Vivint App: A Complete Guide to Features and Use

The Vivint mobile app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Android devices serves as your direct line to the Vivint smart home security system. But if you think the Vivint app is just a remote control, think again. This app lets you create custom notifications and automations and offers a full equipment activity log.

I have a Vivint system, and I'll show you how to add users, create custom rules, set up notifications, monitor activity around your home, and much more through the Vivint app.

The Vivint app puts the same functionality as the Vivint Smart Hub in the palm of your hand, allowing you to control the system anytime, anywhere. 

Depending on the equipment you have, the Vivint app offers these remote actions:

• Arm and disarm security equipment
• Lock and unlock doors
• Open and close garage doors
• View live camera feeds and recorded footage
• Use two-way audio to speak through cameras
• Control other compatible smart devices, like lights
• Adjust the thermostat

Additional remote actions:

• Create additional user profiles and adjust their permissions
• View an activity log of all smart device interactions and changes
• Set rules for smart device behavior following an If This, Then That format through the Smart Actions feature
• Create custom notifications
• Automate schedules for thermostats, cameras, locks, and more
• Connect Vivint to compatible devices, like Google Assistant

The Vivint app’s ideal users:

• People with busy households who want to monitor or control who comes and goes
• People with busy schedules who value the versatility and convenience of mobile controls 
• People wanting to deter porch pirates and other prowlers
• People who wonder, “Did I lock that door?” and want to confirm or handle the situation without driving back home
• People with limited mobility looking to experience greater independence 
• People who don’t feel comfortable hiring a house sitter while they’re on vacation

Every Vivint customer receives professional installation for a one-time fee of $199 if you don't have a contract or free if you do. The Vivint installer will help you set up a primary user account on the Vivint control panel. From there, your installer will send a “remote access invite” to your email address. My installer made the process really simple.

Open the email and click the link to set your app password. Then, access the Vivint app and use your email address and newly created password to log in.

Learn how to pair new equipment to your Vivint smart home app, sync the app with smart home hubs, and add custom features like rules, notifications, and user permissions. 

Adding devices to your Vivint app is simple:

1. Disarm your system.
2. Plug in the camera and wait a couple of minutes for it to turn on.
3. On your app, tap the menu.
4. Tap +Add a device.
5. Pick the device you want to add.

From there, the app will guide you through the process.

The Vivint app used to be compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. They ended compatibility with Alexa in November 2025. You can still connect your app to Google Home, though. Here's how:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap the home icon.
3. Tap the + icon.
4. Select Set up device.
5. Choose Works with Google.
6. Select the magnifying glass icon and search for Vivint.
7. Tap on the Vivint icon.
8. Tap Allow.
9. Sign into your Vivint account.
10. Add your smart home devices.
11. Choose the room or add a custom room.
12. Say, "Hey Google, sync with Vivint."

Now you're ready to use voice commands to use your Vivint system.

Note: Vivint does not currently work with Apple HomeKit.

You can give family members and guests access to your Vivint system by adding them to your account. 

1. Tap the menu.
2. Choose Users.
3. Tap Add new user.
4. Enter the user’s name and create a 4-digit pin that allows them to unlock doors and disarm the security system.
5. Toggle Allow mobile access and enter the user’s email address and phone number to set up their login. 
6. Toggle Admin to give this user full control over the system.

After creating a user, tap their icon from the main User screen to adjust device permissions. 

Custom rules allow you to automate your smart home security system. You can tell the equipment to respond in a specific way when certain conditions are met. For example, consider automating your nightly lock-up routine by having all exterior doors lock at a specific time. 

Rules can often be accessed and edited from multiple screens on the app. The easiest way to access all rules is to tap the three-bar icon in the upper-left corner of the security screen. Then, tap Smart Actions.

The Vivint security app comes pre-programmed with a few rules. Review them to make sure they align with your goals and expectations. Toggle any unnecessary rules into the “off” position.

To add a custom rule, tap the Add new option in the upper right corner. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a rule that accomplishes a desired task. 

These lists are just examples. The more Vivint equipment you have, the more options you'll see. 

A completed custom action might be "Unlock all doors when the fire alarm goes off," or "Turn off hallway light at 11 p.m."

Want to receive push notifications on your phone when a specific event occurs?

1. Tap the menu.
2. Tap Smart Actions.
3. Choose Notify me when...
4. Tap Add new notification, or toggle existing notification types on or off.

The latest version of the Vivint app lets you bundle automations into "Shortcuts." Instead of setting your system to Home or Away, you can now set it to Arriving, Leaving, Bedtime, Kids Home, Work from Home, or any other scenario that requires multiple automations.

For example, you might set up a bedtime shortcut to lock all the doors, shut off all the interior lights, turn on outdoor lights, arm the security system, turn off music, and adjust the thermostat with one push of a button.

The Shortcuts appear on the app's home page for easy access.

Here's how you can create a shortcut:

1. On the Vivint app home screen, tap Shortcuts (you may need to scroll a bit, I did).
2. Tap the plus sign (+) or Add a new shortcut.
3. Name the shortcut.
4. Add actions the same way you add custom rules.
5. Tap Create when finished.

Just how easy is it to use the Vivint app? We’ll take you on a tour to show you how to make the most of it. 

You can see the camera footage from the HomeView screen. You can tap on each camera to find more camera options. Or you can tap the Camera icon in the menu under the arm/disarm box.

Once you tap on the camera you want to look at, the view defaults to live footage. You can tap the Talk icon to talk to someone via the camera, and press the Photo icon to take a picture of what's happening in the live video. Tap the bottom of the screen to see recorded events.

To change your camera settings, go back to the home screen and scroll to the cameras section. Tap the ... icon. From there, you have access to all of your camera's settings.

If you scroll down on the HomeView screen, you'll see your other devices. That can be controlled. Passive devices, like sensors, won't show up here. 

The security screen doubles as a home screen. From the security screen, tap on the three lines in the upper left corner to display a menu with the following options:

• Create Smart Actions (e.g., notifications and rules)
• Add new users and devices
• Device settings
• Solar access
• Billing
• Profile information
• Appearance 
• Home details
• Refer a friend
• Support
• Log out

View answers to other Vivint FAQs.

• Vivint Troubleshooting
• How Much Does Vivint Cost?
• The Best Home Security Apps
• Vivint Alternatives