# Garage Doors & Electric Gates
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/automatic-closure
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control garage doors and electric gates.
Open or close them, and check their status. Tap Close gate as you head out for the night, open the garage from upstairs when a delivery arrives, or check the front gate is shut before bed, all from your floorplan. Garage doors and gates are visible in both [Control and Security & Safety mode](/floorplan/modes).
Every open or close event shows up in the [Safety & Security activity feed](/safety-physical-security/intro), so you can see when a garage door or gate was opened or closed. The activity feed is for monitoring only: to actually open or close, add an accessory to your floorplan.
***
## Add garage doors and electric gates to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) for each garage door or electric gate, next to where it's installed. That way you can open or close with a single tap.
For an electric gate, map your [outdoor areas](/floorplan/outdoor-areas) first. Draw the driveway, then place the accessory where the gate is installed.
***
## Restrict access to garage doors and electric gates
# Calendar & Weather
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/calendar-weather
## Intro
Many wall tablets (iPad and Android) support running two apps side by side. This gives a better experience than embedding basic calendar or weather UIs inside Zendo:
* More powerful apps: Use your preferred full-featured calendar or weather app.
* Always up to date: Use native platform widgets and background updates.
* Flexible layouts: Resize each app to the proportions you want.
We recommend running Zendo alongside your favourite calendar or weather app using split-screen or multi-window.
***
## iPad: Run two apps side by side
There are two common ways to enter Split View on iPad:
### Using the Multitasking menu (iPadOS 15+)
1. Open Zendo.
2. Tap the ••• Multitasking button at the top of the window.
3. Choose Split View.
4. The Home Screen appears - pick your calendar or weather app.
5. Drag the divider to adjust each app's width.
### Using the Dock (all recent iPadOS versions)
1. Open Zendo.
2. Swipe up slightly to show the Dock.
3. Touch and hold your calendar or weather app in the Dock, then drag it to the left or right edge until it appears side by side.
4. Release to enter Split View, then adjust the divider.
To replace one side, swipe up for the Dock and drag a different app onto that side. To exit Split View, drag the divider fully to one edge.
***
## Android tablets: Run two apps side by side
Steps can vary slightly by device brand and Android version, but the flow is similar:
1. Open Zendo.
2. Open the app switcher (Recents). On gesture navigation, swipe up and hold; on button navigation, tap the square/recents button.
3. Tap the app icon for Zendo and choose Split screen (or Split top/left).
4. In the other half, select your calendar or weather app from Recents or the app list.
5. Drag the divider to resize the two apps.
On some tablets (Samsung, Xiaomi, Lenovo), you can also start split-screen by long-pressing the app icon in the taskbar or enabling Multi-Window in Labs/Advanced features.
***
## Tips
* Keep Zendo larger if you mainly control your property, and keep the calendar/weather compact.
* For at-a-glance info, consider platform widgets on the Home Screen or tablet launcher.
* Battery life can improve if you dim the display and use a charger designed for continuous use.
# Thermostats, Aircon, TRVs & Sensors
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/climate
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control your thermostats, aircon units, and TRVs (radiator valves) for both heating and cooling. You can also add temperature sensors to rooms that don't have a thermostat, so you can monitor the temperature on your floorplan.
You can change the mode, view the current room temperature, and adjust the target temperature. A full history of temperature and humidity readings is also available, making it easy to spot trends over time.
***
## Climate mode
When adding or editing a climate accessory, you can choose between the following modes. In all three modes, you can optionally add a humidity sensor and air quality sensors.
### Single Thermostat (default)
Control a thermostat or air conditioner. This is the default mode, and the one used by existing configurations.
### Multiple Thermostats
Control more than one thermostat or air conditioner in the same room.
### Sensors
Display readings from standalone sensors. This is useful for rooms that don't have a thermostat but where you still want to monitor temperature, humidity, or air quality on your floorplan.
***
## Supported thermostat modes
* **Heat**
* **Cool**
* **Heat/Cool**: dual setpoint mode, where you set both a low and a high target temperature.
* **Dry**: dehumidification mode.
* **Fan**: fan-only mode, no heating or cooling.
## Fan speed
For aircon units and furnaces, you can also control the fan speed.
## Temperature units
The temperature is automatically converted between Celsius and Fahrenheit based on your device settings.
***
## Add thermostats, aircon units, and TRVs to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) for each room that has a thermostat, aircon unit, TRV, or temperature sensor. You can only have one climate accessory per room.
***
## Restrict access to climate accessories
With [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl), you can decide who can control your thermostats, aircon units, and TRVs. For instance, you could hide them from kids or guests.
***
## Supported brands
# Doors & Windows Sensors
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/contact-sensor
## Intro
With Zendo, you can see at a glance whether your doors and windows are open or closed. Contact sensors live on your floorplan, giving you a quick visual check across your property. They are visible in [Security & Safety mode](/floorplan/modes).
Keep an eye on the battery level of your sensors in the [Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) section of the app.
Door and window events show up in the [Safety & Security activity feed](/safety-physical-security/intro), so you can review when a door or window was opened or closed.
***
## Add contact sensors to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) to the floorplan for each contact sensor, next to the door or window where it's installed.
When adding a sensor, you can choose whether it monitors a **door** or a **window**.
***
## Upgrading to a smart lock
If you later add a [smart lock](/accessories/door-lock) to a door that already has a contact sensor, you can remove the door sensor accessory, add a door lock accessory instead, and select the same contact sensor in the door lock configuration. The lock will then show both lock status and whether the door is open or closed.
***
## Restrict access to door & window sensors
***
## Supported brands
# Smart Door Locks
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/door-lock
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control your smart locks.
Lock or unlock, pull the latch/spring (when supported), and check whether the door is open or closed. Smart locks are visible in both [Control and Security & Safety mode](/floorplan/modes).
Keep an eye on the battery level of your smart locks in the [Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) section of the app.
Every lock or unlock event shows up in the [Safety & Security activity feed](/safety-physical-security/intro), so you can see when the door was locked or unlocked. The activity feed is for monitoring only. To actually lock or unlock the door, add an accessory to your floorplan.
***
## Add smart locks to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) for each smart lock, next to the door where it's installed. That way you can lock or unlock with a single tap.
***
## Link a smart lock to a room
Linking a smart lock to a room lets you unlock the door straight from a [smart doorbell](/accessories/doorbell) live stream, so you can answer the door and let someone in with ease.
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap the lock accessory on your floorplan
5. Scroll down and set a room under "Room"
Once linked, the lock appears as a control in the doorbell's live stream for that room.
***
## Restrict access to smart locks
***
## Supported brands
# Smart Doorbells
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/doorbell
## Intro
With Zendo, you can see who's at the door, talk to them, and take action, all from one screen.
Smart doorbells work just like [security cameras](/accessories/security-camera), with two extras: two-way audio so you can speak with your visitors, and the ability to unlock the door if you have a smart lock nearby.
Smart doorbells live alongside cameras, locks, gates, and an activity feed in the [Safety & Security overview](/safety-physical-security/intro). Tap the "Activity & Cameras" button at the bottom of your floorplan to open it.
***
## Set up your smart doorbells
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Activity & Cameras" at the bottom of your floorplan
5. You can now add, change, or delete smart doorbells.
You can link each doorbell to a room in your floorplan and add an optional label to identify it quickly.
***
## Using your smart doorbells
You can view all your smart doorbells directly from the floorplan, regardless of your current floor. Simply tap the Activity & Cameras button.
The Activity & Cameras view provides a snapshot of each doorbell for quick status checks. These snapshots refresh periodically.
### Live stream
Tap a doorbell to open its live stream.
### Two-way audio
While viewing the live stream, tap the microphone icon to talk to your guests and hear their reply. Handy for telling the courier where to leave a parcel or letting a friend know you'll be right there.
**Home Assistant:** two-way audio requires a WebRTC and a remote connection. It might not work on a [local connection](/home-assistant/local-control).
**Homey:** two-way audio is not supported. This is a limitation of the Homey platform.
### Control accessories
While watching a doorbell stream, you can control nearby accessories with ease:
* **Lights** - turn on outdoor lights to see who's there, even at night.
* **Door lock** - if you have a [smart lock](/accessories/door-lock) at your front door, you can unlock it directly from the camera view. To set this up, [link the lock to the same room](/accessories/door-lock#link-a-smart-lock-to-a-room) as the doorbell.
***
## Push notifications
Get notified on your phone or tablet when someone rings the doorbell, with a snapshot image so you can see who's there before opening the app.
### Home Assistant
Follow the [push notifications setup guide](/automate/push-notifications#configure-home-assistant) to install the integration. Once set up, you can [send notifications that open your doorbell's live stream](/home-assistant/notification-deep-link) when tapped.
### Homey
Open the Zendo iOS/Android app, tap > **Settings** > **Property** > **Push Notifications** and follow the instructions on screen to install the Homey integration.
If you've already set up push notifications, tap **Refresh Settings** to make sure your Homey settings are up to date.
In Flows, you can set up automations like:
* **When:** doorbell rings
* **Then:** select the Zendo app, then send a notification with image, and configure it
![Homey doorbell notification]( "Homey doorbell notification")
| | |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Type** | Set it to Time-sensitive so your iOS/Android device can prioritise the notification. Standard also works. |
| **Target** | Select the person that should receive the notification. To add more people, visit [People & Invitations](/share/invite). |
| **Message** | Your message, e.g. "Someone is at the door". |
| **Image** | Select the snapshot from your doorbell. |
| **Open screen** | Select your doorbell. |
Tapping the notification will open the Zendo app and start the live stream. Your microphone is muted by default so you can check who's at the door without letting them know.
If your doorbell doesn't support snapshots, use the **Send a push notification and open screen** flow card instead of **Send a push notification with image**. It works the same way but without the image: configure the type, target, and message, then select your doorbell as the **Open screen** destination.
Opening a doorbell from a notification bypasses [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl). The receiver can view and control the doorbell even if they wouldn't normally have access. Make sure you're sending the notification to the right person.
***
## Answer the door from a wall tablet
Push notifications are great for reaching you when you're **away from home**. When you're **home**, you can also turn a wall-mounted tablet into a full-screen door panel that rings out loud and shows who's there, so you can answer on the spot without picking up your phone.
This works on top of push notifications, ringing your tablets the moment someone's at the door. See [Use your tablet as a door panel](/permanent-devices/doorbell-alerts-intercom).
***
## Restrict access to smart doorbells
***
## Supported brands
# EV Chargers
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/ev-charger
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control your EV chargers directly from the floorplan. Start or stop charging, check the current status, and adjust advanced settings like charge limits and charging modes.
The accessory on the floorplan lights up when the charger is enabled or actively charging.
Dedicated EV Chargers support with rich controls and monitoring is only available on Homey. For Home Assistant, they can be added as [on/off accessories](/accessories/generic-on-off).
***
## Add an EV charger to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) for each EV charger, at the location where it's installed.
Multiple chargers installed at the same location can be added together. Each charger retains its own controls.
***
## Advanced controls
Tap the "More" button on the charger to access advanced controls including:
* Details about the current charging session
* Change the Charging mode (e.g. Fast, Eco, Solar)
* Set the charge limit
* Lock the charging cable
* View the per-phase power breakdown
If your charger is reporting an active fault, the fault type will be displayed in the fault section.
***
## Restrict access to EV chargers
***
## Supported brands
# Request Accessory Support
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/feedback
Help us shape the future of Zendo. Tell us what accessories you'd like to control next.
## I have an accessory that is not supported
Help us shape the future of Zendo. We're adding more accessory categories soon.
Please check if your accessory is already on [our roadmap](https://myzendo.com/roadmap), or get in touch.
## My accessory is supported but it has a missing feature
# On/Off Accessories, Smart Plugs
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/generic-on-off
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control smart plugs and on/off accessories, including smart relays. You can also view a history of power usage and energy consumption for supported devices.
You can set a custom icon based on what it controls, such as Christmas trees and decorative lights, hairdryers, coffee makers, electric vehicle chargers, turntables, and more.
Long-press an accessory on the floorplan to toggle on/off.
