How to Install a SimpliSafe Home Security System

SimpliSafe recently sent us the latest and greatest version of its DIY home security system (including new bells and whistles like Live Guard and the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera) so we decided to set it up all over again. We've refreshed this guide as needed and enhanced the expert insights we discovered during the process.

Is SimpliSafe easy to install? It is when you have a little help. Let our start-to-finish SimpliSafe installation guide be your right-hand pal as you get ready to protect your home. We walk you through every step of the process to help make your SimpliSafe installation as easy and successful as possible.

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Believe me, these pregame tips will make your SimpliSafe installation painless. Fortunately for you, we already made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.

The installation moves along at a pretty brisk clip, so I recommend deciding in advance where you want your security system components to live.

• Base station: You want a central location and a dedicated power outlet (not one connected to a light switch that could be accidentally turned off). And you don’t want to place it on the floor. I have a fairly small, one-level home, so I put it on a desk in my entry hallway where I could hear it in the living room, kitchen, or bedrooms," said Katie McEntire, one of our SimpliSafe testers. Our safety expert, Alina Bradford, recommends setting up your base near your Wi-Fi router for the best connection. "When I put the base far away from my router, the base would frequently tell me that it wasn't getting a signal," said Alina.
• Keypad: Alina also recommends putting the keypad wherever it will be most convenient; near the door that you use the most is a good place to start. And you need to think about the distance between the base station and the keypad. SimpliSafe recommends keeping them 10 to 100 feet apart.
• Entry sensors: These are the sensors that guard your doors and windows. They let you know when something opens or closes. During setup, you need to name each of them, so it will help move things along if you already know that you want one on the front door, one on the back door, and one on the kids’ bedroom window. 
• Cameras: Like with sensors, decide where you want your cameras. If you only have one camera, Alina recommends putting it so that it can view your walkway and/or driveway so that you can see people approaching your home. 

I tend to get flustered when I set up new technology or build a new Ikea table, so I always make a plan to diffuse myself. Put on some happy music, grab a relaxing beverage, and take some deep breaths. Now, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get down to the nitty-gritty.

Once the base station is set up, the app will move on to professional monitoring. While we recommend professional monitoring as the best way to secure your home and loved ones, we know it's not for everyone. If you plan to monitor your SimpliSafe alarm system on your own, it can be tricky to skip this step. However, SimpliSafe is one of our top no-subscription home security options, so it's still worth it to jump through these hoops.

The bottom line: We couldn't find a way to opt out of this prompt—and it had to be completed before we could add sensors.

The good news: SimpliSafe gives you 30 days to try professional monitoring for free. So, go ahead and complete this step and then set a calendar reminder to go in and cancel it before those 30 days are up. You can cancel through the app or your online dashboard in most cases. Alina signed up for the highest tier plan, and the app wouldn't let her cancel. It told her that she would need to call customer service to cancel. 

Your SimpliSafe kit may include various devices like contact sensors, motion sensors, a keypad, a smoke and carbon monoxide detector, and an indoor camera. Each device gets installed on its own, but they all follow a similar process. Here's what you'll do for each device.

• Remove the battery tab and press the setup button.
• Follow the app's instructions to place the device in its intended location.
• Name each device to easily identify its location.

"Wash, Rinse, Repeat"

These basic steps apply to all of the sensors and devices that you need to install—whether it’s a glassbreak sensor or SimpliSafe Smart Lock. The app will continue to guide you through the installation of each sensor and device. To be helpful, we walk through installation for the most common devices below.

• Unbox the motion sensor. The motion sensor keeps tab on movement in a designated area of your home. It also helps reduce false alarms, especially for homes with pets.
• Select a location for your motion sensor. It's best to place the motion sensor in a high corner to capture movement over a wide area. We recommend using a motion sensor to cover high-traffic areas of your home that may not have a door or window.
• Select "Motion" in the Devices menu in the app.
• Remove the battery tab, press the setup button, and wait for the app's prompt.
• Attach the sensor using the included adhesive backing or screws.
• Name the sensor based on where you installed it (hallway, kitchen, etc.).
• Finish all the installation prompts in the app and wait for confirmation that the sensor is installed and ready for action.

