Support for the Yale Sync Alarm
Here you will find support for the Yale Sync Smart Alarm.
Getting Started
Getting Started with the Yale Sync Alarm.
How do I install my Yale Sync Alarm?
- Please follow the quick start guide provided in your kit.
- All accessories in the kit are pre-linked and wire-free, making installation quick and simple.
- You will need to download the Yale Alarm App to creare an account and configure your alarm settings.
- Alternatively, you can view Yale's How to install tutorial on YouTube by clicking here.
How do I set up Alexa?
In the Alexa app do the following to enable the Yale Smart Living custom skill:
- Open the Alexa App, tap the 3-Bar-Menu and select 'Skills'
- Search for 'Yale Smart Living' in the search bar
- Select 'Yale Smart Living' skill in the results page
- Select 'Enable'
- Enter the Yale Alarm app username and password
The following phrases can be used:
- 'Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living is the alarm armed?'
- 'Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living to arm my alarm?'
- 'Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living is the back door open?'
- 'Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living is the patio locked?'
- 'Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living home arm the alarm'
NOTE: The name of devices will vary depending on how you named them in the Yale Alarm App.
You can also ask, 'Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living how did I name everything?' to know how what’s your devices name, or say 'Help' for more information about the Yale Smart Living Skill.
How do I set up Philips Hue?
In the Yale Alarm app, select Settings from the burger menu in the top left of the screen and select 'Hue Lights Settings'. Then follow the on-screen instructions to link your Hue account to your alarm.
In the app screen, select Settings from the menu in the top left of the screen. Then select 'Hue Lights Settings' and follow the on-screen instructions to link your Hue account to your alarm system.
How do I set up Geolocation?
To enable the feature:
Go to the app menu and select:
Settings → Users → Notification Settings → Geo-notification Settings
Enable the feature and save your home location on the map.
For Android users, please make sure you have Home app 2.0.0 or later.
- For iOS users, please make sure you have Home app 2.0.2 or later.
What Yale app do I need to download?
- Ensure that you're connected to the internet and download the Yale Smart Living Alarm app on your iPhone, or via the Google Play Store if you're an Android user.
Everyday Use
How do I add more accessories to control the alarm?
All the devices in your kit are already pre-paired with your Smart Hub. In case you have bought an additional Key Pad, please follow the instructions below to add it to your system.Key Pad InitialisationIf you are adding the Key Pad as an additional device to your alarm system, you need to initialize the device first.- Press the 'Panic button A' key followed by the factory default Key Pad code '0000' (this is different to your Control Panel PIN).
- Press the 'Panic button A' key followed by the '7' key to set the Key Pad into Control Panel system mode (also known as secondary mode).
- The LED will now flash slowly, indicating that it is in test (programming) mode.
- Press the 'Panic button A' key followed by the '7' key to set the Key Pad into Control Panel system.
- Exit test mode by pressing the disarm key twice. The Key Pad code and mode setting have been completed. The Key Pad will now use the same PIN that is set for the Control Panel.
How do I delete a user from the system?
Existing users can be removed in the Yale Smart Living Alarm App.
How do I remove an accessory from my Smart Alarm System?
Accessories can be removed in the Yale Smart Living Alarm App.
Select the device section on the Yale Smart Living Alarm App and follow the on-screen instructions:
How will I be alerted if the alarm has been triggered?
You can choose how you wish to be alerted. Options include e-mail alerts or text alerts, as well as push notifications via the app.
To manage your notification settings, go in the Yale Alarm App menu, select:
Settings > Users > Notification Settings
How do I change the Keypad PIN?
Please follow these steps:
Enter setting mode: Press Panic Button A, followed by entering the current PIN (factory default code is 0000).
(The LED will now flash continuously.)Press Panic Button B.
Enter a new 4-digit PIN.
Press the Arm button to confirm.
Exit setting mode:
- Press Disarm twice to quit the PIN change process, or
- Wait for 5 minutes for the Key Pad to exit test mode automatically.
(The LED will stop flashing.)
For systems with the Yale Smart Living Alarm App, users can also change the PIN within the app.
How do I link this with my other Yale devices?
- Home View Camera:
In the Yale Home app settings, use Home View Settings to connect to your Home View Camera. - Yale Smart Living Locks:
Locks can be connected using the Yale Sync Lock Module. - Yale Smart Living Apps:
All installed Yale Smart Living apps on your phone can be accessed directly from the app's burger menu.
- Home View Camera:
FAQ's
What do the LEDs on the Smart Hub mean?
- Network LED (Green)
LED ON: Connected to Yale Home server
LED OFF: Disconnected from Yale Home server - Fault Status LED (Amber)
LED ON: System Fault. Check the App History Log to know more about the fault reported
LED Flash: AC failure. Check the Smart Hub is correctly connected to the main power
LED OFF: System normal - Panel Mode LED (Red)
LED ON – System in Full Armed Mode
LED FLASHES – System in Part Armed Mode
LED OFF – System in Disarm Mode
- Network LED (Green)
How many accessories can I add to my Sync Smart Home alarm?
