Service Announcements Posts

Alarm.com will soon be pushing automatic firmware updates to all their doorbell camera devices. This includes the round ADC-VDB101 and ADC-VDB102, as well as the slim line ADC-VDB105 and ADC-VDB106. No action is needed by end users, and no major interruption in service should occur.

According to Alarm.com, the upcoming firmware update will provide enhanced monitoring and control for their video doorbell camera devices. The update process is fully automated, and end users will not need to take any action. Both the round and slim line models will receive the update.

In order to receive the update, your Alarm.com Doorbell Camera must be online and connected with the Alarm.com servers. We expect that Alarm.com will push the same update on multiple occasions over the next week. Even if your doorbell camera is not online to receive the update from the initial push-down, there should be additional push-downs to ensure that your device is updated.

We recommend making sure that your Alarm.com Video Doorbell is online and working properly so that the impending update can go through successfully. Alarm Grid monitored customers who have questions about the update or require assistance using their video doorbell should email our team at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Update 01/13/22: This feature has now been expanded upon, but only for the ProSeries panels. You can read all about it here!

The Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App for Android now allows users to arm, disarm, and check current system status using Google spoken voice commands. This handy new feature can be very useful for quickly and conveniently controlling your Honeywell Security System from almost anywhere.

In order to use Google voice commands with TC2, you must have the feature set up for your phone. To enable, go to Settings > Apps > Total Connect 2.0 > Enable Microphone. Once configured, you should see a blue microphone button in the bottom-right corner of the TC2 App. You can click on this button to have your phone begin listening for voice commands. At this time, only arming/disarming and status commands are available. We are hopeful that more commands will be arriving in the future.

Also keep in mind that you will need to give Total Connect 2.0 permission to use the microphone for your phone. Make sure to adjust the appropriate app permissions if you have not already done this. Remember that you can only make TC2 voice commands while you have the app opened. Google will not be able to understand any commands intended for TC2 unless they are performed through the app.

Please note that some commands may require a valid code entry. The following voice commands are available within the TC2 Android App:

• Arm Stay: Puts the system in Arm Stay mode.
• Arm Away: Puts the system in Arm Away mode.
• Disarm: Disarms the system.
• Home: Returns you to TC2 App home screen.
• Sensors: Displays list of programmed sensors.
• Keypad: Displays on-screen virtual keypad.
• Events: Displays Events list.
• Settings: Opens the TC2 Settings Menu.
• Profile: Opens your TC2 Profile.
• Location Settings: Opens the TC2 Locations Menu.
• Manage Locations: Opens the Manage Locations tab within the Locations Menu.
• Change Password: Opens the Change Password tab within your TC2 Profile.
• Help: Opens the Help Menu.
• Sign Out: Logs you out of TC2 and closes the app.

If you have any questions about this feature, or if you are interested in starting monitoring service for use with Total Connect 2.0, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get the most out of Total Connect 2.0.

Alarm.com has recently announced that they will soon be dropping support for the Internet Explorer 11 web browser. The new change is being made to improve the overall experience for Alarm.com end users. Alarm.com recommends using a supported web browser or the Alarm.com Mobile App.

Beginning on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, Alarm.com will display a pop-up message to anyone who logs in using Internet Explorer 11. The message will let them know to switch to a supported web browser. The user will then be able to use Alarm.com like normal. But a month later in late June, Alarm.com will stop supporting IE11 entirely. Anyone who tries to login using IE11 will be denied.

According to Alarm.com, the best web browsers to use with their platform are the latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge. If you already use one of these web browsers, then you should have no problems using Alarm.com. Just make sure that you are running the latest version and make an upgrade if necessary.

If you have any questions about this change for Alarm.com, or if you are interested in starting monitoring service for use with Alarm.com, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. Our team checks email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get the most out of Alarm.com.

Alarm Grid has a handy tip for you today. We have discovered that the latest TC2 redesign also now allows Android users to adjust the font size and style. When you adjust the font from within the Android device settings, you will also be adjusting the font in the Total Connect 2.0 App.

Adjusting the font size and style in TC2 is only available for Android devices. We haven't seen the feature implemented for iOS devices yet. To access the Font & Style Settings, start by accessing your phone's main Settings Menu. Then choose Display, followed by Font Size and Style. You will then be taken to a menu where you can adjust the font to your liking. The menu may appear slightly different from the one shown above, but any differences should be minor. Remember that changing these settings is not just for Total Connect 2.0, but for your phone as a whole.

