This guide walks you through the simple process of inviting family members to your Ring Doorbell, so everyone can stay connected and monitor your home. You’ll learn how to share access, set permissions, and troubleshoot common issues—all while keeping your security system safe and efficient.
Key Takeaways
- Invite family easily: Use the Ring app to send invitations via email or phone number—no need for them to own a Ring device.
- Control access levels: Choose between “Owner,” “Shared User,” or “Guest” roles to manage what each person can see and do.
- Ensure everyone has the app: Family members must download the free Ring app and create an account to accept the invite.
- Stay secure: Only invite trusted people and regularly review who has access to your devices.
- Troubleshoot quickly: If an invite fails, check internet connection, app updates, or resend the invitation.
- Use Shared Users for full features: Shared Users can view live video, receive alerts, and review recordings—perfect for spouses or older kids.
- Revoke access anytime: You can remove family members from your Ring account in just a few taps if needed.
How to Invite Family to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Welcome! If you’ve recently installed a Ring Doorbell or already have one up and running, you’re probably enjoying the peace of mind that comes with seeing who’s at your door—even when you’re not home. But what if you want your spouse, parents, or older kids to also get alerts and view live video? That’s where inviting family to your Ring Doorbell comes in.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of how to invite family to Ring Doorbell, from sending the first invitation to managing permissions and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with smart home devices, this guide is designed to be simple, clear, and easy to follow.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to share access with loved ones, keep your home secure, and make sure everyone in your household stays in the loop.
Why Invite Family to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Invite Family to Ring Doorbell
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Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why sharing access is a smart move.
First, it increases security. If someone rings the doorbell while you’re at work, your partner or teen can answer it. If there’s a package delivery, multiple people can get the alert and bring it inside. And if something suspicious happens—like a stranger lingering too long—everyone can be notified instantly.
Second, it promotes teamwork. Instead of one person being responsible for monitoring the doorbell, the whole family can pitch in. This is especially helpful for busy households or families with elderly parents who may need extra support.
Finally, it’s convenient. You don’t have to forward videos or screenshots manually. With shared access, everyone sees the same alerts and recordings in real time.
So whether you’re inviting your spouse, your college student, or your parents who live nearby, sharing your Ring Doorbell is a great way to stay connected and protected.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin inviting family members, make sure you have the following:
- A Ring Doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be set up and working properly with the Ring app.
- The latest version of the Ring app: Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- Your family member’s email address or phone number: This is how you’ll send the invitation.
- A stable internet connection: Both your phone and your Ring device need to be online.
- Admin access to your Ring account: Only the account owner can invite others.
Once you’ve checked these off, you’re ready to start!
Step 1: Open the Ring App and Log In
The first step is simple: open the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.
If you haven’t used it in a while, make sure you’re logged into the correct account—the one linked to your Ring Doorbell. If you have multiple accounts (like a work and personal one), double-check that you’re in the right one.
Once you’re in, you’ll see the home screen with your device list. Your Ring Doorbell should appear at the top.
Tip: Keep Your App Updated
Always keep your Ring app updated. New versions often include bug fixes, security improvements, and new features that make sharing easier. You can check for updates in your device’s app store.
Step 2: Go to the Device Settings
Now, let’s navigate to the settings for your Ring Doorbell.
Tap on your Ring Doorbell from the home screen. This will open the live view or the last recorded clip.
Next, look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap it to open the device settings.
What You’ll See in Device Settings
In the settings menu, you’ll find options like:
- Motion Settings
- Video Settings
- Chime Settings
- Shared Users
We’re interested in the Shared Users section, which is where you’ll invite family.
Step 3: Tap on “Shared Users”
Scroll down until you see the “Shared Users” option and tap on it.
This is the heart of the sharing process. Here, you can see who already has access to your Ring Doorbell and invite new people.
If this is your first time sharing, the list will be empty—or just show you as the owner.
Understanding User Roles
Before you send an invite, it’s important to understand the different access levels:
- Owner: You—the person who set up the device. You have full control, including the ability to invite or remove others.
- Shared User: Someone with full access to view live video, receive alerts, review recordings, and adjust some settings. Ideal for spouses or trusted family members.
- Guest: Limited access—can view live video and receive alerts, but can’t change settings or view past recordings. Good for temporary access, like a babysitter.
For most family members, you’ll want to choose “Shared User.”
Step 4: Tap “Add Shared User”
Now, tap the “+ Add Shared User” button (or “Invite User,” depending on your app version).
You’ll be prompted to enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to invite.
Enter Their Contact Information
Type in your family member’s email or phone number exactly as it appears in their contacts. Ring will use this to send the invitation.
For example:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1 (555) 123-4567
Make sure there are no typos—otherwise, the invite won’t go through.
Choose Their Access Level
After entering their info, you’ll be asked to select their role.
As mentioned earlier, choose “Shared User” for full access or “Guest” for limited access.
For most family members—like your partner or adult child—“Shared User” is the best choice.
Step 5: Send the Invitation
Once you’ve entered their contact info and selected their role, tap “Send Invitation.”
That’s it! The invitation will be sent instantly via email or text message.
Your family member will receive a message that looks something like this:
“You’ve been invited to share access to a Ring Doorbell. Tap here to accept.”
What Happens Next?
Your family member will need to:
- Tap the link in the email or text.
- Download the Ring app (if they don’t already have it).
- Create a Ring account (or log in if they already have one).
