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Keychain Remote - What is it, How to Use it, What are its Uses?

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Keychain Remote - What is it, How to Use it, What are its Uses?
February 28, 2020

Keychain Remote - What is it, How to Use it, What are its Uses?

This post was originally published on October 13, 2015. It was updated on February 28, 2020, with current product information.

Control

your home security system with Frontpoint’s Keychain Remote

The Keychain Remote helps you get the most out of your Frontpoint system. Let’s dive into how it works:

What is a

security keychain remote?

A security keychain remote (also called a key fob or panic button keychain) is a small, portable device that lets you control your home security system remotely.

Frontpoint’s Keychain Remote has four simple actions—arm stay, arm away, disarm, and smart lights on/off. The battery life of the keychain remote is up to five years. It’s a convenient way for you to arm and disarm your home security—just like a key fob you use to lock and unlock a car door.

How to use

security keychain alarms

The following describes how to use your keychain remote with the Frontpoint Hub. Note, different Frontpoint Hubs and Control Panels impact how you use the keychain remote. Read our support guide on the keychain remote for more information.

You can use the security keychain remote within 100 feet of your Frontpoint Hub to manage your connected home devices.

When you need to program your keychain, just call Frontpoint Customer Care at 1-877-602-5276.

Graphic of the Frontpoint Keychain RemoteGraphic of the Frontpoint Keychain Remote

Use the Lock button to arm your home

There are a few ways to use the Lock button to keep your home secure. Simply press it twice to arm your system in Arm Away mode as you leave the house. Arm Away mode is the traditional arming method for your Door and Window, Glass Break, and Motion Sensors.

The keychain is also perfect for securing the exterior of your home when you’re inside. To arm your system in Stay mode, press the Lock button once and hold it for one second. Arming in Stay mode only arms Door and Window and Glass Break Sensors. This allows you to roam freely throughout your home while still being protected from outside intrusions. This mode gives you a 30-second entry delay and a 60-second exit delay.

Disarm your home with the Unlock button

When it’s time to come home or disarm your system, just press the Unlock button once. With your security keychain, you can disarm your Frontpoint system easily, without having to enter your master code on your keypad or touchscreen.

Press the lightbulb button to turn on home lights

The Keychain Remote can control your lights if you’re using any Frontpoint Wireless Light Controls and smart light bulbs. Clicking the button with the light bulb icon will turn your lights on and off.

If you don't want to come home to a dark house, hit the button when you’re outside and watch as your lights turn on. The keychain remote has a range of 100 feet, allowing you to light up your house from the driveway.

Use your keychain

as a remote panic alarm at home

One of the best features of the Frontpoint Keychain Remote is its ability to double as a portable panic button. To activate this hidden panic alarm, press both the Lock and Unlock buttons at the same time and hold for 3 seconds.

The monitoring center will call you after receiving the panic alarm. If you don’t respond, they will immediately dispatch the police.

Who can benefit

from a keychain remote?

Its easy-to-use interface and portable size make the Frontpoint Keychain Remote perfect for every member of your household. And each remote can be personalized, so you'll be able to see who is arming and disarming the system in your account history.

This key fob can also provide comfort to older family members. Using it as a wireless panic button for elderly individuals gives both you and them peace of mind.

When to use

your security keychain remote

Some of the most popular reasons Frontpoint customers use their keychains include:

To easily arm and disarm your system

As the name implies, the Keychain Remote was primarily intended to go onto your keychain, so it's always within reach. Keep it nearby to arm your system as you step out the front door or turn on the lights when you come home.

To make sure your home is secure before bed

Gone to bed only to realize that you forgot to arm your system? Not a problem when you’ve got your Keychain Remote by your bedside table.

Keep track of kids

Know when your kids are coming and going. Just give them their own Keychain Remotes so you can monitor their movements by viewing the system’s activity. Setting up unique user codes is another way to track your kids—with or without a keychain.

To quickly signal for help in an emergency

A spare Keychain Remote is especially useful for backup or emergency situations. Place one in a kitchen drawer or any space where it's easily accessible.

Frontpoint

Keychain Remote troubleshooting

If you ever experience an issue or failure of your Frontpoint Keychain Remote, the best thing to do is contact Customer Care at 1-877-602-5276. You can also refer to the user guide for a refresher on what each button does.

The Keychain Remote offers a lot of convenience and utility in a very small package, making it a great tool to manage your home’s safety on the go.


Frontpoint keeps homes safe whether families are there or not. 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.

