How to Change the Default Settings for the Original SimpliSafe® System
Updated
| Does your Keypad look like the one pictured to the left? Then you're in the right place! You've got the Original SimpliSafe system. If you purchased a new system in 2018 or later, you likely have the Gen 3 SimpliSafe. In that case, visit the Base Station and System Settings article. If you're not certain which system you have, you can learn the difference between them on our Help Center. |
You can add sensors, remove sensors, and change your Master PIN through the Keypad’s menu. Instructions to do so are located on the Navigating the Original SimpliSafe® Keypad Menu article. SimpliSafe® Original has a variety of device and system settings that can be managed from your smartphone or tablet on the SimpliSafe® app.
Setup your PIN
Under Setup your PIN, you can update your Master PIN, add/remove a Duress PIN, and add/remove User PINs. SimpliSafe® Original allows up to four User PINs, for a total of 5 PINs which can be used to arm/disarm the system.
The Master PIN is the only PIN that will allow you to access the Keypad’s menu, from which you can update your Master PIN or add/remove components.
The Duress PIN is worthwhile for users who subscribe to one of our professional monitoring plans. If entered, the Duress PIN will disarm your SimpliSafe® system, and notify our monitoring center to send help right away.
Manage components
This section allows you to add/remove devices, as well as customize the way that some devices function. The tables below show each setting that can be customized for SimpliSafe® Original components.
Keypad
Setting | Explanation |
Panic Enabled (default) | Enables the “panic” button on your Keypad to trigger alarms when pressed for 2 seconds. |
Panic Disabled | Disables the “panic” button on your Keypad so that it cannot trigger alarms when pressed. |
Keychain Remote
Setting | Explanation |
Enabled (default) | Enables the “off” and “away” buttons on the Keychain Remote to change the state of your SimpliSafe® Original system. |
Panic Disabled | Disables the “panic” button on the Keychain Remote. The “off” and “away” buttons will still function normally. |
Disabled | Disables the ability for the “off” and “away” buttons on the Keychain Remote to change the state of your SimpliSafe® Original system. |
Entry Sensor
Setting | Explanation |
Alarm - Home and Away (default) | Sets the Entry Sensor to be active in both Home Mode and Away Mode. |
Alarm - Away only | Sets the Entry Sensor to be active only in Away Mode, meaning it will not trigger alarms when opened while the system is in Home Mode. |
No alarm - sms/email alert only | Sets the Entry Sensor to never trigger alarms, but instead generates an SMS/Email alert to you whenever the door/window on which it is placed is opened, regardless of whether or not your SimpliSafe® Original system is armed. This feature requires the Core monitoring plan. |
Disabled - no alarm, no alert | Disables the Entry Sensor in all modes (Off Mode, Home Mode, Away Mode). |
Motion Sensor (For issues with false alarms, please see the Motion Sensor False Alarms for Original SimpliSafe® article.)
Setting | Explanation |
Alarm - Home and Away | Sets the Motion Sensor to be active in both Home Mode and Away Mode. |
Alarm - Away only (default) | Sets the Motion Sensor to be active only in Away Mode. |
No alarm - sms/email alert only | Sets the Motion Sensor to never trigger alarms, but instead generates an SMS/Email alert to you whenever the door/window on which it is placed is opened, regardless of whether or not your SimpliSafe Original system is armed. This feature requires the Core monitoring plan |
Disabled - no alarm, no alert | Disables the Motion Sensor in all modes (Off Mode, Home Mode, Away Mode). |
Glassbreak Sensor
Setting | Explanation |
Alarm - Home and Away (default) | Sets the Glassbreak Sensor to be active in both Home Mode and Away Mode. |
Alarm - Away only | Sets the Glassbreak Sensor to be active only in Away Mode. |
Disabled - no alarm, no alert | Disables the Glassbreak Sensor in all modes (Off Mode, Home Mode, Away Mode). |
Panic Button
Setting | Explanation |
Audible Alarm (default) | Sets the Panic Button to trigger an audible alarm when pressed for 2 seconds. |
Silent Alarm | Sets the Panic Button to trigger a silent alarm when pressed for 2 seconds. A professional monitoring plan is required in order for SimpliSafe® to be notified about a silent alarm. |
Temperature/Freeze Sensor
Setting | Explanation |
Alarm at 41 F (default) | Sets the Temperature/Freeze Sensor to trigger an alarm when it detects a temperature at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Alarm at 32 F | Sets the Temperature/Freeze Sensor to trigger an alarm when it detects a temperature at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Smoke Detector
Smoke Detectors are always on and do not have any configurable settings.
Carbon Monoxide Detector*
CO Detectors are always on and do not have any configurable settings.
*Please note that we no longer offer CO Detectors for the Original SimpliSafe® system. If you are having an issue with your Original SimpliSafe® CO Detector, please contact our Support team to find out how to upgrade your system.
Water Sensor
Water Sensors are always on and do not have any configurable settings.
General Settings
Setting | Explanation | Setting Options | Default Value |
Base Station Light | The blue light on the bottom of your base tells you about the status of your system at a glance. | On Off | On |
No Blue Light means the alarm is in OFF mode and that there are no warnings. | |||
A Solid Blue Light lets you know that the system is armed and your home is protected. | |||
A flashing blue light is a warning. See the Keypad screen for more information. | |||
Voice Prompts | The Base Station provides useful voice prompts for you. If you prefer, you can disable them completely or you can select ‘error’ only’ to ensure you get warnings about any errors in your system. We recommend you keep voice prompts enabled. | On Off Error Only | On |
Door Chime | The Base Station sounds a door chime Whenever an Entry Sensor opens. If you would prefer quieter operation, you may disable the door chime. | On Off | On |
Voice and Chime Volume | The Base Station provides voice prompts as you use your system and a door chime when you open and close doors and windows. You may adjust the volume level with this setting. | High Medium Low | Medium |
Alarm Siren Volume | The Base Station sounds an alarm siren in the event of an intrusion or panic alarm. In most cases, the volume of this siren should be kept at high. However, if you live particularly close to your neighbors, you might consider lowering it. | High Medium Low Off | High |
Alarm Siren Duration | The Base Station sounds an alarm siren in the event of an intrusion or panic alarm. In most cases, the duration of the siren should be kept at its default of 4 minutes. However, if you live in a remote location, you might consider increasing it; or if you live particularly close to your neighbors, you might consider decreasing it. | 0.5 to 8 minutes | 4 min |
Exit Delay | When you turn your alarm on in the Away mode, the system will allow you time to exit your home before the sensors become active. This exit delay will count down on your Keypad. You may increase or decrease this delay. | 45 to 120 seconds | 60 sec |
Entry Delay(away mode) | When you return home and your system is in the Away mode, it will allow you time to turn the alarm off before the siren sounds. During this entry delay your Keypad will beep. You may increase or decrease this delay. | 30 to 250 seconds | 30 sec |
Entry Delay(home mode) | When a sensor is triggered and your system is in the Home mode, the system will allow you some time to turn the alarm off, in case it was triggered by accident. You may increase or decrease this entry delay. | 0 to 250 seconds | 30 sec |
Dialing Prefix | If you need to dial 9, or another number, for an outside line on your telephone, you should enter that number here. If you are not using a landline or you don’t need to dial a number for an outside line, leave this blank. | # Blank | Blank |
Download system upgrade | SimpliSafe® customer support will contact you if there are any upgrades available for your system. If you have received a notice about an upgrade, select this option to download the update from SimpliSafe.com now. You will then have to synchronize your Keychain Remote with the Base Station to complete the upgrade. | N/A | N/A |