How to Install a SimpliSafe Abode Security Organisation

Is SimpliSafe easy to install? It is when you have a footling help. Permit our start-to-cease SimpliSafe installation guide exist your right-hand pal as you go ready to protect your habitation. We walk you through every step of the procedure to assist make your SimpliSafe installation every bit easy and successful as possible.

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Before you get started

Believe me, these pregame tips volition make your SimpliSafe installation painless. Fortunately for you lot, I already made all the mistakes so you don't take to.

SimpliSafe keypad, entry sensor, motion sensor, key fob, base station, and simplicam on wooden surface

Epitome: Suzi Brzezinski, SafeWise

1. Review the SimpliSafe setup guide

I know it doesn't sound like fun, just it's the smart thing to do. And nosotros know you're smart because you lot're taking steps to keep your dwelling and loved ones safe. Seriously, though, SimpliSafe Home Security did a corking chore on this guide and it volition aid you along the way.

two. Retrieve about where you lot want to put stuff

The installation moves along at a pretty brisk clip, so I recommend deciding in advance where you want your security arrangement components to live.

  • Base station: Y'all want a central location and a dedicated power outlet (not one continued to a light switch that could exist accidentally turned off). And you don't want to place information technology on the floor. I have a adequately small, 1-level home, so I put it on a desk-bound in my entry hallway where I could hear information technology in the living room, kitchen, or bedrooms.
  • Keypad: We recommend putting the keypad wherever information technology will be most user-friendly; near the door that you use the most is a good place to starting time. And you lot need to think almost the distance between the base of operations station and the keypad. SimpliSafe recommends keeping them 10 to 100 feet autonomously.
  • Entry sensors: These are the sensors that guard your doors and windows. Retrieve of them like motion detectors. During setup, you need to proper name each of them, and then information technology will help move things along if you already know that you want i on the front door, one on the back door, and one on the kids' sleeping accommodation window.

3. Set up the scene

I tend to get flustered when I set up new applied science or build a new Ikea table, and so I ever make a plan to lengthened myself. Put on some happy music, grab a relaxing potable, and take some deep breaths. Now, you're ready to scroll up your sleeves and get downwards to the nitty-gritty.

How to install SimpliSafe

i. Set up up the base station

Prototype: Katie McEntire, SafeWise

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

  • Take out the base station box and unpack it. You should have the base unit and a ability cord adapter.
  • Attach the power cord to the base station. It plugs in from the lesser of the device, not from the side, and so that might exist unlike than what yous're expecting—it was for me.
  • Take the base unit of measurement to your predetermined location (or, if you skipped the pregame, figure out where you want to put it and go there).
  • Pull out the battery tab.
  • Plug in the base station. Again, brand sure it's a dedicated outlet that isn't connected to a switch. Y'all don't want to accidentally turn off the power to the one gadget that'south keeping your home safety.
  • Step dorsum and congratulate yourself on how like shooting fish in a barrel it was to complete the first step.

2. Fix the SimpliSafe keypad

Image: Katie McEntire, SafeWise

  • Unpack the keypad box and peel off the film protecting the screen.
  • Pull out the battery tab to power on the device. The keypad will automatically get-go searching for the base station so they can pair up. Subsequently the SimpliSafe keypad and base station find ane another, yous'll be prompted to prepare your main PIN. This number is the key to everything—it lets you arm and disarm the arrangement, turn off a faux warning, cancel a panic alert, and control the other elements of your SimpliSafe system.
  • Choose your master PIN. The default Pivot is 1234, simply yous want to alter it to something that nobody knows. Brand the PIN unique, but something that yous can remember. Avoid things like your address and phone number, or special dates like anniversaries and birthdays. And don't use the same Pivot you have for your debit carte or any other business relationship.
  • Enter your master Pivot. Use the buttons on the keypad to enter the PIN you've selected. When you stop, click the right side of the screen to fix it. I looked for a button or something to click, like on the side of my iPhone, just there isn't one. The screen itself actually "clicks" on either side, sort of like a gaming console. So don't exist agape to tap the screen at volition.

iii. Install the keypad

Later on the Pin is set up, the keypad is going to prompt you lot to starting time installing the sensors. Only we recommend installing the keypad on its bracket first. You can still have information technology off and acquit it with you afterwards when you install the sensors.