Once you go into Total Connect 2.0, you should find that the font for the app has changed. Keep in mind that the changes may not go into effect if you are not running the latest version of TC2. You can download the latest version for free from the Google Play Store. If you need any help using the TC2 app, or if you are interested in starting monitoring service so you can gain access to TC2, then please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Update: Below you can see what it looks like with the font set to "Cool Jazz". As you can see, the top menu and the arming buttons have updated with the new font.

And here you can see the same screen with the default font:

According to reports, Ubiquiti has corrected an issue affecting their UniFi Access Points (APs). Alarm Grid previously reported the issue back in February. The issue prevented various security systems from connecting. Users had to disable the Auto Optimize Network feature to connect.

It is our understanding that Ubiquiti pushed a firmware update to their UniFi Access Point devices. This firmware update made it so that a security system will not be booted from the network when the Auto Optimize Network feature is enabled for the AP. Users can now expect their systems to work while the AP is in this mode.

Before the issue was fixed, we were only aware of Honeywell Lyric Alarm Systems being affected. We later learned that other systems connecting with Ubiquity UniFi Access Points were believed to be affected as well. Regardless, there should no longer be any issues when using a UniFi AP with your system, as long as the AP received the firmware update.

If you are still experiencing issues, we recommend emailing us at support@alarmgrid.com. While we cannot push the update to an Ubiquiti AP, we can walk you through steps for making sure that your alarm system is doing its part. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. Also make sure to check out our monitoring page if you are interested in learning more about our services. We look forward to hearing from you!

Update: The Honeywell ProSeries Panels (PROA7PLUS, PROA7PLUSC, PROA7, and PROA7C), when used with Ubiquiti Access Points, require that an Ubiquiti device has its Auto-Optimize feature turned OFF. This is needed for maintaining a stable WIFI connection. Please keep this in mind if you use an Ubiquiti Access Point with a ProSeries System.

Qolsys updated the recent Technical Service Bulletin TSB# 200413 regarding Software Update 2.5.2 for the IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus. The revised version provides new instructions on successfully performing the update using a Patch Tag. You can view the revised Qolsys TSB here.

In the revised TSB, Qolsys suggests first changing the system Log Level to Verbose, then waiting two (2) minutes, then changing the Log Level to Debug, then waiting another two (2) minutes, then rebooting the panel, and then finally performing the update via a Patch Tag. These new instructions only apply if you are updating the system via Patch Tag. If you have the update pushed down automatically from Alarm.com, then no action is needed.

The previous version of the TSB did not mention waiting 2 minutes, and it did not mention changing the Log Level to Debug. It only said to change the Log Level to Verbose and then perform the update immediately afterward without waiting. We are hopeful that this updated TSB will help end users avoid any confusion or frustration.

In order to change the Log Level, start from the main screen, click the small grey bar at the top, and choose Settings > Advanced Settings > enter the Installer Code or Dealer Code (default 1111 and 2222 respectively) > Installation > System Logs.

Remember you must set the Log Level to Verbose, wait 2 minutes, set the Log Level to Debug, reboot the panel, and then perform the update via patch tag like usual. The reboot can be performed by clicking the grey bar at the top of the screen, and choosing Settings > Advanced Settings > enter IC or DC > Panel Reboot.

The process for updating via Patch Tag involves clicking the small grey bar at the top of the main screen and choosing Settings > Advanced Settings > enter IC or DC > Upgrade Software > Patch Tag > enter iqpanel2.5.2 > OK. The update will then begin. It should take less than 30 minutes for the update to finish. Remember, you must enter iqpanel2.5.2 exactly. The IQ2 must be monitored and connected with a local WIFI network for the update to be performed. It should have its backup battery charged, and the system should be receiving AC power from its plug-in transformer.

If you have any questions about this update, please contact your monitoring company. If you are monitored by Alarm Grid, you may email us at support@alarmgrid.com for assistance. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm.com has announced that there is a new update for the Alarm.com Round SkyBell Security Doorbell Camera. This is known as the ADC-VDB101 for the "Satin Nickel" finish, and the ADC-VDB102 for the "Oil-Rubbed Bronze" finish. The update can be pushed down by your monitoring company.

The new Alarm.com SkyBell update is known as Version 5039. According to Alarm.com, the new update fixes a bug that caused the indoor chime for the doorbell camera to not ring when the ambient temperature dropped below a certain point. It was also possible that the SkyBell would perform an unusual ringing pattern if the temperature dropped too low. Another resolved issue caused the SkyBell device to not upload video clips to the Alarm.com servers until the device was rebooted. Alarm.com says that these issues should be resolved with the new update.

