Sharing your Ring Doorbell with a second phone is simple and secure. This guide walks you through adding users via the Ring app, managing permissions, and troubleshooting common issues—so multiple people can receive alerts and view live video.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple users can access one Ring Doorbell: You can share your device with family members, roommates, or trusted neighbors using the Ring app’s “Shared Users” feature.
- No need for duplicate accounts: Instead of creating a new Ring account, invite others to join yours as shared users—keeping everything under one household.
- Customize permissions for each user: Choose whether shared users can view live video, receive motion alerts, or change device settings.
- Works on iOS and Android: The process is nearly identical across both platforms, ensuring seamless setup regardless of phone type.
- Real-time alerts on both phones: Once added, the second phone will receive instant notifications when motion is detected or someone rings the doorbell.
- Easy to remove access later: If needed, you can revoke access anytime from the Ring app without affecting your primary account.
- Ensure strong Wi-Fi for best performance: Both phones should be connected to reliable networks to avoid delays in notifications or video streaming.
How to Put Ring Doorbell on 2 Phones: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve installed your Ring Doorbell and love getting instant alerts when someone’s at your door—but now your partner, roommate, or family member wants in on the action too. Good news: you don’t need to buy a second doorbell or set up a whole new system. With just a few taps in the Ring app, you can easily put your Ring Doorbell on two (or more!) phones.
Whether you’re sharing with a spouse who works from home, a teenager who comes and goes, or a trusted neighbor watching your house while you’re away, this guide will show you exactly how to do it—safely, simply, and without any technical headaches.
In this comprehensive how-to, you’ll learn:
– Why sharing your Ring Doorbell makes sense
– How to add a second user via the Ring app
– How to customize what that user can see and do
– Tips for smooth operation across both devices
– What to do if things go wrong
Let’s get started!
Why Share Your Ring Doorbell?
Visual guide about How to Put Ring Doorbell on 2 Phones
Image source: 1.bp.blogspot.com
Before diving into the steps, it’s worth understanding why sharing your Ring Doorbell is not only convenient but also smart.
First, security is better when more eyes are watching. If you’re at work and your partner is home, they’ll get the same motion alerts and doorbell rings as you. That means faster responses to visitors, deliveries, or potential intruders.
Second, it reduces confusion. Without shared access, someone might miss a package delivery because they didn’t hear the doorbell—or worse, ignore a notification thinking it’s “just you.” When both phones are linked, everyone stays in the loop.
Third, it’s free and built into the Ring ecosystem. Ring designed its app with multi-user households in mind. There’s no extra cost, no complicated setup—just a few taps and you’re done.
Finally, you maintain full control. You decide who gets access, what they can see, and when to revoke it. It’s secure, flexible, and perfect for modern homes.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before adding a second phone, make sure you have the following:
- A working Ring Doorbell: Your device should be properly installed, connected to Wi-Fi, and functioning normally.
- The Ring app installed on both phones: Download the free Ring app from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Your Ring account credentials: You’ll need your login email and password to invite others.
- The second user’s email address: They must have a valid email to receive the invitation.
- Stable internet connection: Both phones should be online during setup.
If your Ring Doorbell isn’t working yet, complete the initial setup first. You can’t share a device that isn’t online.
Step 1: Open the Ring App on Your Primary Phone
Start by opening the Ring app on the phone that’s already connected to your doorbell—this is your “primary” device.
Once the app loads, you’ll see your dashboard with live view, recent events, and device status. Make sure you’re logged into your Ring account. If not, tap “Sign In” and enter your email and password.
Navigate to Device Settings
At the bottom of the screen, tap the three-line menu icon (also called the hamburger menu) in the top-left corner. This opens the main menu.
Scroll down and select “Devices”. You’ll see a list of all your Ring devices—cameras, doorbells, alarms, etc.
Tap on your Ring Doorbell to open its settings.