The Sync Smart Hub can support up to 40 accessories. The 200m range means you can protect your shed and garage too. If you are ordering additional accessories for your system, please make sure you order accessories with AC- at the start of the product code for compatible products.
Should the light flash on my PIR?
The light will flash on initialization when the battery tab is removed.
Can I arm downstairs and leave upstairs unarmed?
Yes, you can configure ‘part-arm’ settings in the Yale Alarm App so that specific devices will not set off the alarm when in part-arm mode. You have full control and can change these settings if required at any time without the need to move your accessories.
To manage the device settings and set the behaviour of the device during part arm mode please go to the app menu, select “Settings”>”Alarm Settings”>”Devices”, then select each of the devices and set the device mode that better match your needs.
Is the Sync Alarm System compatible with any other Yale System?
The Sync alarm shares common accessories with the Yale Intruder alarm. These accessories have a prefix of AC- at the front of their product code. Please note EF, SR, and HSA Accessories are not compatible with the Sync alarm.Can I add more than one siren to my Sync Alarm?
Yes, you can add more than one siren. You can add additional devices from the Yale Alarm App, go to the app menu, select “Add Device”, follow the instruction on the screen, activate the learning mode, and then press the learn button on the device. (remove the siren cover to access the siren learn button)
Please be aware that adding an additional siren will cause you to lose some of the management features
How long will the siren sound for when the alarm is triggered?
3 minutes, after that the siren will stop and only sound again if the system detects further motion/events.
How loud is the external/ internal siren?
The technical specification is 104 decibels (dBA). The internal siren in the Sync Hub is 100 decibels.
For what period of time is the Yale alarm warranty valid?
2 years from the date of purchase.
How can I part arm my alarm?
You can configure ‘part-arm’ settings in the Yale Alarm App so that specific devices will not set off the alarm when in part-arm mode. You have full control and can change these settings if required at any time without the need to move your accessories.
What accessories can I add to my Sync Smart Home Alarm?
There are many additional accessories available that allow you to expand your system, including Pet-friendly PIR motion detectors, Door and Window contacts, key fobs, Key Pads, and more.
The Sync Smart Hub can support up to 40 accessories, and the 200m range means you can protect your shed and garage too. If you are ordering additional accessories for your system, please make sure you order accessories with AC- at the start of the product code for compatible products.
Can I extend my entry/exit time on this alarm?
Yes, this can be changed in the settings of the Yale Alarm App.
What is the maximum movement detection range of a PIR?
The PIRs will respond to the movement of up to 12 meters away and 110 degrees when placed in a corner of a room, movement is detected from floor to ceiling.
I have a shed/garage, will I be able to use a detector in this location?
The Sync Smart Home Alarm is the perfect choice for protecting sheds and garages, as accessories can be located up to 200m from the Sync Smart Hub. If you are ordering additional accessories for your system, please make sure you order accessories with AC- at the start of the product code for compatible products.
Does the Sync Smart Home Alarm work with Apple Homekit?
No. Keep an eye out on social media as we are working hard with our integration partners to bring Apple Homekit integration as soon as possible.
How often will I have to change the batteries in my alarm system?
Batteries should last for 18-24 months. To change the batteries in your accessories, go to the App and select the device that needs new batteries, and follow the battery change instructions.
Will my pet Dog or Cat trigger my alarm?
Pets can set off the alarm when detected by a PIR motion detector. For small pets, under 27kg a pet-friendly PIR motion detector can be used which can be adjusted to suit your requirements. For rooms that need to be protected whilst, larger pets are in the room, a door/window contact is recommended to protect the area instead.
Which Pet PIR is compatible with the Sync Smart Home Alarm?
The PIRs will respond to movement of up to 12 meters away and 110 degrees when placed in a corner of a room, movement is detected from floor to ceiling.
What happens if the Internet goes down?
The alarm will remain in the state it was before the Internet went down. The communication between your hub and devices is on a wireless frequency that does not rely on an internet connection, so the system will continue to operate as normal, however, you would need to arm or disarm your system via a physical accessory such as a keypad or key fob until the internet connection is re-established. Please note that without an internet connection to your Hub, you will not be able to operate the alarm via the App.
Is my Yale alarm insurance approved?
To be Insurance approved the system would need to be a graded alarm and comply with the European standard EN 50131
All of our alarms are self-monitored and self-install, to ensure no monitoring fees, they are not graded and therefore do not comply with the standard.
Please check with your individual insurance providers if a graded system is required.
How many smart devices can I add to my alarm system?