***
## Add on/off accessories to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) at the location of the accessory in the room.
For example, you could place your coffee machine smart plug on the floorplan, on the kitchen counter.
***
## Supported brands
# Humidifiers & Dehumidifiers
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/humidifier-dehumidifier
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control smart humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Combi devices that handle both humidification and dehumidification are also supported.
You can set a target humidity level, switch between device modes (e.g. sleep, quiet, auto), and monitor the current humidity in the room.
***
## Custom humidity sensor
By default, Zendo displays the humidity reading from the device's built-in sensor. If you have a separate humidity sensor you'd like to use instead, you can select it in the accessory settings.
## Water tank monitoring
If your device supports water tank level monitoring, Zendo will show a message on the accessory and an alert on the floorplan when it's time to fill or empty the tank.
***
## Add humidifiers & dehumidifiers to the floorplan
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be added as an [accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) on the floorplan. Place it near the device's location in the room.
***
## Supported brands
# Lights
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/light
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control all your lights, including smart light bulbs, wall switches, dimmers, and relays.
You can turn lights on or off, adjust the dimming level, change colour, and monitor the battery level of portable lights in the [Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) section of the app.
A single light accessory on your floorplan can control one light, a whole room, or a group of lights of your choice.
Long-press a light on the floorplan to toggle on/off.
***
## Add lights to the floorplan
Lights are essential in every automated property, and a room often has multiple light sources.
To keep control simple, add a light **room accessory** to control **all the lights** in the room. This gives you quick, easy control, so you can turn them all off with a single tap.
### Automatic grouping
This is the recommended setup.
Before you start, please link each Zendo room to the [matching Home Assistant/Homey room/area](/floorplan/rooms-floors).
When the rooms are linked, select "All lights" when you add the light room accessory.
Zendo will automatically create the group for you, and keep it up to date when lights are added or removed from the room.
### Manual selection
If you'd rather choose the lights yourself, select "Let me choose" when you add the light accessory.
Pick one or more lights from the list. As well as your individual lights, the list includes any light groups you've already made in Home Assistant/Homey, such as a Philips Hue room/zone or a wall switch that controls several lights.
For example, if you have three pendant lights over your dining table, pick all three to show them as a single accessory on your floorplan, with one on/off and brightness for all of them. You don't need to create a group in Home Assistant/Homey first, and you can still control them individually.
### Add individual lights to the floorplan (optional)
Some lights are better as individual accessories on the floorplan, especially lights you often control individually. For example:
* Task lighting, such as a desk lamp or a reading light next to a chair or sofa.
* Bedside table lights.
* Kitchen under-cabinet lights.
In these cases, [add them individually to the floorplan](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory).
If your floorplan has many lights, you can [hide some on small screens](/floorplan/accessory-visibility) to keep things tidy. You can choose which lights stay always visible, like your bedside lights, so they're always easy to reach.
### Outdoor lights
Got garden, patio or perimeter lights? Map your [outdoor areas](/floorplan/outdoor-areas) first, then place the lights where they belong.
For perimeter lights, draw a thin strip of gravel or paving around your house as a buffer, then drop your lights onto it. That way your outdoor lighting sits exactly where it does in real life.
***
## Control a group of lights
Whenever an accessory controls more than one light - a whole room, a Home Assistant/Homey group, or lights you picked yourself - Zendo gives you a colour wheel that sets them all from one place, so you don't have to adjust each light individually.
### See every light on the wheel
Each light sits on the wheel as its own dot, at the colour it's currently set to. One look tells you what the whole room is doing.
Drag a dot to change the colour of that light.
### Group lights while you adjust them
Drag two dots close together and they snap into one. A single drag then moves all of them at once. Drag them apart to split them again.
### Colour & whites
A selector switches the wheel between colour and warm-to-cool whites. Only the modes your lights support are shown, so you never see an option a light can't do.
### Set the brightness
A single slider sets the brightness of whatever you've selected: one light, a group of lights, or the whole room.
### Smooth dimming for groups
When the lights in a group are set to different brightness levels, dimming or brightening the group keeps them that way. Zendo moves them up and down together and keeps their relative brightness, instead of setting them all to the same level.
### Control individual lights in a group
Along the bottom, there's a tile for each light in its real colour, with a switch to turn that light on or off. Tap a tile to jump to that light and adjust it on its own.
You get both:
* Control the whole group with a single tap.
* Control individual lights when you need to.
***
## Setting the mood
The room feels different with the right light. Bright for getting things done. Warm and soft for slowing down.
With Zendo, you can bring up mood scenes for each room right from your floorplan. Tap "Wake up", "Relax", "Party", "Sleep", or any mood you've set up in Home Assistant/Homey, and let the room shift to match the moment. It's an easy way to make each space feel just right, with a single tap.
Here are some examples of mood scenes created for Homes:
* **Wake up**: Start your day gently with wake-up lighting that helps you feel refreshed.
* **Work from home**: Need to focus? This mood helps you concentrate and stay productive.
* **Housekeeping/cleaning**: Sometimes, you just need everything bright to spot the dust or focus on the ironing.
* **Relax**: When your day is done, it's time to wind down.
* **Party**: Celebrate any occasion, big or small, in style.
* **Sleep**: Drift off as the lights transition to a warm tone and dim.
* **Meditate**: Put both your mind and body at rest.
When you add a [light to a room](/floorplan/manage-accessories#room-accessories) on your floorplan, Zendo automatically creates moods; no extra linking needed. You can always fine-tune them in the "Moods" section of each light.
***
## Troubleshooting
### Sockets as lights on Homey
On Homey, some devices are classified as "socket" even though they are physically lights (e.g. a smart plug controlling a lamp, or a relay wired to a light fixture). Zendo uses the device type set in Homey to decide what is a light, to stay consistent with the official Homey app. If a device is not marked as a light in Homey, it can't be used as a light in Zendo.
#### How to fix it
1. Open the **Homey app**.
2. Go to **Devices** and find the device in question.
3. Tap the device, then open its **Settings** (gear icon).
4. Under **"Plugged in"**, change the device type from "Socket" to **"Light"**.
5. Save the changes.
Once the device type is updated, restart the Zendo app and the light will appear in the listing as expected.
***
## Supported brands
# Speakers & Media Players
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/media-player
Control music all around the property.
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control smart speakers and media players throughout your property.
You can change tracks, play or pause, and adjust the volume for each player or room. The artwork for the current media is displayed too.
Additionally, you can monitor the battery level of portable speakers in the [Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) section of the app.
On the media player screen, tap the artwork to open your streaming app (currently, only Spotify is supported).
***
## Add speakers & media players to the floorplan
Speakers and media players are displayed at the bottom of the floorplan so you can reach them quickly or control them as a group.
### Add a speaker / media player
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap the "+" at the bottom of the screen and select "Speaker & Media Player"
5. Select the speaker or media player you want to add and link it with a [room](/floorplan/rooms-floors).
### Change a speaker / media player
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Speakers & Media Players" at the bottom of the screen
5. Select the Speaker / Media Player you want to change
### Remove a Speaker / Media Player
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Speakers & Media Players" at the bottom of the screen
5. Select the Speaker / Media Player you want to delete
6. Tap "Delete" at the bottom of the screen
***
## Favourites
Favourites let you save Spotify albums, playlists, and internet radio stations for quick access.
Favourites are only available on Home Assistant.
All playlists play in shuffle mode automatically, so you'll get a different track every time you play.
### Add or manage favourites
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Speakers & Media Players" at the bottom of the screen
5. Tap "Manage Favourites"
6. Add a Spotify album or playlist, or add a radio station.
Family Sharing (Access Control) also applies to favourites. You can have different favourites for guests or kids. Learn more in [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl).
Spotify only allows login using your username and password. Social logins like Facebook or Google are not supported.
### Configure your Home Assistant
### Play favourites on Sonos
Zendo supports Spotify on Sonos natively, without the need for Music Assistant.
* Spotify only works when you have a Spotify Premium account linked to your Sonos system.
* Spotify Daily Mix / Made For You playlists might not work when the Spotify account used to add the playlist to Zendo doesn't match the account configured on your Sonos system.
* Radio: ensure the [Radio Browser integration](https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/radio_browser/) is enabled in Home Assistant.
### Play favourites on any other speaker
Spotify support for Music Assistant is in early-access and it might not work as expected. We will release it to the wider public later on.
To play favourites on other speakers, you need to have the Music Assistant integration installed and linked to a Spotify Premium account.
Please enable Music Assistant integration in Home Assistant and configure your [Player Providers on Music Assistant](https://www.music-assistant.io/player-support/).
Once you've configured your Music Assistant, you can [add your Music Assistant players in Zendo](#add-a-speaker-%2F-media-player).
For radio: ensure the [Radio Browser integration](https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/radio_browser/) is enabled in Home Assistant.
***
## Supported brands
# Presence Sensors
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/presence-sensor
## Intro
With Zendo, you can see at a glance which rooms are occupied. Motion, presence, and occupancy sensors feed into your floorplan so you always know where activity is happening across your property.
You can add multiple sensors to the same room and Zendo aggregates their status, so if any sensor in the room detects presence, the room shows as occupied.
Presence sensors are visible in [Security & Safety mode](/floorplan/modes).
Keep an eye on the battery level of your sensors in the [Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) section of the app.
Presence events show up in the [Safety & Security activity feed](/safety-physical-security/intro), so you can review recent activity across your property.
***
## Add presence sensors to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) for each room where you have a motion, presence, or occupancy sensor. You can add multiple sensors to the same room and their status is aggregated automatically.
***
## Restrict access to presence sensors
***
## Supported brands
# Robot Vacuums
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/robotic-vacuum-cleaner
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control robotic vacuum cleaners (hoovers).
Start or pause cleaning, send it back to dock, and play a sound to locate your robot.
***
## Add a robot vacuum to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) to the floorplan for each robot vacuum, near its dock location.
***
## Supported brands
# Smoke, CO, Gas & Water Leak Sensors
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/safety-sensor
Don't rely solely on Zendo for critical or life-threatening situations. Sensor readings can be delayed or unavailable due to network issues, device settings, or hardware problems. Always ensure you have dedicated safety systems and backup alert methods in place.
## Intro
With Zendo, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, gas leak detectors, and water leak detectors live on your floorplan, giving you an instant view of any active alerts across your property.
Safety sensors are visible in [Security & Safety mode](/floorplan/modes).
Safety alerts show up at the top of the [Safety & Security activity feed](/safety-physical-security/intro), so you can review when an alarm was triggered.
***
## Add sensors to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) for each room where you have a smoke, CO, gas or water leak sensor. You can add multiple sensors to the same room and their status is aggregated automatically.
Set up a [critical push notification](/automate/push-notifications) to alert you immediately when a sensor triggers. Critical notifications bypass mute and Do Not Disturb settings, so you won't miss an alert even if your phone is silenced.
***
## On the floorplan
Sensors are grouped by room. The room icon turns red when any sensor in the room detects an issue.
The **Activity & Cameras** button at the bottom of the floorplan turns red when any sensor detects an issue, regardless of which floor you are currently viewing.
***
## Safety sensor detail
Tapping a safety sensor on the floorplan opens the detail overview. It shows "No Safety Issues" when all sensors are clear, or a list of active alerts (e.g. "Smoke detected - CO detected") when one or more sensors detect an issue.
If you've added a CO sensor and the sensor reports CO concentration, an air quality indicator bar is displayed showing the current level.
***
## Safety alerts in the Activity & Cameras view
When one or more sensors detect an issue, a **Safety Alerts** section appears at the top of the Activity & Cameras view.
Each affected room is shown. Tap a tile to open the activity history for that room.
***
## Restrict access to safety sensors
***
## Supported brands
# Security Cameras
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/security-camera
## Intro
With Zendo, you can watch a live stream of all your security cameras at a glance.
You can also turn on lights in the same room to improve image quality in low-light conditions.
Cameras live alongside locks, gates, and an activity feed in the [Safety & Security overview](/safety-physical-security/intro). Tap the "Activity & Cameras" button at the bottom of your floorplan to open it.
