Traditionally, electronic home security has relied on a small keypad mounted on the wall near the front door. Arming the system meant entering a four-digit PIN and then getting out and locking the door within 30 seconds. Disarming was the same process, but in reverse. Today, things are different. Homeowners can arm and disarm their systems with a mobile app.
That begs the question of whether the traditional keypad or hub is even necessary. If people can control their systems with their smartphones, are keypads and hubs extraneous pieces of equipment? That depends on your perspective.
Vivint Home Security is a nationwide security and home automation provider. All their systems come with the free Vivint app. We will use their app as an example to discuss what home security apps can and cannot do, and whether they are a viable replacement for more traditional technologies.
What the Apps Can Do
Imagine you decided to purchase a Vivint HomeProtect system. One of the first things you would notice is how modern security is made so much more convenient with a smartphone. For example, the smartphone makes managing your security devices far more granular. Here is what you can do with the mobile app:
- Real-Time Monitoring – Monitor your entire system in real time. If you have cameras, you can see live video feeds throughout your home.
- Control Devices – Every device in your system can be controlled through the app. Turn the lights on and off, adjust the thermostat, etc.
- Leverage Data Insights – Most home security apps offer dedicated dashboards that let you check specific components at a glance. For instance, one dashboard could show the status of all the lights in your home.
- Create Custom Automations – A mobile app lets you create custom automations on-the-go. You do not have to be home to create new automations, modify existing ones, or temporarily override when circumstances dictate.
Most of the functionality you get from a keypad or home security hub is accommodated by a mobile app. That is certainly the case with the Vivint app. It gives you total control, carried in your pocket or purse.
What the Apps Can’t Do
Despite a home security app’s raw power, there are things it can’t do. After all, a mobile app is just a piece of software. It cannot operate in isolation. As such, a mobile app cannot:
- Communicate Directly – A mobile app does not communicate with security devices directly. It needs some sort of intermediary, which is usually the hub.
- Function During Service Outrages – A mobile app will not function if cell service is down. You will have to wait until service comes back or connect your phone via Wi-Fi.
- Bypass Physical Power Needs – A phone app doesn’t take the place of a physical power source. For example, your cameras still require either batteries or a connection to the home’s electrical system.
A mobile app’s limits suggest that maybe it’s better to have both. By investing in a keypad or hub, you get built-in redundancy regardless of the system you use to control your home security devices.
Redundancy Is a Good Thing
Having both a mobile app and a physical keypad or hub is an exercise in redundancy. As any home security expert can tell you, redundancy is good. The more redundancy built into a system, the less likely that system is to fail. So if you are investing in home security for the first time, you’re probably going to get an app by default. Put a little money into a keypad or hub to make things better.