This guide shows you how to connect two phones to a Ring Doorbell so multiple users can receive alerts and view live footage. Whether you’re sharing with a partner, roommate, or family member, we’ll walk you through the setup process clearly and simply.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple users can access one Ring Doorbell: You can invite up to 20 people to share access to your Ring device through the app.
- Use the Ring app to invite users: The primary account holder must send an invitation via the Ring app for others to connect.
- Each user needs their own Ring account: Guests must sign up for a free Ring account to receive notifications and view the doorbell feed.
- Permissions can be customized: Choose whether guests can view live video, receive motion alerts, or speak through the doorbell.
- Works on both iOS and Android: The process is nearly identical across iPhone and Android devices.
- Troubleshooting tips included: Common issues like failed invitations or missing alerts are covered with easy fixes.
- No extra hardware needed: Sharing access is completely free and doesn’t require purchasing additional devices.
How to Connect Two Phones to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and it’s working great—but now you want your partner, roommate, or family member to also get alerts when someone’s at the door. Good news: you can easily connect two phones to one Ring Doorbell without buying a second device or paying extra fees.
Whether you’re setting up shared access for security, convenience, or peace of mind, this guide will walk you through the entire process—from sending an invitation to troubleshooting common issues. By the end, both phones will be receiving motion alerts, doorbell rings, and live video feeds from the same Ring Doorbell.
We’ll keep things simple, friendly, and jargon-free. No tech degree required!
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Connect Two Phones to Ring Doorbell
Image source: robots.net
Before diving into the steps, let’s talk about why connecting two phones to your Ring Doorbell makes sense.
Imagine you’re at work and your partner is home with the kids. When the delivery person arrives, both of you get a notification. That way, someone can respond even if you’re not home. Or maybe you and your roommate both want to know when packages arrive or when someone’s lurking near the front door.
Sharing access means:
- Better security: More eyes on your home means faster response to suspicious activity.
- Convenience: No more missed deliveries or forgotten visitors.
- Peace of mind: Whether you’re traveling or just in another room, you’ll always know what’s happening at your door.
And the best part? It’s completely free. Ring allows the primary account holder to invite up to 20 additional users. That’s more than enough for most households.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before we begin, make sure you have the following:
1. A Ring Doorbell Installed and Set Up
Your Ring Doorbell should already be installed, connected to Wi-Fi, and working properly. If you haven’t done this yet, check out Ring’s official setup guide or our previous tutorial on installing a Ring Doorbell.
2. The Ring App Installed on Both Phones
Both you (the primary user) and the person you’re inviting need to have the Ring app downloaded. It’s available for free on:
- iOS (iPhone/iPad) – via the App Store
- Android – via Google Play Store
Make sure both apps are updated to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
3. A Stable Internet Connection
Both phones should be connected to Wi-Fi or have strong cellular data. The Ring app needs internet to send invitations and receive real-time alerts.
4. The Guest’s Email Address
You’ll need the email address the guest uses (or plans to use) for their Ring account. This is how Ring sends the invitation.
5. A Free Ring Account for the Guest
The person you’re inviting must create their own Ring account. They don’t need to own a Ring device—just an account to access yours.
Step 1: Open the Ring App on Your Phone
Start by opening the Ring app on your phone—the one linked to the Ring Doorbell you want to share.
Once the app loads, you’ll see your dashboard with live view, recent events, and device status.
Make Sure You’re Logged In
Double-check that you’re logged into the correct Ring account—the one that owns the doorbell. If you have multiple accounts (like a work and personal one), switch to the right one.
Check Device Status
Tap on your Ring Doorbell from the device list. Make sure it says “Online” and has a strong Wi-Fi signal. If it’s offline, fix that first before proceeding.
Step 2: Navigate to the Sharing Settings
Now it’s time to invite someone to share access.
Tap the Menu Icon
In the top-left corner of the Ring app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon). This opens the main navigation menu.
Select “Devices”
Scroll down and tap on “Devices.” This will show a list of all your Ring devices.
Choose Your Doorbell
Tap on the Ring Doorbell you want to share. This opens the device control screen.
Tap “Shared Users”
Scroll down until you see the “Shared Users” section. Tap on it. This is where you manage who has access to your doorbell.
Step 3: Send an Invitation to the Second Phone
Now you’re ready to invite the second user.
Tap “Add Shared User”
Inside the “Shared Users” screen, tap the “Add Shared User” button. This opens the invitation form.
Enter the Guest’s Email Address
Type in the email address the guest will use for their Ring account. Make sure it’s correct—typos are a common cause of failed invitations.
Choose Permissions (Optional but Recommended)
Ring lets you customize what the guest can do. You’ll see options like:
- View Live Video: Allows them to see who’s at the door in real time.
- Receive Motion Alerts: Sends notifications when motion is detected.
- Receive Ring Alerts: Notifies them when the doorbell is pressed.
- Speak Through the Doorbell: Lets them talk to visitors using the two-way audio.
- View Event History: Access to past recordings (if you have Ring Protect).
For most people, we recommend enabling all options so the guest has full access. But if you want to limit what they can do (for example, not allow them to speak), you can uncheck certain boxes.
Tap “Send Invitation”
Once you’ve entered the email and set permissions, tap “Send Invitation.” Ring will send an email to the guest with a link to accept.
Step 4: The Guest Accepts the Invitation
Now it’s the guest’s turn to complete the setup on their phone.