You can add up to 40 devices in total, of which a maximum of 6 smart locks can be connected at once.
Troubleshooting
Why does Alexa not reply to my voice commands?
- Only the new Yale Sync Alarm is compatible with Amazon Alexa. If you have an SR alarm that is not yet compatible, Alexa integration is currently available through the Yale custom skill only. Yale has indicated that additional smart home skill options may become available in the future.
- Make sure the Yale Smart Living skill is enabled and that you have linked your Alarm account to the skill. See the setup instructions for enabling the custom skill.
- You can ask for help within the Yale Smart Living skill to learn more about how to use it.
- Say:
- "Alexa, open Yale Smart Living"
- Then say "Help"
- To control devices through voice commands, you must use the device names that you selected in the Yale Alarm app.
- You can also ask Alexa for your device names by saying:
"Alexa, ask Yale Smart Living how did I name everything?"
Why aren't my devices learning into my system?
This could be due to a number of reasons, including compatibility issues, interference, being out of range, a faulty device, or an internet connection problem.
Check that the accessory you are learning into the system has the correct prefix on the product code. For Sync Alarm accessories, all accessory codes should start with AC-.
Check that your Sync Hub is connected to the internet and that there are no fault lights showing on the Hub.
Make sure your accessory is within a 200m range of the Sync Hub.
My Keypad arms but doesn't disarm my alarm?
Please remove the Key Pad from the system, then complete the following procedure:
Press the 'Panic button A' key followed by the factory default Key Pad code '0000' (this is different to your Control Panel PIN code).
Press the 'Panic button A' key followed by the '7' key to set the Key Pad into Control Panel system mode (also known as secondary mode).
The LED will now flash slowly, indicating that it is in test (programming) mode.
Press the 'Panic button A' key followed by the '7' key to set the Key Pad into Control Panel system.
- Exit test mode by pressing the Disarm key twice. The Key Pad code and mode setting have now been completed. The Key Pad will now use the same PIN code that is set for the alarm.
My panel says it's offline
Check the connection going to your router. Then turn the hub and the router off together, swap the ports and power both the router and hub back up together.
My panic button isn't working
Please press and hold for at least 5 seconds to activate.
Why can't I see all of my devices on the app?
This is because the app and hub aren't synced. To sync please follow the below instructions.
- Open 'System Information'.
- Press and hold 'SMS balance'.
- Under 'Refresh Panel', when it shows, click 'Tap to Refresh'.
My app is showing battery missing/dead what does this mean?
This is because the backup battery is switched off. Please turn on the backup battery under the white rubber grommet.
Alarm regularly sounds, but no messages in-app. What is the reason for this?
Please ensure the tamper spring in the back of the siren is flush against the wall.
You can add packing material to compress the spring if needed.
My alarm activates immediately when entering the property.
This is because the PIR Motion Sensor covering the door, or the Door/Window Contact on the door, is set to Burglar mode.
Any sensor that is covering or connected to an entry point must be set to Entry mode. This will trigger the entry countdown when the sensor is activated, rather than activating the alarm immediately.
Follow the steps below to change it:
- Go to Settings → Alarm Settings → Devices and select the sensor (PIR or Door/Window Sensor).
- Select "Entry Zone" from the list.
- Press Save to confirm the change.
Once the sensor is configured as an Entry Zone, entering through that door will start the countdown timer and allow time to disarm the alarm.
My PIR is not responding when I arm the system
The PIR goes into sleep mode for two minutes. Please vacate the area covered by the PIR for a full two minutes before testing.
I haven't set up my app within the 3-hour setup window. What should I do?
Disconnect the power supply from the time you turn on and connect the hub ton the internet to register the app.
My Smart Hub is beeping every 30 seconds and also has an orange light illuminated
This means there has been an alarm activation or there is a fault in the system. Please fully alarm the system, then disarm. If the fault light is still on please go into the app and check if there are any faults.
Why is my alarm beeping every 30 seconds with an amber circle around the Yale emblem?
This will be a fault in the system i.e., a low battery or a tamper fault. Please check the fault log in the App to see what the issues are.
I keep getting supervision failure
Please ensure supervision is disabled in the settings app.
My hub won't connect to the Internet
Check all the wires are connected and your router is connected to the internet. Power down the hub including the back up battery and the router, then turn the hub and router back on. Try again to connect.
Why does my alarm keep triggering for no reason?
This could be for a number of reasons. Consider the location and environment of the sensors, for example ensuring that the PIR Motion Detectors aren't close to sources of heat.
My app won't load
Please check your phone connection and ensure the latest app and firmware are downloaded to your device.
My Keyfob is not working
Please make sure the switch on side of the Keyfob is switched on. A light will flash blue when you need to use it. When not in use please switch it off in order to save batteries.