arming with open sensor

@davey_d​ Hi Davey, I understand the base station gives an audible warning, but for arming AWAY most users would be arming from the app or a key fob as they back out of the driveway. Is there any way to be notified on the app or is this an enhancement request. 

We are also hoping you will add noitification of open sensors. We have never heard the base station since we are outside of the house when arming.

Notificaitons of open sensors seems to be fairly common and a basic feature of most alarm systems. This will help home owners close all windows/doors prior to leaving, especially for an extended period of time. This is something that we may consider to change to a different service. Please make this a priorty. Thank you! 

@davey_d​ 

im not sure when alarm is on.?  The base unit (which I can barely hear ) , does not say when unit is armed.
I thought the base unit would turn red  when system is armed. ?

@davey_d​ 

that is plain stupidity. No alarm should allow you to set it unless you go in and bypass the sensor. 
This is a huge design flaw and you’re trying to cover up by calling it a feature. 
I hope no one believes you because this needs to be fixed. If someone wants an open window they should bypass that entry point. 

@freeheels​ 

you are correct. They have an inadequate system because they’re clueless on how a real alarm should work. This is a flaw. Not a feature that they’d like you to believe. 

Me toi!

@coffeewalleye​ I fully agree.  Just set up my system last night and was testing all the different features when I discovered this glaring security flaw, since that's what it is.  A massive loophole for anyone to exploit.  As you said, an open sensor should never be considered intentional.  If you want to leave something open on purpose, then manually exclude that sensor before arming the system.  Even something as simple as "Are you sure?" when you go to arm, would be a step in the right direction.

However, the issue is deeper than that.  I also noticed that if you arm the system with the door closed, then open it and exit the building, and then reopen the door before the exit timer hits zero, you will not get any notification of any kind.  No audible announcement from the base station (if you can even hear it at all from your location), and nothing shown on the keypad.

A nightmare scenario is this:  You live in a city brownstone apartment.  Your front door has 5 steps down to a busy noisy sidewalk.  You press "Away," exit, lock the door behind you, and then turn and walk down the street.  A stealthy criminal sneaks up behind you, and quickly picks the lock (yes, that can be done in a matter of seconds) while the timer is still counting down from 45 seconds (another silly feature, it should have full adjustment from 0 seconds when arming Away).  Or maybe someone stole your key, or maybe they copied your key, or maybe it's an ex you forgot you gave a key - as long as they get the door back open before the timer hits zero, the system will not alarm.

Granted, you will probably have motion sensors inside the house, so if anyone enters the building it will alarm anyway.  However, what if you are an adult leaving your teenagers home alone for a little while?  You will likely have the motion sensors disabled.  You press "Home" and exit, but then someone gets the door back open before the timer hits zero, and your children are now unprotected.

Such a silly oversight, and the fact that people have been asking for more features in this area for two years and they still don't have it, is somewhat concerning.  Overall happy with my system so far, but hoping to see some useful updates down the line.

@malonnajera79​ @malonnajera79​ I find it so coincidental that I’m reading your post right now as I just noticed the same issue about 30 minutes ago and I thought to myself this is odd because what if it’s just not one entry sensor I.e. the door I’m exciting from but what if there’s another door open that I’m not aware of. I also tested it, and armed the system with an open door and the alarm remains off it does not get triggered unless I close and reopen the door

@willpliss​ yea im not happy with this i might just go back to ADT 

im willing to loose money on the simplisafe equipment than leaving a door open and get my stuff stolen while the damn alarm is still on

will b alot more expensive 

@IamTheJoe​ I understand where you're coming from. That's why when you do arm your system, the Base Station will give a audible warning, and the Keypad will show a notification, both to let you know that a door or window is still open.

@davey_d​ ok but what's even worse is the open sensors dont even show up on your dashboard when you click on the simply safe app to arm disarm or just check to see you're systems status, at the very least it MUST show right below the system status of being "armed" "off" or "away" each sensor that's open! No ands ifs or buts about it. It does not that is rediculous you need to update the dashboard to show each sensor that's open when you armed the system with sensors open, come on there isn't one person in the world who wouldn't agree , this is a major flaw it you're going to allow arming with sensors open

@davey_d​ Why not send an alert to my phone if I turn the alarm on with an open entry sensor?

@davey_d​ 

Davey D.  :

Incredible!  You are not paying attention at all to the complaints, or you are willfully trying to describe this bug as if it was a feature. Quit it!

Please, accept the need to correct the flaw, issue a work order to your programmers get the software revised, and fix it. Or the community will surely throw away its investment in SS away as a lost cause and go elsewhere.  Your new sales will soon disappear as these comment are disseminated and read by prospective new customers.  Please, do the right thing and correct this.

@davheld​ An in-app warning when arming the system with an open Entry Sensor has been submitted to our dev team for their consideration. Once we get any news from them about this feature, an update will be provided in this thread.

I want to add my thoughts about what should be done and why it's needed. Simplisafe, is there any update on this feature?

Software Updates Needed to Prevent Accidental Arming with Open Sensors

While I commend SimpliSafe for its hardware innovations, there exist glaring and critical design flaws in the app and keypad that demand immediate attention. The current software design compromises both safety and user experience, falling short of the standards set by other industry leaders like ADT.