Open the Invitation Email
The guest should check their email (including spam/junk folder) for a message from Ring with the subject “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
Tap the “Accept Invitation” Link
Inside the email, there’s a button or link that says “Accept Invitation.” Tap it. This will open the Ring app or redirect to the app store if it’s not installed.
Log In or Create a Ring Account
If the guest already has a Ring account, they’ll log in. If not, they’ll need to create one:
- Tap “Sign Up” in the Ring app.
- Enter their name, email, and create a password.
- Verify their email address by clicking the link Ring sends.
Once logged in, the invitation will appear in the app.
Accept the Shared Device
The guest will see a prompt asking if they want to accept access to your Ring Doorbell. Tap “Accept.”
Wait for Sync
The app will sync for a few seconds. Once complete, the Ring Doorbell will appear in their device list.
Step 5: Test the Connection
Now that both phones are connected, it’s time to test everything.
Send a Test Notification
Have the guest open the Ring app and tap on your doorbell. They should be able to:
- View the live video feed.
- See the camera’s field of view.
- Hear audio from the doorbell (if enabled).
Trigger a Motion or Ring Alert
Walk in front of the doorbell to trigger motion detection, or press the doorbell button. Both phones should receive a notification within a few seconds.
Check Permissions
If the guest can’t see live video or receive alerts, go back to the “Shared Users” section and double-check their permissions. You can edit them at any time.
Tips for a Smooth Setup
Here are some practical tips to make the process even easier:
Use the Same Wi-Fi Network (Temporarily)
If the guest is nearby, have them connect to your Wi-Fi network while accepting the invitation. This can speed up the sync process.
Double-Check Email Spelling
A single typo in the email address is the #1 reason invitations fail. Read it back to the guest or have them confirm it.
Update the Ring App
Outdated apps can cause glitches. Go to the App Store or Google Play and check for updates before starting.
Restart the App if Needed
If the guest doesn’t see the doorbell after accepting, close and reopen the Ring app. Sometimes a simple restart fixes the issue.
Use Strong Wi-Fi
Weak Wi-Fi can delay alerts or cause video to buffer. Make sure your doorbell is within range of your router or consider a Wi-Fi extender.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with perfect setup, things can go wrong. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.
Invitation Not Received
If the guest doesn’t get the email:
- Check the spam/junk folder.
- Confirm the email address was entered correctly.
- Resend the invitation from the “Shared Users” screen.
- Ask the guest to check if they have email filters blocking Ring.
Guest Can’t See the Doorbell
If the doorbell doesn’t appear in the guest’s app:
- Make sure they accepted the invitation.
- Log out and back into the Ring app.
- Restart their phone.
- Check that they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
No Alerts on the Second Phone
If the guest isn’t getting notifications:
- Open the Ring app and go to “Device Settings” > “Motion Settings” or “Ring Settings.”
- Ensure alerts are enabled for the shared user.
- Check the phone’s notification settings—Ring must be allowed to send alerts.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications > Ring > Allow Notifications.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Ring > Notifications > Enable.
Live Video Won’t Load
If the guest can’t view live footage:
- Check their internet connection.
- Make sure “View Live Video” permission is enabled.
- Close and reopen the app.
- Try viewing from a different network (e.g., switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data).
Audio Not Working
If the guest can’t hear or speak through the doorbell:
- Ensure “Speak Through the Doorbell” is enabled in permissions.
- Check the phone’s volume and mute settings.
- Make sure the doorbell’s microphone and speaker aren’t blocked.
Managing Shared Users Over Time
Once you’ve connected two phones, you might want to adjust settings later.
Edit Permissions
To change what a guest can do:
- Go to “Shared Users” in the Ring app.
- Tap on the guest’s name.
- Toggle permissions on or off.
- Tap “Save.”
Remove a User
If someone no longer needs access:
- Go to “Shared Users.”
- Tap the guest’s name.
- Tap “Remove User.”
- Confirm the action.
Note: Removing a user doesn’t delete their Ring account—it just revokes access to your device.
Add More Users
You can invite up to 20 people. Just repeat the “Add Shared User” process for each new person.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to think about privacy.
Only Share with Trusted People
Since guests can view live video and recordings, only invite people you trust—like family, roommates, or close friends.
Use Strong Passwords
Make sure both you and the guest use strong, unique passwords for your Ring accounts. Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
Monitor Activity
You can see when shared users view your doorbell or access recordings. Go to “Device Settings” > “Activity” to review logs.
Revoke Access When Needed
If someone moves out or you no longer want them to have access, remove them immediately.
Alternative Methods (And Why They Don’t Work)
Some people try workarounds like:
- Sharing login credentials: Giving your password to someone else. This is risky and violates Ring’s terms of service. If your account is compromised, you could lose access.
- Screen sharing: Using apps like Zoom to show the live feed. This is clunky, delays alerts, and doesn’t allow two-way audio.
- Using a family plan: Ring doesn’t offer family plans like some other services. Sharing is done through individual accounts.
The official “Shared Users” feature is the only safe, reliable, and supported way to connect two phones to one Ring Doorbell.
Final Thoughts
Connecting two phones to your Ring Doorbell is simple, secure, and completely free. By following the steps in this guide, you can ensure that both you and your loved ones stay informed and protected.
Whether it’s for security, convenience, or peace of mind, shared access makes your Ring Doorbell even more useful. And with customizable permissions, you’re always in control.
So go ahead—send that invitation, test the connection, and enjoy the benefits of a smarter, more connected home.