Sharing access to your Ring doorbell lets family, roommates, or trusted neighbors view live feeds, receive alerts, and answer the door remotely. This guide walks you through the simple process using the Ring app, ensuring privacy and control over who sees what.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Ring app to invite users: Only the owner can send invites via the app’s Shared Users feature.
- Choose permission levels wisely: Grant full access or limited viewing based on trust and need.
- Recipients need a Ring account: They must sign up (free) before accepting the invitation.
- Revoke access anytime: Remove users instantly from your device settings if needed.
- Secure your network: Ensure your Wi-Fi is protected to prevent unauthorized access to your devices.
- Test after setup: Confirm the new user can view video and receive notifications properly.
- Keep firmware updated: Regular updates improve security and sharing functionality.
How to Give Someone Access to Your Ring Doorbell
So you’ve installed your Ring doorbell, set up motion alerts, and maybe even caught a package thief red-handed—great job! But now, your spouse wants to see who’s at the door while they’re at work. Or your roommate needs to let in a delivery while you’re out. Or maybe your elderly parent lives with you and could use a little help staying connected to visitors.
Whatever the reason, sharing access to your Ring doorbell is not only possible—it’s surprisingly easy. And best of all, you stay in full control. You decide who gets in, what they can see, and when their access ends.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through every step of giving someone access to your Ring doorbell. Whether you’re tech-savvy or still figuring out how to pair your smartwatch, this guide uses simple language, clear instructions, and real-life examples so anyone can follow along. We’ll cover everything from sending the first invite to troubleshooting common issues—and even how to remove access if things change.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to share your Ring doorbell securely, responsibly, and without stress.
Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Give Someone Access to Your Ring Doorbell
Image source: techaeris.com
Before diving into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to share access in the first place.
First, convenience. If multiple people live in your home, it makes sense that more than one person can answer the door—even when they’re not physically there. Your teen might be upstairs gaming, your partner might be cooking dinner, and you’re in the backyard. With shared access, anyone can check the live feed and talk to the visitor.
Second, safety. If you’re traveling or working late, a trusted neighbor or family member can monitor your doorbell and alert you to suspicious activity. Some people even share access with babysitters or dog walkers so they can verify who’s arriving.
Third, peace of mind. Knowing that someone else can respond if you’re unavailable reduces anxiety—especially for elderly users or those living alone.
But here’s the key: sharing access doesn’t mean giving up control. Ring’s system is designed so that only the device owner (that’s you!) can manage permissions. You can add or remove users anytime, and you can limit what they see.
So whether you’re sharing with your partner, a roommate, or a trusted friend, you’re in charge.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin the sharing process, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be online and working properly. If it’s not connected to Wi-Fi or showing offline in the app, fix that first.
- The Ring app installed on your smartphone: Available for iOS and Android. Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
- Your Ring account login details: You’ll need to be signed in as the device owner.
- The email address of the person you want to invite: They’ll receive an invitation via email.
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and your doorbell should be connected to Wi-Fi.
If any of these are missing, pause and address them first. Trying to share access with a disconnected device will only lead to frustration.
Step-by-Step: How to Share Access via the Ring App
Now, let’s get into the actual process. Sharing access is done entirely through the Ring app—no website, no phone calls, no confusing menus. Just a few taps and you’re done.
Step 1: Open the Ring App
Launch the Ring app on your smartphone. If you’re not already signed in, enter your email and password. Make sure you’re logged in as the device owner. If you have multiple Ring devices, ensure you’re viewing the correct doorbell.
Step 2: Go to Device Settings
Tap on the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top-left corner of the app. From the menu, select Devices. You’ll see a list of all your Ring devices—doorbells, cameras, alarms, etc.
Find your doorbell in the list and tap on it. This opens the device dashboard.
Step 3: Access Shared Users
On the device dashboard, scroll down until you see the Shared Users section. Tap on it. This is where you manage who has access to this specific device.
If you’ve never shared access before, this section will be empty. That’s normal.
Step 4: Send an Invitation
Tap the + Add Shared User button. You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite.
Type in their email carefully—typos are a common cause of failed invitations. Once entered, tap Send Invitation.
The person will receive an email from Ring with a link to accept the invitation. The email will look something like:
“[Your Name] has invited you to view their Ring device. Click here to accept.”
Step 5: Recipient Accepts the Invitation
The person you invited must have a Ring account to accept the invitation. If they don’t have one, they’ll be prompted to create a free account using the same email address.
Once they sign up or log in, they can accept the invite. After accepting, they’ll see your doorbell in their Ring app under “Shared Devices.”
Step 6: Choose Permission Levels (Optional)
When you send the invite, you can choose what level of access to grant:
- View Only: The user can see live video and recorded clips but cannot answer the door, adjust settings, or delete recordings.
- Full Access: The user can do everything you can—answer the door, view history, change motion zones, and more.
For most people, View Only is a safe starting point. You can always upgrade to Full Access later if needed.
To change permissions after sending the invite, go back to Shared Users, tap on the user’s name, and adjust their access level.
Step 7: Confirm Access
Once the invitation is accepted, ask the new user to open their Ring app and check if they can see your doorbell. They should be able to:
- View the live feed
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts (if enabled)
- Answer the door (if Full Access is granted)
If everything works, you’re all set!
Tips for Safe and Effective Sharing
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to do it thoughtfully. Here are some practical tips to keep your home secure and your relationships smooth.
Only Share with People You Trust
Just because you can share access doesn’t mean you should. Only invite people you trust—family members, roommates, close friends, or caregivers. Avoid sharing with coworkers, distant relatives, or people you don’t know well.
