How do I change notification sound for SimpliSafe?
SimpliSafe is an American home security company founded in 2006 that produces wireless security systems for home installation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimpliSafe). SimpliSafe systems include a base station, keypad, entry sensors, motion sensors, and other components that users can set up themselves.
One feature of SimpliSafe systems is the ability to customize notification sounds through the SimpliSafe app. This allows users to set unique ringtones to identify when specific sensors are triggered. Changing the default notification sound can help users easily distinguish the type of activity detected by the system.
Default Notification Sounds
SimpliSafe uses a few different default sounds for notifications depending on the device platform:
On iOS devices like iPhones, the default SimpliSafe notification sound is the standard iOS “Alert Tone” sound. This is a two note chime sound that is the default for most notifications on iOS.
On Android devices, the default notification sound is called “SimpliSafe Classic”. This is an original alert tone created by SimpliSafe that has a chime-like sound.
The SimpliSafe app and alerts also use the “Smoke Alarm” and “CO Alarm” sound effects for smoke and carbon monoxide sensor alerts specifically. These have louder, more jarring alarm sounds to signify an emergency.
So in summary, the main default notification sounds are the standard iOS Alert Tone for iPhones, SimpliSafe Classic for Androids, and the emergency smoke/CO alarm sounds.
Why Change the Sound?
There are two main reasons why SimpliSafe users may want to change the default notification sounds:
Customization for personal preference – The default SimpliSafe tones may not suit everyone’s tastes or fit with every home’s aesthetic. Changing notification sounds allows users to pick tones they find pleasing and appropriate. For example, some may prefer subtle chimes while others want loud sirens. Users can pick sounds that express their personality.
Unique sounds for different notifications – Having distinct sounds for each type of notification can make it easier to identify events just by hearing the tone. For instance, a chime could indicate motion detection while a siren signals an alarm triggering. Unique sounds help users discern between notifications even from a distance. This is especially useful in larger homes where users may not be right next to the base station.
Accessing Sound Settings
To access the notification sound settings for SimpliSafe, you’ll need to go through the SimpliSafe mobile app or web portal. The options differ slightly between iOS and Android devices.
On an iPhone or iPad, open the SimpliSafe app and tap on the “Settings” icon in the bottom right corner. Then scroll down and tap on “Notifications.” From here you can toggle notification sounds on or off, but you cannot select a custom sound.
On an Android device, open the SimpliSafe app and tap the three lines “hamburger” icon in the top left. Tap “Settings” and then “Notifications.” Here you can enable/disable sounds and also tap on each notification type to select a custom sound from your ringtones or notification sounds. For example, tap on “Alarm Notification” to change that specific sound (source).
Through the SimpliSafe web portal, you can only enable or disable notification sounds altogether. There is no ability to select custom sounds through the web portal.
Custom Sounds on iOS
iOS allows you to set custom sounds for notifications from specific apps. This means you can upload your own audio files or purchase sound packs to use as alert tones in the SimpliSafe app.
To upload your own notification sounds on an iPhone or iPad, first locate the audio file you want to use in the Files app. Supported formats include .wav, .aiff, and .m4r. Then open the SimpliSafe app, go to Settings > Notifications > Sounds and select the alert category you want to change. Tap “Default System Sound” and you’ll get an option to select a sound from your Files app. Choose the custom audio file you want.
SimpliSafe also offers various sound packs you can purchase through the app. After buying a pack, the new tones will be available to select as your notification sounds. This makes it easy to set different alert sounds for intrusion detection, fire alarms, temperature alerts and more based on your preferences.
One limitation is that custom sounds will only work for notifications from the SimpliSafe app itself. The SimpliSafe system’s built-in siren and chime sounds can’t be changed.
Custom Sounds on Android
Android users have a couple different options for setting custom sounds for SimpliSafe notifications. One way is to upload your own sound files using the Files app. To do this, simply locate the desired audio file on your device and upload it directly through the SimpliSafe app notification settings. SimpliSafe supports common audio formats like MP3 and WAV for custom sounds.
