Can I control my burglar alarm from my phone? A Guide to Smartphone Alarm Control
- Laura Baker
- 10 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Yes, you can control a compatible burglar alarm from your phone using a secure app.
Depending on the alarm system and how it has been configured, you may be able to set and unset it remotely, check its current status, receive an alert if it activates and review recent system activity.
Smartphone control can be available with both wired and wireless burglar alarm systems. The important factor is whether the alarm panel has a compatible communicator that can connect it securely to the app.
If you leave home and cannot remember whether you set the alarm, you can check through the app rather than going back. You can also receive notifications if the system activates while you are at work, away overnight or on holiday.
In this guide, we explain how a smartphone-controlled burglar alarm works, what you can do through the app and what to consider before choosing one.
Key facts
A compatible burglar alarm app can allow you to:
Set and unset your alarm remotely
Check whether the system is currently set
Receive notifications when the alarm activates
Review recent alarm activity
See which sensor or area caused an activation
Give authorised family members their own access
Receive images when compatible camera detectors are installed
The exact functions available will depend on the alarm, communicator, devices and monitoring service you choose.
How does a smartphone-controlled burglar alarm work?
A smartphone-controlled burglar alarm uses a communicator to connect the alarm panel to a secure cloud service.
You then access the system through an app on your smartphone. Instead of relying only on the keypad inside your home, you can check and control the alarm when you are somewhere else.
The connection may use your home internet, a mobile data network or both. This depends on the communicator installed as part of your system.
App control is not limited to wireless alarms. Both wired and wireless burglar alarm systems can offer smartphone access when fitted with a compatible panel and communicator. The right option will depend on your property, any existing alarm equipment and the features you require.
Midland Alarm Services installs HKC alarm systems that can be connected to the SecureComm app. This gives customers remote access through compatible Apple and Android devices.
What can I do with a burglar alarm app?
Features vary between systems, but a suitable burglar alarm app can make several everyday tasks much easier.
Set your burglar alarm after leaving home
It is easy to leave home and then wonder whether you remembered to set the alarm.
With app control, you can check the system’s status from your phone. If it has not been set, you can arm it remotely without returning home.
Unset your alarm remotely
You can also unset the alarm through the app.
This can be useful when you arrive home with shopping, need to let an authorised person into the property or want to unset the system before opening the door.
Remote access should only be given to people you trust. Each user should have their own authorised access where the system supports it, rather than sharing passwords.
Check whether the alarm is set
Sometimes you do not need to change anything. You simply want to know that the alarm is protecting your home.
The app allows you to check the system’s current status while you are at work, staying away overnight or on holiday.
Receive instant alarm notifications
When an app-connected alarm activates, a notification can be sent directly to your phone.
The notification can help you identify what has happened and which part of the system was triggered. You can then decide what action is appropriate.
SecureComm is a self-monitoring service. This means alerts are sent to authorised users, but the app does not automatically provide a police or emergency-service response. If you require professional monitoring, you should discuss the available options with your alarm installer.
Review recent alarm activity
A burglar alarm app can provide access to an event log showing recent system activity.
Depending on the system, this may include:
When the alarm was set or unset
Which user operated it
Which sensor was activated
Details of an alarm event
System warnings or faults
This can be particularly useful when several people use the alarm.
Receive images from compatible detectors
If your alarm includes compatible camera detectors, the system may be able to send images following an activation.
This can help you understand what caused the alarm before deciding what to do next. Image verification is not included with every app-controlled system, so it needs to be considered when the alarm is specified.
Share access with family members
More than one authorised person can be given access to a compatible system.
This may be helpful for:
Couples
Families with older children
Trusted relatives
People who regularly need access to the home
Individual access makes it easier to manage who can use the alarm and remove access when it is no longer required.
What can you do with the SecureComm app?
The HKC SecureComm app allows you to manage and monitor a compatible burglar alarm from your smartphone. Available functions depend on the alarm system and devices installed.
SecureComm app feature | What it allows you to do |
Set and unset the alarm | Control your burglar alarm remotely when you are away from the property. |
Part-set the system | Protect selected areas of your home, such as downstairs rooms, while you remain inside. |
Check the alarm status | See whether the system is currently set, unset or part-set. |
Receive alarm notifications | Get an alert on your phone if the alarm activates. |
View the event history | Review recent activity, including when the alarm was operated and any system activations. |
Identify the activated detector | Check which detector or protected area caused an alarm event. |
Check detector activity | See the status of detectors and when they were last activated. |
Receive images | View images following an activation when compatible camera detectors are installed. |
Use a virtual keypad | Access alarm controls through a virtual version of the system keypad. |
Manage other connected devices | Depending on the equipment installed, the app may also control compatible lights, heating, gates or CCTV. |
Some functions require compatible equipment and must be configured by the alarm installer. SecureComm is a self-monitoring service, so alerts are sent to authorised users rather than automatically to the police or emergency services.
Can I control my burglar alarm while I am on holiday?
