner, roommate, or family member, the process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to invite a second user, customize their permissions, test the connection, and troubleshoot common issues. You’ve also picked up tips for managing multiple users and keeping your system secure.
Remember, the key to success is communication. Make sure both users understand their roles and responsibilities. Keep the app updated, monitor access, and don’t hesitate to adjust settings as your needs change.
With two phones connected, you’ll never miss a visitor again. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just in another room, you’ll always know who’s at the door.
So go ahead—share the access, stay connected, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a smarter, safer home.