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Setting up remote camera access for family, safely

Sharing camera or doorbell access with family is useful, especially for a second home or an elderly relative's property, but handing round one shared login is not the safe way to do it. Here is a better approach.

Why one shared login is the wrong default

Most camera and doorbell apps offer proper multi-user access, separate logins for each family member with their own password, rather than everyone sharing one account. A shared login means everyone has full account control (including the ability to change settings, delete footage, or lock others out), and if one person's phone is lost or compromised, the whole household's access is exposed, not just theirs.

Setting up family access properly

Most systems let the account owner invite additional users by email or phone number, each with their own login and, often, their own permission level (full access, viewing only, or notifications only). Set this up once at install and it saves a genuinely awkward conversation later about who still has access after a falling-out, a house sale, or a family member who no longer needs it.

What to lock down first

• Use separate logins for each family member rather than one shared account and password
• Set two-factor authentication on the main account if the app supports it
• Review who has access periodically, particularly after a property changes hands or a family arrangement changes
• Give viewing-only access to anyone who just needs to check in occasionally, rather than full account control
• Remove access promptly for anyone who no longer needs it, most apps make this a two-minute job

For second homes and elderly relatives specifically

A second home or a relative's property often has several people who reasonably want to check in: family, a cleaner, a neighbour keeping an eye out. Multi-user access with sensible permission levels handles this properly, everyone gets what they need without everyone getting full control of the account. If remote checks matter enough that you want an actual alert system rather than just occasional peace-of-mind glances, our Second Home Care plan covers exactly that, see the pricing page.