‎Opening smartlock disarms the alarm | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
R

Thursday, October 14th, 2021 5:09 PM

Opening smartlock disarms the alarm

I recently bought the simplisafe system with smartlock and keypad. I am really surprised that the system does not allow me to have a separate code to unlock my smartlock but NOT disarm the alarm. As I live on a city street, I feel this is a material security risk to my family and property if anyone was to shoulder surf or see fingerprints on only the 4 numbers that I use!

When contacting the company about this issue, they stated that they make the assumption that nobody will look over your shoulder. I think this is a naïve assumption. I also think it should be a relatively a small upgrade/development to add the additional flexibility to users to have a separate code to unlock the front door only without disarming the system. This also wouldn't prevent people from using just one code, as the system is currently setup.

I have raised this with customer support as a change I would like to see urgently. If any of you have a similar concern, please also raise this with Simplisafe through Contact Us so that there is some pressure to make this change. Otherwise I'm going to have to dispense with the smartlock (which would be a shame given the price I've paid for it already... and the fact that I generally otherwise like the lock)

Community Admin

 • 

5.7K Messages

4 years ago

Hi rossmcadam,

The key advantage (pardon my pun) to our Smart Lock is that it integrates with the full SimpliSafe alarm system. So yes, by default, we did design it so that when you unlock, you also disarm the system. So you can get in, in one easy step.

You do have the option of setting the Smart Lock so that disarming won't unlock the door. But there's currently no option for the other way - so that unlocking won't disarm.

But you should also know that if you want to bring suggestions for our dev team, this is the place to do it! Our engineers do visit often, and we're always bringing suggestions to them for future updates.

(edited)

3 Messages

Hi Johnny - thanks for the response.

I understand why the company did it this way as it is a unique offering of the lock. But in practice, for me living on busy city street, the idea of entering my Master Pin into an outside keypad with people passing by me is uncomfortable and poses a security risk.

What I'm suggesting is just an additional layer of choice and flexibility in how we use the lock. By adding the option to have an unlock only code (no disarming of the system), it offers an additional way to enhance security for users exposed to that risk of onlookers.

Hopefully engineers reading this suggestion will see it that isn't an attempt to change the selling point of the lock, but really a value-add option for some users sensitive to this risk, but who also want the other great features of the SimpliSafe lock (e.g. remote lock/unlock)

5 Messages

@davey_d​ could you please help me with this? My system is not working as you describe all of a sudden. When unlocking from home armed state, the front door keypad will unlock the smart lock but won't disarm the system. This appears to only be happening when armed in home mode, not away.

Basically when armed home, door keypad will only unlock the door but won't disarm the system also like it will when armed in away. 

Community Admin

 • 

3.4K Messages

@ric29​ I would first try resetting your Smart Lock to see if that helps. The guided flow in this Help Center article provides step by step instructions.

If resetting the Smart Lock doesn't help, interference may also be at play. How far away is your Smart Lock from the Base Station? Are there any dense walls or heavy appliances directly in the path between the Smart Lock and Base Station? If so, I would suggest moving the Base Station closer to the Smart Lock so there's as little in the way between them as possible.

3 Messages

@davey_d​ absolutely want an option so that a lock does or does not turn off system. We have 2 locks and prefer one to turn off the alarm but the other to leave it home or away as set.

Community Admin

 • 

3.4K Messages

@benlclark​ This suggestion has been passed along to our dev team for their consideration. If we hear back from them, an update will be posted in this thread.

Captain

 • 

6.4K Messages

4 years ago

@Johnny M your explanation was key to understanding how this works. and locks it up nicely. To frame it differently, it opens the door to better understanding  the overall proces. I'll stop now as I believe I have reached a threshold of stomaching this post. :-)

755 Messages

@captain11,

You've approaching maximum dad joke with this reply. Pace yourself, please. :)

2 Messages

1 year ago

Any updates on this? Sort of crazy that a home security company didn’t think that coupling the keypad entry  to the security system to automatically disarm everything can be a good idea… completely defeats the purpose of the alarm. 

Part 2 of this needs to be setting different codes for keypad and alarm system. 

1 Message

1 year ago

I just had a whole gate at my house for extra security built around that smart lock to now see that when unlocking the gate it turns off my house alarm!!

beyond pissed off!!

this is the most ridiculous system EVER!!

so now if a burglar is able to open my gate he also has a free pass to come in the house!!

WTF!!!!! 

Community Admin

 • 

3.4K Messages

@bguillaume77​ I absolutely hear you. One of the main benefits of the Smart Lock is its integration with the rest of the system, which is why the synced unlock and disarm feature was created. And whenever your system is disarmed, you'll get a notification and recordings from any cameras you may have.

We have submitted a request to our dev team to disable disarming the system when the Smart Lock is unlocked. I'll bring this back up to them, but when we have an update on this feature we'll let everyone know in this thread.