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

  • Place the keypad in the spot you've designated. SimpliSafe recommends keeping at least 10 anxiety between the keypad and the base station, simply I ready mine well-nigh three anxiety abroad and there were no problems.
  • Adhere the keypad to the wall. There are already iv adhesive strips attached to the back of the keypad subclass. Pare off the adhesive strips on the dorsum of the keypad and stick it to the wall. We recommend doing a dress rehearsal with a level and a pencil to make sure yous get it on straight. You don't desire to be annoyed by the skewed bending of the keypad every time you see it.

4. Install your sensors and devices

Images: Katie McEntire, SafeWise

  • First with one of your entry sensors. All of the sensors are labeled in individual boxes. Entry sensors are doors sensors and window sensors. The others are motion, panic, glassbreak, freeze, and water sensors. Devices like smoke and CO detectors, panic buttons, and extra sirens are also conspicuously labeled.
  • Get to the door or window where yous desire to install the sensor and take it out of the box. I oft get into battles with niggling boxes, then I similar to get everything opened up earlier I dig into the installation.
  • Follow the installation prompts on the keypad. Your keypad guides the rest of the sensor installation process, but to make information technology simple, we're breaking downwards each step for yous anyway.
  • Pull out the bombardment tab.
  • Test the sensor. After yous remove the battery tab, y'all demand to test the sensor to make sure it'southward working. The test button is pocket-size and circular and located on the side of the sensor. The SimpliSafe guide refers to information technology as the lesser of the sensor, merely I looked everywhere on what I thought was the lesser (information technology was the back) and didn't notice the test push until I looked on the side. You'll know it works when you get a flash of blue light from the sensor and the keypad prompts y'all to name the device.
  • Name the sensor. SimpliSafe makes this step easy with suggested names like "Forepart Door," "Back Door," etc.  To scroll through the names, click on the tiptop or lesser of the keypad screen. After y'all observe the appropriate name, click the right side of the screen to select it.
  • Exam the placement of the sensor. Earlier you rip off the covering over the adhesive, make sure you've got the sensors lined up correctly. There are grooves on the magnet and the sensor, and those demand to line upward. You'll know you've got it right if you see 1 blue flash when the door or window opens and two flashes when information technology closes.
  • Marking your spot. I'chiliad non skillful at eyeing that ideal sensor alignment, and then I go sometime-school and use a pencil to mark my spot. I recommend making a line at the top or lesser of the sensor to make information technology easy to place them back in the right spot when yous're ready to adhere.
  • Place the sensor. After you've tested everything and marked your spot, the only thing left to exercise is accept off the adhesive film and stick it in place

Learn more virtually how to install entry sensors.

"Wash, Rinse, Repeat"

These steps employ to all of the sensors and devices that you need to install—whether it's a glassbreak sensor or smart lock. The keypad volition keep to guide you through the installation of each sensor and device.

5. Finish up

Afterwards you've installed all of your sensors and devices, click the right side of the screen where you see the word Done.

At this point, you've got a SimpliSafe security system that's set upwardly and set up to audio the alarm if someone opens a guarded door or breaks a protected window. This level of protection will alert you to danger and perhaps scare off an intruder, but information technology won't give you alerts, remote command, or a directly link to help from a monitoring center. If you desire those extras, information technology's time to think nigh adding a monitoring plan.

Add together a monitoring plan

The keypad will inquire if you lot want to add a monitoring plan. It provides a link that will take you to the SimpliSafe plan options where you can choose a monitoring programme. Click on the link, and it will walk you through the monitoring program setup procedure. Dispatch services are unavailable for the first 72 hours, giving you time to examination the system.

Skip the monitoring plan

If you don't want to shop for monitoring right now because you just triggered a panic alarm and scared anybody to death (yep, I did that), and so click Next on the keypad screen. Click Done one more time, and y'all'll get a heavenly message that says Setup Complete.