Find the “Shared Users” Option
Inside the doorbell settings, scroll down until you see a section labeled “Shared Users”. This is where you manage who else can access your device.
Tap on “Shared Users” to open the sharing menu.
Step 2: Invite a Second User
Now it’s time to send an invitation to the second phone.
Tap “Add Shared User”
In the Shared Users menu, you’ll see a button that says “Add Shared User”. Tap it.
A new screen will appear asking for the person’s email address. This must be the email they use for their Ring account—or the one they’ll create if they don’t have one yet.
Enter the Second User’s Email
Type in the email address of the person you want to share with. Double-check for typos—this is a common mistake that prevents invitations from going through.
Once entered, tap “Send Invitation”.
Choose Permissions (Optional but Recommended)
Before sending, you’ll be asked to select what the shared user can do. Ring gives you three main options:
- View Live Video: Allows them to see real-time footage from the doorbell.
- Receive Motion Alerts: Sends notifications when motion is detected.
- Receive Doorbell Presses: Notifies them when someone rings the bell.
- Manage Device Settings: Lets them change settings like motion zones, video quality, or chime volume. (Use this sparingly—only for trusted users.)
For most households, we recommend enabling View Live Video, Receive Motion Alerts, and Receive Doorbell Presses. Avoid giving “Manage Device Settings” unless absolutely necessary—this prevents accidental changes.
Tap “Send” to finalize the invitation.
Step 3: Accept the Invitation on the Second Phone
Now, the second user needs to accept the invitation.
Check Their Email
The person you invited will receive an email from Ring with the subject line: “You’ve been invited to share a Ring device”.
They should open the email and tap the “Accept Invitation” button inside.
Log In or Create a Ring Account
If they already have a Ring account, they’ll log in with their email and password.
If not, they’ll be prompted to create a free Ring account. This only takes a minute—just enter their name, email, create a password, and agree to the terms.
Download the Ring App (If Not Already Installed)
If they don’t have the Ring app on their phone, the email will include a link to download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Once installed, open the app and log in with their new or existing account.
Accept the Shared Device
After logging in, the app will automatically detect the pending invitation. They’ll see a notification or a prompt asking if they want to accept access to your Ring Doorbell.
Tap “Accept” to complete the process.
Step 4: Verify Access on Both Phones
Now that the invitation is accepted, it’s time to test everything.
Check the Second Phone
On the second phone, open the Ring app. You should now see your Ring Doorbell listed under “Devices.”
Tap on it to view the live feed. If you’re near the doorbell, wave or press the button to test motion and doorbell alerts.
Both phones should receive notifications within seconds.
Test Notifications
To ensure alerts are working:
– Have someone press the doorbell.
– Walk in front of the camera to trigger motion.
– Check that both phones show the event in the app and send push notifications.
If one phone misses an alert, check notification settings (we’ll cover troubleshooting later).
Adjust Settings if Needed
Back on your primary phone, you can always go to Device Settings > Shared Users to:
– Change permissions
– Remove a user
– See who has access
This gives you full control over your shared setup.
Tips for Smooth Operation on Two Phones
Sharing your Ring Doorbell works great—but only if both phones are set up correctly. Here are some pro tips to keep everything running smoothly:
Keep Both Apps Updated
Ring frequently releases app updates with bug fixes and new features. Make sure both phones have the latest version of the Ring app.
Go to the App Store or Google Play, search for “Ring,” and tap “Update” if available.
Enable Background App Refresh
For notifications to arrive instantly, the Ring app needs to run in the background.
On iPhone:
– Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
– Make sure “Ring” is turned on
On Android:
– Go to Settings > Apps > Ring > Battery
– Select “Unrestricted” or “Allow background activity”
This prevents the app from being killed by the system, which can delay alerts.
