SimpliSafe's Smart Lock can be locked and unlocked from the app and, where SimpliSafe lists support, by a linked voice assistant. Check SimpliSafe's site for the current list of assistants and commands, since integrations change and unlocking by voice is often restricted. Link the account in the assistant's app, discover the lock and use a simple name. Because a spoken unlock could let anyone in earshot open the door, assistants normally need a PIN or refuse to unlock, and you should insist on that.
The checks in more detail
Locking by voice is safer. If a voice command fails, check the lock is online, the Base Station is online, the account is linked and the name matches. If the Base Station announces Smart Lock Not Responding, follow the not responding article. Voice cannot change lock settings such as auto-lock. Update the SimpliSafe app and the assistant. If commands stop, relink the account and rediscover devices. The lock uses SimpliSafe's own radio link rather than wifi, so voice control depends on the Base Station's internet connection.
Keep a key available in case voice and app both fail. Test locking by voice while standing at the door so you can see the bolt move. Give the lock a short unique name. Practise locking by voice a few times. If you want voice locking at bedtime, pair it with the app's status so you can confirm the bolt moved without walking to the door.
Voice commands go through the Base Station's internet connection, so a lock that works from the PIN Pad but not by voice points at the Base Station or the account link, not at the lock. Remember that a smart speaker in a room near the door can hear a person outside a window, so keep the lock out of reach of such speakers or leave voice unlock disabled entirely. Decide once whether voice should be allowed to lock only, and set that rule for the household so nobody experiments with unlocking.
Differential
Likely causes of “SimpliSafe Smart Lock Series 2 does not respond to voice control”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An unlinked account
What separates it The assistant cannot find the lock because the SimpliSafe account is not linked to it
How to confirm Link the SimpliSafe account in the assistant's own app, following its sign in prompts
- 2
An offline lock
What separates it Commands fail because the lock is offline and cannot receive them
How to confirm Fix the lock's batteries and range, so that it comes back online in the app
- 3
An offline Base Station
What separates it No commands work because the Base Station is offline and has lost its internet connection
How to confirm Restore the Base Station's internet connection, then check the lock shows online in the app
- 4
A name mismatch
What separates it The assistant says the lock is not found because the name does not match
How to confirm Use the exact name of the lock, and ask the assistant to discover devices again
- 5
Unlock refused
What separates it An unlock command is refused because the assistant needs a PIN for it
How to confirm Use the app instead to unlock the door, or give the PIN when the assistant asks for it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which voice assistant you are using with the lock
- The exact name that you gave the lock
- Whether a PIN is asked for by the assistant
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck SimpliSafe's site
ReversibleCheck the SimpliSafe website for the list of assistants that are supported with the Smart Lock.
Link the account
ReversibleLink the SimpliSafe account in the assistant's app, signing in with your SimpliSafe login when asked.
Use a simple name
ReversibleUse a simple name for the lock, so that the assistant can match what you say to the device.
Check the lock and Base Station online
ReversibleCheck that the lock and the Base Station are online, since an offline device cannot take commands.
Require a PIN for unlock
ReversibleRequire a PIN for unlocking by voice, since it stops anyone nearby from opening the door by speaking.
Relink if commands stop
ReversibleRelink the account if commands stop working, and ask the assistant to discover devices again.
Contact SimpliSafe
ReversibleContact SimpliSafe if it fails, and tell them which assistant you use and the message you get.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Voice
- Locking is safer than unlocking.
- Link
- Depends on the Base Station's internet.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the lock is unresponsive, follow its article
- !If an unlock is refused, use the SimpliSafe app to unlock the door instead
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Range, interference, battery and update steps.
Settings.
Notification types and setup.
Users and invitations.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I lock by voice?+
Where SimpliSafe lists support, yes, you can ask a linked assistant to lock the door.
Can I unlock by voice?+
Unlocking by voice usually needs a PIN, so that a spoken command alone cannot open the door.
Why does it fail?+
A failure usually means the lock is offline, or the link with the assistant has gone stale.
Should I use a PIN?+
Yes, use a PIN for unlocking, since it makes voice control much safer for your door.