Bonus tips: Make the virtually of your SimpliSafe organization

Connect to Wi-Fi for faster system updates

The SimpliSafe arrangement uses cellular data for updates, but your home'south Wi-Fi offers a faster and more secure connection. Here's how to connect SimpliSafe to Wi-Fi:

  • On the keypad, press Menu.
  • Enter your PIN.
  • SelectSettings.
  • SelectWi-Fi.
  • Select your network proper name from the listing. Make certain y'all choose the two.4 GHz choice, since SimpliSafe does not piece of work with 5G.
  • Enter your Wi-Fi password using the keypad buttons. Information technology works like an old phone, so you lot'll need to press "two" three times for the letter of the alphabet C, etc.

Motion sensor installation tips

Images: Katie McEntire, SafeWise

  • Install the motion sensor with the test button facing up toward the ceiling.
  • You don't take to stick the movement sensor to a wall. It volition piece of work on a shelf, but it detects motion within 30 feet and looks both side to side and up and downwards, so a relatively high corner spot is usually all-time.
  • If you lot've got a pet, you tin can tweak the motion settings to avoid an onslaught of faux alarms and alerts. Dogs over 30 pounds can go undetected by turning the motion sensor upside downwardly (pointing the test push button down toward the floor) and placing it virtually four feet from the floor. If you lot're a true cat person, make sure the true cat can't get to the sensor—put it at least six feet off the footing and don't place information technology on a shelf they can climb on.
  • To avert motion alerts when you lot're domicile, make sure your system is in HOME mode.

Glassbreak sensor tips

  • Don't place the sensor directly on the drinking glass.
  • Put the sensor on a wall or shelf that'southward less than 20 feet away from the window you want to guard.
  • If y'all have curtains, go along the sensor inside five to 10 feet of the window. Curtains can muffle the sound of breaking glass.
  • Avert the kitchen. The regular cacophonous of glasses tin trigger a false alarm.

Environmental sensor tips

  • Place the temperature sensor almost pipes that could freeze. Information technology automatically sounds the alarm when it reaches 41°F.
  • Place the water sensor on the flooring nigh a hot water heater drip pan, washing auto, dishwasher, or bathtub. It doesn't demand agglutinative.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed near bedrooms and living rooms.
  • Continue CO detectors abroad from the fireplace, furnace, stove, or garage to reduce nuisance alarms.
  • Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom and in central spaces on every floor of your home.

Larn more about correct smoke detector installation and CO alarm installation.

At present that you've survived the installation of your SimpliSafe organisation, you're on your way to becoming a DIY smart home security pro. Here are some more resource to go along on manus if you go the bug to aggrandize your electric current home security or smart abode setup.

Installing SimpliSafe FAQ

Yes, SimpliSafe is like shooting fish in a barrel to install. The keypad walks you through the entire process, the user transmission is easy to understand, and SimpliSafe'due south client service reps can assistance with troubleshooting.

Most SimpliSafe equipment adheres with sticky tape or sits on a flat surface. The only exceptions are the CO and smoke detectors, which mountain to the wall or ceiling with screws.

If you have any concerns almost installing SimpliSafe correctly, choose the $79 pro installation option at checkout.

You tin can deactivate whatsoever SimpliSafe device through the keypad. This is especially useful if you lose your primal play a joke on, since anyone can employ information technology to disarm the system. If you recover your key trick, it'southward easy to reactivate it.

  • On the keypad, selectMenuand enter your PIN.
  • SelectDevices.
  • Select the device you want to remove.
  • Roll through the options and selectRemove.

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Rebecca Edwards

Written by

Rebecca Edwards

Rebecca is the lead prophylactic reporter and in-business firm expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on habitation and community safety for the by eight. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over criminal offence reports and spotting trends. Her safety expertise is sought after past publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her adept communication and analysis in places like TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR, HGTV, MSN, Reader'due south Digest, Real Unproblematic, and an e'er-growing library of radio and TV clips.

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