Skip to main content
Knowledge Base

Two-Way Audio Installation and User Guide

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF

Two-Way Audio allows a user to listen/talk remotely through a compatible video device and hear recorded audio in saved clips. Learn how to enable Two-Way Audio for the customer and what features they can use. For frequently asked questions about Two-Way Audio, see Two-Way Audio compatibility FAQ.

Two-Way Audio and WebRTC Direct connections for continuous live streaming are available using the Alarm.com customer website and Alarm.com app with certain video devices. For more information about compatible video devices, see Two-Way Audio user features. 

Compatibility requirements

Service package Audio for non-doorbell cameras service package add-on
Playback options
Compatible devices
What is the difference between Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex audio?

Half-Duplex audio allows only one communication channel to be used at a time (i.e., incoming audio from the camera to the Customer website or app, or outgoing audio from the Customer website or app to the camera), similar to a walkie-talkie or traditional two-way radio. These devices require the user to manually enable and disable the camera's microphone and speaker by pressing and holding the microphone icon to speak and releasing it to listen.

Full-Duplex audio allows both communication channels to speak and listen simultaneously, similar to a telephone call. These devices require the user to tap or click the microphone icon once to toggle on microphone and speaker functionality during a stream.

Note: Doorbell cameras display a unique microphone icon when their stream is opened using the Doorbell card on the Alarm.com app's home page or via a push notification (i.e., when the doorbell call screen is accessed instead of the standard live view).

This button functions the same way as the microphone icon on the standard live view screen based on the doorbell camera's Duplex mode.

Audio recording Agreement

The next time the primary login accesses the app or website after the Audio for non-doorbell cameras service package add-on is enabled, they are presented with an Audio recording Agreement, which must be accepted in order to use Two-Way Audio and AI Deterrence with their camera. If the agreement is declined, the add-on is removed from their service package, and the video will revert to being silent.

Two-Way Audio user features

Two-Way Audio is compatible with Half-Duplex (i.e., only one communication channel can be used at a time like a walkie-talkie) and Full-Duplex (i.e., both communication channels can be used simultaneously like a telephone call) audio modes. For more information, see What is the difference between Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex audio?.

Talk or listen

Users can talk through or listen in to their cameras using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website.

Note: If no audio is heard, verify that mic permissions are enabled in your browser and that the correct speakers are being used. The audio is disabled if the microphone icon is grey and crossed out.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Swipe to select the desired video device.
  3. Tap Play .
  4. Press and hold Microphone to speak through the video device.
     
    Note: For Full-Duplex devices, you do not need to hold the Microphone icon after pressing it.
     
  5. Release Microphone to listen.
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap Play on the desired video device.
  4. Tap Fullscreen.
  5. Press and hold Microphone to speak through the video device.
     
    Note: For Full-Duplex devices, you do not need to hold the Microphone icon after pressing it.
     
  6. Release Microphone to listen.
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Live View.
  4. Click and hold Microphone, or press and hold the spacebar.
     
    Note: For Full-Duplex devices, you do not need to hold the Microphone icon after pressing it.
     
  5. Release Microphone to listen.
     
    Note: Two-way Audio is available through the Alarm.com customer website in both Single Camera and Multi-Camera view.
Mute or unmute incoming audio

Audio can be muted and unmuted using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Swipe to select the desired video device.
  3. Tap Play .
  4. Tap sound-mute.svg / icn-sound.svg to toggle audio.
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Mouse over the live video for the desired camera.
  4. Tap sound-mute.svg / icn-sound.svg to toggle audio.
Configure a camera's microphone and speaker

Enable or disable the microphone and speaker for individual cameras and adjust the speaker's Call Volume using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. In Video Devices, select the desired camera.
  5. In Settings, tap Audio.
  6. In Audio Settings:
    • Tap the Microphone / Speaker toggle switch to enable or disable the microphone and speaker for the selected camera. The camera cannot record audio while its microphone and speaker are disabled.
    • In Call Volume, tap or drag the slider to adjust the speaker's volume during Two-Way Audio calls.
  7. Tap Save.
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select the desired camera.
  5. Click Audio.
  6. In Audio Settings:
    • click the Microphone / Speaker toggle switch to enable or disable the microphone and speaker for the selected camera. The camera cannot record audio while its microphone and speaker are disabled.
    • In Call Volume, click or drag the slider to adjust the speaker's volume during Two-Way Audio calls.
  7. Click Save.

Video device streaming quality

Customers can adjust the quality of the video stream that appears in the mobile live feed for consistent Two-Way Audio performance, regardless of network. For more information about how to change a video device's live video image quality, see Adjust the live image quality of a camera.

For more information about the bandwidth requirements for video devices, see What are the internet service and bandwidth requirements for Alarm.com video devices?.

Troubleshooting

Verify the following first:
  1. The Audio for non-doorbell cameras add-on is enabled.
  2. The browser is updated to the most recent version.
If the user cannot hear incoming audio
  1. Verify that the media volume on the mobile device is not muted and the sound is turned up. 
  2. If the mobile device was part of an active phone call, test if the user can hear incoming audio once the phone call has ended.
  3. Test other applications for audio functionality.
  4. Download a clip to see if both voices are audible.
If there is no sound coming from the camera itself
  • Verify that the browser has access to the playback device's (e.g., headphones, other Bluetooth devices, laptop, desktop computer, etc.) microphone. Alternatively, try using another browser.
Additional troubleshooting
  1. Test lowering the resolution and quality to minimize bandwidth usage. For information about adjusting the resolution, see Adjust the live image quality of a camera.
  2. Delete, factory reset, and re-enroll the Two-Way Audio video device. For more information about performing a factory reset, see the video device's factory reset page in Video Devices.