Entry Open warning in-app when arming the system

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.

"Enable arming with open entry sensors (less secure)? [ ] yes [x] NO"

There i designed it for you. I just got my garage cleaned out because of this, i mean what is the point of having these sensors if the security system is fine with them being open? This is over three years old ffs.

@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! 

@davey_d​ i have a hill home. When i leave through my garage the base station is about 75 feet and two levels away (ie, inaudible, ever). I have a repeater siren in the garage, but it's constantly falling off because everything has to be in range of the base station, hub and spoke style (as opposed to a mesh as with, say, hue.) (Don't get me started on trying to find an optimal location when the base station *cannot* be mounted on a wall!)

Regardless of the speaker, not getting an alert on the phone when literally every door and window to your house can be open is just straight up malpractice. I just got robbed exactly because of this - i left the garage door open overnight, nothing from simplisafe. Luckily the interior door to the house wasn't open - simplisafe would have let that happen, too. What are you guys doing? Is there a response that doesn't just describe the current broken behavior?

@simplisafe249fa5​ I get your frustration, and we do understand the value in having at least a notification on the app. I'll continue pushing with our product team, and hopefully we can get some movement on this in the future.

Also, since you mention experiencing an actual incident, I've requested a call from our Specialist team in case there's anything we can do to help.

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

Thanks for submitting your request!

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.

I agree. The system is very good overall. But then there are little things like this that are not only annoying, but circumvent the system entirely. As a software engineer, this seems like a fairly straightforward  fix to me. Davey D above has replied to some users, and seems to be forwarding suggestions like this to the dev  team. Maybe Davey D can revisit this item with the team again? 😊

It seems that it's just not a priority at all for them to fix this. Davey D who seems to be an employee of SimpliSafe said the forwarded the initial change/fix request from 2021 to the development team: "Thanks for the suggestion, Ed! I've forwarded it to our engineering team for consideration." There are two other similar responses from him to others asking for it to be fixed.

I submitted another formal request to their team seven months ago via their chat feature. They said they would pass along. I included a copy of what I gave them at the top of this thread.

It's obvious that they either do not have the engineering resource to fix, or they simply do not care to keep us safe (pun intended).