This guide walks you through connecting another phone to your Ring Doorbell using the Ring app. Whether you’re adding a family member or a roommate, we cover every step—from account setup to troubleshooting—so you can share access easily and securely.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app: All connections must be made through the official Ring app on iOS or Android.
- Invite users via email: The primary account holder can send an invitation to another person’s email address.
- Accept the invitation: The new user must accept the invite and log in with their own Ring account.
- Manage permissions: Choose what the new user can do—like view live video or receive motion alerts.
- Ensure Wi-Fi stability: A strong Wi-Fi signal is essential for smooth video and notifications on all devices.
- Troubleshoot common issues: Problems like failed invites or login errors can usually be fixed with app updates or re-inviting.
- Keep your account secure: Only invite trusted individuals and regularly review shared access.
How to Connect Another Phone to a Ring Doorbell
If you’ve installed a Ring Doorbell and want to share access with a partner, family member, or roommate, you’re in the right place. Whether it’s your spouse who wants to see who’s at the door while you’re at work, or your teen who needs to monitor deliveries, connecting another phone to your Ring Doorbell is simple—but only if you follow the right steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of adding a second (or third, or fourth) phone to your Ring Doorbell. You’ll learn how to invite users, set permissions, troubleshoot common problems, and keep your smart home secure. By the end, you’ll be able to share access confidently and ensure everyone in your household stays connected to your front door—no matter where they are.
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Connect Another Phone a a Ring Doorbell
Image source: storables.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to connect another phone to your Ring Doorbell.
First, convenience. If multiple people live in your home, it makes sense that more than one person should be able to see who’s at the door. You don’t want to miss a package because only one person gets the alert.
Second, safety. If your child comes home from school and rings the doorbell, you’ll want your partner or another guardian to know immediately—especially if you’re in a meeting or away from your phone.
Third, peace of mind. Sharing access means someone else can check the camera if you’re traveling or unable to respond. It’s a simple way to stay connected to your home, even when you’re not there.
And finally, collaboration. Maybe you and your roommate both want to monitor deliveries or keep an eye on the front yard. Sharing access eliminates confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before connecting another phone to your Ring Doorbell, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and working: Your device should already be set up and connected to Wi-Fi.
- The primary Ring account: Only the person who originally set up the device can invite others.
- The Ring app installed on both phones: Download the free Ring app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- The email address of the person you’re inviting: They’ll need this to receive the invitation.
- A stable Wi-Fi connection: Both phones should have good internet access during setup.
If any of these are missing, pause and complete them first. Trying to invite someone without a working doorbell or app will lead to frustration.
Step 1: Open the Ring App on Your Phone
Start by opening the Ring app on the phone that’s already connected to the doorbell—this is the primary account holder’s device.
Once the app loads, you’ll see your dashboard with all your Ring devices. Tap on the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines in the top-left corner) to open the side menu.
From there, look for “Device Settings” or “Shared Users”—the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your app version.
Navigate to Shared Users
Tap on “Shared Users”. This is where you can manage who has access to your Ring devices.
If you’ve never added a shared user before, you’ll see a message like “No shared users yet” or “Invite someone to share access.”
Tap the “Add Shared User” button. This will open a new screen where you can enter the email address of the person you want to invite.
Step 2: Invite the New User
Now it’s time to send the invitation.
Enter the Email Address
Type in the email address of the person you want to connect to your Ring Doorbell. Make sure it’s correct—typos are a common reason invitations fail.
You can invite multiple people, so don’t worry if you want to add more than one person later.
Choose Permissions
Next, you’ll be asked to select what the new user can do. Ring offers several permission levels:
- Live View Only: The user can see live video but can’t change settings or view past recordings.
- Live View + Motion Alerts: The user gets motion notifications and can view live video.
- Full Access: The user can view live video, receive alerts, review recordings, and adjust some device settings.
Choose the level that makes sense for the person you’re inviting. For a child, you might choose “Live View Only.” For a partner or roommate, “Full Access” is often appropriate.
Send the Invitation
Once you’ve entered the email and selected permissions, tap “Send Invitation.”
The person will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation. They’ll need to click that link and follow the steps to complete the setup.
Step 3: The New User Accepts the Invitation
Now it’s the other person’s turn. Here’s what they need to do:
Check Their Email
The invited person should check the email address you used. Look for a message from Ring with the subject line something like “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
If they don’t see it, check the spam or junk folder. Sometimes automated emails get filtered.
Click the Invitation Link
Inside the email, there will be a button or link that says “Accept Invitation” or “Join Ring.” Click it.
This will open a webpage or redirect them to the Ring app (if installed).
Log In or Create a Ring Account
If the person already has a Ring account, they’ll log in with their email and password.
If they don’t have an account, they’ll need to create one. This is free and only takes a minute. They’ll enter their name, email, create a password, and agree to the terms.
Once logged in, they’ll be taken to the Ring app or prompted to download it if they haven’t already.
Confirm Access
After logging in, the app will show the shared device—your Ring Doorbell. They may need to tap “Accept” one more time to finalize access.
Now, the doorbell should appear in their app’s device list, and they’ll start receiving motion alerts and live view access based on the permissions you set.
Step 4: Test the Connection
Once the new user has accepted the invitation, it’s important to test that everything is working.