Remember: anyone with access can see who comes to your door, when they come, and what they look like. That’s a lot of personal information.
Use View-Only for New Users
When in doubt, start with View Only access. This lets the person see the video feed but not interact with the doorbell. It’s a great way to test the waters.
For example, if you’re sharing with a new babysitter, give them View Only access first. Once you’re comfortable, you can upgrade to Full Access so they can answer the door if needed.
Set Clear Expectations
Talk to the person you’re sharing with about how and when they should use the doorbell. Should they answer every time? Only when you’re not home? What should they do if they see something suspicious?
Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Monitor Activity (If Needed)
Ring doesn’t send detailed logs of who viewed what, but you can check the Event History to see when the doorbell was answered or viewed. If you notice unusual activity, you can investigate or revoke access.
Update Permissions as Needed
People’s roles change. A roommate might move out. A babysitter might stop working for you. When that happens, remove their access immediately.
Don’t let old invitations linger—clean up your Shared Users list regularly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
Invitation Not Received
If the person didn’t get the email, check these:
- Spam or junk folder: Ask them to search their email for “Ring” or “[email protected].”
- Wrong email address: Double-check the email you entered. If it’s wrong, remove the pending invite and send a new one.
- Email blocked: Some email providers block automated messages. Try resending or ask them to check their filters.
Invitation Expired
Ring invitations expire after 7 days. If the person didn’t accept in time, you’ll need to send a new one.
Go back to Shared Users, find the expired invite, and tap Resend.
User Can’t See the Doorbell
If the person accepted the invite but can’t see the device:
- Check their app: Make sure they’re using the latest version of the Ring app.
- Log out and back in: Sometimes a simple logout and login refreshes the connection.
- Restart the app: Close the app completely and reopen it.
- Check device status: Ensure your doorbell is online and not in Do Not Disturb mode.
Permission Level Not Working
If you granted Full Access but the user still can’t answer the door:
- Wait a few minutes: Changes can take a moment to sync.
- Check their device: Some older phones or tablets may not support all features.
- Re-send the invite: Remove the user and invite them again with the correct permissions.
Device Shows as Offline
If your doorbell is offline, no one can access it—even you. Fix the connection first:
- Check Wi-Fi signal strength near the doorbell.
- Restart your router.
- Reconnect the doorbell via the app (Device Health > Reconnect to Wi-Fi).
How to Remove Someone’s Access
Just as easy as adding someone, you can remove access anytime.
Step 1: Go to Shared Users
Open the Ring app, go to your doorbell, and tap Shared Users.
Step 2: Select the User
Tap on the name of the person you want to remove.
Step 3: Remove Access
Tap Remove User and confirm. They will lose access immediately and can no longer view or interact with your doorbell.
They will also receive an email notification that access has been revoked.
Important Notes
- Removing a user does not delete their Ring account—only their access to your device.
- If you change your mind, you can always re-invite them later.
- If you suspect unauthorized access, change your Ring password and enable two-factor authentication.
Security Best Practices
Sharing access doesn’t have to mean compromising security. Follow these best practices to keep your home and data safe.
Use Strong Passwords
Your Ring account password should be unique and strong—at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid common words or personal info.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Go to Account Settings > Two-Factor Authentication and turn it on. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone when logging in.
Keep the App Updated
Ring regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve security. Enable automatic updates on your phone or check for updates monthly.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Your doorbell connects to your home Wi-Fi. If someone gains access to your network, they could potentially interfere with your devices.
Use a strong Wi-Fi password, enable WPA3 encryption if available, and consider setting up a guest network for visitors.
Review Shared Users Regularly
Every few months, check your Shared Users list. Remove anyone who no longer needs access—like a former roommate or seasonal helper.
Real-Life Examples of Sharing Access
Still not sure when or how to share? Here are a few real-world scenarios.
Example 1: Sharing with a Partner
Sarah and Mike live together. Sarah works from home, but Mike travels often. She shares Full Access with Mike so he can answer the door when he’s back and check on deliveries while he’s away.
They started with View Only, but after a week, upgraded to Full Access for convenience.
Example 2: Sharing with a Neighbor
Linda is elderly and lives alone. Her neighbor, Tom, checks on her weekly. She gives Tom View Only access so he can see if anyone suspicious is at her door. She also gets alerts if motion is detected when she’s not home.
Example 3: Sharing with a Babysitter
James hires a babysitter for his kids. He gives her View Only access during her shifts. If the doorbell rings, she can see who’s there and let James know. He keeps Full Access for himself.
Example 4: Sharing with a Roommate
Alex and Jordan are roommates. They share a Ring doorbell at their apartment. Both have Full Access so either can answer the door, adjust motion zones, or check recordings.
They removed access when Jordan moved out and added their new roommate a week later.
Conclusion
Giving someone access to your Ring doorbell is a simple, secure way to share the benefits of smart home security with people you trust. Whether it’s your partner, roommate, neighbor, or caregiver, the process takes just a few minutes in the Ring app.
You control who gets in, what they can do, and when their access ends. With features like permission levels, instant removal, and two-factor authentication, Ring makes sharing both convenient and safe.
Remember to start with View Only access, communicate clearly with users, and review permissions regularly. And if something goes wrong, the troubleshooting tips in this guide will help you get back on track.
So go ahead—share the view. Let someone else answer the door. Give yourself peace of mind knowing your home is watched over, even when you’re not there.
Your Ring doorbell is more than a camera. It’s a connection. And now, you know exactly how to share it.