‎Panic button in app | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
diana's profile

Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 3:34 PM

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Panic button in app

Can panic button be activated from app? If so, how?

This conversation has been merged. Please refer the main conversation:

In-App Panic Button

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

2 years ago

Hi @diana ,

At this time, no. The system is currently designed so that an alarm can only be generated by the equipment at the location - either the sensors, or one of the physical panic buttons.

But we'll keep you updated if the function is ever added to the app.

742 Messages

2 years ago

Until there's an option in the mobile app I'm going to continue to share this extremely out of the box and hackish solution that uses 3rd party hardware and software to provide the functionality you're looking for @diana ! :) Please note that I make no claims about how well this works and it's obviously not supported at all.

There are a number of devices that you can buy that can be remotely triggered to literally extend a small "arm" to press a button. (They exist so you can apply "smart" features to "dumb" hardware.) One such option is the SwitchBot Switch Button Pusher but other options exist. You could, in theory, buy one of these as well as a SimpliSafe panic button and set up the button pusher to literally push the panic button for you. Again, this is not an elegant solution but it's a solution that may work for you until this option exists in the software.

Seriously @davey_d , when are y'all gonna give me a regular spot on a guest blog so I can share my many awesome ideas like this to your your customers who are hungry for solutions! :)

6 Messages

2 years ago

I can't believe there is no panic button in the App. All I can think of is this is a shameless way to sell the physical panic buttons for $24.99 each. Don't you all have any shame though? If someone enters my home thru the door next to my keypad, what should I do?? The only thing I can think of is to set the alarm to away and allow it to go off with the motion sensors after it takes 30 seconds to arm. 

If you really cared about your customers safety you would include those panic fobs or configure a panic button in the app. As of now it seems you're more interested in $24.99.

I am currently looking at other home security companies and a panic button in the app is worth more $/month than not having it with Simpli(not)safe. 

739 Messages

@Ixanthylus​ 

As you already noted, there is a panic button on the Keypad. With the previous generation (SS2) and SS3, I purchased multiple Key Fobs (not for the panic buttons, but for guests). I also bought a stand-alone Panic Button (and I need to buy another). Other users have extra Keypads for their bedrooms (more than I ever imagined), so the button is available in emergency scenarios. 

Everyone has different desires, but I have never wanted a Panic Button within the app. I know I may be in the minority, but I rarely use it (I will check the app when away from home – I never arm/disarm the system with it). I can only speak for myself, but I seldom have my cell phone near me. So a physical button is far quicker to engage than the app. My worry is it would take too long for the app to load or that I would press it accidentally. But I do see your need and point.

4 Messages

2 years ago

Doesn't the duress PIN function as the equivalent of a panic button in the app?

739 Messages

@jpinsl​ Is there a duress pin in the app? But the panic button activates the siren(s) while the duress pin does not. So I think an intruder/burglar would flee to the sound instead of the other option, which does not alert them that law enforcement is on their way.

4 Messages

@shiherlis​ In answer to your question, I don't know. The app lets you set the duress PIN but it might not work in the app, just on the keypad. (I'm not going to test it.. )

Good point about the siren, that's the difference between panic and duress, I guess.

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

Hi! No, there is no Duress PIN option in-app. Currently there is no way to trigger an alarm if you are not actually present at the location; it can only be done using the physical equipment (by Panic Button, or triggered sensor).

The setting you might be thinking of is for the Keypad; when you type in the Duress PIN, it disarms the system (like any other PIN) and then sends a secret signal to the Monitoring center to request dispatch.  As you both note, you would not get a phone call, and there won't even be any indicators on the Timeline, nor push notifications, to let you know that a Duress Alarm has occurred.

That's in contrast to if you press the Panic Button (either the standalone unit, or the built-in button on the Keypad or Key Fob), which initiates a full alarm event with a siren, followed by a phone call.

88 Messages

@davey_d​ I think it would be a good idea if the app also had a duress PIN option.  Why?  Well, SimpliSafe is a very popular home security system, and during a home invasion, if the invader sees that cylinder sitting on your table (or worse, you have SimpliSafe yard sign or window sticker), the intruder will know to force you to disarm/cancel the alarm using a method other than the keypad (app or text), since that's the only one that has the potential to silently call for help using a duress PIN.  IMO, Simplisafe really needs to add secret duress PINs to all methods of disarming/canceling an alarm for the safety of its customers.  This is why our family opted out of keyfobs.  Of course, not everyone is concerned about a home invasion while they're home, since it's very rare.  Still, I believe that the most successful companies are those that give customers what they want (within reason).

2 Messages

1 year ago

Is there a panic button/duress pin in the app yet? Honestly, I thought we at least had the button in the app

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@Simply_Nat​ At this time, there is not a Panic Button in the app. This request has been submitted to our devs. When we get any news from them, an update will be posted in this thread.

2 Messages

1 year ago

I agree. We definitely need a panic button in the app. Following!

2 Messages

1 year ago

Is there a way to signal monitoring an alert in the app? This would serve the same purpose. You get a notification and checking the cameras and sensors in the app something seems off, being able to notify monitoring to have emergency personnel to check on things while away could be helpful.

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