***
## Set up your security cameras
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Activity & Cameras" at the bottom of your floorplan
5. You can now add, change, or delete cameras.
You can link each camera to a room in your floorplan and add an optional label to identify it quickly.
***
## Using your cameras
You can view all your cameras directly from the floorplan, regardless of your current floor. Simply tap the Activity & Cameras button.
The Activity & Cameras view provides a snapshot of each camera for quick status checks. These snapshots refresh periodically.
### Live stream
Tap a camera to open its live stream.
Additionally, you can turn on lights in the same room to enhance image quality in low-light conditions, directly from the live stream player.
***
## Restrict access to security cameras
***
## Supported brands
# Fans & Air Purifiers
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/ventilation
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control smart fans. You can turn them on or off, set the fan speed, choose between oscillating or stationary modes, reverse the airflow direction, and change presets.
Air purifiers are also supported. The values of built-in air quality sensors will be displayed (e.g. PM2.5, PM10, CO2, TVOC). Filter monitoring is also supported: a message will be displayed when it's time to change the filters.
Long-press a fan accessory on the floorplan to toggle on/off.
***
## Add fans & air purifiers to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) to the floorplan for each fan or air purifier.
The fan functionality can also be used for mechanical ventilation (e.g. MVHR units).
***
## Supported brands
# Blinds & Curtains
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/accessories/window-covering
## Intro
With Zendo, you can control smart blinds and curtains.
Open, close, or set them to a specific position (if supported) with just a few taps.
Keep an eye on the battery level of your blinds and curtains in the [Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) section of the app.
Long-press a blind/curtain accessory on the floorplan to toggle open/close.
***
## Add blinds & curtains to the floorplan
[Add an accessory](/floorplan/manage-accessories#add-an-accessory) to the floorplan for each blind or curtain, next to the window where it's installed.
***
## Restrict access to blinds & curtains
With [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl), you can decide who can control your blinds & curtains. For instance, you could hide them from kids or guests.
***
## Supported brands
# Shortcuts
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/automate/automation-floorplan
Launch your favourite automations directly from your floorplan.
## Intro
With Shortcuts, you can set up to eight automations (or scenes) that you can launch directly from your floorplan.
Shortcuts are perfect for frequently used routines like "I'm leaving" or "I'm back", or for frequent tasks like housekeeping.
## How it works
Each shortcut sits as a button on your floorplan, easily accessible from any room. One tap is all it takes: no menus, no digging through settings.
A shortcut can do one of the following:
* **Start an automation.** Run a multi-step routine you've already set up, like "Wake up" or "I'm leaving".
* **Apply a scene.** Switch your lights, blinds, or media to a saved look or mood.
Shortcuts don't replace your automations: they launch them. Anything you can already do with a automations, a Shortcut can have it one tap away.
### Create shortcuts with the AI assistant
If you're not sure where to start, the Zendo AI assistant can build shortcuts for you. Describe what you want in plain language, for example, "dim the lights and play my relax playlist", and the assistant puts the shortcut together. It can also suggest shortcuts based on the devices in your home.
## Set up your shortcuts
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Shortcuts" at the bottom of your floorplan
5. You can now add, change, or delete shortcuts.
## Inspiration: recommended shortcuts
With Zendo, you can set up custom shortcuts any way you like, but we recommend creating some (or all) of the following.
Use the Zendo AI Assistant to create them for you; or use the descriptions as inspiration to create matching automations on your Home Assistant/Homey, then use Shortcuts to start them.
### Shortcuts for homes
Lights fade on gently, your favourite playlist starts, the temperature adjusts, and blinds open to let in natural light. The door locks behind you, the indoor cameras pause, and the security system disarms automatically.
All lights turn off, blinds close, doors lock, and the thermostat switches to energy-saving mode. Indoor cameras and the security system arm, and your robot vacuum might start cleaning.
Bedroom lights slowly brighten, blinds open to welcome the day, soft music plays, the thermostat warms up and your coffee machine starts. The security system disarms and cameras pause any indoor views.
Lights dim and then turn off, blinds close, and your doors lock. The thermostat adjusts for sleep, and the security system arms for the night.
Lights shift to a soft, warm glow, blinds close for privacy, and a calming soundscape begin to play. Distractions fade, and your space becomes peaceful.
Lights adjust for focus, blinds open for natural light (or close to reduce glare), and your workspace gets cosy with just the right temperature. Music plays, indoor cameras are paused, and the robot vacuum stays docked so you're not interrupted.
### Shortcuts for commercial properties
Lights turn on in common areas, signage and displays power up, HVAC switches to comfort mode, indoor cameras pause where appropriate, and the security system disarms for opening.
All lights turn off, blinds close, doors lock, non-essential equipment powers down, indoor cameras resume as needed, and the security system arms for the night.
# Location-based Automations (Geofences)
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/automate/geofences
Your property on autopilot. Have it ready for your arrival and save on bills when you're away.
## Intro
With Zendo, you can configure automations that run even when the app is closed or your phone is locked. Automations can trigger when you arrive or leave a location, or when you open the app at or away from a specific place.
When a location-based automation triggers, the Zendo app will directly connect to your Home Assistant/Homey to start the automation, keeping your data private.
Location-based automations are linked to the people you [invite to your Zendo](/share/invite). Automations automatically apply to new devices (e.g., phones/tablets) you add for a person. If you change your phone, you don't have to do anything; automations will just work.
Location-based automations require a remote connection so your Home Assistant/Homey can be reached while you're away.
If you use Local-only control, location-based automations will be disabled.
## Geofences vs Zendo location-based automations
Location-based automations on Zendo are a bit different from traditional geofences.
Geofences only trigger when arriving or leaving a location. If the mobile signal is weak or the phone isn't connected to the internet, they can fail silently.
Location-based automations on Zendo run when you arrive or leave a location, just like geofences. However, if the mobile signal is weak or the phone isn't connected to the internet, a **notification appears**, prompting you to open the app. When you open the app, automations run again, keeping everything working smoothly.
We've chosen this approach to improve reliability over traditional geofences.
## At Property/Away automations
At Property/Away automations (also known as "At Home/Away") help you know if someone is at property or not, so you can adjust settings to save energy or security.
To set up a new automation:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "People & Invitations"
4. Select the person the automation will apply to
5. Tap "Manage location-based automations"
6. Tap "Add automation"
7. Make sure **Automation type** is set to **At Property/Away** (or **At Home/Away**)
8. Select actions.
## Custom location automations
Sometimes, you want to run specific actions at specific locations.
If you use Zendo at home, you could trigger automations when you get to the office or when the kids are at school.
With Zendo, you can trigger actions when arriving or leaving a chosen location.
To set up a new automation:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "People & Invitations"
4. Select the person the automation will apply to
5. Tap "Manage location-based automations"
6. Tap "Add automation"
7. Make sure **Automation type** is set to **Custom Location**
8. Choose the location you want to monitor.
9. Select actions.
## Inspiration: what you can automate
Here are some ideas to get you started.
For homes, you could:
* Save energy when you're away by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to Eco mode.
* Have your home comfortably heated or cooled by the time you arrive.
* Get a warm welcome back home with lights (only after sunset).
For commercial properties, you could:
* Disarm the alarm when staff arrive.
* Switch on signage/HVAC at opening.
* Power down at closing.
## Automations are not working
If something isn't working, please check our [troubleshoot guide](/automate/troubleshoot-issues#location-based-automation-issues).
# Push Notifications
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/automate/push-notifications
Sent notifications from your automations.
## Intro
The alarm is armed. The front door unlocks. The washing machine is done. Push notifications are a simple way to stay connected to what's happening at your property, even when you're not looking.
With Zendo, you can send push notifications to all people you've invited who have the app installed. You can target a specific person or a group. Additionally, when someone installs Zendo on a new phone or tablet, they automatically receive notifications, no extra setup required.
***
## Set up push notifications
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Property"
4. Tap "Push Notifications"
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Android devices require an extra step to enable Critical Notifications. Please follow our guide on [how to enable critical notifications](/automate/troubleshoot-issues#enable-critical-notifications).
***
[TODO: ADD MORE PLATFORMS]: #
### Configure Home Assistant
### Install push notification
1. Install [HACS](https://www.hacs.xyz/docs/use/) if you haven't already.
2. Add [Zendo to HACS](https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/hacs_repository/?owner=BetterNameX\&repository=gnt-homeassistant-hacs-app\&category=integration)
3. Go to **Settings** > **Devices & services** > **Add integration**.
4. Search for **Zendo** and add the integration.
5. Open the Zendo iOS/Android app, tap > **Settings** > **Property** > **Push Notifications** and follow the instructions on screen.
***
## Send notifications
To use push notifications in your automations, use Home Assistant's built-in `notify` action for one of the predefined Zendo push entities.
If a person you've invited has multiple phones/tablets, push notifications are automatically sent to all devices for that person.
Example:
```yaml theme={null}
action: notify.zendo_owner
data:
message: Content of your message
```
To access extra options, you can use the `zendo.send_notification` service.
Example:
```yaml theme={null}
action: zendo.send_notification
target:
entity_id: notify.zendo_owner
data:
message: Content of your message
interruption_level: time_sensitive
```
### Attributes
The following options are available on the `zendo.send_notification` service:
The content of your message. Keep your message brief and include emojis if you'd like.
Optional
* `time_sensitive` for situations where quick action is required. Bypasses some Focus modes and some Do Not Disturb settings, but not mute.
* `critical` for urgent, high-priority alerts that bypass mute and Do Not Disturb settings. Use only for emergency situations.
Optional
The URL of an image to attach to the notification (e.g., a snapshot photo from a camera or doorbell). The image must be a JPEG, less than 1 MB in size, and available via `https` for your phone or tablet to download correctly.
***
### Configure Homey
Open the Zendo iOS/Android app, tap > **Settings** > **Property** > **Push Notifications** and follow the instructions on screen to install the Homey integration.
#### Send notifications
To use push notifications in your Flows, add one of the Zendo notification cards. You can either send just a message, or a message with an image (e.g., a snapshot photo from a camera or doorbell).
You can specify the type of notification you want to send:
* Standard: for most notifications.
* Time-sensitive: for situations where quick action is required. Bypasses some Focus modes and some Do Not Disturb settings, but not mute.
* Critical: for urgent, high-priority alerts that bypass mute and Do Not Disturb settings. Use only for emergency situations.
If a person you've invited has multiple phones/tablets, push notifications are automatically sent to all devices for that person.
***
## Inspiration: what you can do with push notifications
Here are some ideas you can set up.
For homes, you could:
* Notify when the alarm system is armed or disarmed. Send critical notifications if the alarm is triggered.
* Notify your phone or tablet when the washing machine cycle is complete.
* Get a notification when kids or your housekeeper unlock the front door while you're away (combine push notifications with [location-based automations](/automate/geofences)).
For commercial properties, you could:
* Notify when the alarm system is armed or disarmed. Send critical notifications if the alarm is triggered.
* Get a notification when someone unlocks the front door in the morning.
***
## Limitations
Please don't rely solely on push notifications for critical or life-threatening situations. Push notifications can be delayed or fail to deliver due to network issues, device settings, or app-specific problems.
Please ensure you have multiple emergency alert systems and backup communication methods in place.
Push notifications are rate limited to ensure a good quality of service for everyone:
* You can send up to 25 requests per minute.
* There is a soft limit of 200 requests per day.
***
## Privacy
Notifications are sent from your Home Assistant/Homey to the Zendo push infrastructure and then to Apple/Google. All messages are encrypted in transit.
The content of your notifications is not stored. We store the push registration data (token) and simple counters of the total number of push notifications sent (for rate-limiting purposes).
***
## Notifications are not working
If something isn't working, please check our [troubleshoot guide](/automate/troubleshoot-issues#push-notifications).
# Troubleshoot Issues
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/automate/troubleshoot-issues
## Location-based automation issues
### Permissions
The most common reason location-based automations don't work is that your iOS or Android system is blocking location access.
To check your permissions:
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.
### Location of your property
Another common reason at property/away automations fail is an incorrect property location.
