Giving Ring Doorbell access to family members ensures everyone in your household can monitor visitors and stay safe. This guide walks you through the simple process of sharing access via the Ring app, managing permissions, and troubleshooting common issues.
Key Takeaways
- Share access securely: Use the Ring app to invite family members without sharing your login credentials.
- Customize permissions: Choose between Admin and User roles to control what each person can do.
- Works on multiple devices: Family members can access the doorbell from their own smartphones or tablets.
- Real-time alerts for all: Everyone with access gets motion and ring notifications instantly.
- Easy to manage: Add or remove users anytime from the app’s settings.
- Troubleshoot common issues: Fix problems like failed invites or missing notifications quickly.
- Keep your account safe: Always use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
How to Give Ring Doorbell Access to Family Members
If you’ve installed a Ring Doorbell, you already know how helpful it is for keeping your home secure. But what if your spouse, teen, or elderly parent also wants to see who’s at the door? Or get alerts when the doorbell rings? The good news is, you can easily give Ring Doorbell access to family members—without sharing your password.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of sharing your Ring Doorbell with family. You’ll learn how to send invites, set user permissions, manage access, and fix common problems. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with smart home devices, this step-by-step tutorial will make it simple and stress-free.
By the end, your whole household will be able to see live video, talk to visitors, and stay in the loop—all from their own phones.
Why Share Ring Doorbell Access?
Visual guide about How to Give Ring Doorbell Access to Family Members
Image source: gearhungry.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why sharing access is a smart move.
First, it increases safety. If you’re at work and your teen is home alone, they can see who’s at the door and decide whether to answer. Second, it reduces confusion. No more guessing who rang the bell or missing important deliveries. Everyone gets the same alerts at the same time.
Third, it gives peace of mind. Whether you’re on vacation or running errands, knowing your family can monitor the doorbell helps you stay connected to home.
And finally, it’s secure. You’re not giving out your password—just inviting trusted people to join your Ring account with controlled access.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell (any model: Video Doorbell, Doorbell Pro, Doorbell Wired, etc.)
- The Ring app installed on your smartphone or tablet
- Your Ring account logged in and active
- The email addresses of the family members you want to invite
- A stable Wi-Fi connection
If your family members don’t have the Ring app yet, they’ll need to download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). It’s free and takes just a minute to install.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Start by opening the Ring app on your phone. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the doorbell.
Once the app loads, you’ll see your dashboard with live views of your devices. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top-left corner to open the side menu.
Navigate to Device Settings
From the menu, scroll down and tap Devices. This will show a list of all your Ring devices, including your doorbell.
Tap on your Ring Doorbell to open its settings. You’ll see options like Live View, Motion Settings, and Device Health.
Find the Sharing Option
Scroll down until you see the Sharing section. Tap on it. This is where you’ll manage who has access to your doorbell.
Step 2: Invite a Family Member
Now it’s time to send an invite.
Tap “Add Person”
Inside the Sharing menu, tap the Add Person button. A new screen will appear asking for the person’s email address.
Enter Their Email
Type in the email address of the family member you want to invite. Make sure it’s correct—this is how they’ll receive the invitation.
You can invite multiple people at once by separating email addresses with commas. For example: [email protected], [email protected].
Choose Their Role
Next, you’ll choose what level of access they get. Ring offers two roles:
- Admin: Can view live video, receive alerts, change settings, add or remove users, and delete the device. Best for spouses or trusted adults.
- User: Can view live video and receive alerts, but cannot change settings or manage other users. Ideal for teens or kids.
For most family members, User is the safest choice. Only give Admin access if you fully trust them with your device settings.
Send the Invite
Once you’ve entered the email and selected the role, tap Send Invite. The person will receive an email with a link to join your Ring account.
Step 3: Family Member Accepts the Invite
Now it’s up to your family member to accept the invitation.
Check Their Email
They should receive an email from Ring with the subject line: “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device.”
If they don’t see it, ask them to check their spam or junk folder. Sometimes automated emails get filtered.
Tap the Invitation Link
Inside the email, they’ll see a button that says Accept Invitation. They should tap it.
This will open the Ring app (if installed) or take them to the App Store/Google Play to download it.
Log In or Create an Account
If they already have a Ring account, they’ll log in with their email and password.
If not, they’ll need to create a new account. They’ll enter their name, email, and create a password. They may also be asked to verify their email.
Grant Permissions
Once logged in, the app will ask for permission to access their camera, microphone, and notifications. These are necessary for the doorbell to work properly.
They should tap Allow for each prompt.
Access the Shared Doorbell
After accepting the invite and granting permissions, the shared doorbell will appear in their Ring app under Shared Devices.