Another option is to purchase additional sound packs directly from SimpliSafe. They offer different themed packs like Sci-Fi, Retro, and Seasonal that contain unique alert tones and noises. These can provide fun and creative ways to customize your notifications. Purchased sound packs become available to select right in the SimpliSafe app once bought.
To change notification sounds on Android:
1. Open the SimpliSafe app
2. Tap the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
3. Select Settings > Notifications > (select device) > Sound
4. Choose from default sounds, uploaded sounds, or purchased sound packs
Testing out a few different custom sounds is recommended to find the perfect tone and volume for your needs. SimpliSafe makes it easy to customize notifications on Android, whether using your own audio files or their themed sound packs.
Purchasing Sound Packs
SimpliSafe offers several sound pack options that allow you to customize your system’s notification sounds. The packs range in price and number of sounds included:
The Essentials Sound Pack costs $4.99 per month and includes 25 sounds like bird chirps, doorbells, and alarm sirens. This is the most popular and commonly purchased pack.
The Deluxe Sound Pack costs $9.99 per month and contains 50 diverse sounds such as glass breaks, dog barks, and weather effects. It builds on the Essentials pack with more options.
The Premium Sound Pack is the most comprehensive at $14.99 per month for 100 unique sounds. It has everything in the Essentials and Deluxe packs plus more ambient and seasonal sounds.
The sound packs require an active monitoring plan and can be purchased through the SimpliSafe app. You can swap between packs or cancel anytime. The Essentials pack is the best value for most homeowners looking to customize their system’s sounds.
Testing Custom Sounds
After setting up custom notification sounds, it’s important to test them to make sure they are working properly. Here are some tips for testing custom sounds on SimpliSafe:
Ways to trigger test notifications:
- On the SimpliSafe app, go to Settings > Notifications and tap on Test. This will send a test notification sound to your device.
- Arm your SimpliSafe system and then open an entry point like a door or window. This will trigger the alarm and custom siren sound (if set up).
- Ask SimpliSafe customer support to send a test notification to your device. They can trigger specific events remotely to test notification sounds.
Ensuring correct sound mapped:
- After testing a notification, check that the sound you heard matches what you selected in the app settings. The name of the custom sound should display on notifications.
- If the default notification sound plays instead of your custom selection, try resetting the app notification settings. There may have been an error saving the custom sound.
- On iOS devices, make sure the SimpliSafe app has permission to play sounds. Go to Settings > SimpliSafe > Sounds to check sound permissions.
Testing notification sounds is an important step to ensure your SimpliSafe system is working as intended. Taking the time to confirm custom audio alerts are mapped correctly will give you peace of mind.
Troubleshooting Notification Sound Issues
There are a couple common issues that may occur when trying to change the SimpliSafe notification sound:
Sound Not Changing
If you select a new notification sound in the app settings but the sound does not actually change, there are a few things to try:
- Close and reopen the SimpliSafe app
- Reboot your Android device or iPhone
- Check that notifications for the SimpliSafe app are enabled in your device’s main Settings app
- Try selecting a different sound and testing again
Sometimes the change just needs a fresh app load or device reboot to take effect.
Missing Purchased Sounds
If you purchased an additional sound pack in the SimpliSafe app but the new sounds are not showing up as available options, try the following:
- Check that the sound pack purchase was successfully processed in the app
- Logout and back into the SimpliSafe app
- Contact SimpliSafe support to verify the purchase if needed
There may have been an issue downloading the sound pack. Working with SimpliSafe support can help identify and resolve any problems.
Conclusion
Customizing your SimpliSafe notification sounds is a straightforward process once you know where to access the sound settings. The default sounds work well, but choosing unique sounds allows you to easily identify when there is motion, entry, or an alarm triggered according to your preferences. Distinct notification sounds also help multiple users know which alerts are theirs.
While iOS and Android make it easy to use your own audio files for custom sounds, SimpliSafe also offers affordable sound packs to choose from without having to provide your own files. Testing your new notification sounds is an important step to ensure they have been updated properly and will play as expected.
If you have any trouble setting up custom notification sounds, SimpliSafe provides helpful online support documents and video tutorials. You can also contact their customer service who can walk you through the process or troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.