How to Invite Someone to Your Ring Doorbell

This guide walks you through how to invite someone to your Ring Doorbell using the Ring app, whether they’re a family member, roommate, or trusted neighbor. You’ll learn how to grant access, manage permissions, and troubleshoot common issues—all while keeping your home secure.

Key Takeaways

• Invite users via the Ring app: Use the “Shared Users” feature to send invitations directly from your smartphone or tablet.
• Choose permission levels: Decide whether guests can view live video, receive motion alerts, or access recorded footage.
• Ensure the invitee has a Ring account: The person you’re inviting must sign up for a free Ring account to accept the invitation.
• Revoke access anytime: You can remove shared users instantly if needed, maintaining full control over your device.
• Use two-factor authentication: Protect your account and shared access with an extra layer of security.
• Troubleshoot failed invites: Common issues include incorrect email addresses or app glitches—simple fixes are included.
• Share responsibly: Only invite people you trust to protect your privacy and home security.

How to Invite Someone to Your Ring Doorbell: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

So, you’ve got your Ring Doorbell set up and working perfectly—great job! Now, maybe your partner wants to see who’s at the door when you’re out, or your teen needs to monitor deliveries after school. Or perhaps a trusted neighbor is house-sitting while you’re on vacation. Whatever the reason, sharing access to your Ring Doorbell is not only possible—it’s easy, secure, and highly recommended for households with multiple users.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to invite someone to your Ring Doorbell in just a few minutes. We’ll walk you through every step, from opening the app to managing permissions and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with smart home devices, this guide is written in simple, friendly language so you can follow along with confidence.

By the end, you’ll know how to:
– Send an invitation to a family member or friend
– Choose the right level of access
– Accept or decline shared access (if you’re the invitee)
– Remove users when necessary
– Keep your account and home secure

Let’s get started!

Why Share Access to Your Ring Doorbell?

Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand why sharing your Ring Doorbell is a smart move. Ring devices are designed to enhance home security, and that security is stronger when more trusted eyes are watching.

Here are a few common scenarios where inviting someone makes sense:

• Family members: Spouses, older kids, or roommates can answer the door or check motion alerts when you’re busy or away.
• Caregivers or house sitters: If someone is watching your home or pets, giving them access ensures they can respond to visitors or deliveries.
• Neighbors or friends: In emergencies—like a package theft or suspicious activity—having a trusted neighbor monitor your feed can be a lifesaver.
• Remote monitoring: If you travel often, sharing access lets loved ones keep an eye on your home in real time.

Sharing access doesn’t mean giving up control. You remain the primary owner and can revoke access at any time. Plus, Ring’s permission system lets you customize what each user can see and do.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before sending an invitation, make sure you have the following:

• A Ring Doorbell installed and connected: Your device should be properly set up and linked to your Ring account.
• The latest version of the Ring app: Download the Ring app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and update it if needed.
• Your invitee’s email address: You’ll need the exact email they use for their Ring account.
• A stable internet connection: Both your phone and your Ring device should be online.
• Two-factor authentication (recommended): Enable this in your Ring account settings for added security.

If your invitee doesn’t have a Ring account yet, don’t worry—we’ll cover that too.

Step 1: Open the Ring App and Log In

Start by opening the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet. If you’re not already logged in, enter your email and password.

Tip: Use the same account you used to set up your Ring Doorbell. If you have multiple Ring devices, make sure you’re in the right location (e.g., “Home” or “Front Door”).

Once logged in, you’ll see your dashboard with live feeds, recent events, and device status. This is your control center.

Navigate to Device Settings

Tap on the three horizontal lines (also called the “hamburger menu”) in the top-left corner of the screen. This opens the main menu.

From the menu, select “Devices”. You’ll see a list of all your Ring devices—doorbells, cameras, alarms, etc.

Find your Ring Doorbell in the list and tap on it. This opens the device’s control panel.

Access the Shared Users Section

On the device screen, scroll down until you see the “Shared Users” option. Tap on it.

This is where you can view current shared users and invite new ones.

Step 2: Send an Invitation to a New User

Now that you’re in the Shared Users section, it’s time to send an invitation.

Tap “Add Shared User”

Look for the “Add Shared User” button—usually a blue or green button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it.

You’ll be prompted to enter the email address of the person you want to invite.

Important: Use the exact email address they use for their Ring account. If they don’t have one yet, they’ll need to create one first (we’ll explain how below).

Enter the Invitee’s Email

Type in the email address carefully. Double-check for typos—this is a common reason invitations fail.

Once entered, tap “Send Invitation”.

The app will confirm that the invitation has been sent. The person will receive an email with a link to accept the invite.

Set Permission Levels (Optional but Recommended)

Before sending, you may see an option to choose what the shared user can do. Ring offers two main permission levels:

• Viewer: Can see live video, view past recordings, and receive motion alerts. Cannot change settings or delete footage.
• Admin: Can do everything a Viewer can, plus adjust device settings, view event history, and manage other shared users.

For most people, “Viewer” is the best choice. Only grant “Admin” access to someone you fully trust—like a spouse or co-owner of the home.

Tip: You can change permissions later if needed.

Step 3: What Happens After You Send the Invitation?

Once you’ve sent the invite, your friend or family member will receive an email from Ring with a subject like:
“You’ve been invited to share a Ring device”

Here’s what they need to do:

Accept the Invitation

The invitee should open the email and tap the “Accept Invitation” button.

This will redirect them to the Ring website or app, where they’ll be asked to log in or create an account.