They can now view live video, talk to visitors, and receive motion and ring alerts—just like you.
Managing Shared Access
Once family members have access, you can manage their permissions or remove them at any time.
View Current Shared Users
Go back to the Ring app, open your doorbell settings, and tap Sharing. You’ll see a list of everyone who has access.
Each person will show their name, email, and role (Admin or User).
Change a User’s Role
If you want to upgrade a User to Admin (or downgrade an Admin to User), tap on their name. Then select the new role and confirm.
This is useful if your teen gets older and you trust them with more responsibility—or if you want to limit access after a disagreement.
Remove a User
To remove someone’s access, tap their name and select Remove Access. Confirm when prompted.
They will no longer receive alerts or be able to view the doorbell. The device will disappear from their app.
Tips for Sharing Ring Access Safely
While sharing access is convenient, it’s important to do it safely. Here are some best practices:
Only Invite Trusted People
Only share access with family members or close friends you trust. Avoid giving access to roommates, neighbors, or extended family unless absolutely necessary.
Use Strong Passwords
Make sure your Ring account has a strong, unique password. Avoid common words or easy-to-guess combinations.
Also, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in your Ring account settings. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone when logging in.
Monitor Activity
You can check who’s been using the doorbell by reviewing the Event History in the app. Look for live view sessions or recorded events.
If you notice unusual activity, consider changing your password or removing access.
Teach Family Members About Privacy
Remind your family not to share live video or recordings publicly. Ring videos can show your home’s exterior, which might reveal personal details like your address or daily routines.
Also, avoid talking about sensitive topics near the doorbell when it’s active.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, sharing access doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are solutions to common problems.
Invite Not Received
If a family member didn’t get the invitation email:
- Double-check the email address you entered.
- Ask them to check their spam or junk folder.
- Resend the invite from the Sharing menu.
- Make sure their email provider isn’t blocking Ring emails.
Can’t Accept the Invite
If the invitation link doesn’t work:
- Ensure they’re using the correct email address to log in.
- Try opening the link in a different browser or app.
- Clear the app cache or reinstall the Ring app.
- Contact Ring Support if the issue persists.
No Live View or Alerts
If a family member can see the doorbell but can’t view live video or get alerts:
- Check their internet connection.
- Make sure notifications are enabled in the app and phone settings.
- Verify they have the correct role (User or Admin).
- Restart the app and try again.
Device Not Showing Up
If the shared doorbell doesn’t appear in their app:
- Confirm the invite was accepted.
- Log out and back into the Ring app.
- Update the app to the latest version.
- Check if the device is online in your app.
Permission Errors
If they get a message saying “Access Denied”:
- You may have removed their access.
- Their role may not allow certain actions.
- Try re-inviting them with the correct role.
Advanced Tips for Families
Once everyone has access, here are some ways to get the most out of your shared Ring Doorbell.
Set Up Motion Zones
Customize motion zones so alerts only trigger when someone approaches your door—not when a car drives by. This reduces false alarms and keeps everyone informed only when it matters.
Use Quick Replies
Set up quick reply messages like “We’ll be right there” or “Please leave the package at the door.” Family members can send these with one tap during a live call.
Schedule Modes
Use Ring Modes (like Home, Away, or Sleep) to adjust notifications based on the time of day. For example, turn off motion alerts at night so kids aren’t woken up.
Share with Multiple Devices
You can share one doorbell with as many people as you want. Just send invites to each family member’s email. There’s no limit.
Use Ring Chimes
If your family has trouble hearing the doorbell, consider adding a Ring Chime. It plugs into an outlet and plays a sound when the doorbell rings—great for large homes or noisy environments.
Privacy and Legal Considerations
While Ring makes it easy to share access, it’s important to respect privacy laws.
Recording Laws
In most places, it’s legal to record video of your front door as long as it’s on your property. However, avoid pointing the camera at neighbors’ homes or public sidewalks.
Audio Recording
Some states require two-party consent for audio recording. If your doorbell records sound, make sure you’re compliant with local laws.
Children’s Privacy
If you’re sharing access with minors, be mindful of what they see and hear. Consider setting up parental controls or reviewing recordings together.
Conclusion
Giving Ring Doorbell access to family members is a simple, secure way to keep everyone in your household safe and informed. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can invite loved ones to view live video, receive alerts, and communicate with visitors—all without sharing your password.
By choosing the right user roles, managing permissions, and following safety tips, you can enjoy the full benefits of your smart doorbell as a team. And if any issues come up, the troubleshooting steps in this guide will help you resolve them quickly.
Whether you’re protecting your home, staying connected with family, or just making life a little easier, shared Ring access is a smart choice. So go ahead—invite your spouse, teen, or parent today. Your front door has never been more secure.