Frequenty Asked Questions

Getting SimpliSafe

About the Emergency Dispatch Service

  • Can I use SimpliSafe without activating the SimpliSafe Emergency Dispatch Service?
    Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Without the Emergency Dispatch Service, only the burglar alarm siren will sound and no authorities will be called. The SimpliSafe Emergency Dispatch Service is easy to set up, can be charged to your credit or debit card, and canceled at any time.
  • How do I buy the Emergency Dispatch Service? Are there any contracts or minimum commitments?

    It's easy to activate your Emergency Dispatch Service. You can click here to activate (you will need the Serial # located on the bottom of your Base Station) or call us directly at 1-888-95-SIMPLI (957-4675).

    You can pay for the service each month by charging it to your credit or debit card.

    For complete SimpliSafe burglar alarm pricing on systems and services, visit get SimpliSafe.

    There are no long term commitments and you can cancel monitoring service at anytime for a refund on any unused service.

  • What is the Emergency Dispatch Service?
    SimpliSafe's emergency dispatch service partner is a nationally recognized alarm monitoring center with experienced professionals who know how to handle emergency situations. Every time your SimpliSafe burglar alarm siren goes off, it emits a loud 85 decibel noise. The System immediately contacts our professionally trained dispatchers, who do two things. First, they attempt to reach you and warn you. Second, they contact the police department and ensure help is on the way. The police are contacted even if our dispatchers are unable to reach you. This service must be activated and requires a subscription fee.

About SimpliSafe

  • Do I need a landline telephone or internet connection?
    No. the SimpliSafe Burglar Alarm uses a cellular connection -- in the event of an alarm, SimpliSafe’s built-in antenna will wirelessly contact the Emergency Dispatch Center. You can use your home phone line as an alternate connection, if you like, although it is not necessary.
  • Do I need to have a computer or a wireless Internet connection to use SimpliSafe?
    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.
  • How does SimpliSafe compare to a professionally installed security system?
    The SimpliSafe Wireless Security System was designed for renters and home owners. There are no long-term contracts, installation appointments, or permanent wall fixtures. When you move, SimpliSafe moves with you. Our system is also completely wireless, so you don't even need a phone line to have Emergency Dispatch Service. Best of all, we offer professional quality protection at a fraction of the cost.
  • How much does SimpliSafe cost?
    Visit our shop for details on the packages and custom systems that we offer. Wireless Security Systems start at just $199 and Emergency Dispatch Service is just $14.99 per month.
  • I live on the ground floor and have a lot of windows. Will SimpliSafe work for me?
    Absolutely. There are two Entry Sensors included in your do-it-yourself security system, which can be used to protect two 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.
  • Is SimpliSafe right for me?

    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.

  • What are the components that make up the SimpliSafe Home Security System?
    • 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.
  • What is the range of the wireless sensors? I live in a large home -- will they work for me?

    The wireless range for the sensors is about 400-500 feet with a direct line-of-sight. We have many customers who have installed the SimpliSafe DIY security system in large homes on multiple floors, without a problem. Garages and basements, which have thick walls, can occasionally present a challenge. If you have any concerns about your location, please contact customer support for a consultation (1-888-957-4675).

    We also have a 60 day full refund satisfaction guarantee. If SimpliSafe does not meet your needs for any reason, you may return it for a full refund.

  • What is the SimpliSafe Easy Setup Wizard?
    Whenever you insert your Keychain Remote that comes with every SimpliSafe do-it-yourself security system into a USB port on any computer, the SimpliSafe Easy Setup Wizard will appear on the computer screen. Use this Wizard to install your system or update your settings, such as your PIN, and access your account.
  • What is the SimpliSafe Home Security System?

    At SimpliSafe, our mission is to help people take control of their safety with security solutions that fit their lifestyle. The SimpliSafe Burglar Alarm System is easy to install and easy to use. Install SimpliSafe by adhering wireless sensors around your apartment or house and plugging in the Base Station. It’s also easy to customize your system through a computer or the included wireless keypad. The wireless sensors will then detect intruders and alert you to potential danger. If you don’t turn off the alarm, it will sound an 85 decibel siren in the apartment, then wirelessly contact a professionally staffed Emergency Dispatch Service to alert you and send the police to your location.

    SimpliSafe security system packages start at $199 and include the essentials of home security. You can also order additional components to further expand your system at any time.

Using SimpliSafe

  • My Online Command Is Timing Out, Why?

    Your Base Station may not be in the best location. One trick for finding the best location in your home for the base station is to put your system in "test mode" and then look at the brightness of the blue light at the bottom of the base station. The brighter the light, the stronger the wireless signal (this only works in test mode though). The signal strength indication will update about once every 15 seconds, so you can try putting the base station in a new location for 15 seconds and then see if the brightness increases. The location with the brightest blue light is best and is typically found within 3-5 feet of a window.

    It does help to power reset the base station before troubleshooting the location:

    Here are the instructions:
    1) Remove the power plug from the back of the base station
    2) Remove the batteries, you will need a screwdriver to open the battery chamber at the bottom of the base station
    3) Replace the batteries
    4) Plug in the unit and it will restart in test mode

    You can now exit test mode by pressing 'Off' on the Keypad. When you find the location with the brightest blue light, retry your online command features.