Remember that this update is only for the round Alarm.com SkyBell Doorbell Camera. If you have the rectangular "slim-line" model, also known as the Alarm.com ADC-VDB105 or ADC-VBD106, then this update does not apply to you. In order to receive the update, you must have your Alarm.com ADC-VDB101 or ADC-VDB102 powered on and connected with the Alarm.com servers. You can then have your monitoring company push down an update. We advice contacting your monitoring company to have the update pushed down as soon as possible.

If you are monitored by Alarm Grid, then we recommend emailing us at support@alarmgrid.com at your earliest convenience. Just let us know that you want the latest update for your Alarm.com SkyBell, and we'll take care of the rest. There is no charge to receive the update, but keep in mind that the update will not go through if the device is offline. Make sure your WIFI is running and that the device is powered on. Also remember that we only check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. Please also email us if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Update: It turns out that this is update will be pushed down automatically by Alarm.com, and no action is required on the part of the customer. Once the update is available, dealers as well as end-users will also be able to manually request the update through the dealer portal, or the customer website.

Alarm Grid has learned that Alarm.com was experiencing a technical issue that prevented weather-related features from working properly. The issue was successfully addressed by Alarm.com, and it was only temporary. We apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may have caused.

According to Alarm.com, the issue began on last Tuesday evening April 28th, 2020 at roughly 9:50pm Eastern Daylight Time. The technical issue resulted in problems with weather-related features, including weather to panel, severe weather alerts, and weather forecasts that are displayed in user interfaces.

The issue was eventually resolved at roughly 7:00pm EDT on Wednesday, April 29th. Alarm.com users should no longer be experiencing any problems with weather-related features. If you are monitored by Alarm Grid, and you are having problems with Alarm.com, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com to let us know. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that Resideo has made some cool new updates to Total Connect 2.0. The platform has a sleek new look that is sure to turn some heads. Resideo also introduced a more streamlined process for creating scenes. It is a great time to get started with a Honeywell System and TC2.

Upon logging into your Total Connect 2.0 account from either the website or mobile app, you will be greeted by the familiar "What's New" screen that provides an overview of what changes to expect. From there, you will continue to the main menu where you can control your system and smart home devices like usual. The layout isn't too different, so it is unlikely that you will have any trouble navigating the website.

We think the new TC2 interface looks a lot like the UI for the upcoming Resideo PROA7PLUS Security System that everyone is super excited about. That makes sense, considering Honeywell is expected to release the system sometime in the near future. Some of our team members have been beta testing the upcoming system, and we think it will make a great option for DIYers and professional installers alike. You can check out our beta test in this earlier blog post. Also remember to sign-up for our mailing list so that you can stay informed about the upcoming system from Resideo.

In addition to the new look, the latest TC2 update has also changed the previous Automation Menu to the all-new Devices Menu. This new menu features new icons and action buttons for controlling programmed devices. Users will also find it much easier to create new smart scenes, thanks to the new streamlined scenes set up process. Finally, connected SkyBell Video Doorbells can now be streamed in a vertical display or a horizontal (landscape) display.

If you want more information about these changes, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. Our team checks email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. Also remember to check our monitoring page if you are interested in starting monitoring service for use with Total Connect 2.0. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm.com has announced that new versions of their mobile app will soon be arriving for both Android and iOS. Android is getting version 4.11.3, while iOS is up to version 4.12. Both versions include important stability fixes, and the new iOS version provides some special new features.

For Apple users, Alarm.com iOS Version 4.12 will provide the ability to operate their integrated lights from within the Today View section by using a widget. Of course, this can be done from virtually anywhere in the world. This feature can be set up within the App Settings section of the left-hand navigation area.

Additionally, iOS users will soon be able to set up up a Siri Shortcut that will allow them to view the live video stream for a compatible Alarm.com Security Camera or an Alarm.com Video Doorbell. This Siri Shortcut is also set up using the App Settings navigation section within the Alarm.com App.

The new Android version does not offer any new features, but it does include important stability fixes and some minor enhancements. Similar stability fixes and enhancements are also included in the new iOS version. Android Version 4.11.3 can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store, while iOS Version 4.12 will be available for free from the Apple App Store. Check for them in the coming days.

If you don't already have Alarm.com, check out our monitoring page to learn more about our monitoring plans. If you have any questions, you can email our planning team at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F, so keep that in mind when emailing. We look forward to hearing from you!