How to Share Device Access with a Link

Give someone without an account, such as a plumber or a guest, a link that opens only the functions you choose until a date you choose.

Before you start

• You need the Manage IoT Sharing right, and you can share only what you can use yourself.
• Allow sharing by link must be on in Settings → Devices (IoT) → Sharing. Only someone with Manage IoT Settings can turn it on, and it asks for their password. If it is off, the dialog says Links are turned off for this organization.
• Safety-critical controls, health readings, camera snapshots and controls that need two people are never shared by link.
• Sharing security controls or live video asks for your password.

Share

1. Open the device and, under Shared outside the organization, choose Share this device. In Share device access, choose Anyone with a link. The dialog has four steps; choose Next to go on and Back to go back.
2. Who is this for? Add a Label (optional), for example "Jane (plumber)". It is shown in your records.
3. Under How should the link reach them?, choose I will copy it or Email it for me.
4. Under Send one-time codes by, choose Email, Text message or Don't send codes. Text message is offered only if your organization has a text-message line. Enter the Email address when the link or the codes go by email, and the Mobile number with country code when codes go by text message. If the link includes any control or live video, you must choose Email or Text message: Don't send codes works only for a link that shows readings, events or history and nothing else.
5. What can they use? Choose the devices and functions.
6. Until when? Choose 1 hour up to 30 days, or Pick a date and time. A link lasts at most 30 days. Under Reason, say why.
7. Review the sentence, then choose Share. If the link includes security controls or live video, type your password in Confirm it's you and choose Confirm.

Result

Here is the link. It is shown once, so copy it now. Choose Copy link. If you chose Email it for me, the dialog also says We emailed the link., and the person receives it with the devices and the end time. When they use a control, they ask for a code on the page and it is sent to the address or number you entered. See One-Time Codes Explained.

Good to know

• The link works only for the functions, devices and time you chose. Anyone who has the link can open it, so send it only to the person it is for.
• To replace a link, choose New link on the share in Shared by us. The old link stops working as soon as the new one is made.
• Turning Allow sharing by link off stops every link immediately. Named shares are not affected.

If it doesn't work

• "We couldn't email the link. Copy it instead.": the email was not sent; copy the link shown on screen.
• "Add the email address or phone number the codes should go to.": enter the address or number. A link that includes controls needs somewhere to send codes, and Email it for me needs an email address.
• "That phone number isn't valid. Include the country code.": enter the number with its country code.