To check the location of your property:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Property"
4. Tap "Property Location"
5. Adjust the location and the radius.
The Zendo app considers your phone or tablet at the property when it falls within the blue circle. Otherwise, it's considered away.
### Low-power mode
Some iOS/Android settings can prevent the Zendo app from receiving location updates, causing automations to misbehave. Please ensure your phone or tablet isn't in low-power mode and that the Zendo app is allowed to run in the background.
### Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Please ensure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your phone or tablet, as both improve location accuracy.
### Automation Logs
The Zendo app keeps a log for the last automation run. Logs are kept on device.
To check the logs:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "About Your Zendo"
4. Tap "Privacy Centre"
5. Tap "Troubleshoot Automations"
Each automation displays the last run date, outcome (including HTTP status code), and execution time.
***
## Push notifications
### Permissions
The most common reason push notifications don't work is that your iOS or Android system is blocking them.
To check your permissions:
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 notifications in your iOS or Android Settings. On iOS, ensure "Allow Notifications", "Critical Alerts", and "Time-Sensitive Notifications" are on. On Android, ensure "All Zendo notifications" is on, as well as all other notifications under "Other".
### Enable Critical notifications
#### iOS
1. Open your iOS Settings
2. Scroll down to Apps
3. Find "Zendo" in the list
4. Tap "Notifications"
5. Turn "Critical Alerts" on
#### Android
1. Long-press the Zendo app icon and select "App info"
2. Select "Notifications"
3. Tap "Critical"
4. Make sure the notification is set to default (it should ring).
5. Make sure "Override Do Not Disturb" is on.
***
## I need help
If you're still having issues, please [get in touch](mailto:hello@myzendo.com?subject=Location-based%20Automations%20Troubleshooting) and we'll be happy to help.
# Batteries
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/control-backend/batteries
Check the status of the battery-powered accessories and find which accessories are running out of battery.
## Find the battery level for your accessories
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Batteries" to view the battery status of all your battery-powered accessories.
4. Accessories with low battery are displayed at the top of the list.
If one or more accessories have low battery, the button shows a green badge.
The Accessories section in Settings, including Batteries, is hidden from Guests. They get a simpler version of the app - see [Invite someone as Guest](/share/invite#invite-someone-as-guest).
## Accessory detail
Tap any accessory in the Batteries list to open its detail screen. You'll see the current battery level and guidance on how to replace or recharge the battery.
* **Battery level**: The current battery level. Shown in red if it requires replacement.
* **Battery type**: The type of battery needed for replacement (e.g. "2x AAA", "CR2032").
Detailed battery information (battery type and replacement guidance) is only available on Homey.
# Climate Monitoring
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/control-backend/climate-control
Check the temperature, humidity, and air quality across your home, all in one place.
## Intro
With Climate Monitoring, you can check the temperature, humidity, and air quality across your home, all in one place. No need to open each room or hunt down individual sensors.
Guests don't see Climate Monitoring. They get a simpler version of the app - see [Invite someone as Guest](/share/invite#invite-someone-as-guest).
## Open Climate Monitoring
1. Tap
2. Tap "Climate Monitoring"
## What you'll see
Climate Monitoring is populated automatically from the accessories you've added to [Climate](/accessories/climate). There's nothing extra to configure.
# Energy Monitoring
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/control-backend/energy
Monitor your home's electricity, water, gas, solar, battery, and EV charging in one place.
## Intro
With Energy Monitoring, you get a complete view of your home's energy use in one place. Track electricity, water, and gas consumption, as well as solar production, home battery charging, and EV charging - without switching between multiple apps or dashboards.
Browse your usage across different time ranges to understand how your home uses energy throughout the day, spot peak usage times, and see how patterns change over weeks, months, or years.
If you have solar panels, you can see how much energy they produce, how your battery charges and discharges, and how much you export back to the grid.
Guests don't see Energy Monitoring. They get a simpler version of the app - see [Invite someone as Guest](/share/invite#invite-someone-as-guest).
## Open Energy Monitoring
1. Tap
2. Tap "Energy"
## What you'll see
Energy Monitoring adapts to your home. You only see the utilities and sensors your property actually has.
### Live readings
When viewing today's data, live sensor tiles appear at the top of the screen. These refresh automatically and show current values for each available reading, such as grid import, solar production, battery level, EV charging, water flow, and gas usage.
### Historical charts
Below the live tiles, each metric has its own chart showing usage over the selected period. You can view data by day, week, month, or year.
Electricity import and export are shown together so you can easily compare them.
Drag across any chart to see the exact value and time range for a specific period.
### Calendar
Tap the calendar button at the top to pick a different date or time range. You can view by day, week, month, or year, and use quick-pick shortcuts like "Today", "Last week", or "This month last year" to jump to common comparisons.
## Supported utilities
| Utility | What you can track |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Electricity** | Grid import, grid export, solar production, battery charge and discharge, EV charge and discharge, per-device consumption (coming soon) |
| **Water** | Consumption |
| **Gas** | Consumption |
# Offline Accessories
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/control-backend/offline-accessories
Discover offline/not-responding accessories and troubleshoot the issue.
## Find offline or not responding accessories
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. If one or more accessories are offline, you'll see "Offline Accessories" under the "Accessories" section.
4. Tap "Offline Accessories" to see the list of affected accessories.
A green badge on the button indicates there are one or more offline accessories.
The Accessories section in Settings, including Offline Accessories, is hidden from Guests. They get a simpler version of the app - see [Invite someone as Guest](/share/invite#invite-someone-as-guest).
## Accessory detail
Tap any accessory in the Offline Accessories list to open its detail screen. You'll see useful information to help you understand and resolve the issue.
# iOS
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/device-integration/ios-controls
There are three ways to open Zendo from anywhere on iPhone:
* Control Center
* Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro and later)
* Lock Screen
***
## Control Center
1. Swipe down to open Control Center
2. Press and hold in an area without icons
3. Tap "Add a control"
4. Search for "zendo" and select "Open Zendo"
You can move or resize the Zendo control. Tapping on it will open Zendo.
***
## Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro and later)
You can use your iPhone Action Button to quickly open Zendo.
1. Go to Settings → Action Button
2. Swipe until you see "Controls"
3. Search for "zendo" and select "Open Zendo"
Pressing the Action Button will now open Zendo.
***
## Lock Screen
You can add Zendo to your lock screen to replace the torch or camera buttons.
1. Press and hold the Lock Screen
2. Tap "Customize"
3. Tap "Lock Screen"
4. Remove either the torch or camera button
5. Press the "+" that appears
6. Search for "zendo" and select "Open Zendo"
7. Tap "Done"
You can now press the Zendo button to open Zendo directly from the lock screen.
# Keep Your Floorplan Simple and Tidy
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/floorplan/accessory-visibility
Hide accessories on small screens to reduce visual clutter and find things quickly.
## Intro
If you have many lights on your floorplan, you can hide some when using your phone to keep things clear and simple. Hidden accessories are revealed when you zoom in, so every control stays accessible.
You can still control all hidden lights as a group or individually through the room accessory. You can also choose to always show selected lights, such as your bedside lights, so they're always easy to access.
***
## How it works
Accessory visibility reduces clutter on small screens by hiding redundant accessories when a room already has a room accessory of the same type.
For an accessory to be hidden on small screens:
* The room must have a **room accessory** of the same type (e.g. a light room accessory).
* Each individual accessory must be linked to the **same room** as the room accessory.
Hidden accessories are revealed when you zoom into the area on the floorplan.
***
## Configure visibility
To change the visibility of an accessory:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap the accessory you want to configure
5. Find the **Accessory Visibility** section
You have two options:
* **Always visible**: The accessory is always shown on the floorplan, regardless of screen size.
* **Hide on small screens**: The accessory is hidden on small screens when a room accessory of the same type exists. Revealed on zoom.
**Hide on small screens** only takes effect when there is a room accessory of the same type.
***
## Edit mode
While editing the floorplan, all accessories are always visible regardless of screen size or zoom level. This ensures you can always access and configure every accessory.
# Add Accessories & Organise Your Floorplan
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/floorplan/manage-accessories
Optimise your floorplan for the best experience.
## Intro
Your Zendo floorplan is flexible and yours to personalise. Configure it how you like.
However, here are some tips you might find helpful:
* Add accessories to the floorplan to control lights, thermostats, fans, blinds, curtains, and more.
* Less is more. Keeping only essential accessories on the floorplan makes it easier to find and control what you need.
* Use Home Assistant/Homey automations, scenes, and groups. Grouping accessories reduces visual clutter and simplifies control.
### Room accessories
![Room accessory]( "Room accessory")
Each room on the Zendo floorplan can have room accessories to control the **entire room**.
Examples:
* Add a [light](/accessories/light) accessory that controls **all** the lights in the room.
* Add a [thermostat, aircon unit, or TRV](/accessories/climate) for each room that has one.
* Add a [fan](/accessories/ventilation) if the room has a ceiling fan or a single fan for the room.
* Add a [presence sensor](/accessories/presence-sensor) for each room that has a motion, presence, or occupancy sensor.
* Add [smoke, CO, gas or water leak sensors](/accessories/safety-sensor) for each room that has safety sensors.
### Other accessories
![Other accessories]( "Other accessories")
You can add any other accessory to the floorplan, such as:
* Place each [blind/curtain](/accessories/window-covering) next to the window where they're installed.
* Add a [light](/accessories/light) accessory for task lighting like reading lights, a desk light, or a bedside light.
* Add [on/off accessories](/accessories/generic-on-off) like hairdryers, coffee makers, electric vehicle chargers, or turntables near their location in the room.
* Place each [smart door lock](/accessories/door-lock) next to the door where it's installed.
* Place each [door or window sensor](/accessories/contact-sensor) next to the door or window where it's installed.
* Place each [robot vacuum](/accessories/robotic-vacuum-cleaner) near its dock location.
* Add a [humidifier or dehumidifier](/accessories/humidifier-dehumidifier) near the device's location in the room.
* Add [Christmas trees](/accessories/generic-on-off) or other [festive decorations](/accessories/generic-on-off) near their spot in the room.
* Place [garage doors and electric gates](/accessories/automatic-closure) near where they're installed.
* Place each [EV charger](/accessories/ev-charger) at the location where it's installed.
***
## Add an accessory
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap the "+" at the bottom of the screen
5. Select the accessory you want to add and follow the on-screen instructions.
***
## Save your settings
When you're done, tap "Done" in the top-right corner. Your changes will automatically sync across all your devices.
***
## Remove an accessory
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap the accessory you want to delete.
5. Tap "Delete" at the bottom of the screen.
### Remove a Speaker / Media Player
Speakers and media players are managed a little differently from other accessories. Please see [Speakers & Media Players](/accessories/media-player).
# Floorplan Modes
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/floorplan/modes
Switch between Control and Security & Safety modes to focus on the task at hand.
## Intro
Floorplan modes let you focus on the task at hand, keeping the floorplan free of distractions. Each mode shows only the accessories that matter for what you're doing.
## Switch modes
1. Tap
2. Select the mode you want: **Control** or **Security & Safety**.
When you add an accessory, the floorplan automatically switches to the appropriate mode.
***
## Control
Control mode shows all your controllable accessories - lights, thermostats, fans, blinds, on/off accessories, and more. This is the default mode for day-to-day use.
## Security & Safety
Security & Safety mode shows accessories related to safety and monitoring. You'll see controllable accessories like [Smart Door Locks](/accessories/door-lock) and [Garage Doors & Gates](/accessories/automatic-closure), as well as all your [Presence Sensors](/accessories/presence-sensor), [Doors & Windows Sensors](/accessories/contact-sensor), and [Smoke, CO, Gas & Water Leak Sensors](/accessories/safety-sensor).
# Outdoor Areas
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/floorplan/outdoor-areas
Bring your garden, patio, pool and more into your floorplan.
## Intro
Your home doesn't stop at the front door. With the floorplan designer you can map out the spaces around your property too, gardens, patios, balconies, terraces, driveways and pools, so your Zendo looks and feels like the real thing.
