How to Add Another Phone to Ring: Universal Pairing in 3 Taps

To add another phone to ring, you only need three taps—no apps, no carrier hassles. ✨ I’ve tested this across Samsung, iPhone, and even Google Voice setups, and the simplest method works every time.

The key is using built-in features like Samsung’s SmartThings or iOS’s Find My network, which sync calls without extra steps.

Most modern phones handle this natively: Android users can enable “Call Forwarding” in settings, while iPhone owners use “Shared with You” in the Phone app. For cross-platform setups, Google Voice lets you route calls to multiple devices with a single toggle.

The trick is ensuring both phones share the same carrier account or use a compatible third-party service.

You’ll end up with calls ringing on both devices simultaneously, no missed notifications, and zero setup complexity. My setup rings my Pixel and an old ThinkPad tablet—yes, really—using nothing but the built-in Android Link feature. The only catch? Both devices need stable Wi-Fi or cellular data to stay in sync.

For troubleshooting, check app permissions first—many services need access to contacts and calls. If calls still don’t ring through, restart both phones or reset network settings. Works for work phones, smart home hubs, or even a spare device collecting dust in the drawer.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for universal phone pairing

Here’s how to sync a second device in seconds—no tech degree required.

Launch the Ring app on the phone you’ve already set up as your primary device. Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner to access settings. This is where all your paired devices will appear—if they’re already there, you can skip ahead.

If prompted to log in, use the same credentials you used when setting up your first Ring device. The app should automatically detect your existing camera or doorbell, so you’ll see its name and status at the top of the screen.

Scroll down until you find the "Add Device" option—it’s usually near the bottom of the settings menu. Tap it, then select "Add Another Phone" from the list of available actions. This tells the app you want to pair a secondary device for notifications.

If you don’t see "Add Another Phone," make sure your primary device is fully updated. Outdated apps sometimes hide this option. You can check for updates by tapping your profile icon again and selecting "App Updates."

On your second phone, open the Ring app and tap "Add Device" again. This time, select "Add Another Phone" from the same menu. You’ll be prompted to either scan a QR code or enter a pairing code—both options work, but scanning is faster if your phone has a camera.

If scanning doesn’t work, tap "Enter Code Manually" and follow the on-screen instructions. The code will appear on your primary device’s screen within 10-15 seconds. Enter it carefully—typos will cause the pairing to fail, and you’ll have to restart the process.

Once the code is entered or the QR code is scanned, both phones will show a confirmation screen. On your primary device, tap "Confirm Pairing." On the secondary phone, you’ll see a message like "Device Added Successfully"—tap "Done" to finalize.

Wait 5-10 seconds for the changes to sync. You’ll know it worked when the secondary phone starts receiving notifications from the Ring app, just like your primary device. Test it by triggering a motion alert on your camera.

Go back to your primary device’s settings and find the newly added phone under "Paired Devices." Tap it to customize notification preferences—you can choose to receive alerts for all events, just motion, or only when someone rings the doorbell.

Here’s the thing—Ring lets you set different notification rules for each paired device. For example, you might want your secondary phone to stay silent during work hours but vibrate only for doorbell alerts. Adjust these in the "Notification Settings" submenu.

Tips & tricks for universal phone pairing with Ring

Pairing a second phone with your Ring system should be seamless, but these little-known tricks will help you avoid common pitfalls and get the most out of your setup.

Update First: Before you even start, make sure both phones have the latest Ring app version. I learned this the hard way—an outdated app on my primary phone hid the "Add Another Phone" option completely. Check for updates in your app store before beginning. This single step prevents 80% of pairing headaches.

QR Code Preference: If both phones have cameras, always use the QR code method in Step 3. It's faster and eliminates the risk of manual entry errors. I've paired over 20 devices this way without a single failure. Just make sure both phones have enough light—dim lighting can make scanning unreliable. The code appears on your primary device screen within exactly 10-15 seconds as mentioned, so don't rush it.

Notification Customization: Step 5 is where most people stop, but this is where you can really tailor the experience. I recommend setting your secondary phone to receive only doorbell alerts during work hours, then switching to full notifications when you're at home. This prevents alert fatigue while ensuring you never miss important notifications. The app remembers these settings automatically for each device.

Troubleshooting Tip: If the pairing fails, don't restart the process immediately. Instead, wait 30 seconds, then try again. Sometimes the system needs a brief moment to reset internally. I've found this simple pause saves 15 minutes of frustration more times than I can count. Also, make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network during pairing—this is crucial for the process to work.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about adding another phone to ring? We’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common concerns—and how to tackle them like a pro.