Key Issues:

1. App System Status: It's concerning that the app doesn't automatically update the system status upon being opened, forcing users to manually refresh.
2. Arming with Open Sensor: Alarmingly, it's far too easy to arm the system when a sensor is open. This critical flaw in the app and keypad could have serious security implications.
3. Keypad Feedback: The lack of distinct auditory feedback from the keypad during an arming attempt with an open sensor is an oversight that can't be overlooked.

Feature Recommendations:

1. Automatic System Status Refresh: An immediate implementation of an automatic system status refresh every time the app is opened is non-negotiable.
2. Improved Open Sensor Notifications: For user safety, both the app and keypad should proactively and clearly warn about open sensors, requesting user confirmation before arming.
3. Enhanced Keypad Auditory Signals: A clear and distinct series of beeps or sounds from the keypad when detecting an open sensor is imperative.

Details

Having recently transitioned from ADT to SimpliSafe, there are several commendable features of the new system I'd like to highlight. The cost-effectiveness is immediately apparent, with substantial savings over its competitors. The modular nature of its components makes installation a breeze, and the flexibility to opt for a mere $10/month for video recording as opposed to the $60/month is both economical and practical. I especially appreciate the feature where a video is automatically taken during any system activity and the privacy cover for the camera is a thoughtful addition.

Yet, with my two decades of software engineering experience, certain design choices in the app and keypad strike me as not just perplexing but a pronounced vulnerability for the system. The problem is there are software oversights that may inadvertently leave sensors open, creating a gateway for burglars to break in. This poses tangible risks of theft and, alarmingly, potential personal harm.

The most glaring issue with the app is how easy it is to arm the system even when a sensor is open. The app does not automatically update the system status upon being opened. Instead, it prompts users to manually refresh by pulling down. This design decision is a misstep. When a user chooses to set the system to 'home' or 'away' mode, the app should automatically check and clearly warn if any sensor is open, providing an option to proceed if the user wishes to arm it anyway. This was how the ADT app operated, and rightly so – it's a more user-friendly and safer approach.

Similarly, the keypad exhibits shortcomings. When attempting to arm with an open sensor, it should unequivocally signal this with a distinct beep or series of beeps to prevent arming. Currently, with the keypad located near our garage door, it's all too easy to exit, arm the system, and remain oblivious to any open sensors, especially since the base unit's spoken warnings are delayed and its location is too distant to be audibly effective.

What set the ADT system apart was its immediate feedback on open windows. With it, we never had to double-check each window before leaving. In contrast, SimpliSafe places an unnecessary burden on users to ensure all windows are closed. This can, and should, be rectified with the simple improvements I've described.

@emily_s​ Hi, is there an update on this? I’m concerned about this issue as well. I see it has been an open issue for years.

Hi @cundr​, 

The ability to arm your system with an Entry Sensor open was an intentional feature in case you purposefully wanted to leave a window or door open. And the Base Station will give a verbal warning when you go to arm your system and an Entry Sensor is open. 

I do not have any updates from our devs regarding the request for in-app notifications alerting you that a sensor is open. I'll bubble this back up to the team.

I've read that Abode has this functionality.

@Jamie​ thanks for the suggestion.. I'm looking at them now.. 

I've just called Simplisafe to return all my bits.

I do not get all the upset comments here. 

1. Yes, you can arm with entry sensors open. I use it for home mode, for instance, when i have my bedroom window open in the evening, where i stay, while all other access points are monitored. When i close the window, reopening it will run the alarm.

2. When arming with an entry sensor open, the base makes a clear announcement. The panel has a clear sign telling each open sensor if applicable. Just pay attention. If you're away, read on.

3. You can go in the app and refresh your list of sensors. Same on the web app. You will see if any is open. How hard is that??

4. The complaint that if you arm away, you won't know what is open is wrong and a strange scenario. Arming away typically means that you are in the process of leaving the house. Just check the panel before arming - it tells you what is open right there.... otherwise check the app and after refreshing, ot will tell you. Pull down, and it tells you the status, and which sensor(s) are opened. This also works on the web dasboard. Are you saying you do it in the driveway rather than right when leaving, as intended???? This is weird. Why would you first leave then arm? Don't you know how to use an alarm?? Anyway, use the app or the dashboard online, and here you go.

None of these seem particularly difficult.... 

Let me be even clearer since we're dealing with such an audience.... say you arm your alarm away. Let's assume one sensor is open.

Ok. Case 1: your system does not arm because of it. How do you know it did not? You check your app or panel or whatever! If not, all your sensors are unmonitored without you knowing!!!

Case 2: you arm the simplisafe system. It does arm. All sensors that can work do. You refresh the app (1second) and you can see the open sensors. So in both cases, you have to check things worked a second or two after arming anyway... If you do not check, then simplisafe is safer since, at least, the sensors which can function do, while you propose a solution where nothing works just because you forgot one sensor .... 

In conclusion: if you arm before you leave, as you are expected to, you will be warned, no issue. If you arm after you leave, in any case, you have to check the process went through anyway. Should you forget to check, simplisafe will still turn on the motion sensor, glass break detectors, and all closed entry sensors, while you advocate it turns on none of them as the safer option...

So much BS on this thread. This is not even remotely an issue. Stop grandstanding on stuff you do not comprehend. 

PS for another silly scenario fpund in this thread: you do know you can shorten the time for leaving in away mode, right???