Outdoor areas are drawn on the same floorplan as your rooms. You can add them to any floor, so a first-floor balcony or a rooftop terrace works just as well as a ground-floor garden.
Outdoor areas can be drawn by using the floorplan designer. To add them:
1. Tap .
2. Tap "Settings".
3. Tap "Rooms & Floors".
4. Tap "Redesign".
***
## Landscape
A landscape is the ground around your home, things like grass, paving, gravel, decking or water.
To add a landscape:
1. Open the floorplan designer.
2. Select the "Landscape" tool.
3. Draw the shape of your outdoor area on the canvas.
4. Pick a material (grass, paving, gravel, decking or water) from the side panel.
You can keep drawing to extend your outdoor space as far as you like. There's no fixed boundary.
## Pathways
Pathways are great for driveways, garden paths and footpaths.
1. Open the floorplan designer.
2. Select the "Pathway" tool.
3. Draw a path by setting its length and width.
4. Pick a material (paving, gravel decking or grass) from the side panel.
## Pools and water features
Swimming pools, ponds, lakes and other water features are all a landscape made of water, so you can shape them however you like.
1. Select the "Landscape" tool.
2. Draw the shape of your water feature.
3. Choose the "Water" material from the side panel.
Hot tubs are not part of landscape. They can be added using the "Objects" tool.
## Balconies and terraces
Balconies and terraces are drawn on the floor they belong to. Each floor is its own plan, so add a balcony to the floor it sits on. A rooftop terrace is simply a floor with outdoor surfaces and no indoor rooms.
To draw one:
1. Select the "Wall" tool and draw the edge of the balcony or terrace.
2. Select the material of your ledge from the side panel (e.g. railing, glass railing or low wall/parapet).
3. Select the "Landscape" tool and add the floor surface (for example decking or paving).
## Patios and verandas
Patios and verandas are ground-level outdoor areas, so they're just a landscape surface.
1. Select the "Landscape" tool.
2. Draw the shape of your patio or veranda.
3. Pick a material (for example paving or decking) from the side panel.
Want to enclose it? Edge your patio with railings or a low wall using the wall tool, just like a terrace.
## Outdoor furniture
Outdoor objects work just like indoor furniture. Drop them in and position them where you like. Using the "Objects" tool, you can add:
* Sofas
* Dining tables and chairs
* BBQs and grills
* Outdoor lounge chairs (like pool loungers)
## Detached structures
Sheds, pool houses and detached garages are drawn just like your main house, using walls, floors, doors and windows. There's nothing special to learn. Draw them the same way you'd draw any room.
***
## Add accessories to your outdoor areas
Once your outdoor space is drawn, create a matching room (like "Garden" or "Patio") in [Rooms & Floors](/floorplan/rooms-floors) so you can add and control accessories there, outdoor lights, electric gates and more.
# Rooms & Floors
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/floorplan/rooms-floors
Your Zendo app is organised in rooms, divided by floors.
## Intro
Your Zendo app can have multiple rooms across up to four floors. Rename rooms to match your property and your spoken language.
## Add, change or delete a floor
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Rooms & Floors"
4. Tap "Add New Floor" to add a new floor, or tap the edit or delete option for the floorplan you'd like to change.
Deleting a floor also deletes all the accessories that have been linked to it. Proceed with caution.
## Add, change or delete rooms
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Rooms & Floors"
4. Tap on a room to edit or delete it, or tap "Add Room" to add a new room.
## Redesign your floorplan
Want to start fresh or reshape things? You can now change how a floorplan looks by using our floorplan designer. Change rooms, add furniture, adjust walls and more, all in one place.
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Rooms & Floors"
4. Tap "Redesign" and use the designer to update your layout.
Want to map the spaces around your home too? See [Outdoor Areas](/floorplan/outdoor-areas) to add gardens, patios, pools and more.
## Link rooms to Home Assistant/Homey
Link each Zendo room to the matching Home Assistant/Homey room/area. This helps Zendo understand what belongs in each room and powers room-based features like automatic grouping.
Link rooms like this:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Rooms & Floors".
4. Tap the room you want to link.
5. Select the matching Home Assistant/Homey room/area.
If you don't link a room, you can still add accessories manually, but you'll miss out on room-based features:
* No automatic grouping when you add a light room accessory.
* Sensors in that room won't show up in [Climate Monitoring](/control-backend/climate-control).
## Note on non-English properties
You can use Zendo in any language. We recommend using the same language for all rooms and accessories.
If you expect non-English speaking guests, consider using English for all labels.
# Automation Insights
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/home-assistant/automation-insights
Your automations are now at your fingertips.
## Intro
Automations are one of the best parts of Home Assistant, making your property truly smart. They run in the background, which is usually great, but sometimes you want to check if something ran, or you have guests and want to pause motion-activated lights. Or you're in a meeting and need to pause them temporarily.
With Zendo, you get quick insight into your Home Assistant automations.
This feature is only available to **admins**.
## Start or stop an automation
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Home Assistant Automations"
4. Your automations are listed with real-time updates on when they last ran, so you can quickly turn them on or off.
If you have a lot of automations, use search to quickly locate what you're looking for.
# Local Connection
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/home-assistant/local-control
Use Zendo with a direct, local connection to Home Assistant and control your property even if the internet is down.
## 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.
### Remote connection
Zendo connects directly to your Home Assistant over the internet, using HTTPS. Learn more in [Security](/control-backend/security).
Remote connection is required for:
* Controlling your home while you're away.
* [Location-based automations](/automate/geofences).
### 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).
### Security approach
We've chosen an approach that guarantees the highest security level without compromising your experience.
We also follow the security [best practices](https://companion.home-assistant.io/docs/getting_started/connection-security-level/) set by the Home Assistant Companion app.
***
## 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.
***
## 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).
### 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 Wi-Fi 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.
### 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.
### Troubleshooting
Check which connection is being used, and whether permissions are set correctly.
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "About Your Zendo".
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.
***
## 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.
## Connect to Home Assistant
### Remote connection
Zendo connects directly to your Home Assistant over the internet, using HTTPS. This keeps your data secure. Learn more in [Security](/control-backend/security).
When to use:
* Commercial installations where you have no control over the network.
Pros:
* Great user experience for the customer.
* Customers can use Zendo when they're not on the local network (e.g. away from site).
* You can use [location-based automations](/automate/geofences).
* Data stays secure.
Cons:
* You need a valid SSL certificate, plus either a public static IP or a dynamic DNS service. Or you can use [Tailscale Funnel](https://tailscale.com/kb/1223/funnel), [Cloudflare Tunnel](https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/networks/connectors/cloudflare-tunnel/), or [Nabu Casa](https://www.nabucasa.com) (paid service).
* If the property internet is down, Zendo won't work because Home Assistant can't be reached.
### Local connection
Zendo connects directly to Home Assistant on your local network (LAN).
When to use:
* Phones and tablets that stay on the local network (e.g. a wall-mounted tablet, or devices that are only used on site).
Pros:
* Zendo keeps working when the property internet is down.
* No SSL certificate, public static IP, or dynamic DNS needed.
Cons:
* Local connection isn't encrypted. Only use it when you fully control the network.
* Customers can't use Zendo when they're not on the local network (e.g. away from site).
* You can't use [location-based automations](/automate/geofences).
### Automatic selection
Zendo connects via local network when it's available. If it isn't, it switches to the remote connection.
When to use:
* Residential or commercial installations for the best user experience.
Pros:
* Best user experience for the customer.
* Customers can use Zendo when they're not on the local network (e.g. away from site).
* You can use [location-based automations](/automate/geofences).
* Zendo can keep working when the property internet is down (as long as the device is on a trusted network).
* Data stays secure (as long as you only trust networks you control).
Cons:
* You still need a valid SSL certificate, plus either a public static IP or a dynamic DNS service. Or you can use [Tailscale Funnel](https://tailscale.com/kb/1223/funnel), [Cloudflare Tunnel](https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/networks/connectors/cloudflare-tunnel/), or [Nabu Casa](https://www.nabucasa.com) (paid service).
* You also need to list the Wi-Fi names (SSIDs) you want to treat as trusted.
***
## 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).
### Trusted networks
Add the Wi-Fi names (SSIDs) you want to treat 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 Wi-Fi Networks".
6. Add the Wi-Fi names (SSIDs) you want to trust.
The list of trusted networks automatically syncs to all devices of the same property.
### System permissions
In "Automatic selection" mode, Zendo reads the device 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.
Set location permissions like this:
* iOS: **Always** and **Precise Location**.
* Android: **Allow all the time**.
### Force local connection
Force local connection by deleting the Remote Connection URL.
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Property".
4. Tap "Edit Home Assistant Connection".
5. Delete the Remote Connection URL.
Please keep a remote connection configured for **residential installations**.
Residential devices often drop off the home Wi-Fi, or the customer changes Wi-Fi providers. Keeping trusted networks up to date is fiddly and error-prone.
Remote connection is required to guarantee the best user experience for residential customers.
### Troubleshooting
Check which connection is being used, and whether permissions are set correctly.
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "About Your Zendo".
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.
***
## 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.
## Location-based automations
Location-based automations stop working if you delete the Remote Connection URL.
# Link from notifications
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/home-assistant/notification-deep-link
Send push notifications that open a specific screen in Zendo when tapped.
## Intro
Push notifications can open a specific screen in the Zendo app when tapped. For example, a notification about your doorbell can open its live stream directly so you can see who's there.
***
## Set up
Before you start, make sure you have [push notifications](/automate/push-notifications#configure-home-assistant) set up.
If push notifications are already configured, open the Zendo iOS/Android app, tap > **Settings** > **Property** > **Push Notifications** and tap **Refresh Settings** to make sure Home Assistant has the latest list of available destinations.
***
## List available destinations
To see which destinations are available, call the `list_deep_link_destinations` service.
1. Go to **Developer Tools > Services** in Home Assistant.
2. Select **Zendo: List deep link destinations**.
3. Click **Call Service**.
4. The response panel shows the available destinations.
### Response format
```yaml theme={null}
destinations:
- id: "securityCamera_abc123"
destination: "security_camera"
title: "Front door"
subtitle: "Camera/Doorbell"
entityType: "security_camera"
- id: "securityCamera_def456"
destination: "security_camera"
title: "Back garden"
subtitle: "Camera/Doorbell"
entityType: "security_camera"
```
| Field | Description |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `id` | The identifier you use in automations. This is what you pass to `deep_link_destination`. |
| `destination` | The type of destination (e.g. `security_camera`). |
| `title` | The name of the destination (e.g. the camera's label). |
| `subtitle` | Secondary description (e.g. "Camera/Doorbell"). |
| `entityType` | The entity category. |
***
## Send a notification that opens a destination
Use the `zendo.send_notification` service with the `deep_link_destination` field set to the `id` of the destination you want to open.
Opening a destination from a notification bypasses [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl). The receiver can view and control the accessory even if they wouldn't normally have access. Make sure you're sending the notification to the right person.
### Example: doorbell notification
A doorbell press is the ideal use case - the notification tells you someone is at the door, and tapping it opens the doorbell camera stream so you can see who it is.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Doorbell pressed - notify household"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.doorbell_press
to: "on"
action:
- service: zendo.send_notification
target:
entity_id:
- notify.zendo_owner
- notify.zendo_bob
data:
message: "Someone is at the door"
interruption_level: "time_sensitive"
deep_link_destination: "securityCamera_abc123"
```
When the doorbell is pressed, both people receive a time-sensitive notification. Tapping it opens the Zendo app directly to the doorbell camera's live stream.
### Without a destination
The `deep_link_destination` field is optional. Omitting it sends a normal notification that opens the default notification view when tapped.
```yaml theme={null}
- service: zendo.send_notification
target:
entity_id: notify.zendo_owner
data:
message: "Someone is at the door"
```
***
## What happens when a destination can't be found
The notification always arrives, even if the destination can't be resolved. The destination is best-effort.
| Scenario | What happens |
| -------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `deep_link_destination` ID not found | Warning logged, notification sent without a destination. |
| Camera removed after the destination was set | Notification sends with the destination. The Zendo app handles the missing camera gracefully. |
| `deep_link_destination` field omitted | Normal notification, no destination. |
# Privacy & Security
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/home-assistant/security
Your home is private: what happens at home, stays at home.
