Welcome to the SimpliSafe Help Center

No. Everything you need to set up the SimpliSafe Home Security System is included. If you do have access to a computer, you will have access to additional features and settings, but it is not required. Just plug your Keychain Remote (which has a built in USB device) into a USB port of your computer and the SimpliSafe Easy Setup Wizard will launch and guide you through setting up and using your home security system.

The additional DIY Security System components that you can order are: Keychain Remote, Motion Sensor, Entry Sensor or Panic Button. Additional Keypads will be available in the future. Up to 20 additional components can be added to your system, for a total of 26 components (note: the Base Station and additional Sirens are not considered a component).

To order additional components, please visit get SimpliSafe and view our catalog.

Click here to access information about Troubleshooting SimpliSafe if you're having any issues with your do-it-yourself security system.

To customize the sensors for your wireless security system, simply insert your Keychain Remote into any computer to start the SimpliSafe Easy Setup Wizard. From the Main Menu, select "Adjust Settings". Then click on the "Manage Components" tab.

From here, you can not only add and remove components, but you can also designate when a sensor will be active.  Entry Sensors can be enabled or disabled.  Motion Sensors can be enabled during both Home and Away mode, only during Away mode, or disabled.  Panic Buttons can be enabled, disabled or set to silent alarm.  Keypads and Keychain Remotes can be enabled, have the panic button disabled, or be fully disabled.

For example, if you have a friend with a large dog visiting your apartment for a few days, you may want to disable your Motion Sensor (set it to be "disabled") during her visit. When she leaves, you can change it back to the previous setting (the default is "Away mode"). If you have a large dog and will likely never be using the Motion Sensor at all, you can select "Remove" to remove it from your system. You can always add it on again later by going to Manage Components and then "Add Component".

Don't forget to insert your Keychain Remote into the Base Station after you are finished changing your settings so that your system is fully updated for the changes.

After making any changes to your burglar alarm using the SimpliSafe Easy Setup Wizard (you can access the Wizard by inserting your Keychain Remote into any computer), you must then insert your Keychain Remote into the Base Station into order to program your settings into it.

Absolutely. The Entry Sensors purchased with your do-it-yourself security system can be used to protect doors or windows. The Motion Sensor can be used to fill in coverage in a room with lots of windows. Plus, SimpliSafe was designed to be expandable - you can easily order extra Entry Sensors along with your system if there are additional windows that you’d like to protect. According to the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, almost 80% of all home invasions occur through the front door, back door or a first floor window.

The SimpliSafe Home Security System is designed to work in homes of all sizes. The most basic SimpliSafe custom system is perfect for most 1-2 bedroom apartments. If you have a larger home or a lot of doors and windows (particularly on the ground floor), you can easily order additional components (such as door/window Entry Sensors and Motion Sensors) to supplement your system and provide additional coverage.

Roommates are no problem. You can order additional Keychain Remotes so that you each have your own. You can even each choose an individual PIN (up to 5 total) to use with the wireless Keypad.

Best of all, SimpliSafe is easy to install and easy to remove in case you move to a new home. The entire system can be taken down quickly and it’s easy to change your monitoring service to reflect your new location.

• Base Station: The Base Station is the control center of the system. It wirelessly connects to the Emergency Dispatch Service to notify you and the authorities of any trouble. The Base Station also provides voice prompts during daily operation and sounds the alarm siren in the event of an intrusion. No home telephone line is required (although may use a land-line as an alternate connection if you like).
• Keypad: The Keypad is placed by the main entrance to your home. It allows you to turn your alarm on and off; tells you which mode the alarm is currently in; provides notice of any warnings, such as leaving a window open; and also has a panic button for emergencies. You can also use the Keypad Menu to adjust your system settings.
• Keychain Remote: The Keychain Remote can be used to turn your alarm on and off and is small enough to be carried with you as a keychain. It also has a panic button for emergencies. The SimpliSafe Easy Setup Wizard is stored on the Keychain Remote. You can order additional Keychain Remotes for roommates or family members.
• Motion Sensor: A Motion Sensor detects motion up to 30 feet away and 45 degrees to the left and right. It should not detect pets under 50 pounds as long as the pet can’t get within 2 feet of the sensor. By default, the Motion Sensor is only active when the system is in the Away mode and becomes active approximately 5 minutes after the alarm is turned on.
• Entry Sensor: An Entry Sensor detects the opening of a window or door. There are two parts to an Entry Sensor: the Sensor itself and its corresponding magnet.
• Panic Button: The Panic Button triggers your burglar alarm immediately after it is pressed. It should be placed in a location that is easy to reach in the event of an emergency, such as by your bed. To reduce the likelihood of a false alarm, the button must be held down for 1 second. The Panic Button is functional whether the alarm is off or on. There is also a panic button on the Keypad and Keychain Remote.

No, Motion Sensors for your wireless security system will not detect motion through walls or most closed windows. You can put SimpliSafe in test mode using the Keypad menu system to make sure your Motion Sensors are working correctly in your home.

Below are three types of Panic Button errors you may come across while installing or using your DIY security system. Please tick through these steps to ensure that you've covered all potential troubleshooting steps. If these steps do not solve the problem call us at 1-888-957-4675 or contact us online.

1) Panic Button Programming: Occasionally Panic Buttons are not properly programmed in your system. Please check the to see that your Panic Button's sensor number is found in your component list. To do so follow the steps below.

a) Press Menu on your Keypad and navigate to Option 4 "Remove Components"
b) Look for your Panic button(s). Check to ensure that the serial number(s) match those on your Panic Button(s).
c) If the sensor # is incorrect press enter (the away button) to select the sensor and remove it.
d) You can add the correct Panic Button sensor number with Option 3 in the menu system

2) Battery Misalignment: If your Panic Button is properly programmed and you are still seeing an error it may be that pulling the battery activation tab (that white strip you removed when you installed the sensor) dislodged the Panic Button battery, weakening the battery's connection. To remedy this follow the steps below

a) Place your system in test mode (Keypad menu option 5) so that you did not trigger a panic alarm by accident.
b) Remove the battery. You can remove the Panic Button from the wall by pushing up on it in the direction of the blue arrow on the side. Remove the battery by unscrewing the battery holder.
c) Replace the battery, screwing it in place tightly.
d) Hold the panic button down for 2-3 seconds to trigger it (make sure your system is in test mode first).

3) Panic Button Range: If you did not hear the system announce "Panic Button" in the above step, please try moving it closer to the Base Station and pressing it for 2-3 seconds. You should hear the system announce "Panic Button". If moving the panic button solves the issue, you may need to reposition your Panic Button. Sometimes just a slight adjustment to the left or right can reestablish connection between your Panic Button and the Base Station.