This is the only SimpliSafe gadget that requires you to get out the drill—but don't worry, installation is still pretty easy. 

• Pull out the battery tab and press the button on the front of the device
• Twist off the mounting bracket on the back of the detector. This is the part you'll affix to the wall or ceiling to mount the alarm.
• Mark the wall through the slats for the screws. 
• Drill holes for the screws and fix the bracket in place.
• Twist the smoke detector onto the bracket.
• Finish any other installation prompts in the app and wait for confirmation that the detector is installed and ready for action.

After you’ve installed all of your sensors and devices, select "Done Installing" in the app. At this point, the system will enter practice mode and you can test its functionality.

Now, you’ve got a SimpliSafe security system that’s set up and ready to sound the alarm if someone opens a guarded door or breaks a protected window. This level of protection will alert you to danger and possibly scare off an intruder, but it won’t give you alerts, remote control, or a direct link to help without a subscription.

You've got 30 days to try out SimpliSafe's professional monitoring for free, so don't be shy about testing it to see if you think the extra reassurance is worth the extra money each month. Here's what to test while in practice mode:

• Trigger an alarm. Arm your system by pressing the Away Mode option, wait for the Exit Delay time to expire, and then trip an entry or motion sensor.
• Disarm your system. Enter your Master PIN on the keypad or tap Off in the app to turn the alarm off.
• View your camera footage. Make sure to try the Live view.

The SimpliSafe system uses cellular data for updates, but your home's Wi-Fi offers a faster and more secure connection. You can go into the settings on the app to add Wi-Fi or use the keypad.

Here's how to connect SimpliSafe to Wi-Fi using the keypad:

• On the keypad, press Menu.
• Enter your PIN.
• Select Settings.
• Select Wi-Fi. 
• Select your network name from the list. Make sure you choose the 2.4 GHz option, since SimpliSafe does not work with 5G.
• Enter your Wi-Fi password using the keypad buttons. It works like an old telephone, so you'll need to press "2" three times for the letter C, etc.

Learn more about how to effectively place motion sensors in your home.

• Don’t place the sensor directly on the glass. 
• Put the sensor on a wall or shelf that’s less than 20 feet away from the window you want to guard.
• If you have curtains, keep the sensor within five to 10 feet of the window. Curtains can muffle the sound of breaking glass.
• Avoid the kitchen. The regular clinking of glasses can trigger a false alarm.

• Place the temperature sensor near pipes that could freeze. It automatically sounds the alarm when it reaches 41°F.
• Place the water sensor on the floor near a hot water heater drip pan, washing machine, dishwasher, or bathtub. It doesn't need adhesive.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms and living rooms. 
• Keep CO detectors away from the fireplace, furnace, stove, or garage to reduce nuisance alarms.
• Install smoke detectors in every bedroom and in central spaces on every floor of your home. 

Learn more about correct smoke detector installation and maintenance.

• Plug in the SimpliCam and open the SimpliSafe app. Tap Cameras > Set Up a Camera and follow the on-screen instructions—it's really that easy.
• Charge the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera's battery pack before installation.
• Mount the Outdoor Camera on a wall about 8 feet high and point it down at a 30° angle. Learn more about where to install security cameras. 
• Turn off the correct circuit breaker, grab a drill, and read our full guide to installing the SimpliSafe Doorbell.

Now that you’ve survived the installation of your SimpliSafe system, you’re on your way to becoming a DIY smart home security pro. Here are some more resources to keep on hand if you get the bug to expand your current home security or smart home setup.

Read answers to more SimpliSafe FAQs.

• How to Connect SimpliSafe With Alexa
• SimpliSafe Cameras
• How to Install Security Cameras
• Troubleshooting SimpliSafe
• SimpliSafe UK Review