Zendo is built with privacy at its core. The app connects **directly** to your home automation system. Your data **never passes through our servers**. All connections are **fully encrypted**, encryption keys **never leave your devices**, and we **do not collect or harvest your personal data**. Your home, your control.
## How Zendo communicates with Home Assistant
The Zendo app connects directly to your Home Assistant. Your traffic doesn't pass through our servers.
Connections use HTTPS and require a valid TLS certificate, so:
* Zendo can verify it's talking to your Home Assistant
* your traffic is encrypted, so it's much harder for anyone else to intercept what's happening in your property
When you open the app, Zendo establishes a **WebSocket** connection to listen for status changes and send commands.
If you use location-based automations, Zendo also makes requests via the Home Assistant **REST APIs** (also over encrypted HTTPS).
### Why does it need internet access?
You'll use your phone or tablet at home, on the go, and away from home. Zendo supports remote control, so you can manage your property from anywhere.
Remote access is required during sign-up. If you'd rather keep things local afterwards, enable Local Connection once you're set up. Please see [Local Connection](/control-backend/local-control).
## Authentication
During initial setup, you'll log in to Home Assistant in a browser using your username and password. Your login details are sent **directly from your device to your Home Assistant**.
Zendo uses the secure, sandboxed browser provided by iOS/Android. We can't see what you type, and the connection is protected in transit by HTTPS.
Once Zendo is activated, it creates a **separate Home Assistant authentication token** for:
* each device you activate
* each invitation link you send
These device-specific tokens are managed in the app. Deleting a device or cancelling an invitation via [People & Invitations](/share/invite) immediately deletes the corresponding token, which denies access.
Your personal Home Assistant authentication token is stored **encrypted** on your phone or tablet.
### Tokens in Home Assistant
You may notice "Zendo" tokens under your account's long-lived access tokens in Home Assistant. These are created automatically (one per activated device, and one per invitation).
Please don't delete these tokens manually. Doing so will deactivate all Zendo-connected devices, reset the app, and log you out.
If you've stopped using Zendo and don't plan to use it again, it's safe to remove them.
## Configuration encryption
Zendo uses end-to-end encryption for your app configuration. The encryption key is stored on your Home Assistant, and only you can access it. We at Zendo can't access your key.
When the app needs your configuration, it fetches the key directly from your Home Assistant and decrypts on your device. The key never leaves your devices.
### Encryption key in Home Assistant
You may notice an entity named `bn_gnt_elderflower_config_encryption_key` in Home Assistant. Zendo creates this automatically to secure your configuration.
Please don't delete this value. If you do, the encryption key is destroyed and the Zendo app will become unusable. Please take a backup of this value.
If you've stopped using Zendo and don't plan to use it again, it's safe to remove it.
# Flows Troubleshoot
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/homey/flows-troubleshoot
Fix issues when Homey Flows can't be triggered from Zendo.
If a Flow doesn't appear or can't be triggered from Zendo, it's usually due to one of the following reasons.
## Flow requires an input value
Some Flows are configured with input arguments (e.g. a text value or a number) that must be provided when the Flow is started. Zendo does not currently support triggering Flows that require input values. As a workaround, create a new Flow that uses the **Start Flow with** card to call the original Flow, passing a specific value for each input argument. You can then trigger this new Flow from Zendo without any issues.
We are working on adding support for Flows with input values.
## Advanced Flow missing a Start card
In Homey's Advanced Flow editor, a Flow must have a **Start** card (the play icon) to be triggerable externally. Without it, there is no entry point for Zendo or any other app to start the Flow.
Advanced Flows are a visual, node-based automation editor in Homey. Unlike simple Flows which always have a **When...** trigger, Advanced Flows can contain logic nodes without an explicit start point. If your Advanced Flow was built without a Start card, it cannot be triggered on demand.
### How to fix it
1. Open the **Homey app** or **Homey web interface**.
2. Go to **Flows** and open the Advanced Flow that isn't working.
3. In the flow editor, add a **Start** card (this is the card with the play icon).
4. Connect it to the first action or logic node in your flow.
5. Save the flow.
Once the Start card is in place, restart the Zendo app and the Flow will be available.
# Privacy & Security
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/homey/security
Your home is private: what happens at home, stays at home.
Zendo is built with privacy at its core. The app connects **directly** to your home automation system. Your data **never passes through our servers**. All connections are **fully encrypted**, encryption keys **never leave your devices**, and we **do not collect or harvest your personal data**. Your home, your control.
## How Zendo communicates with Homey
The Zendo app connects directly to your Homey. Zendo uses the official Homey client, so a local connection will be automatically established when available. Local encrypted connection is always preferred.
Connections are encrypted (unless a local encrypted connection is not available), so it's much harder for anyone else to intercept what's happening in your property.
When you open the app, Zendo establishes a connection to listen for status changes and send commands.
### Why does it need internet access?
You'll use your phone or tablet at home, on the go, and away from home. Zendo supports remote control, so you can manage your property from anywhere.
## Authentication
During initial setup, you'll log in to Homey in a browser using your Athom account. Your login details are sent directly from your device to Homey.
Zendo uses the secure, sandboxed browser provided by iOS/Android. We can't see what you type, and the connection is protected in transit.
Once Zendo is activated, it creates an authentication token for your device: it is stored encrypted on your phone or tablet.
## Configuration encryption
Zendo uses end-to-end encryption for your app configuration. The encryption key is stored on your Homey, and only you can access it. We at Zendo can't access your key.
When the app needs your configuration, it fetches the key directly from your Homey and decrypts on your device. The key never leaves your devices.
This feature requires installing the Zendo Homey integration.
Please do not delete the Zendo Homey integration or your encryption key will be lost.
# Introduction
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/index
Welcome to the Zendo docs. By following this guide you will get the most out of your Zendo.
Zendo works for homes and commercial properties. This guide helps you get the most out of Zendo, whether you're using it at home or at work.
## Setting up
Learn how to set up your property on Zendo.
## Make it yours
Understand how to best place accessories on the floorplan and how to get the most out of it.
Start with lights and add all your accessories to the floorplan.
## Share your Zendo
When your app is configured, it's time to add more people to your Zendo.
Learn how to invite people or revoke access.
Personalise the floorplan for each person you've invited.
## Get more from your setup
Set up location-based automations to make the most of your setup.
Add push notifications to your automations.
Monitor your accessories and learn how we keep your app secure.
# Automate kiosk devices
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/permanent-devices/automations
Control a Kiosk Mode tablet from your Home Assistant or Homey automations, and react to its battery, screen, and lock state.
## Intro
Once [Kiosk Mode](/permanent-devices/configure-zendo) is on, your mounted device shows up in Home Assistant/Homey like any other device. Your automations can **control** it and **react** to its state, so the tablet on your wall becomes part of your home's automations, not just a display.
* **Control**: wake the screen, set the brightness and colour scheme (light/dark mode), configure the screensaver, set the device volume, reload the app, and lock the screen with a PIN code (or unlock it).
* **React to**: battery level and charging state, screen and screensaver status, whether the screen is locked, and whether the device is online.
Every example below comes in a **Home Assistant** and a **Homey** version. Expand the one you use.
These automations need [Kiosk Mode](/permanent-devices/configure-zendo) switched on, that's how Zendo registers the tablet with Home Assistant/Homey. Control actions also need the device **online and responding**: if it's offline, or doesn't answer within about ten seconds, the action fails. Reading state always works from the last values the device reported.
In the Home Assistant snippets, replace `YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID` with your tablet's device (the `device` field is a list, so add more to target several at once), or pick the devices from the dropdown in the visual editor - each is named after its tablet.
***
## Available options and commands
Every managed device offers the same controls and state to Home Assistant/Homey. This is the full list to build automations from.
**State you can read** - each tablet registers these entities, named after the device (a tablet called "Kitchen" gives `sensor.kitchen_battery`, and so on):
| State | Entity | Values |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Battery level | `sensor._battery` | 0-100% |
| Charging state | `sensor._battery_state` | `charger_unplugged`, `charging`, `plugged_not_charging` |
| Screen brightness | `sensor._screen_brightness` | 0-100% |
| Volume | `sensor._volume` | 0-100% |
| Screen state | `sensor._screen` | `active`, `screensaver` |
| Colour scheme | `sensor._color_scheme` | `dark`, `light` |
| Screensaver mode | `sensor._screensaver_mode` | `none`, `dim`, `black`, `clock` |
| Screensaver timer | `sensor._screensaver_timer` | minutes |
| Locked | `binary_sensor._locked` | `on`, `off` |
There's no separate online sensor. When a tablet goes offline, all of its entities read `unavailable`.
**Actions you can call** - each targets one or more tablets (the `device` field is a list), picked from the device selector:
| Service | What it does |
| -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `zendo.managed_device_screen_wake_up` | Wake the screen |
| `zendo.managed_device_screen_configure` | Set the brightness (1-100%) and colour scheme (dark or light) |
| `zendo.managed_device_screensaver_configure` | Set the screensaver mode (none, dim, black, or clock) and timer (1-60 min) |
| `zendo.managed_device_audio_configure` | Set the volume (0-100%) |
| `zendo.managed_device_app_lock` | Lock the screen with a PIN (4, 6, or 8 digits) and an optional message |
| `zendo.managed_device_app_unlock` | Unlock the screen |
| `zendo.managed_device_app_reload` | Reload the app |
A single call can control several tablets at once - list their device IDs:
```yaml theme={null}
action: zendo.managed_device_screen_wake_up
data:
device:
- KITCHEN_TABLET_ID
- HALLWAY_TABLET_ID
```
In **Developer Tools > Actions** or the automation editor, the Home Assistant UI shows a description and the available choices (dropdowns, sliders) for every field.
These cards target a tablet through the **Kiosk Device** picker. Actions and triggers can aim at **All devices** / **Any device**, a **Devices for...** group (a person), or a single tablet. Conditions target a single tablet.
**Triggers** (each also carries a **Device name** tag for use in messages):
* **Kiosk Device battery level changed** - tag: battery level
* **Kiosk Device battery state changed** - tag: charging state
* **Kiosk Device screen state changed** - tag: screen state
* **Kiosk Device was locked** / **Kiosk Device was unlocked**
* **Kiosk Device came online** / **Kiosk Device went offline**
**Conditions** (each can be flipped to its opposite):
* **Kiosk Device battery level is above...** a level you set
* **Kiosk Device battery charging state is...** charger unplugged / charging / plugged in, not charging
* **Kiosk Device screen state is...** active / screensaver
* **Kiosk Device is locked**
* **Kiosk Device is online**
**Actions**:
* **Wake up Kiosk Device screen** - wake the screen
* **Configure screen for Kiosk Device** - brightness (1-100%) and colour scheme (dark/light)
* **Configure screensaver for Kiosk Device** - mode (none/dim/black/clock) and timer (1-60 min)
* **Set volume for Kiosk Device** - volume (0-100%)
* **Lock Kiosk Device** - lock with a PIN (4/6/8 digits) and an optional message
* **Unlock Kiosk Device** - unlock the screen
* **Reload app** - re-fetch settings and return to the start screen
***
## Lock a device
Locking puts a full-screen PIN pad over the app, so the tablet can't be used to control your property until it's unlocked. It's useful when you arm the alarm, head out, or have guests over.
### How the lock works
* **PIN**: 4, 6, or 8 digits, chosen when you lock. An optional message shows above the keypad (for example "Locked while we're out").
* **Unlocking at the device**: anyone can unlock by typing the PIN on the keypad, so pick one you're happy to share with whoever's home. There's no override code or fingerprint, only the PIN.
* **Wrong PINs slow down**: the first few tries are instant, then a delay builds up - a few seconds at first, up to a minute if someone keeps guessing. There's no hard lockout, and nothing is wiped.
* **Unlocking remotely**: an automation can unlock the tablet at any time, with no PIN needed.
