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iOS Quick Controls

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iOS Controls makes Alarm.com more accessible by bringing key controls directly into the iPhone experiences customers already use every day (i.e., Control Center, Lock Screen, and Action Button). With just a tap or press, you can send commands (i.e., arming your system, locking doors, opening garage doors, or running Scenes) without opening the app, while still having the option to jump back into the app for full device access when needed.

Requirements

  • An iOS device with iOS 18+
  • iPhone 15 Pro and newer is required to use iOS Quick Controls with the Action Button
  • The iPhone must be fully unlocked before an Alarm.com command can be completed

Features

  • Support for everyday actions such as security, locks, garage doors, lights and switches, Scenes, and Buzz Open.
  • Customers can access their most-used Alarm.com actions right from the places they already use on their iPhone.
  • Actions are performed with a quick tap or press from Control Center, the Lock Screen, or Action Button.
  • The most-used Alarm.com controls are ready when they are needed.
  • Quicker access to systems on an iPhone, with no additional setup or configuration required from dealers.

Configure iOS Quick Controls

iOS Quick Controls can be confirgured using the iOS device (i.e., Control Center, Lock Screen, and Action Button).

The Control Center is a customizable menu that can provide access to frequently used Alarm.com actions and it is available by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen.

Note: The information displayed depends on the size of the control and the available space in Control Center. Larger controls can show the device icon, name, and status, while smaller controls may show only the icon.

To configure the Control Center:
  1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
  2. Tap Add in the upper-left corner.
  3. Tap Add a Control.
  4. Select the desired Alarm.com control from the gallery.

The Lock Screen offers two customizable buttons. The default buttons (i.e., flashlight and camera) can be customized with an Alarm.com control. The Lock Screen shortcuts for Alarm.com controls will only display the device icon and they can be pressed and held to trigger the command.

To configure the Lock Screen buttons:
  1. Press and hold the Lock Screen.
  2. Tap Customize.
  3. If both Lock Screen buttons are already configured, tap Minus to remove an existing button.
  4. Tap Add, then select the desired Alarm.com control.

The Action Button is a physical button on the side of the iPhone that can be assigned an Alarm.com control. The Action Button can be pressed and held to run the command. A short press shows a hint of what the button is set to do.

Important: An iPhone 15 Pro or newer is required to used the Action Button.

To configure the Action Button:
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Action Button.
  3. Swipe to Controls, then tap Choose a Control.
  4. Select the desired Alarm.com control.
 

Command and Status Updates

For security purposes, customers must fully unlock their iPhone before an Alarm.com command can be completed.

After sending a command, controls display a confirmation based on the device type:

  • For the security system, locks, and garage doors, you will see a Sent status with an arrow icon while the command is being confirmed. Once confirmed, the status clears.
  • For Scenes and Buzz Open, you will see Sent briefly (about 3–5 seconds), then the control resets.
  • For lights and switches, the update is immediately based on the command sent.

Device status stays up to date through silent push notifications. When a device state changes, a silent push prompts the app to request an updated status for iOS Controls, helping ensure the latest device state is reflected without relying on a periodic refresh cadence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Even though controls appear on the Lock Screen, your iPhone must be fully unlocked before any command is sent. You will not accidentally arm or unlock something just by waking your phone.

It depends on the device type:

  • For the security system, locks, and garage doors, you will see a Sent status with an arrow icon while the command is being confirmed. Once confirmed, the status clears.
  • For Scenes and Buzz Open, you will see Sent briefly (about 3–5 seconds), then the control resets.
  • For lights and switches, the update is immediately based on the command sent.

Widgets and Controls are built on the same foundation, but they live in different places and work differently. Widgets appear on places like the Home Screen and Today View, while Controls are available in Control Center, the Lock Screen, and the Action Button. No matter where you access them, you can view device status and perform actions without opening the app. 

You can customize the size of each Control in Control Center. Larger Controls take up more grid spaces, but they can also show the device name and current status. Smaller Controls take up less space and show only the icon.

To adjust the size of Controls:
  1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
  2. Tap Add.
  3. Tap and drag the corner of the desired Control to adjust the size.
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