Yes. As long as your phone and alarm system have the necessary connection, you can usually access your burglar alarm app while you are abroad.
You can check that the alarm is set, review its activity and receive notifications if it activates.
If other trusted people have authorised access, they may also receive alerts and respond if you are unavailable.
It is sensible to check that notifications are enabled before you travel. You should also make sure the app is up to date and that you know who you would contact locally if the alarm activated.
What happens if my alarm goes off while I am away?
An app alert lets you know that the system has detected an event, but it does not necessarily mean somebody has entered your home.
An alarm might activate for several reasons. The information shown in the app can help you identify which sensor or area was involved.
If your system includes compatible camera detectors, you may also be able to view an image associated with the activation. You can then decide whether to contact a neighbour, trusted family member, keyholder or the emergency services.
Do not put yourself or somebody else at risk by asking them to enter a property when an intruder may still be present.
Will my burglar alarm work if the internet goes down?
The alarm system will normally continue protecting your home locally if your broadband connection fails. Its detectors, control panel and external sounder do not rely solely on the smartphone app to operate.
However, remote controls and app notifications require a working communication path between the alarm and the cloud service.
What happens to those functions depends on the communicator installed:
A Wi-Fi-only communicator may temporarily lose app connectivity.
A dual-path communicator may switch to a mobile data connection when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
If all communication paths are unavailable, remote functions may not return until a connection is restored.
Your installer can explain which type of communication is included with your system.
Will a smartphone-controlled alarm work during a power cut?
Professionally installed burglar alarms usually contain a rechargeable backup battery. This allows the alarm panel and connected security devices to continue operating for a limited period if the mains power fails.
App access will depend on whether the alarm still has a working communication path. For example, a home router without its own backup power will stop working during a power cut, while a compatible mobile-data communicator may continue communicating.
The condition of the alarm’s backup battery should be checked during routine servicing.
Is controlling a burglar alarm from your phone secure?
A professionally configured smartphone alarm uses protected communication between the alarm, its cloud service and the app.
You still need to protect your account and phone properly. We recommend that you:
Use a strong, unique password
Secure your phone with a PIN, password or biometric lock
Keep the alarm app and phone software updated
Avoid sharing account details
Remove access from old or lost devices
Review authorised users when somebody no longer needs access
If you lose your phone, contact your alarm provider if you need help removing the device or securing your account.
Do I have to pay to control my burglar alarm from my phone?
App-connected alarms normally require a communication or monitoring subscription.
The cost depends on the alarm provider, the communication method and the features included. Self-monitoring services are different from traditional alarm receiving centre monitoring, so it is important to understand what response, support and connectivity you are paying for.
Ask your installer to explain any ongoing charges before the system is installed.
Can an existing burglar alarm be controlled from a phone?
In some cases, an existing burglar alarm can be upgraded with a compatible communicator. In others, the panel may need to be updated or replaced.
It will depend on:
Whether the existing alarm is wired or wireless
The make, model and age of the control panel
The condition of the existing equipment
Whether a suitable communicator is available
The app features you want to use
Whether you want Wi-Fi, mobile data or dual-path communication
An alarm engineer can inspect the existing system and explain whether an upgrade is practical.
Is a smartphone-controlled alarm right for you?
An app-controlled alarm may be useful if you:
Spend long periods away from home
Travel regularly
Want to know whether the alarm is set
Want alerts sent directly to your phone
Have several authorised alarm users
Want the option of image verification
Are replacing or upgrading an older alarm
The app does not replace the alarm itself. It gives you an additional, convenient way to manage a properly installed security system.
Midland Alarm Services installs and upgrades wired and wireless burglar alarm systems with smartphone control across Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands. We can explain the available features, communication options and ongoing costs before recommending a system.
Contact our team to arrange a free home security survey and find out which app-
controlled alarm would suit your property.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set my burglar alarm from my phone?
Yes. A compatible smartphone-controlled burglar alarm allows you to set the system remotely through its app.
Can I check whether my burglar alarm is set?
Yes. The app can show whether the system is set or unset, provided the alarm has a working connection to its cloud service.
Can wired burglar alarms be controlled from a phone?
Some wired burglar alarms can be controlled through an app if the panel supports a compatible communicator. An engineer will need to assess the existing system and equipment.
Can more than one person use the alarm app?
Compatible systems can support multiple authorised users. Each person should use their own approved access rather than sharing account details.
Does my burglar alarm still work if the Wi-Fi goes down?
The alarm should continue protecting the property locally. App access may be interrupted unless the system has a working mobile-data or alternative communication path.
Can I control my burglar alarm while abroad?
Yes. You can normally access the app while abroad if both your phone and alarm system have a working internet or mobile-data connection.
Can I add phone control to an existing burglar alarm?
Possibly. Some alarms can be fitted with a compatible communicator, while older systems may need a new control panel. An engineer will need to assess the existing equipment. Give us a call and we can arrange a free consultation.
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