The SimpliSafe Base Station may be called “the brains” of the security system, but the Keypad is used to control the whole thing when it is not connected to Wi-Fi. For something as important as a home security system, you want to make sure that you understand every aspect of it. Right now, it’s time to learn about the panic button.
The red button located on top of the All-New SimpliSafe Keypad is the panic button. The original SimpliSafe Keypads have a red button located below the numbers. The red panic button must be held for two seconds in order to be activated and to send an alert.
One would think that the picture of the keypad in the SimpliSafe Owner’s Manual (the one with all the parts identified), would have all the parts identified, including the Panic Button. However, lack of documentation is a common complaint about SimpliSafe documentation. Let’s take a closer look to make sure you are not left with any questions.
SimpliSafe Panic Button Overview
SimpliSafe has three different devices that have Panic Buttons on them:
- Keypad
- Key Fob (Keychain Remote)
- Panic Button (Individual Unit)
If you purchased a SimpliSafe security system in 2017 or earlier, you have the Original SimpliSafe. Here is a picture of each Original SimpliSafe device with a panic button.
However, those devices are becoming outdated, and starting to lose functionality. For example, the Original SimpliSafe Keychain Remote can no longer be updated. This article will focus on the All-New SimpliSafe devices with panic buttons. Here is a picture of each of those.
Where Is the Panic Button on The SimpliSafe Key Fob?
If you are just looking at the pictures available online of the key fob, it may not be completely obvious where the panic button is located. You may not even be aware that it has one! But I assure you, there is a panic button.
The Panic Button on the All-New SimpliSafe Key Fob is located on the top end of the remote, above the off button. It is on the opposite end from where the key fob is designed to attach to a key chain.
The Original SimpliSafe security system had a slightly different name. It was called the Keychain Remote.
The Original SimpliSafe Keychain Remote has a red round button on the front of the device that is clearly labeled “panic”. It is the closest button to where the remote is designed to attach to a keychain. The other two buttons on the keychain remote are “off” and “away”.
What Does SimpliSafe Panic Button Do?
It may not be clear what exactly the panic button does, especially since the owner must setup the panic button and choose what the happens when the panic button is pressed.
SimpliSafe Panic buttons are designed to notify the monitoring center of an emergency situation, who can then contact emergency dispatchers. Each Panic Button is assigned one type of Alert to send. The Panic Alarm types are: Panic (Audible or Silent), Fire, and Medical.
Important Note: The monitoring center will only be contacted if you pay for monitoring service. Otherwise, pressing the panic button will only activate the siren. If the mode is set to anything besides audible panic, there is effectively nothing that happens.
Panic Button Alarm Types
| Alarm Type | What Happens |
| Panic (audible) | Notifies the Monitoring center that there is an emergency of an unknown type. The alarm will sound, and they will try to call you before contacting emergency dispatch. |
| Panic (silent) | Notifies the Monitoring center that there is an emergency of an unknown type. The alarm will NOT sound, and they will NOT try to call you before contacting emergency dispatch. |
| Fire | Notifies the Monitoring center that there is an emergency involving fire. The alarm will not sound, and they will try to call you before contacting emergency dispatch. |
| Medical | Notifies the Monitoring center that there is a medical emergency. The alarm will not sound, and they will try to call you before contacting emergency dispatch. |
How to Set the Panic Button Function?
In order to set what the panic button does when pressed, you must first add the device to your SimpliSafe system. The steps are the same whether you are adding a second keypad, a key fob, or an individual panic button. The first keypad should automatically connect to the base station.
How To Add a Panic Button to SimpliSafe Using Your Keypad
- Click on the menu button (lower left button)
- Enter your current Master PIN
- Use the screen to navigate to “Devices”
- Use the screen to navigate to “Add Device”
- Select the device type you want to add
- Hold the Panic Button for 2 seconds when prompted
- Name the Device after audible confirmation from the base station
Here is a video demonstrating how to add a key fob.
Your Panic Button device is now added to your security system. Now that it’s added, you can go change the panic button settings
Note: Each Individual Panic Button is assigned its own alarm type. The default is Panic – Audible
How to Set the Panic Button Function Per Each Device
- Click on the menu button (lower left button)
- Enter your current Master PIN
- Use the screen to navigate to “Devices”
- Select your device
- Select “Panic Alarm Type”
- Right click to “set” your Preferred Alarm type
- Right click to “ok” and confirm your selection
That’s it! Your Panic Button is not connected and ready to use.
Does the SimpliSafe Panic Button Work When The System Is Off or Disarmed?
Yes!
The SimpliSafe Panic Button can be used no matter what state the alarm is in. The Panic Button will work even when the system is set to “off”. This applies to the panic buttons on the keypad, the key fob, and individual panic buttons.
In the even that the Panic button is accidentally pressed and you need to cancel an alarm, you will need to contact the monitoring system right away.
Normally the dispatch center will call you, but that may not happen for a silent panic alarm. The alarm monitoring can be contacted at 855-693-4911. You will need to state your “safe word” when asked in order to cancel the alarm.
If police have already been dispatched, your local police department will make the decision of whether to continue to your property or not.
The latest information for SimpliSafe’s monitoring center is located on their support page here.
Here is the SimpliSafe support page in case you need more information, although I tried to give you more information in this article than SimpliSafe provides on their website. Let me know if I missed any details and I will be sure to get them added.