Check the Device List
Both you and the new user should open the Ring app and confirm the doorbell appears in the device list.
If it’s missing, try refreshing the app or restarting it.
Test Live View
Have the new user tap on the doorbell and select “Live View.” They should see the camera feed within a few seconds.
If the video is slow or won’t load, it could be a Wi-Fi issue. Make sure both phones have a strong signal.
Trigger a Motion Alert
Walk in front of the doorbell to trigger motion detection. The new user should receive a notification on their phone.
If they don’t, check their notification settings in the Ring app and on their phone.
Managing Shared Users
You can add, remove, or change permissions for shared users at any time.
View Current Shared Users
Go back to the Ring app, open the menu, and tap “Shared Users.” You’ll see a list of everyone who has access.
Change Permissions
Tap on a user’s name to edit their permissions. You can upgrade or downgrade their access—for example, from “Live View Only” to “Full Access.”
Changes take effect immediately.
Remove a User
If someone no longer needs access—like a former roommate—tap on their name and select “Remove User.”
They’ll lose access right away and won’t receive any more alerts or be able to view the camera.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with clear instructions, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Invitation Not Received
If the invited person doesn’t get the email:
- Double-check the email address for typos.
- Ask them to check spam/junk folders.
- Resend the invitation from the Ring app.
- Make sure the email isn’t blocked by a corporate or school filter.
“Invitation Expired” Error
Ring invitations expire after 7 days. If the link doesn’t work, the person will see an “expired” message.
Solution: Go back to “Shared Users,” find the pending invite, and tap “Resend Invitation.”
Can’t Log In to Ring Account
If the new user can’t log in:
- Make sure they’re using the correct email and password.
- Try resetting their password via the “Forgot Password” link.
- Ensure they’re not trying to use a social login (like Google or Facebook) if they created a standalone Ring account.
Device Not Showing Up in App
If the doorbell doesn’t appear after accepting the invite:
- Close and reopen the Ring app.
- Force-stop the app and restart it.
- Check that the primary account still has the device linked.
- Reboot the phone.
Live View Not Working
If the new user can’t see live video:
- Check Wi-Fi strength on both the doorbell and the phone.
- Make sure the doorbell is online (green light on the device).
- Verify that the user has “Live View” permission.
- Update the Ring app to the latest version.
Notifications Not Coming Through
If alerts aren’t arriving:
- Open the Ring app and go to “Device Settings” > “Motion Settings” > “Motion Alerts.”
- Ensure alerts are turned on for the shared user.
- Check the phone’s notification settings—Ring must be allowed to send alerts.
- Make sure “Do Not Disturb” mode is off.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
To make sharing your Ring Doorbell as easy as possible, follow these best practices:
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Encourage all users to create strong passwords for their Ring accounts. Avoid common words or simple combinations like “123456.”
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Both you and the shared users should turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) in the Ring app. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone when logging in.
Keep the App Updated
Ring frequently releases updates with bug fixes and new features. Make sure all phones are running the latest version of the app.
Name Your Devices Clearly
If you have multiple Ring devices (like a doorbell and a security camera), give them clear names like “Front Door” or “Backyard Camera.” This helps everyone know which device they’re viewing.
Communicate About Access
Let shared users know what they can and can’t do. For example, if they have “Live View Only,” explain that they can’t change settings or delete recordings.
Security Considerations
Sharing access to your Ring Doorbell is convenient, but it’s important to do it safely.
Only Invite Trusted People
Think carefully before giving someone access. Once they’re added, they can see who comes to your door and when.
Review Shared Users Regularly
Every few months, check your “Shared Users” list and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
Monitor Activity
Ring doesn’t provide a detailed log of who viewed what, but you can stay alert by noticing if someone mentions seeing a visitor you didn’t tell them about.
Beware of Phishing Emails
Scammers sometimes send fake “Ring invitation” emails. Always check the sender’s address—it should end in @ring.com. If in doubt, log in directly to the Ring app instead of clicking links.
Can You Share with More Than One Person?
Yes! Ring allows you to invite multiple shared users. There’s no official limit, but in practice, most households add 2–5 people.
Each person gets their own invitation and must accept it using their own Ring account. You can set different permissions for each user.
For example:
- Your spouse: Full Access
- Your teen: Live View + Motion Alerts
- Your parent (who lives with you): Live View Only
This flexibility makes Ring a great choice for families and shared living spaces.
What If the Primary Account Holder Loses Access?
If the person who set up the doorbell loses their phone or forgets their password, it can complicate things.
In this case:
- The shared users can still use the doorbell based on their permissions.
- But only the primary account holder can add or remove users or change device settings.
- If the primary account is lost, contact Ring Support for help recovering access.
That’s why it’s a good idea to write down the primary account email and password and store it securely.
Final Thoughts
Connecting another phone to your Ring Doorbell is a smart way to keep your household informed and secure. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can share live video, motion alerts, and more with trusted family members or roommates.
The process is simple: invite via email, set permissions, and let the new user accept. Most issues can be resolved with a quick app restart or re-sent invitation.
Just remember to prioritize security—only invite people you trust, use strong passwords, and review access regularly.
Now that you know how to connect another phone to a Ring Doorbell, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone’s always watching your front door.