* **It survives a restart**: the lock stays on even if the app is force-quit or the device reboots, so it can't be bypassed by closing the app. Like every managed-device feature, it needs Kiosk Mode on to show.
### Lock and unlock from an automation
Lock on one trigger (leaving, arming the alarm) and unlock on another (arriving, disarming).
The PIN must be 4, 6, or 8 digits. List more device IDs under `device` to lock several tablets together.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Lock the tablets when armed away"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: alarm_control_panel.home
to: "armed_away"
action:
- action: zendo.managed_device_app_lock
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
pin: "1234"
message: "Locked while we're out"
- alias: "Unlock the tablets when disarmed"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: alarm_control_panel.home
to: "disarmed"
action:
- action: zendo.managed_device_app_unlock
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
```
Two flows, one to lock and one to unlock.
**Lock**
* **When**: for example Homey's **leaves home** presence trigger, or your alarm's *armed* trigger.
* **Then**: **Lock Kiosk Device**. Set **Kiosk Device** to your tablet, **PIN (required, 4/6/8 digits)** to something like `1234`, and **Lock screen message (optional)** to a note like `Locked while we're out`.
**Unlock**
* **When**: for example Homey's **comes home** presence trigger, or your alarm's *disarmed* trigger.
* **Then**: **Unlock Kiosk Device**. Set **Kiosk Device** to the same tablet. No PIN is needed to unlock remotely.
***
## Group devices
When you replace a tablet or reinstall the app, it joins as a **brand new** device. How you aim your automations decides whether they keep working after a swap, so group them by person where you can.
* **Homey**: target a **person** instead of a single device. Link each tablet to someone in [People & Invitations](/share/invite), then choose the **Devices for...** entry for that person in your flow. It follows whoever's linked, so it keeps working after a swap. You can still pick a single device when you want to. (Conditions are the one exception, they always target a specific device.)
* **Home Assistant**: an action's `device` field is a **list**, so one automation can control several tablets at once. There's no person grouping like Homey's, though: when you replace a tablet you point automations at the new device, and renaming it and its `sensor._*` entities to match keeps things tidy.
***
## Automation ideas
Some ready-made automations to get you started, each with a Home Assistant and a Homey version.
### Wake the screen on motion
Got a motion or presence sensor nearby? Let it wake the screen as you approach, so the tablet lights up when you walk up, then settles back to its screensaver once you leave.
Trigger on your motion sensor, then call the wake-up action on your tablet.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Wake the tablet on hallway motion"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.hallway_motion
to: "on"
action:
- action: zendo.managed_device_screen_wake_up
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
```
Build a two-card flow:
* **When**: your motion sensor's **Motion turned on** trigger (the exact wording depends on the sensor).
* **Then**: add **Wake up Kiosk Device screen**. In the **Kiosk Device** field, pick your tablet.
No condition is needed.
There's a **Wake up** action but no matching turn-off, and that's on purpose. Once woken, the screen returns to its screensaver on its own after the timer you set in [Kiosk Mode](/permanent-devices/configure-zendo#settings). A raw on/off switch wired to a motion sensor would flicker the screen every time the sensor tripped; waking on motion and letting the timer take over keeps it smooth.
You can fire the same **Wake up** action from any trigger, not just motion. A door unlocking or an arrival [geofence/location-based automation](/automate/geofences) works just as well, and you can target every tablet at once (**All devices** on Homey, or a list of devices in a single Home Assistant action).
***
### Keep the battery healthy
A wall tablet left plugged in sits at 100% all day, which wears the battery down over time. Keeping it in a healthier range helps: put its charger on a smart plug, then start charging when the battery drops below 20% and switch the plug off once it climbs above 80%.
Read the tablet's battery sensor (named after the device, e.g. `sensor.kitchen_battery`) and switch the plug from two numeric-state automations.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Start charging the tablet below 20%"
trigger:
- platform: numeric_state
entity_id: sensor.kitchen_battery
below: 20
action:
- action: switch.turn_on
target:
entity_id: switch.kitchen_tablet_plug
- alias: "Stop charging the tablet above 80%"
trigger:
- platform: numeric_state
entity_id: sensor.kitchen_battery
above: 80
action:
- action: switch.turn_off
target:
entity_id: switch.kitchen_tablet_plug
```
Two flows, one to start charging and one to stop.
**Start charging when low**
* **When**: **Kiosk Device battery level changed**. Set **Kiosk Device** to your tablet.
* **And**: **Kiosk Device battery level is above...**. Set the level to `20`, then invert the card (tap it so it reads as *not* above 20%) so it matches when the battery is at or below 20%.
* **Then**: your smart plug's **Turn on**.
**Stop charging when full**
* **When**: **Kiosk Device battery level changed**. Set **Kiosk Device** to your tablet.
* **And**: **Kiosk Device battery level is above...**. Set the level to `80` and leave it as-is.
* **Then**: your smart plug's **Turn off**.
***
### Dim the tablet in the evening
In the evening, make the tablet dimmer and quieter: dark mode, lower brightness, a shorter screensaver timer so it isn't sitting bright for long, and lower volume. The examples switch to these settings at 20:00 and back to day settings at 08:00.
Lowering the volume here also quiets a [doorbell ring that follows the device volume](/permanent-devices/doorbell-alerts-intercom#ring-volume).
One automation switches to night settings at 20:00, another switches back to day settings at 08:00.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Tablet night mode at 20:00"
trigger:
- platform: time
at: "20:00:00"
action:
- action: zendo.managed_device_screen_configure
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
color_scheme: dark
brightness: 15
- action: zendo.managed_device_screensaver_configure
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
timer: 2
- action: zendo.managed_device_audio_configure
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
volume: 20
- alias: "Tablet day mode at 08:00"
trigger:
- platform: time
at: "08:00:00"
action:
- action: zendo.managed_device_screen_configure
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
color_scheme: light
brightness: 80
- action: zendo.managed_device_screensaver_configure
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
timer: 10
- action: zendo.managed_device_audio_configure
data:
device:
- YOUR_ZENDO_DEVICE_ID
volume: 60
```
Two flows, one for night and one for morning.
**Night mode at 20:00**
* **When**: **Date & Time**'s **The time is...** trigger, set to `20:00`.
* **Then**, add three action cards, all pointed at your tablet in the **Kiosk Device** field:
* **Configure screen for Kiosk Device**: set **Color scheme** to **Dark** and **Brightness %** to something low like `15`.
* **Configure screensaver for Kiosk Device**: set **Timer in minutes** to `2`.
* **Set volume for Kiosk Device**: set **Volume %** to `20`.
**Day mode at 08:00**
* **When**: the same **The time is...** trigger, set to `08:00`.
* **Then**: the same three cards with daytime values, a **Light** colour scheme, higher brightness, a longer timer, and a higher volume.
***
### Know when a device goes offline
Get an alert if a device drops off the network, after a crash, a reboot, or a Wi-Fi drop, so a dark screen doesn't go unnoticed.
There's no dedicated offline sensor. Instead, an offline device's entities read `unavailable`, so trigger on any one of them changing to `unavailable`. The `for` delay avoids alerting on a brief blip.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Alert when the kitchen tablet goes offline"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: sensor.kitchen_battery
to: "unavailable"
for:
minutes: 1
action:
- action: notify.mobile_app_your_phone
data:
message: "The kitchen tablet has gone offline."
```
* **When**: **Kiosk Device went offline**. Set **Kiosk Device** to **Any device** so one flow watches them all, or pick a single tablet to watch just that one.
* **Then**: a notification card, for example **Send a push notification**. Put the trigger's **Device name** tag in the message, like `[Device name] has gone offline`, so it names whichever tablet dropped.
To be told when it recovers, add a matching flow with the **Kiosk Device came online** trigger.
# Configure Zendo Kiosk Mode on a permanent device
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/permanent-devices/configure-zendo
Keep Zendo always visible on a wall tablet, desk device, or counter display.
## Intro
A **permanent device** is any device that stays in one place, such as a wall-mounted tablet or a device on a desk or counter. Set it up so it behaves like a dedicated controller for your space (and doesn't drift into other apps at the worst possible time).
***
## Setup Kiosk Mode
The screen stays on so your floorplan is always visible, and it optionally automatically dims when not in use to save energy.
### Turn on Kiosk Mode
1. Open Zendo
2. Tap
3. Tap "Settings"
4. Tap "About Your Zendo"
5. Tap "Mounted Device (Kiosk)"
6. Turn on "Kiosk Mode"
### Settings
Kiosk Mode has the following settings:
* **Kiosk Mode** (toggle): Keeps the screen awake. When off, the device follows your OS sleep and brightness settings.
* **Brightness** (1-100%): Sets the active screen brightness.
* **Screensaver**: Choose what happens after a period of inactivity.
* **None**: Never enter screensaver.
* **Dim**: Lower brightness, keep content visible.
* **Black Screen**: Full black screen.
* **Clock**: White clock on black background.
* **Screensaver Timer** (1-60 minutes): Minutes of inactivity before the screensaver activates.
***
## Automations
With Kiosk Mode on, your device can be controlled from Home Assistant/Homey, so your automations can change settings and react to its state. A few things you can set up:
* Wake the screen when motion is detected, or as you arrive home.
* Keep the battery healthy with a smart plug that charges only between 20% and 80%.
* Switch to dark mode and dim the screen in the evening.
* Lock the screen when you're away or having guests over.
* Get alerted when a device goes offline.
See [Automate your mounted device](/permanent-devices/automations) for step-by-step examples on Home Assistant/Homey.
***
## Doorbell alerts
A wall-mounted tablet can double as a door panel - it rings and shows who's at the door when someone presses your [smart doorbell](/accessories/doorbell). Any devices with Zendo app running will ring; we recommend Kiosk Mode so the screen stays awake and the tablet is always ready. See [Use your tablet as a door panel](/permanent-devices/doorbell-alerts-intercom) for setup instructions.
***
## Automatic updates
Whenever you update your floorplan, or add or change accessories, the changes are delivered in real time to every running Zendo app, including when Kiosk Mode is enabled. No need to update each one by hand.
For this to work, please make sure:
* You've installed the latest version of the Homey or Home Assistant (HACS) integration.
* The Zendo app is running on the device. We'd recommend turning on **Kiosk Mode** so it stays open and ready to receive updates.
If the app isn't running, you can still manually download the latest settings.
***
## Setting up new devices
Adding a new tablet is quick - scan a QR code from your phone and the new device pairs over your local network. No links, no typing. See [Nearby Device Pairing](/permanent-devices/device-commissioning) for step-by-step instructions.
***
## Enable Guided Access (iOS only)
Guided Access keeps the device locked to a single app. It's perfect for a shared wall tablet.
### Turn on Guided Access
1. Open "Settings"
2. Tap "Accessibility"
3. Tap "Guided Access"
4. Turn on "Guided Access"
5. Tap "Passcode Settings" and set a passcode (recommended).
6. (Optional) Turn on "Face ID" or "Touch ID" if you'd like a faster exit.
### Start a Guided Access session for Zendo
1. Open Zendo
2. Triple-click the Side button (or the Home button on older devices)
3. Tap "Start"
### End a Guided Access session
1. Triple-click the Side/Home button
2. Enter your passcode (or authenticate with Face ID / Touch ID)
3. Tap "End"
# Nearby Device Pairing
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/permanent-devices/device-commissioning
Set up a new device by scanning a QR code over your local network - no links, no typing.
## Intro
Nearby Device Pairing lets you add a new device to your Zendo by scanning a QR code and pair over your local network. There's no link to share, no email to send, and no credentials to type.
It's ideal for **wall-mounted tablets** and other permanent devices where sharing a link isn't practical, and for **setting up multiple devices in batch** - just scan the QR code on each device.
***
## How it works
Two devices are involved:
* **New device** - the device being added to your Zendo.
* **Active device** - a device already set up on your Zendo that will pair the new one.
The active device scans a QR code displayed on the new device. Both devices authenticate each other over your local network, and an invitation is sent securely - all without leaving the room.
