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Connect to Home Assistant

By default, Zendo connects using remote connection. This means you can control your property while you’re away.You can also enable automatic selection: Zendo will use local connection on trusted Wi-Fi networks, and remote connection everywhere else.

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Remote connection

Zendo connects directly to your Home Assistant over the internet, using HTTPS. Learn more in Security.Remote connection is required for:

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Automatic selection

With automatic selection enabled:
  • At home (on a trusted Wi-Fi network), Zendo uses local connection.
  • Away from home, Zendo uses remote connection.
  • Zendo keeps working when your home internet is down (as long as you’re connected to a trusted network).

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Security approach

We’ve chosen an approach that guarantees the highest security level without compromising your experience. We also follow the security best practices set by the Home Assistant Companion app.

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Signup

We require a remote connection to be configured at signup.There are a few reasons why:
  • You can complete your setup while you’re away (sometimes activation takes a little longer).
  • Your Home Assistant credentials are transferred to your Home Assistant in a safe way.
When you sign up, you have to login using username and password. Zendo uses a secure browser (sandboxed) that’s fully controlled by iOS/Android. We have no access to what you type, and iOS/Android enforces HTTPS, so your credentials are protected in transit.

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Set up Local Connection

  1. Tap
  2. Tap “Settings”
  3. Tap “Property”.
  4. Tap “Edit Home Assistant Connection”.
  5. Set “Local Connection” to your internal URL (for example http://192.168.1.100:8123, or your Home Assistant IP).

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Trusted networks

Add the Wi-Fi names (SSIDs) you want to consider as trusted. Zendo will only use local connection on these networks.
  1. Tap
  2. Tap “Settings”
  3. Tap “Property”.
  4. Tap “Edit Home Assistant Connection”.
  5. Tap “Trusted Wifi Networks”.
  6. Add the Wi-Fi names (SSIDs) you want to trust.
The list of trusted networks automatically syncs to all your devices.
Local connection is not encrypted. Only add trusted networks if you fully control the network.

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System permissions

In “Automatic selection” mode, Zendo reads the device’s current Wi-Fi name (SSID) to decide when it can use local connection. To do that, the app needs location permissions. This is an Apple and Android restriction.Location permissions are optional: if you don’t grant location access, Zendo will default to remote connection. That’s by design.Your Guests don’t need to grant location access. They will use remote connection.Set location permissions like this:
  1. Tap
  2. Tap “Settings”
  3. Tap “About Your Zendo”
  4. Ensure all items under “System Check” are green.
Alternatively, check the Zendo app’s location access in your iOS or Android Settings. Ensure the Location permission is set to Always or Allow all the time, and that Precise Location is on.

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Troubleshooting

Check which connection is being used, and whether permissions are set correctly.
  1. Tap
  2. Tap “Settings”
  3. Tap “Device Settings”.
  4. Tap “System Info”.
  5. Find the “Connection” section.
  • “Current Connection” shows the connection being used right now.
  • “Available Connections” lists what Zendo can use, based on your settings and current Wi-Fi network.
  • “Current Ssid” shows the current Wi-Fi name. If it’s blank, please check the system location permissions.

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Offline mode

If local connection is enabled, Zendo can work without the internet for a limited time.While offline, Zendo can’t fetch updates to your floorplan, automations, or other settings. Please keep devices online.