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Comments
Andy Kramer
October 20, 2015
These sound great! Being able to arm and disarm your system while in bed would be great. Especially in the winter.
Emily
October 29, 2015
Just got my keychain remote, love it! Only suggestions would be a dedicated panic button instead of having to hit two buttons, and the ability to arm away with no entry delay from the keychain. But I do enjoy the ability to disarm it so easily when I get home each day.
Jerry
November 30, 2015
I just became a Frontpoint customer. I bought a keycahin remote but was told by Frontpoint support that the lights function is not enabled in Frontpoint. Is this true or has anyone got this working yet?
Valerie Saponara
November 30, 2015
Jerry, that light bulb function should be fully functional if you have our wireless AC light modules! However, the asterisks button is the button that is still being considered for different uses and is not functional at this time. Please clarify for me which button you might have been talking about so I can have someone reach out to you to address your AC light features if they aren't working properly.
Jerry
November 30, 2015
I have two lights currently installed in the Frontpoint system. Both light sets show up when I log into the Frontpoint web site and I have been able to setup rules for them. They show up on the Frontpoint App. How do I setup the keychain to control one or both of them?
Valerie Saponara
November 30, 2015
Jerry, we're glad to see you recently called in about setting these lights up, and it sounds like there were a few remaining steps we can help you with (including how to use that keychain remote). So we're going to have someone reach out to you shortly to walk you through that process since there are a couple technical steps involved.
C. Watson
December 17, 2015
I have two of these keypads but every single time i set my alarm now it states "keypad failutre" but they work just fine. Its rather confusing and something I havent had much time to look into. Is there something that is causing this?
Valerie Saponara
December 17, 2015
This is a great question, and it's definitely something we can fix for you in no time. When your system is saying "Keychain Failure" it's talking about one of your sensors and not necessary your keychain remote. "Keychain" is just the generic name we put into the system for all your sensors until you re-name them on your myfrontpoint.com account. That being said, it sounds like one of your sensors is malfunctioning so we're going to have someone from our Support Team reach out to you shortly to fix that for you. Keep an eye out for our phone call!
Tina Norris
June 25, 2016
What does Keychain open mean?
Katie Rynex
July 25, 2016
Tina, great question! By default, all of your sensors are named "Keychain." "Keychain Open" means that one of your Door or Window sensors is reporting opened. Thanks for reaching out and please don't hesitate to give our Support Team a call if you ever need any help in the future!
Richard M
June 29, 2016
What type of signal does the keychain remote use to communicate with the control panel? If the 120 volt power, or my wi-fi were to be disrupted would the fob still communicate with the control panel?
Katie Rynex
July 25, 2016
Richard, great question! If you were to lose your wifi or power, all of your sensors would still properly communicate with your main Control Panel. Thanks for reaching out and please let us know if you have any other questions going forward!
Aimee Neuman
September 2, 2016
What does keychain failure mean?
Katie Rynex
September 5, 2016
Aimee, Keychain failure means that a sensor is not communicating with the control panel, which can be caused by distance, a dead battery, or interference. We would like to assist you in this matter but are having trouble finding your account based on the information we have here. Please send an email to WeCare@frontpointsecurity.com with the name on the account and we will have one of our Support Specialist reach out to you. Thank you for the great question and we look forward to speaking with you soon!
Shena
November 10, 2016
because I don't literally have a keychain remote for my system so you can understand how confusing that may sound to many. It scared me as if someone else has a keychain for my system and is accessing my apartment under my name. Why would you have something hard code named a keychain (the sensor) when you actually carry a literal keychain access remote. Sorry I am illiterate when it comes to computers and just needed to clarify that I am understanding this correctly? Also I noticed this comment below: do you screen your comments because you know that many of us with systems is because we have ex significant others that have been breaking in and mine happens to be this name: I wouldn't want him to have any knowledge that would allow him to bypass it and still get in to my home with this very expensive 3-year home security contract that I am currently stuck in. Richard M - Jun. 29, 2016 at 1:12 PM REPLY What type of signal does the keychain remote use to communicate with the control panel? If the 120 volt power, or my wi-fi were to be disrupted would the fob still communicate with the control panel?
Mindy Padgett
November 8, 2016
Does the key fob work with the standard plan and display box?
Katie Rynex
November 11, 2016
Mindy, they Keychain remote works with all of our plans and control panels. We hope this was helpful!
Shena
November 10, 2016
So when my system says keychain closed or keychain opened by me then that simply means that I have opened and closed the door that has the sensor?
Katie Rynex
November 11, 2016
Great question Shena! Yes, as keychain is the default name of your sensors, this is letting you know that a sensor has been opened.
Pamela Aquadro
November 21, 2019
Do I still have to press the unlock and lock button both at the same time for three seconds in order to activate a panic alert? Just wondering if maybe the Asterix button has taken it’s place. If I do have to use the panic feature, would an alarm go off in the house so that I know it is working?
Angela Schultz
January 26, 2020
Can you tell me what the star or asterisk is used for on the keychain remote?
Frontpoint
March 6, 2020
Hello Angela, thank you for your interest in Frontpoint. The asterisk on our current generation of Key Fob performs the following: Asterisk - Press and hold for 2 seconds to arm Hub in Stay Mode. (Note: This does not work for IQ or XT models). I hope this answers your question, and please let me know if you have any more as we are happy to help.
printlandokhla
February 19, 2020
Nice article keep it up like this in your future.I hope you do best afford and make future bright.
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