Hi everyone, I wanted to share my experience transitioning from a v2 hub to the SmartThings ADT panel. While the process was mostly smooth, I encountered a tricky issue with ‘phantom devices’ that I’d like to walk through in case others run into the same problem.
The Setup
I recently upgraded my security system, moving from a traditional v2 hub to the SmartThings ADT panel. The transition went well, and I was able to pair most of my ADT sensors without major issues. Everything seemed to be working as expected, and I even signed up for ADT monitoring. However, things took a turn when I tried adding an ADT keyfob.
The Issue
After pairing the keyfob and renaming it, I followed the standard procedure of running a system test to ensure all devices were communicating properly with ADT. This involves placing the panel in test mode, arming it, and setting off the alarm to trigger each sensor. While the test worked for most of my devices, the keyfob refused to cooperate. I removed and re-added it multiple times, but ADT still showed two keyfobs—one real and one phantom. No amount of button pressing could clear the phantom device.
The Solution
After some research in this community, I discovered that the test process specifically looks for panic activation on the keyfob. This involves holding down the ‘Stay’ and ‘*’ buttons simultaneously for three seconds. On my next test, this cleared one keyfob, but the phantom one remained. I reached out to SmartThings support, where Ryan provided excellent assistance. He mentioned something about ‘phantom devices’ and suggested logging into ADT Canopy, which I hadn’t heard of before.
Upon logging into Canopy, I found a section listing all my monitored devices. There, I spotted the phantom keyfob and deleted it. This resolved the issue, allowing me to pass the system test and restore service.
Key Takeaways
- ADT Canopy: While the SmartThings app handles most interactions, ADT Canopy is essential for managing devices and resolving issues like phantom devices. It’s a crucial tool that wasn’t mentioned in any of the initial instructions.
- Community Support: The advice I found here was invaluable. If you’re struggling with similar issues, don’t hesitate to search the forums or reach out to support.
- Ryan from SmartThings: A huge shoutout to Ryan for his patience and expertise. His help was instrumental in resolving the issue.
I hope this story helps someone else avoid the frustration I felt. Happy automating everyone!