Create a Ring Account (If Needed)

If they don’t have a Ring account, they’ll need to sign up. The process is quick:

1. Enter their name, email, and create a password.
2. Verify their email address by clicking the link sent to their inbox.
3. Download the Ring app (if they haven’t already).
4. Log in and complete setup.

Once their account is active, they can accept the invitation and start using your Ring Doorbell.

Access the Shared Device

After accepting, the shared device will appear in their Ring app under “Shared Devices.” They can now:
– View live video
– Receive motion and doorbell alerts
– Watch recorded events (if you’ve enabled it)

They won’t see your other devices unless you invite them to those too.

How to Manage Shared Users

As the device owner, you have full control over who has access and what they can do.

View Current Shared Users

Go back to the “Shared Users” section in your Ring app. You’ll see a list of everyone you’ve invited, along with their permission level (Viewer or Admin).

Change Permissions

To change what a user can do:
– Tap on their name in the Shared Users list.
– Select a new permission level (Viewer or Admin).
– Save your changes.

This is useful if, for example, you initially gave someone Viewer access but now want them to adjust motion zones.

Remove a Shared User

If you no longer want someone to have access:
– Go to the Shared Users list.
– Tap on the user’s name.
– Select “Remove Access”.

They will immediately lose access to your device. They won’t receive a notification, but they’ll notice the device disappear from their app.

Tip: Always remove access when someone moves out, ends a house-sitting job, or if you suspect unauthorized use.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Invitation Not Received

Symptom: The invitee says they didn’t get the email.

Solution:
– Check your spam or junk folder.
– Make sure you entered the correct email address.
– Ask the invitee to search their inbox for “Ring” or “[email protected]”.
– Resend the invitation from the Shared Users section.

“Invalid Email” Error

Symptom: The app says the email is invalid when you try to send the invite.

Solution:
– Double-check the email for typos.
– Ensure the person has a Ring account with that email.
– If they don’t have an account, ask them to create one first.

Invitee Can’t See the Device

Symptom: The person accepted the invite, but the device doesn’t appear in their app.

Solution:
– Make sure they’re logged into the correct Ring account.
– Ask them to close and reopen the Ring app.
– Check that your device is online (green status light in the app).
– Ensure you granted the correct permissions.

Device Offline When Sharing

Symptom: The shared user sees “Device Offline” even though it works for you.

Solution:
– Restart your Ring Doorbell (turn off power for 10 seconds, then turn it back on).
– Check your Wi-Fi signal strength at the doorbell location.
– Update the Ring app and firmware.

Permission Changes Not Applying

Symptom: You changed a user’s permissions, but they still have old access.

Solution:
– Force close the Ring app on your phone and reopen it.
– Log out and log back into your Ring account.
– Wait a few minutes—changes can take time to sync.

Best Practices for Sharing Your Ring Doorbell

To keep your home and data secure, follow these best practices when inviting others:

• Only invite people you trust: Remember, shared users can see who comes to your door. Avoid giving access to strangers or casual acquaintances.
• Use strong passwords: Encourage all users to create unique, strong passwords for their Ring accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security for your account and shared access.
• Review shared users regularly: Every few months, check who has access and remove anyone who no longer needs it.
• Educate your users: Let shared users know how to use the app responsibly—like not sharing screenshots publicly.
• Monitor activity: While Ring doesn’t track who views footage, you can see when alerts are triggered and who might have responded.

Privacy and Security Considerations

Sharing your Ring Doorbell is convenient, but it’s important to think about privacy.

Who Can See What?

Shared users can see:
– Live video feed
– Motion alerts
– Recorded events (if you’ve saved them)

They cannot:
– Access your other Ring devices (unless invited)
– View your account settings
– Delete your footage (unless they’re an Admin)

Recording Laws and Etiquette

In most places, it’s legal to record video at your front door—but audio recording may have restrictions. Check your local laws.

Also, be mindful of neighbors. Avoid pointing your doorbell at their property or windows.

Data Protection

Ring uses encryption to protect your data. Shared users don’t get your login info—they access the device through their own account.

Still, treat shared access like sharing a key: only give it to people you trust.

Advanced Tips for Power Users

If you’re comfortable with technology, here are some advanced tips:

Share Multiple Devices

You can invite the same person to multiple Ring devices (e.g., doorbell, backyard camera, garage camera). Just repeat the invitation process for each one.

Use Location-Based Sharing

If you have multiple homes (like a vacation house), organize devices by location in the Ring app. This makes it easier to share the right devices with the right people.

Set Up Custom Motion Zones

Before sharing, adjust motion zones so alerts are relevant. For example, exclude the sidewalk if you only want alerts for the front porch.

Use Ring Protect Plan Wisites

If you have a Ring Protect subscription, shared users can access recorded videos. Without it, they’ll only see live feeds and motion alerts.

Conclusion

Inviting someone to your Ring Doorbell is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your home’s security and convenience. Whether it’s your partner, a trusted neighbor, or a house sitter, sharing access means more eyes on your home—without compromising your control.

By following this guide, you’ve learned:
– How to send an invitation through the Ring app
– How to set appropriate permission levels
– How to manage and remove shared users
– How to troubleshoot common issues
– How to keep your account and home secure

Remember, the key to successful sharing is trust and communication. Only invite people you know and respect, and always stay in control of your devices.

Now that you know how to invite someone to your Ring Doorbell, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is watched over—even when you’re not there.

Ready to share? Open your Ring app and send that invitation today!