Check Notification Settings
Both users should verify their notification preferences:
– Open the Ring app
– Tap the menu > Settings > Notifications
– Ensure “Motion Alerts” and “Doorbell Presses” are enabled
– Allow notifications in the phone’s system settings (Settings > Notifications > Ring)
Use Strong Wi-Fi
A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause delays or failed video streams. Place your router close to the doorbell, or use a Wi-Fi extender if needed.
Both phones should also have good cellular or Wi-Fi data when away from home.
Name Your Device Clearly
If you have multiple Ring devices, give your doorbell a clear name like “Front Door” or “Main Entrance.” This helps both users identify it quickly.
Set Motion Zones (Optional)
To reduce false alerts, customize motion zones so the camera only triggers for activity near the door—not the street or sidewalk.
Go to Device Settings > Motion Settings > Motion Zones, and draw zones where you want detection.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with perfect setup, sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how to fix the most common problems when sharing your Ring Doorbell.
Issue: Second Phone Isn’t Receiving Alerts
Possible Causes & Fixes:
– App not running in background: Enable background refresh (see tips above).
– Notifications disabled: Check both in-app and system notification settings.
– Do Not Disturb mode: Turn off Do Not Disturb or allow Ring as an exception.
– Phone in silent mode: Ensure volume is up and silent mode is off.
Issue: Invitation Email Not Received
Possible Causes & Fixes:
– Email typo: Double-check the email address you entered.
– Spam folder: Ask the user to check their spam or junk folder.
– Ring account conflict: If the email is already linked to another Ring account, they may need to log in with that account or use a different email.
Issue: Can’t See Live Video on Second Phone
Possible Causes & Fixes:
– Permissions not granted: Go to Shared Users and ensure “View Live Video” is enabled.
– Weak internet: Test the second phone’s connection. Try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
– App glitch: Close and reopen the Ring app, or restart the phone.
Issue: Shared User Can’t Accept Invitation
Possible Causes & Fixes:
– Expired invitation: Invitations expire after 7 days. Resend from your primary phone.
– Wrong email used: Make sure they’re using the exact email you invited.
– Account already exists: If they have a Ring account with a different email, they’ll need to log in with that one or create a new account.
Issue: Delayed Notifications
Possible Causes & Fixes:
– Phone battery saver mode: Disable battery optimization for the Ring app.
– Weak signal: Move closer to a Wi-Fi source or ensure good cellular coverage.
– Server delay: Rare, but Ring’s servers can lag during high traffic. Usually resolves in minutes.
How to Remove a Shared User
If you no longer want someone to have access, it’s easy to remove them.
Go to Shared Users
On your primary phone, open the Ring app > Menu > Devices > Your Doorbell > Shared Users.
Tap the User’s Name
Find the person you want to remove and tap on their name.
Select “Remove Access”
Tap “Remove Access” and confirm.
They will immediately lose access to live video, alerts, and settings. They won’t receive a notification, but they’ll notice when the device disappears from their app.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Sharing your Ring Doorbell is convenient, but it’s important to think about privacy and security.
Only Share with Trusted People
Anyone with access can see who comes and goes at your home. Only invite people you trust—family, close friends, or reliable neighbors.
Limit Permissions
Avoid giving “Manage Device Settings” unless absolutely necessary. This prevents others from changing motion zones, disabling alerts, or even removing the device.
Monitor Activity
You can see when shared users view live video or check event history. If something seems off, review access logs or remove the user.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Protect your primary account by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) in Ring app settings. This adds an extra layer of security.
Conclusion
Putting your Ring Doorbell on two phones is a smart, simple way to keep your household connected and secure. With just a few steps in the Ring app, you can share live video, motion alerts, and doorbell presses with family, roommates, or trusted neighbors—no extra hardware or cost required.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to:
– Invite a second user via email
– Customize their permissions
– Troubleshoot common issues
– Maintain security and privacy
Now both phones can stay informed, respond faster to visitors, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is always being watched.
So go ahead—share the access, stay connected, and make the most of your Ring Doorbell.