- Accept the invitation.
Once they do, they’ll appear in your Shared Users list, and they’ll start receiving alerts from your Ring Doorbell.
Step 6: Confirm the Invitation Was Accepted
After sending the invite, go back to the “Shared Users” section in your Ring app.
You’ll see the person’s name or email with a status like “Pending” until they accept.
Once they accept, the status will change to “Active,” and they’ll have access to your device.
Tip: Follow Up if Needed
If they don’t accept within a day or two, send a quick text or call to remind them. Sometimes emails get buried or go to spam.
You can also resend the invitation from the same screen by tapping on their name and selecting “Resend Invitation.”
Managing Shared Users: What You Can Do
As the owner, you have full control over who has access and what they can do.
Here’s how to manage your shared users:
View All Shared Users
Go to the “Shared Users” section anytime to see who has access.
You’ll see their name, email or phone, role, and status (Active or Pending).
Change Their Access Level
Want to upgrade a Guest to a Shared User? Or downgrade someone?
Tap on their name, then select “Edit Access.” Choose the new role and save.
Remove a Shared User
If someone no longer needs access—like a college student who moved out—you can remove them.
Tap on their name, then select “Remove User.” Confirm the action.
They’ll lose access immediately and stop receiving alerts.
Revoke an Invitation
If you sent an invite by mistake or changed your mind, you can cancel it.
Go to the “Shared Users” list, tap on the pending invitation, and select “Cancel Invitation.”
Practical Tips for Sharing with Family
Now that you know the steps, here are some practical tips to make sharing smooth and secure.
1. Only Invite Trusted People
Your Ring Doorbell shows who’s at your door—sometimes when you’re not home. Only share access with people you trust completely.
Avoid inviting distant relatives, neighbors, or coworkers unless absolutely necessary.
2. Use Strong Passwords
Make sure your family members use strong, unique passwords for their Ring accounts.
Encourage them to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra security.
3. Set Up Motion Zones Together
If your family member will be monitoring the doorbell, help them set up motion zones.
This way, they only get alerts when someone approaches the door—not when a car drives by or a squirrel runs across the lawn.
4. Discuss Notification Preferences
Some people prefer silent alerts, while others want loud chimes.
Talk to your family about how they want to be notified—via app alerts, email, or SMS—and adjust settings accordingly.
5. Review Access Regularly
Every few months, check your Shared Users list.
Remove anyone who no longer needs access, like a babysitter from last summer or a friend who helped during a move.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix the most common problems when inviting family to your Ring Doorbell.
Problem: Invitation Not Received
Solution: Check if the email went to spam or junk folder. Ask your family member to search for “Ring” in their inbox. If it’s not there, resend the invitation.
Problem: Link Doesn’t Work
Solution: The link may have expired (they last 7 days). Resend the invitation from the Ring app.
Problem: Can’t Accept Invitation
Solution: Make sure they’re using the correct email or phone number. If they have multiple accounts, they may be logged into the wrong one. Log out and try again.
Problem: Shared User Can’t See Live Video
Solution: Check their internet connection. Also, ensure they’ve accepted the invitation and are logged into the correct account. Restart the app if needed.
Problem: App Crashes or Freezes
Solution: Close and reopen the app. If that doesn’t work, update the app or restart your phone.
Problem: Motion Alerts Not Working for Shared User
Solution: Go to the device settings and make sure motion alerts are enabled for shared users. Also, check that their notification settings in the app are turned on.
Advanced Tips for Families
If you’re sharing with multiple family members, here are some advanced tips to keep things running smoothly.
Create a Family Group Chat
Use a messaging app like WhatsApp or iMessage to create a group chat for Ring alerts.
When someone sees something suspicious, they can quickly share a screenshot or video with the whole family.
Set Up Multiple Doorbells
If you have more than one Ring device (like a doorbell and a spotlight cam), you can invite the same people to all of them.
Just repeat the process for each device, or use the “Share All Devices” option when sending an invite.
Use Alexa Integration
If your family uses Alexa, you can link Ring to Alexa so everyone can say, “Alexa, show me the front door,” and see the live feed on an Echo Show.
Enable Rich Notifications
Rich notifications show a thumbnail of the person at the door directly in the alert.
Make sure this feature is turned on in the Ring app under “Device Settings” > “Notifications.”
Security Best Practices
Sharing access doesn’t mean compromising security. Follow these best practices to keep your home safe.
Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable 2FA on your Ring account and encourage family members to do the same.
This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a code from their phone when logging in.
Don’t Share Your Password
Never give your login credentials to anyone—even family.
Use the invite system instead. That way, you can revoke access anytime without changing your password.
Monitor Activity Logs
Ring keeps a log of who accessed your device and when.
Check it regularly under “Account Settings” > “Activity Log” to spot any unusual behavior.
Update Firmware Regularly
Ring releases firmware updates to improve performance and security.
Make sure your device is set to update automatically in the app settings.
Conclusion
Inviting family to your Ring Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your home’s security and keep everyone connected. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can share access with your spouse, kids, or parents—so no one misses a delivery, visitor, or alert.
Remember to choose the right access level, only invite trusted people, and manage permissions regularly. And if you run into any issues, the troubleshooting tips above will help you get back on track quickly.
By following this guide, you’re not just sharing a smart doorbell—you’re building a safer, smarter home for your whole family.
So go ahead, send that invitation, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved ones are always in the loop.