This guide shows you how to invite someone to Ring Doorbell so they can answer your door, view live feeds, or receive motion alerts. Whether it’s a family member, roommate, or trusted neighbor, you’ll learn how to share access securely and manage permissions with ease.
Key Takeaways
- Invite users via the Ring app: Use the “People” feature to send an invitation directly from your smartphone.
- Set custom permissions: Choose whether guests can view live video, receive alerts, or unlock smart locks.
- Share access instantly or schedule it: Grant temporary or permanent access based on your needs.
- Revoke access anytime: Remove users quickly if they no longer need doorbell privileges.
- Ensure account security: Only invite trusted individuals and use strong passwords for your Ring account.
- Use shared access for convenience: Perfect for roommates, caregivers, or vacation helpers who need door control.
- Troubleshoot common issues: Fix failed invitations, app glitches, or permission errors with simple steps.
How to Invite Someone to Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve got a Ring Doorbell—great choice! It keeps your home secure, lets you see who’s at the door even when you’re miles away, and even lets you talk to visitors. But what if you want your partner, roommate, babysitter, or a trusted neighbor to also see who’s knocking? That’s where inviting someone to your Ring Doorbell comes in.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to invite someone to Ring Doorbell in just a few minutes. Whether you want them to answer the door remotely, get motion alerts, or just check the camera feed, we’ll walk you through every step—from sending the invite to managing permissions and troubleshooting issues.
We’ll keep it simple, friendly, and practical. No tech jargon. Just clear instructions so you can share access safely and confidently.
Why Invite Someone to Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Invite Someone to Ring Doorbell
Image source: i.ytimg.com
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to share access.
Maybe you’re going on vacation and want a neighbor to keep an eye on things. Or perhaps your teenager is home alone and should be able to see who’s at the door. Roommates, caregivers, delivery drivers (with smart locks), or even Airbnb guests can benefit from shared access.
By inviting someone to your Ring Doorbell, you’re not just sharing a camera—you’re sharing peace of mind. They can:
– View live video feeds
– Receive motion and doorbell alerts
– Talk to visitors through the doorbell
– Unlock smart locks (if enabled)
– Review past events in the timeline
But remember: with great power comes great responsibility. Only invite people you trust, and always control what they can and can’t do.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you invite someone, make sure you have:
– The Ring app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android)
– Your Ring Doorbell set up and connected to Wi-Fi
– Your own Ring account logged in
– The email address of the person you want to invite
– A stable internet connection
Also, ensure the person you’re inviting has:
– A smartphone with the Ring app installed
– A valid email address
– A Ring account (they’ll create one during the process if they don’t have one)
Pro tip: If they don’t have the Ring app, send them a quick link to download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Step 1: Open the Ring App and Go to “People”
Let’s get started.
Open the Ring app on your phone. Make sure you’re logged into the account that owns the doorbell.
Once the app loads, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top-left corner. This opens the main menu.
Scroll down and tap on “People”. This is where you manage who has access to your Ring devices.
If you don’t see “People,” make sure your app is updated. Older versions may have it under “Settings” or “Device Settings.”
What You’ll See on the “People” Screen
On the “People” screen, you’ll see a list of anyone already invited to your Ring devices. At the top, there’s usually a button that says “Invite Person” or “Add Person”.
Tap that button to start the invitation process.
Step 2: Enter the Invitee’s Email Address
Now, you’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite.
Type in their email carefully—double-check for typos. If the email is wrong, they won’t receive the invitation.
Once you’ve entered the email, tap “Next” or “Send Invite”.
The app will send an email invitation to that address. The person will need to open it and follow the steps to accept.
Can You Invite Someone Without an Email?
No—Ring requires an email address to send the invitation. If the person doesn’t have one, they’ll need to create a free email account (like Gmail or Outlook) first.
Step 3: Choose Permissions for the Invitee
This is a crucial step. You get to decide what the invited person can and cannot do.
After entering the email, the app will ask you to select their permissions level. Ring offers several options:
- Viewer: Can view live video and past events, but cannot talk to visitors or unlock doors.
- Responder: Can view live video, talk to visitors, and receive alerts. Cannot unlock smart locks.
- Owner: Full access—can do everything you can, including changing settings and inviting others.
For most people, “Responder” is the best choice. It gives them enough access to be helpful without giving full control.
If you have a smart lock connected (like a Ring Smart Lock or compatible third-party lock), you’ll also see an option to allow them to unlock the door remotely. Only enable this for people you fully trust.
Example: Inviting a Babysitter
Let’s say you’re inviting your babysitter. You want them to see who’s at the door and talk to visitors, but you don’t want them unlocking the door or changing your settings.
In this case, choose “Responder” and do not enable smart lock access.
Example: Inviting a Roommate
If you’re inviting a roommate who lives with you, you might give them “Owner” access so they can manage the doorbell just like you.
But be cautious—Owner access means they can remove you from the device or change critical settings.
Step 4: Send the Invitation
Once you’ve selected the permissions, tap “Send Invite”.
The app will confirm that the invitation has been sent. You’ll see a message like: “Invitation sent to [email address].”
Now, it’s up to the other person to accept.
What Happens Next?
The invitee will receive an email with a link. When they click it, they’ll be taken to a page where they can:
– Create a Ring account (if they don’t have one)
– Log in (if they already have an account)
– Accept the invitation
Once they accept, they’ll be added to your “People” list in the Ring app, and they’ll have access based on the permissions you set.
Step 5: Confirm the Invitation Was Accepted
Back in your Ring app, go to the “People” section again.
