Using a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 with Apple HomeKit
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Description
In this video, Jorge explains how the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Alarm System cannot be used with Apple HomeKit. Apple HomeKit is an automation platform that is used by many iOS users. It allows for some powerful smart home features, and you use it to conveniently control any programmed HomeKit devices.
The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus does support integrations with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Those integrations will provide you with some options for controlling the Qolsys IQ panel 2 Plus using spoken voice commands. But unfortunately, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus cannot be used with Apple HomeKit, at least as of February 2020. It is possible that HomeKit support may be made available for the system sometime in the future, but for now, it simply isn't possible.
One decent alternative for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 users is to set up Siri Shortcuts. This will require that the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is set up with Alarm.com for monitoring service. While it isn't quite as intricate as Apple HomeKit, the Siri Shortcuts feature can still be a convenient way to control your automation devices through spoken commands. Any iOS device running Apple iOS Version 12 or higher can be set up for use with Siri Shortcuts.
If you are absolutely set on using a security system that is compatible with Apple HomeKit, then your best option is the Honeywell Lyric Controller. This is a HomeKit-compatible security system that can be integrated nicely with your other HomeKit devices. You can have your HomeKit devices respond automatically based on certain actions and events affecting your Honeywell Lyric Alarm System. Additionally, you will also be able to control your Lyric System remotely using Siri voice commands, provided that you have a proper HomeKit Hub set up. Examples of HomeKit Hubs include an iPad, an Apple HomePod, or an AppleTV Gen 4 or higher.
https://www.alarmgrid.com/faq/will-a-qolsys-iq-panel-2-work-w-slash-apple-homekit
http://alrm.gd/get-monitored
Transcript
Hi, DI Wires. I'm Jorge from Alarm Grid. Today, we're going to be going over whether or not the Qolsys IQ Panel 2, or the IQ Panel 2 Plus is compatible with HomeKit. So the quick and easy answer to this is, no. There is no HomeKit support for the IQ 2 or the IQ 2 Plus. What is HomeKit? HomeKit is an app for you iOS users out there, apple, that allows you to integrate a lot of different HomeKit devices together such as HomeKit has lights, they have locks, thermostats, switches. They have a whole bunch of different automated devices for your home that make it a little more convenient to control from your phone. So if you have an IOS device and an Apple device, you have HomeKit devices. Right now, there is no HomeKit support for the IQ 2 or the IQ 2 Plus, and there has been no talk of it. So the only options for the IQ 2 or the IQ 2 Plus is the Alexa or Google Home Assistant. So there's no HomeKit, but if you guys are interested in getting Alexa or the Google Home Assistant, you guys can integrate the IQ 2 Plus to that because the system comes already ready to be used with that service. Now, the way that these integrations work, because a lot of people do get confused at how it works, you're never going to be able to directly connect the IQ 2 Plus to Alexa or to Google Home Assistant. The way that it works is with the service integration. So when you get the IQ 2 and the IQ 2 Plus, and you get Monitoring Service through the alarm.com platform. Once you have alarm.com, then that is when you can integrate and link the accounts together. So, for instance, for Alexa, there's skills that you have to enable. If you go to the Alexa Library where you can search for the skills, you will see if you type in alarm.com when you search for the Alexa skills, an Alexa skill, alarm.com, will show up. After you download or enable that skill, you then have to enter in the login information for alarm.com to link in your remote control of the system into the Alexa app. After you've done that, you can then tell Alexa, Hey, Alexa tell alarm.com to arm my system away, or to arm my system stay. You can tell Alexa to tell you the status of the alarm system. So there a couple of different things you can do. The same thing would apply for Google Home Assistant. I'm sure there's something that you have to enable in Google Home Assistant, where you have to download the alarm.com feature. Again, you need your login credentials and password to link in the accounts. And then you'll be able to use the Google Home Assistant to control your alarm.com system, which will be the IQ 2 Plus. Now, if you guys are looking for HomeKit support, right now, the only systems out there that do support HomeKit are the Honeywell Lyric Controller, which is this panel off to the side. And we also have the DSC iotega. Both of these systems are great systems. If you are looking at going with one or the other and you're looking for DIY control of your own system, I would recommend the Honeywell, or now known as Residual, lyric controller. And the DSC iotega, it is HomeKit compatible. But the thing with that system is when you guys are programming it or setting up, anything you guys ever want to add to that DSC iotega system, it would have to be done with your alarm company on the phone because that system doesn't have a local programming. It needs to be done with programming with the dealer or the alarm company. So like I said, the IQ 2 or the IQ 2 Plus does not have HomeKit support. It does have Google Home Assistant and Alexa. If you guys need help setting up your IQ 2 Plus or the IQ 2 for monitoring to get this integration, feel free to contact us. You can email us at support@alarmgrid.com. If you find this video hopeful, make sure you like underneath. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. And that little bell icon, make sure you enable that so whenever we upload new content, you all get notified. I'm Jorge, and I'll see you guys next time.
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