2 Messages

Nobody is asking to get rid of the sync but rather to give the user an option to not have it synced. It’s a fairly simple change that is useful for the many scenarios possible. 

Community Admin

 • 

5.7K Messages

@Gustavow​ we understand. Emily is just explaining how the integration was initially designed. But if you chime in on this thread, that's how we can signal to our dev team that the option is in demand.

I second the request for the functionality to not disarm the security system. I rent out my home and don't like the idea of the security system being turned off anytime someone enters. I have water leak sensors that literally won't work if the tenant does not turn the entire system back on each time they enter the home. 

2 Messages

11 months ago

We would definitely like the option of not having the smart lock disarm the entire thing! We have kids who come in and out of the house constantly and obviously we don’t want the door to remain unlocked, but we would like for our system to remain armed.

1 Message

4 months ago

Is there any new information on this? Would love to see a code to just unlock the door, not disarm the whole system. 

3 Messages

5 days ago

Adding my voice to this thread. This does not make sense! An outdoor keypad with a PIN of only four digits should NOT  disarm the whole system. Unbelievably stupid design. All I have to do is stand on the front porch of a SimpliSafe residence and try one four-digit code after another until I luck into the right one. Then I have access to the entire house. If the engineers cannot figure out how to uncouple the whole system from the front door keypad code, then they should at least give us the option of a six- or eight- or 10-digit code that is a little harder to guess. Even that is just a stopgap measure, but it beats this completely ineffective design. I guess it’s time that I start looking around for another provider. This was first reported in 2021 on this particular thread so it’s been four years and no progress.

(edited)

Community Admin

 • 

1.3K Messages

@MelissaRodgers This was an intentional design to have the SimpliSafe system disarm when the Smart Lock is unlocked to help prevent false alarms. But there are also safeguards in place if we suspect someone is trying to guess the device's PIN. 

 

After the wrong PIN has been entered 5 times, you will receive a notification from the SimpliSafe mobile app. And after the 11th incorrect entry our monitoring center will contact you, if you are subscribed to a monitoring plan.

5 Messages

5 days ago

I just purchased this smart lock and I can't believe that Simply Safe believes it's a good idea and safe to type in a 4 digits code on an outside keypad surrounded by people on a busy street that turns off the entire alarm system. 

I just talked to them on the phone and they called it a feature but to also rest assure that the development team will have a look at this as they make constant improvements.

When I shared that this topic seems to be 4 years old already and nothing has been done, I was put on hold and that's where I still am while I'm typing this... I suspect I'll still be on hold by the time the next individual who bought this smart lock finds this chat.... 

(edited)

3 Messages

5 days ago

I called them yesterday to discuss it as I had just figured it out. I held for 26 minutes and finally gave up. I like the system. It was easy to set up and easy to operate, but now I'm concerned that it's too easy. And it's too public that the soft spot is the freaking front door lock. If you're going to have a soft spot, could they at least make it harder to find?? Sheesh!

5 Messages

@MelissaRodgers​ 

I very much agree. I was told to post on a different simply safe forum to get some attention... maybe.

After speaking with a Simply Safe representative, I was encouraged to share an idea that could significantly improve the safety and functionality of the smart lock. This issue was raised four years ago, and while Simply Safe acknowledged it in the forum and indicated that the Development Team would investigate, it appears that no action has been taken since then. As I continue to read about the smart lock, I'm discovering that many others share the same concerns.

Currently, the smart lock can be unlocked from the outside using a keypad. However, I live on a busy street with a lot of foot traffic, and I feel uneasy using this feature. When I enter a code to unlock the door, it not only grants access but also disables the entire alarm system. This occurs with both my master pin and any other pins I create, such as for a dog walker. While I understand that the intention may be to simplify access by automatically deactivating the alarm, this poses a significant safety risk for many users, including myself.

My suggestion is simple: when Simply Safe allows the creation of custom pins (e.g., for a dog walker), provide users with the option to decide whether that pin also disarms the security system or only unlocks the smart lock.

I want individuals like Amazon delivery drivers or dog walkers to access a part of my home that doesn't contain sensors or cameras, without needing to disable the entire alarm system. As it stands, these individuals could potentially move throughout the house without triggering any alarms once the lock is disengaged.

Thank you for considering this important feedback!

Community Admin

 • 

1.3K Messages

@patrickfrembs We have submitted a similar request to our devs for their consideration. Be sure to follow this thread in the Community to be notified whenever we may have an update.

5 Messages

@simplisafe_admin​ 
Thank you Simply Safe, as you know, that topic is 4 years old at this point. I appreciate you pointing out this thread but I'd say it may be about time to actually do something about this topic 

SimpliSafe Logo
New to the Community? Get started by reading our Welcome Article and please be sure to review our Community Guidelines before posting.