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Friday, June 18th, 2021 8:41 PM

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Entry Open warning in-app when arming the system

When arming my alarm system in home mode with a door open the base station says "warning door open" after announcing that the system is armed.
My house is fairly large so I can't always hear the base station but I definitely want to know that I've armed the system with a door open.  I think the app
(which notifies me that I've armed the system) should also warn me that I've armed the system and that there's a door open.  I turned on text notifications
but it doesn't give any indication that I've armed the system with a door open.

I'd appreciate if the app were enhanced, if the base station is warning me, please send that warning to the app also!

Thanks,
/Ed

Community Admin

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5K Messages

2 years ago

Thanks for the suggestion, Ed!

I've forwarded it to our engineering team for consideration.

(edited)

5 Messages

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.

5 Messages

2 years ago

Thank you so much!!!  I have tried getting this concept through to the phone support but after various attempts I gave up.
It is a subtle thing but IMO very important.

194 Messages

The keypad will indicate you have a door open, but if you are arming the system from your phone or keyfob, I guess you would not know.  Having a notification sent to my phone would be a good improvement.

Some suggestions are really good.  This is one of them.

5 Messages

2 years ago

Thanks, it has been bothering me for a while!

1 Message

2 years ago

I have several comment and concerns: 1. When arming home or away mode, system should warn any of the devices are open before system can be arms. Also it should tell specific devices are open so it can be addressed.
2. When I armed system or entering the armed system there should be reasonable audible beeping that reminds you that you are leaving or disarm the system. I am missing this features the most.
3. is there any way to adjust the camera lens of door bell to view better coverage.

Community Admin

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5K Messages

2 years ago

hello Modhal,

When arming your system in Home or Away Mode, you do already get a warning when an Entry Sensor is open. But that will not prevent the system from continuing to arm - that is intentional, so you can leave windows or doors open if you want to (for example, if you want to keep a window open to let the breeze in while you sleep).

Along with the voice prompt, you'll also get a notification on the Keypad screen with detailed info about each sensor.

The Keypad does also produce a countdown chirp, both while arming (in Away Mode), and when a sensor is triggered in both modes.
If you can't quite hear the Keypad from where you're entering, we also have the Wireless Siren - which can relay countdown chirps and door chimes, as well as the main alarm siren.

- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security

370 Messages

2 years ago

Hi would it be possible SS to get a notification on phone if an entry sensor is left open when set alarm.

The wife went out today, locked the door, pressed AWAY on key fob and went to drop the kids at school.

When she came in the backdoor was open and she got worried.

What happened here when I played it back was she went out - locked front door, pressed away by being outside the base station called out entry sensor open, the keypad had a warning icon on the keypad but she was already outside.  

What would be great would be a notification to flash up on phone "entry sensor open".
Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Entry Open notification - SS Request

Community Admin

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5K Messages

Hi dandyDons,

Right, currently the main indicator when your arm with an Entry open is an audible warning from the Base Station - but it's not logged on the Timeline, and therefore doesn't prompt a Push notification. I'll forward your suggestion to our dev team.

- Davey D.
Community Development Manager
SimpliSafe Home Security

370 Messages

Thank you ????

3 Messages

@davey_d​ 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! 

Advocate

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651 Messages

2 years ago

I can't believe this doesn't already happen and this has to be asked for but...

Please make the mobile app generate an alarm, a pop up, a confirmation box or SOMETHING to tell you that, when arming via mobile app, there is an entry sensor open. Right now it doesn't unless you manually check the system status. (And even then you might have to manually refresh to see an accurate current state.)

If I'm home and set the alarm I get an audible vocal alert from the base station telling me that there's an open entry sensor. Why on earth doesn't the app give me a giant pop up / confirmation box telling me the same?!

I'm not looking for workarounds for this either - I want this specific functionality that gives me an alert based on a real time status. Feel free to share those work arounds because others might find them useful but nothing short of the mobile giving me a pop up and/or forcing me to confirm I understand there's an entry sensor open is going to work for me.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Have Mobile App Tell You An Entry Sensor Is Open When Armed In A Very Prominent Way That Can't Be Missed

2 Messages

Yes! This seems like a no-brainer, required feature. Needs to ship ASAP. 

2 Messages

1 year ago

When arming the system with a sensor open, the base station will alert you "warning, sensor open." 

However, for example, if I am arming the system from the app while leaving in my car or when I am away from home (say I forgot to do it when I left), there is no way for me to know if a sensor is open. For all I know, my front door could be wide open and I would have no clue.

This seems like a very important feature that needs to be added to the app in the near future.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Sensor Open Notification Needed In The App When Arming!

Community Admin

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5K Messages

Thanks for submitting your request!

44 Messages

Yes, this needs to be added. Even when I'm working in my office or at night we may arm the system in home mode from our bedroom using the app because we forgot while we were downstairs, we can't hear the base station and just the other day it said our backdoor sensor was open (it wasn't, but I've noticed sometimes the sensors get "confused" and think they are still open) but it wasn't noticed until the next morning when there was the warning icon on the keypad.

1 Message

5 months ago

So more than two years has gone by and those of us who primarily use the app or fobs still don’t have a simple push notification to let us know of an open sensor?  Cmon…make this simple tweak happen please. 

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