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Monday, August 31st, 2020 11:04 AM

SimpliSafe Camera via Alexa

Is there a way to add the SimpliSafe camera to your device list in Alexa. I've enabled the "skill' and can use Alexa to arm the system. But I cannot add the camera as a device so I can view the camera(s) on my Alexa enabled TV or Echo Show.

Official Solution

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

4 years ago

Hello,

At this time, all of our cameras are accessible through the SimpliSafe app only.

(edited)

1 Message

I just purchased simpli safe and am VERY disappointed that I can not access my cameras or door locks with my new echo show.  Your website is very misleading when it says your system is accessible with Alexa.  All you can do is Arm your system.  What a joke. Get with the program and make these cameras and door locks accessible. Honestly I am considering going to a Ring systems so I can use a Alexa to see cameras.

2 Messages

@davey_d When will we have the integration of Simplisafe cameras with Echo shows? Thanks

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@bringo75 our cameras use a totally different system and isn't compatible with Echo Show at all. I'm not saying it's impossible, but we have no info about development on that kind of functionality right now.

2 Messages

Ugh, then sadly back the cameras go. Enjoyed SimpliSafe and saw an article by Safehome.org stating the opposite. Guess I was hopeful. 

Thanks for info. Didn't wanna go with Ring but definitely a safe bet that they are fully integrated.

2 Messages

@davey_d​  Any update on this?  If Alexa can arm SimpiSafe as a skill, can doorbell camera connections be that hard to accomplish?  I’ve been a SimpliSafe customer since its first generation release.   Please get your software folks to make this a priority.  

1.3K Messages

4 years ago

I've tried to use the SS cams with a couple other systems without success. OTOH, I got a pack of Q-SEE cams to play with on a clearance sale and easily got them set up on Echo Show and my other security camera system (running Blue Iris on a NVR).

1 Message

4 years ago

Why? Why is Simplisafe so slow to allow integration and accessibility?

Captain

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6.2K Messages

4 years ago

@seth.jewell Security. SS2 had many issues, as does many of SS competitors and it is a closed system. Admittedly, that is good and bad. I too want connectivity to Amazon Echo to turn on 9 IoT lights inside and outside of my home for alarm conditions.  Hopefully they will get to that.

1 Message

4 years ago

I recently got an Echo Show and was disappointed that I cannot see my Simplisafe camera on it. I had the intention of adding several more cameras to my Simplisafe system and replacing my Ring doorbell with a Simplisafe doorbell. Now I've decided to replace my Simplisafe camera with a Ring camera and add more Ring cameras instead, and am considering replacing the whole system with a Ring system. I'll spend a lot on the equipment, but I'd only be paying $100 per year for monitoring instead of $25 per month, so it would pay back in a little over a year.

11 Messages

It is very disappointing that there is no camera integration.  Even the system integration with Alexa is very disappointing.  They really need to step this up as competitors have much better integration.  I am happy with the overall system but the video doorbell and indoor cameras have been very disappointing.  And of course there is no outdoor camera option and the outdoor kit is an extremely poor band-aid.  I will definitely switch to another camera system soon that has better integration and will almost certainly just go with a whole new system at that point too.  I really don't see SimpliSafe surviving if they can't integrate better.  Not sure if they don't have the money to invest in R&D or they just don't think it's important, but regardless they are going to start losing customers as their competition advances their capabilities while they spin their wheels.  Thank god I'm not under a contract.l with them.

1 Message

4 years ago

I would love to view my door via my SimpliSafe door camera however, I was a Ring user almost from the beginning. I even upgraded. As Ring became more successful, it took longer and longer for me to be able to view on my iPhone and Alexa Show. I actually stopped trying. I have a very fast WiFi system and strong connection. I converted my alarm system to SimpliSafe and decided to switch the door camera as well. It is way faster to show who's at the door on my iPhone or iPad. If SimpliSafe does come up with a way to connect with Alexa screens, I wouldn't want that to result in slower connection speeds, that has to be the priority.

2 Messages

2 years ago

This would be a nice feature to have.  It should be one of the top issues for the engineers.

1K Messages

2 years ago

I would just love to have my alexa alert motion detected at the front door or something like that, I have a few arlos as well and they do it. 

3 Messages

1 year ago

I really want this integration.

Me aside, Alarm system users in general probably have an Alexa or nest in the kitchen and they would like to see who is at the door while in the kitchen. 

1 Message

1 year ago

Looks like SS doesn’t want to invest on this and turn deaf ears.. this discussion has been for years and no feature in the roadmap. That kinda sucks and gives me another reason to switch to some other system. Has anyone tried setting voice notifications for their SS door bell? I couldn’t find reliable source for doing that. It sucks to be near phone to see who is at the door or if someone is at the door.. 

1 year ago

SimpliSafe totally (and likely deliberately) misleads customers on this point.  I did a LOT of research, and I did not see any warning that SimpliSafe cannot be integrated with an Echo Show 8.  So, no local video saving, no using the Show 8 to monitor via the indoor Simplisafe Cam, and all the "happy PR" about working with Alexa is just that: PR BS.  Plus higher charges for monitoring.  So, do I return the SimpliSafe and switch to Ring, or just wait for Amazon to gobble up SimpliSafe like it has with Ring?  C'mon folks!

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@nicholasmeyers​ so sorry to hear that you didn't have the best experience.

With Fast Protect Monitoring, your SimpliSafe system is indeed able to integrate with Alexa for arming via voice command.

However, streaming through a smart screen is a very different thing, which is currently not possible with our system. If that ever changes, we'll be sure to let you know.

6 Messages

Why in the world would you engineer, design and produce a system, knowing it was incompatible with a giant like Amazon? 

6 Messages

1 year ago

Well.......I thought Simplisafe was top of the line. I see I was fooled. I have a new SS system in two houses. I guess I should have researched it a little better. I should have gone with Ring in the first place! Ring works beautifully with Amazon Alexa....That's where I'm headed, I'm outa here!

1 year ago

I think the part about this that is most frustrating is that not only is SS not compatible with Echo Show (or other home display options), but SS doesn't offer an alternative.  So what's the point of having a doorbell camera if the only person who can see it is me.  When my kids are home alone and the doorbell rings, it would be super neat if they could check to see if it's their friends are at the door...that's kind of the point of having a doorbell camera. 

2 Messages

1 year ago

Wyze is compatible with Echo Show. Just get those cameras and you can say things like “Alexa, show me the playroom” and it will popup that view. You can also set widget shortcuts. Save the time.  I have 3 incompatible SimpliSafe cameras and 10 compatible wyze camera. 

6 Messages

I can't figure out why SS is content to be behind the others such as Wyse, Ring, even Blink! It doesn't make sense!

2 Messages

9 months ago

The Amazon Echo Show API allows for it, you have three years worth of comments from your customer base asking for it and still no progress? It's pretty clear that camera integration is not a priority on your product map.

At this point other products are starting to run circles around you in terms of product innovation.

6 Messages

I agree 100%!

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