Different Ways to Arm Your System

This post was orginially published in October 20, 2015 and updated on January 31, 2019 with new product and app information.

The Frontpoint alarm system can be used in many ways and easily adjusts to your lifestyle and home security needs. One way it adapts is through different arming modes—arm away, arm stay, and bypass sensors. Each mode arms specific sensors, giving you different options depending on what you need or what you’re doing.

The biggest advantage of having multiple arming options is that you’ll get convenience without sacrificing security.

Let’s take a look at the different arming modes and how sensors work in each mode, as well as a few situations where you might want to use each mode.

Arm to away mode is the traditional arming method for when you leave your home. In this mode, all of your sensors are armed.

When you use this mode, you are telling your system that no one will be home and any presence should be treated as an attempted intrusion. Whenever no one will be home, you should arm in Away mode. All your sensors will be armed, so your home will be fully protected.

Arm to stay mode signals to your system that someone will be home, but the home still needs to be protected. This mode will arm all of your sensors except for the motion sensors. This secures the exterior of your home through door and window sensors and glass break sensors while leaving you free to roam inside.

A very popular (and the most common) use for armed to stay is at night when everyone goes to bed. This allows you or your kids to get up and walk around to the bathroom or kitchen without fear of setting off the alarm. It’s also perfect for the weekend when you’re lounging around the house or doing housework, and won’t be coming in and out of your home.

What if you want to arm your entire system, but just want a single, specific sensor to be “ignored”? You can do this by bypassing a sensor, which leaves that sensor in a disarmed state.

For more on bypassing sensors, including when and how to do it, ready our blog on Bypassing Alarm Sensors in a Home Security System.

There are three ways to arm or disarm your Frontpoint system:

1. The Frontpoint App.
2. The Frontpoint Website, through the Customer Portal.
3. The Frontpoint Control Panel.
4. The Frontpoint Keychain Remote.

Environmental sensors—Smoke and Heat, Water and Flood, and Carbon Monoxide Sensors—can never be disarmed or bypassed, no matter what method you use to arm or disarm your system. The sensors always remain armed to ensure that you’re protected from potential disasters at all times.

Want more information on arming your Frontpoint system? Visit the Frontpoint Support Center or contact a Customer Support representative.

Frontpoint keeps families safer and more connected in their everyday lives. We've been revolutionizing the home security industry for over a decade. And we're just getting started. To shop DIY home security systems, check out our Security Packages. If you have questions or would like to discuss a quote, contact us at 1-877-602-5276.