You should now see the person’s name or email listed. Next to it, you’ll see their permission level (e.g., “Responder”).
If you don’t see them right away, wait a few minutes and refresh the screen. Sometimes it takes a moment to update.
What If They Haven’t Accepted Yet?
If the person hasn’t accepted after a day or two, send them a friendly reminder. They might have missed the email or forgotten about it.
You can also resend the invitation:
– Go to “People”
– Tap on their name (it may show as “Pending”)
– Choose “Resend Invitation”
Managing Invited Users
Once someone is invited, you can manage their access at any time.
Here’s how:
Change Permissions
Want to upgrade or downgrade their access?
– Go to “People”
– Tap on their name
– Select “Edit Permissions”
– Choose a new level (Viewer, Responder, Owner)
– Save changes
For example, if your neighbor helped during a vacation and you no longer need them to answer the door, you can change them from “Responder” to “Viewer.”
Remove Access
If someone no longer needs access—like a former roommate or a temporary helper—you can remove them.
– Go to “People”
– Tap on their name
– Select “Remove Access”
– Confirm
Once removed, they’ll lose all access to your Ring devices immediately. They won’t be able to view live feeds, receive alerts, or unlock doors.
View Activity Log
Curious if someone used the doorbell while you were away?
Ring keeps a log of all activity. Go to the “Timeline” in the app and filter by user. You can see who viewed the camera, talked to a visitor, or unlocked the door—and when.
This is especially useful for security and accountability.
Sharing Access with Multiple People
You can invite as many people as you want—there’s no strict limit.
This is great for families, shared homes, or rental properties.
For example:
– Parents and teens in the same household
– Landlords and tenants (with clear boundaries)
– Caregivers for elderly family members
Just remember: each person should have their own Ring account. Don’t share your login—it’s a security risk.
Best Practices for Multiple Users
– Use descriptive names: Instead of “John,” use “John – Babysitter” so you know who’s who.
– Set consistent permissions: Decide in advance what level each role should have.
– Review access regularly: Every few months, check who still needs access and remove those who don’t.
Using Shared Access in Real Life
Let’s look at a few real-world examples of how shared access works.
Scenario 1: You’re on Vacation
You’re away for two weeks. You invite your neighbor as a “Responder” so they can check on packages and talk to delivery drivers.
They get an alert when someone rings the doorbell. They open the app, see a delivery person, and say, “Leave it at the door, thanks!”
You stay updated via the timeline and feel secure knowing someone’s watching your home.
Scenario 2: Teenager Home Alone
Your 16-year-old is home from school. You invite them as a “Responder” so they can see who’s at the door and talk to visitors.
When the doorbell rings, they get a notification. They check the camera, see a friend, and say hello through the app.
You get a notification too and can monitor the interaction if needed.
Scenario 3: Airbnb Rental
You rent out your guesthouse on Airbnb. You invite each guest as a “Viewer” for their stay.
They can see who’s at the door (like a delivery person) but can’t unlock the door or change settings.
After their stay, you remove their access.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix the most common problems.
Issue 1: Invitation Not Received
The person says they didn’t get the email.
Solution:
– Check the email address for typos.
– Ask them to check their spam or junk folder.
– Resend the invitation from the “People” screen.
– Make sure your Ring app is updated.
Issue 2: Invitation Link Expired
The link in the email says it’s expired.
Solution:
Ring invitations expire after 7 days. If it’s been longer, resend the invite.
Issue 3: Person Can’t Access the Doorbell
They accepted the invite but can’t see the camera.
Solution:
– Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
– Check that their permission level allows viewing (e.g., not just “Owner” but also device access).
– Restart the Ring app on their phone.
– Ensure your doorbell is online (check the device status in your app).
Issue 4: App Crashes or Freezes
The Ring app keeps crashing when trying to invite someone.
Solution:
– Close and reopen the app.
– Restart your phone.
– Update the Ring app from the App Store or Google Play.
– Reinstall the app if needed.
Issue 5: Can’t Remove Someone
You try to remove a user but the option is grayed out.
Solution:
– Make sure you’re the account owner. Only owners can remove users.
– Check if the person is currently online—sometimes it helps to wait a few minutes.
– Log out and back into your Ring account.
Security Tips When Sharing Access
Sharing access is convenient, but it’s important to stay safe.
Here are some best practices:
- Only invite people you trust: This isn’t just about privacy—it’s about security.
- Use strong passwords: Make sure your Ring account has a unique, strong password.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your account.
- Review access regularly: Remove people who no longer need access.
- Don’t share your login: Always use the “Invite Person” feature instead of giving out your password.
- Monitor activity: Check the timeline to see who’s using your doorbell.
Advanced Features: Scheduling Access
Did you know you can schedule when someone has access?
For example, you can give a dog walker access only between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on weekdays.
This feature is available for certain permission levels and devices.
To set it up:
– Go to “People”
– Tap on the person’s name
– Select “Schedule Access”
– Choose the days and times
– Save
This is perfect for temporary helpers or part-time caregivers.
Conclusion
Inviting someone to your Ring Doorbell is simple, secure, and incredibly useful. Whether it’s a family member, roommate, or trusted neighbor, sharing access lets them help keep your home safe—without giving up control.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to invite someone to Ring Doorbell step by step, set the right permissions, manage users, and troubleshoot common issues.
Remember: only invite people you trust, review access regularly, and use features like scheduling and activity logs to stay in control.
With shared access, your Ring Doorbell becomes more than just a camera—it becomes a team effort in home security.
So go ahead, send that invite, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone’s always watching your door.