Video Doorbell Pro

There may be a point where you need to rename a camera for your SimpliSafe® System. Renaming a camera can be done easily through the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, but you can also rename a camera using your Web App. You can select a name from the list of prepopulated names within the SimpliSafe® Mobile app, or choose your own custom name. If using a custom name, we recommend avoiding the use of apostrophes within the camera name - as this can impact the ability to download recordings.

The following article will walk you through these steps for each platform so you can pick whichever one is easiest for you.

SimpliSafe® Mobile App:

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar

3. Select Camera Settings

4. Tap on the Camera you wish to edit

5. Press the pencil icon next to your Camera to enter the editor

6. Choose from the list of preset names or select Custom Name to type in your own name

   1. Depending on your device, you may also need to tap SAVE before exiting to save your selections

SimpliSafe® Online Account:

1. Log into your online account using the browser of your choice

   1. Select your property from the list on the Account Overview page, if applicable

2. Choose Devices from the left-hand navigation menu

3. Click on the Camera you wish to edit

4. A pop-up will appear to the right of your browser

5. Select the pencil icon next to your Camera’s name

6. Enter the new name you wish to use in the field

7. Select the check mark when done

8. Be sure to click on Save Changes from the bottom of the pop-up before exiting to save your selection

Loss of audio to your camera feed can be caused by a dip in the Wi-Fi connection strength to your home network. When there is a poor connection, our devices will prioritize video over audio to best ensure the safety of your home.

If your camera loses audio frequently, you may want to consider taking some steps to improve the Wi-Fi connection, such as adjusting the position of your camera or installing a Wi-Fi extender near the camera. You can also take a few steps to improve your overall signal strength.

You can also toggle audio recording on and off in the SimpliSafe® mobile app by navigating to:

1. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar

2. Select Camera Settings

3. Choose your Camera from the list of available cameras

4. Toggle Mic & Audio ON or OFF, as needed

1. This setting should be toggled ON by default

If your camera feed continues to lose its audio after taking the above steps, we recommend resetting your camera. You can find the steps to reset each of our SimpliSafe® cameras in the Help Center articles below:

• How to Reset the Outdoor Security Camera Series 2

• How to Reset the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the SimpliCam® Wired Indoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the Video Doorbell Pro

If the issue persists or you need further assistance, please contact customer support. We'll be happy to help!

The Video Doorbell Pro sends you two different types of notifications. You will receive a Doorbell Press notification when someone presses the button on your doorbell, and a Motion Detection notification when the camera registers motion. 

Customizing Motion Detection Notifications

The Motion Detection notifications you receive from your Video Doorbell are fully customizable. You can change the sensitivity of the doorbell’s motion sensor, choose between People Only and All Motion notifications, and use Activity Zones to ignore motion in specific areas of the camera’s view.

You can customize your Video Doorbell’s Motion Detection notifications by taking the following steps in the SimpliSafe® mobile app:

1. Tap the “Cameras” icon at the bottom of the SimpliSafe® app

2. Choose the gear icon in the upper right corner to get to Camera Settings and select your Video Doorbell

3. Tap the arrow button (>) next to “Motion Detection” and toggle “Motion Notifications” on

4. To change the sensitivity of the Video Doorbell’s motion sensor, navigate to “Sensitivity” and use the slide bar to choose between Low, Medium, or High

5. To choose between “People Only” or “All Motion”, navigate to “Motion Type” and pick your desired setting 

6. If there are any areas within your Video Doorbell’s view that you do not want to receive notifications for, go to “Activity Zones” and select the areas you do not want to be notified of* 

7. Tap “Save” in the upper right corner to save your settings

Please note that Activity Zone selection only works during the day*

If your Video Doorbell’s notifications are on, but you are not receiving push notifications on your device, visit this article about troubleshooting push notifications for more help.

The Video Doorbell Pro is equipped with a PIR sensor that allows it to detect contrasting changes in the scenery, while using AI to process the images to determine if a motion alert is needed.

The amount of motion alerts you receive can be adjusted through the SimpliSafe® Mobile App and Online Account Settings. There you can adjust the sensitivity to High, Medium, or Low. This will affect how much motion, and what sized objects will trigger a motion alert from your camera.

• High sensitivity will give you more frequent motion alerts

• Medium sensitivity is the default setting. You will receive a normal amount of notifications when using this setting

• Low sensitivity will give you fewer motion alerts

*Note, disabling motion alert notifications for your SimpliSafe® system will not turn off doorbell-press notifications.

You can change your settings in the mobile or web app using the steps below.

SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® App on your phone or tablet

2. Select the Cameras tab from the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen

3. Tap on the gear icon for Camera Settings in the upper right corner of the app

4. Select your Video Doorbell Pro from the list of Cameras

5. Choose Motion Detection

6. Adjust the sensitivity sliders, as needed

7. Once done, select Save in the upper right corner to save your selections

SimpliSafe® Online Account

1. Log into your SimpliSafe® Online Account using the browser of your choice

1. If you manage multiple properties, choose the location you wish to update from the list by clicking on the Base Station Serial Number or Property Address

2. Select Devices from the left hand navigation menu

3. Click on your Video Doorbell Pro from the list of Cameras

4. A pop up menu will appear to the right hand side of the screen

5. Adjust the sensitivity slider, as needed

6. Once done, choose Save Changes from the bottom of the pop up to save your selections

If your Video Doorbell Pro is angled towards a high-traffic area, you may be able to resolve excessive motion events by adjusting the angle using the vertical angle bracket that was included in the box. If you require the ability to adjust your camera’s angle horizontally (side to side), a horizontal angle bracket can do the trick. Our Support team can send you a Doorbell Angle Kit - free of charge!

Our Cameras have a wide field of view to maximize coverage inside and outside of your home. If you find that your camera is not detecting people or motion, there are a few steps you can take to improve its’ functionality. 

For the Outdoor Camera, Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera, and Video Doorbell Pro, you have three options for controlling motion detection:

• Sensitivity for Motion Detection

• Motion Type

• Activity Zones

To note, SimpliCam Wired Indoor Camera only allows you to control Sensitivity for Motion Detection.

Sensitivity

The sensitivity allows you to control how precise the camera is at detecting motion. We generally recommend setting this to medium for most homes.

Motion Type

This allows you to choose between tracking all motion, and people only. For the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera, we recommend setting this to People Only, especially if you have pets within your home.

Activity Zones

This allows you to configure your camera to track motion within a certain parameter or exclude tracking it for other areas such as a busy street or sidewalk.

To improve motion detection, open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App and follow these steps:

1. Choose the Cameras tab at the bottom of the app

2. Tap on the Gear Icon in the upper right corner to go to Camera Settings

3. Select your Camera

4. Tap on Motion Detection

On this screen, you’ll be presented with the option to adjust the sensitivity, motion type, and even set activity zones, depending on your camera.

Still Need Help?

If your camera is still not detecting people, we recommend resetting it. You can find the steps to reset each of our SimpliSafe® cameras in the Help Center articles below:

• How to Reset the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the SimpliCam® Wired Indoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the Video Doorbell Pro

If your camera had previously been set up but is now failing to connect to your Wi-Fi network, the Connection Check tool in the SimpliSafe® mobile app will tell you if there are any issues between your network and camera.

How to Run a Connection Check:

1. Open the SimpliSafe® mobile app

2. Tap on the Cameras tab on the bottom of the screen

3. Select the gear icon in the upper right corner to get to Camera Settings

4. Choose your camera

5. Select Connection Check and follow the on-screen instructions to test your signal strength and upload speeds

Using your results, you can improve your camera’s connection with the tips below.

Camera Wi-Fi Requirements:

• Signal strength should be above -55dBm. A lower number means a weaker connection between your camera and Wi-Fi router.

  • If you have a low signal strength, try troubleshooting your Wi-Fi network

• Upload speeds need to be above 2Mpbs

  • If your upload speed is below 2Mbps, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to upgrade your Internet package.

  • If your upload speed is exactly 2Mbps, you should take these steps to improve your upload speed.

Incomplete camera recordings can often be a symptom of an underlying network connectivity issue. To rule out any temporary connectivity issues, we recommend rebooting your router - especially if it’s been a while since you’ve done this. To reboot your router, simply unplug it from power for 30-60 seconds, then plug it back in. This will provide a fresh connection for your network devices.

If you’re still having trouble after a router reboot, we’d recommend using the Connection Check Tool found within the SimpliSafe® Mobile App to further analyze your network connectivity.

How to Use the Connection Check Tool

1. Tap the “Cameras” icon at the bottom of the SimpliSafe® mobile app

2. Choose the gear icon in the upper right corner to get to Camera Settings

3. Select your camera

4. Under “Connection” select “Connection Check”

5. Tap “Start Connection Check” to find your camera’s connection strength

What do my Results Mean?

Good

A good signal strength or upload speed means that there is a strong connection between your camera and Wi-Fi network. 

Fair or Poor Upload Speed

If your upload speed is fair or poor, reduce the camera’s video resolution in its settings in the SimpliSafe® mobile app. To do this:

1. Select the “Cameras” tab at the bottom of the screen

2. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to get to Camera Settings

3. Under “Camera Settings”, select your camera

4. Navigate to “Video Quality” and choose 480p

It may also be necessary to upgrade your internet package to improve your upload speed. We recommend reaching out to your internet service provider to learn more about their offerings. 

Fair or Poor Signal Strength

If your signal strength is fair or poor, move your camera and Wi-Fi router closer together and then try running the Connection Check tool again. If your signal strength is still the same, we recommend getting a Wi-Fi extender.

It may also help to connect your SimpliSafe® devices to a different Wi-Fi network. We recommend setting up a Guest Network on your Wi-Fi router and only connecting your SimpliSafe® devices to it. To learn more about setting up a Guest Network, reach out to your internet service provider. 

Still Need Help?

If your camera is still experiencing issues connecting to your Wi-Fi network, our Support team is here to help you further.