How To Add People To Your Ring Camera (Shared Users & Guest Access Explained)
Ring cameras are designed to work for households, not just individuals. Whether you want a partner to monitor the front door or a family member to check on a delivery, Ring gives you structured ways to share access — each with different levels of permission. Understanding how those options work, and what determines which one fits your situation, takes a few minutes but saves a lot of confusion later.
The Two Main Ways To Share Ring Camera Access
Ring's sharing system splits into two distinct roles: Shared Users and Guest Users. These aren't just different names for the same thing — they carry meaningfully different levels of access and control.
Shared Users
A Shared User gets nearly the same access as the account owner. Once added, they can:
- View live video feeds from all cameras on the account
- Receive motion and doorbell alerts
- Access Event History (recorded clips, if a Ring Protect plan is active)
- Control Ring modes and settings
Shared Users log in through their own Ring account — they don't share a password with the owner. Ring supports up to 10 Shared Users per account, though the exact number can depend on your Ring plan and device generation.
Guest Users
Guest access is a more recent and more limited option. Guests can view live video and receive alerts, but they typically cannot access recorded history or adjust device settings. Guest access is better suited for temporary situations — a house sitter, a contractor, or a relative visiting for a short period.
How To Add a Shared User to Ring
The process runs through the Ring app on iOS or Android. The person you're adding needs their own Ring account before you start.
Steps to add a Shared User:
- Open the Ring app and tap the menu icon (☰) in the top left
- Select Settings, then tap Shared Users
- Tap Add Shared User
- Enter the email address associated with the person's Ring account
- Select which devices you want them to access (you can limit it to specific cameras)
- Tap Send Invite
The invited person receives an email and an in-app notification. They need to accept the invitation before access is granted. Once accepted, the shared devices appear in their Ring app under their own login.
If they don't have a Ring account yet, they'll need to create one first — Ring doesn't allow sharing to non-registered email addresses.
How To Add a Guest User
Guest access works differently depending on your Ring app version and the devices you own. In supported setups:
- Go to Device Settings for the specific camera
- Look for Shared Access or Guest Access options
- Generate a guest link or enter the guest's email
- Set any time limits if available
- Send the invitation
Not all Ring devices and account types surface the Guest User option in the same place. If you don't see it, check that your Ring app is updated to the latest version.
What Affects How Sharing Works for Your Setup 🔍
Several variables shape how Ring's sharing features behave in practice:
| Factor | How It Affects Sharing |
|---|---|
| Ring Protect Plan | Shared Users can only access recorded clips if the account has an active subscription plan |
| Ring App Version | Older app versions may not show all sharing options; keeping the app updated is important |
| Device Generation | Newer Ring cameras support more granular sharing controls than older models |
| Number of Cameras | You can restrict a Shared User to specific cameras rather than all devices on the account |
| User's Own Device | The person you're adding must use a compatible smartphone with the Ring app installed |
One point that surprises many users: Shared Users don't automatically get access to every camera. During setup, the owner chooses which devices each shared user can see. This matters in households where some cameras cover private areas — a bedroom, a home office — that not everyone needs access to.
Removing or Adjusting Shared Access
Sharing isn't permanent. Owners can revoke or modify access at any time through the same Shared Users section in Settings. When access is removed, the person immediately loses visibility into the account's cameras and stops receiving alerts.
If someone changes their email address or Ring account, they'll need to be removed and re-added — Ring ties sharing invitations to specific accounts, not phone numbers or names.
🔐 A Note on Account Security
Because Shared Users operate through their own Ring accounts, the security of their login matters too. Ring supports two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts. If someone you've added as a Shared User has a weak password or no 2FA enabled, that creates a potential vulnerability in the overall system — even if your own account is locked down. It's worth encouraging anyone you add to enable 2FA on their end.
Where Individual Setups Diverge
The mechanics above are consistent across Ring's platform, but the right configuration varies considerably. A household with multiple residents, multiple cameras covering different zones, and a mix of full-time and part-time occupants will approach sharing differently than a single-person setup where a neighbor just needs temporary access during a vacation.
How many people you add, what level of access each one gets, which cameras you share or withhold, and whether Guest or Shared User status fits the relationship — those choices depend on the layout of your home, your privacy preferences, and how actively each person needs to interact with the system. The tools are consistent; how you use them isn't.