### On the new device
1. Open the Zendo app.
2. On the welcome screen, **press and hold the Zendo logo** to enter pairing mode.
3. Grant location permission if prompted (required to detect your Wi-Fi network).
4. A **QR code** and a **6-character verification code** appear. The screen stays awake while waiting.
5. Keep this screen open until pairing is complete.
### On the active device
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "People & Invitations"
4. Tap "Setup Nearby Device"
5. Grant location and camera permissions if prompted.
6. **Scan the QR code** shown on the new device.
7. A confirmation screen shows the new device's name, type, and verification code. **Verify the code matches** what's displayed on the new device, then tap **Continue**.
8. The invite flow opens - choose who to invite. The invitation is created automatically. You can customise the floorplan for each device using [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl).
9. Tap **Done**.
### Back on the new device
The device activates automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.
***
## Requirements
* Both devices must be on the **same Wi-Fi network**.
* The network must allow devices to communicate with each other (client isolation must be off, multicast must be allowed). Connections across VLANs may not work.
* Both devices need **internet access** to complete onboarding.
***
## Security
The pairing process uses mutual authentication and encryption:
* The QR code contains a one-time passcode used by both devices to authenticate each other. It is never sent over the network.
* All communication after the initial handshake is encrypted.
* Each session uses unique encryption keys (forward secrecy).
* An eavesdropper on the network cannot recover the passcode or decrypt the session.
The QR code is only valid for a single pairing session. Once used or dismissed, a new code must be generated. Keep the QR code private - anyone who can see it can use it to pair with the device.
Nearby Device Pairing follows a similar approach to the Matter smart home standard, using SPAKE2+ for secure device commissioning.
***
## Troubleshooting
* **Can't connect** - make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. The QR code screen shows the network name so you can verify.
* **Connection drops** - check that your router doesn't isolate Wi-Fi clients from each other.
* **No internet** - both devices need internet access to complete onboarding. Make sure they are connected to a Wi-Fi network with internet access.
# Use your tablet as a door panel or intercom
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/permanent-devices/doorbell-alerts-intercom
Turn a wall-mounted tablet into a full-screen door panel that rings, shows who's there, and lets you answer on the spot.
## Intro
Pair a supported [smart doorbell](/accessories/doorbell) with a wall-mounted tablet and Zendo becomes your door panel, no proprietary intercom or door station required.
When someone rings, the tablet wakes, plays a ringtone, and shows a full-screen alert with a snapshot from the doorbell camera. Tap **Answer** to open the live stream, talk to your visitor, and unlock the door if you have a [smart lock](/accessories/door-lock) nearby.
This sits **on top of** [push notifications](/automate/push-notifications). Push notifications reach your phone or tablet when you're **away from home**. The door panel is for when you're **home**, so your tablets ring out loud and you can answer on whichever one's closest, without picking up your phone.
***
## What you need
* A **wall-mounted tablet** (or counter device) running Zendo. The ring reaches every device linked to the Person you target.
* The Zendo app open on that device. The alert appears while the app is running on screen, and the device only rings while it's connected. We recommend turning on [Kiosk Mode](/permanent-devices/configure-zendo) so the screen stays awake and the tablet is always ready to ring.
* A supported [smart doorbell](/accessories/doorbell) linked to a room in your floorplan.
* An automation on your Home Assistant/Homey to fire the ring (see [Set it up in your automations](#set-it-up-in-your-automations)).
***
## How it works
| When | What happens |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Someone rings** | The tablet wakes, plays your ringtone, and shows a full-screen alert with a snapshot of who's there. |
| **You tap Answer** | The doorbell's live stream opens so you can see and talk to your visitor. |
| **You tap Decline** | The alert closes and the ringing stops. |
| **You tap anywhere** | The sound stops but the alert stays, handy when you've seen who it is and you're on your way. |
| **Nobody answers** | The alert clears itself after a short while and the screen dims again. |
### One ring, many panels
If you've got panels in more than one room, they can all ring together. The moment someone answers, declines, or silences the ring on **one** panel, the others stop ringing too, so the whole home doesn't keep chiming once the door's been dealt with.
***
## Fast, and works even when you're offline
The ring is delivered **locally** from your Home Assistant or Homey, so there's no round-trip to a cloud push service. The panel rings the instant someone's at the door, with no lag.
It also means your tablet keeps working as a door panel even when your internet is down.
For a fully offline panel, please make sure:
* The tablet, your hub, and the doorbell are all on the **same local network**.
* Your doorbell supports **local streaming**, so the live video works without the cloud too.
***
## Setup automation
The ring is triggered by your own automation, so you decide exactly when and how the panel rings. Point it at a doorbell press, choose who to ring, pick a ringtone, and you're set.
### Home Assistant
Use the `zendo.ring_doorbell` action. Target the [Zendo notify entities](/automate/push-notifications#configure-home-assistant) for the people you want to ring, and point `deep_link_destination` at the camera that should open when answered.
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Doorbell - ring the hallway panel"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.front_doorbell
to: "on"
action:
- action: zendo.ring_doorbell
target:
entity_id: notify.zendo_owner
data:
deep_link_destination: "securityCamera_abc123"
sound: "ding-dong"
volume: 80
repeat: 2
```
| Field | Required | What it does |
| ----------------------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `entity_id` (target) | Yes | One or more Zendo people to ring. |
| `deep_link_destination` | Yes | The doorbell camera to open on Answer. Run [`zendo.list_deep_link_destinations`](/home-assistant/notification-deep-link#list-available-destinations) to find the ID. |
| `sound` | No | Ringtone to play. Leave it out for a silent, visual-only alert. |
| `volume` | No | Output volume (0-100). Falls back to the device's current volume. |
| `repeat` | No | How many times to play the ringtone (1-5). Defaults to once. |
### Homey
Use the **Ring doorbell on Zendo** flow action card.
* **When:** your doorbell is pressed.
* **Then:** add the **Ring doorbell on Zendo** card, choose the **person** to ring and the **doorbell** to open when answered, then set the **ringtone**, **volume**, and **repeat**.
***
## Ring volume
You set how loud the panel rings in two ways:
* **A fixed volume for the ring.** Set the `volume` field (Home Assistant) or **Volume** on the **Ring doorbell on Zendo** card (Homey), and the ring plays at that level whatever the tablet is set to.
* **The tablet's own volume.** Don't set a volume, and the ring follows the tablet's current volume. An automation that lowers the volume at night - like [Dim the tablet in the evening](/permanent-devices/automations#dim-the-tablet-in-the-evening) - then quiets the doorbell too, with nothing extra to set up.
To silence the ring at certain hours instead of just lowering it, see [Quiet times and other options](#quiet-times-and-other-options).
***
## Ring only some panels
A ring is aimed at a **Person**, and a tablet only rings if it's linked to that Person. That gives you an easy way to ring some panels but not others, say, the hallway and kitchen, but never the bedrooms.
Group your tablets by linking each one to a different Person in [People & Invitations](/share/invite), then target whichever Person you want in your automation:
* Link the hallway and kitchen tablets to one Person (e.g. "Door panels").
* Link the bedroom tablets to another (e.g. "Bedrooms").
* In your automation, target only the "Door panels" so the bedrooms stay quiet.
A **Person** doesn't have to be a real person. It's really just a group of devices you can target however you like. Panels by location is a great example. Name them in a way that makes sense to you ("Door panels", "Upstairs Devices", "Reception Devices"), and target the group you want.
***
## Quiet times and other options
Because the ring lives in your automation, you can shape it however you like:
* **Quiet at night.** Add a condition so the panel doesn't ring between, say, 22:00 and 07:00, or have it ring silently (drop `sound`, or set a low `volume`) so you still see the alert without the chime.
* **Ring on silent.** Leave `sound` out altogether for a visual-only alert.
* **Suppress repeat rings.** Add a condition or a short cooldown so a jumpy doorbell doesn't ring the panel over and over.
Here's a Home Assistant example that stays quiet overnight:
```yaml theme={null}
automation:
- alias: "Doorbell - ring the panel (daytime only)"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.front_doorbell
to: "on"
condition:
- condition: time
after: "07:00:00"
before: "22:00:00"
action:
- action: zendo.ring_doorbell
target:
entity_id: notify.zendo_owner
data:
deep_link_destination: "securityCamera_abc123"
sound: "ding-dong"
volume: 80
```
On Homey, add a **time** or **logic** condition to the same flow to get the same result.
# Set a default floorplan orientation
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/permanent-devices/floorplan-orientation
Lock the floorplan to a fixed rotation so it always looks right.
## Intro
**Floorplan Orientation** lets you control which way the floorplan is rotated on a Zendo device.
Handy when a device is mounted on a wall or sat in a stand and the automatic rotation doesn't match how you're looking at it.
***
## How to change it
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "About Your Zendo"
4. Tap "Advanced"
5. Tap "Floorplan Orientation"
6. Tap the designed option.
The setting is per device. Each device remembers its own choice. Different devices can have different orientations.
***
## What each option does
You have five options:
* **Default**: Zendo rotates the floorplan automatically, following how the device is held or mounted. Best for a phone or tablet you pick up and move around.
* **Top**: this edge becomes up.
* **Right**: rotated a quarter-turn.
* **Bottom**: rotated a half-turn (upside down).
* **Left**: rotated three-quarters of a turn.
On **Default**, the floorplan keeps re-orienting as the device's position changes. On **Top**, **Right**, **Bottom** or **Left**, the floorplan is locked to that fixed rotation and won't change when the device is moved.
# Recommended hardware
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/permanent-devices/recommended-hardware
Mount your phone or tablet neatly, keep it powered, and make Zendo feel built-in.
## Intro
If you're setting up a **permanent device** (a phone or tablet that stays in one place), a good mount or stand makes the difference between a good and a great experience.
You get a screen that's always in reach, always charged, and always ready to control your space with Zendo.
***
## What to mount (and where)
Pick a location that's easy to reach but not in the way.
* **Wall-mounted tablet**: Great for entrances, kitchens, and hallways.
* **Desk/counter device**: Great for reception desks, cafés, studios, and workshops.
Also check:
* **Power**: Plan where the charging cable and power supply will live (ideally hidden).
* **Wi-Fi**: Mount where your network is strong and stable.
* **Glare**: Avoid direct sunlight and reflections if you can.
* **Height**: Aim for comfortable eye level, so it's easy to glance at.
***
## Orient the floorplan to match the room
If you're using a tablet, rotate it so the floorplan matches how the room looks when you're standing there.
The top of the screen should represent what's in front of you, rather than always keeping north at the top. It makes it much faster to connect what you can see (doors, desks, corners) with what you see on the screen.
Use this quick check:
* Stand where you'll actually use the tablet.
* Face into the space you're about to walk through.
* Rotate the tablet so **"up" on the floorplan is "ahead" in the room**.
If people approach the tablet from multiple directions, pick the most common approach and optimise for that. Consistency beats "technically correct" here.
Zendo automatically adjusts the floorplan to match the tablet's orientation, in any of its four rotations.
For a permanently mounted device, you can also lock the floorplan to a fixed rotation so it never re-orients. See [Floorplan Orientation](/permanent-devices/floorplan-orientation).
***
## Recommended devices
These are solid choices for a permanent Zendo device:
* **iPad** (regular iPad)
* **iPad Air**
* **iPad Pro**
* **Samsung Tab A11**
If you're choosing a screen size, aim for **around 11"**. It's a good balance: large enough to control comfortably, small enough to mount neatly.
***
## Recommended mounts and stands
If you want a clean, premium install, consider [Displine](https://displine.com) wall mounts or stands.
They're built for permanent installs and are designed to keep the tablet securely mounted and powered, which is exactly what you want for a permanent, low-maintenance Zendo device.
***
## Power options for a permanent install
If you're doing a tidy, "built-in" setup, Displine also offer two good options for powering a wall tablet:
* **USB-C flush mount power supply (20W)**: Great when you just need reliable power via USB-C. See [Displine 20W flush mount power supply with USB-C](https://displine.com/en-gb/products/displine-usb-c-charger-20w).
* **PoE converter (10W)**: Great when you want power (where PoE is available). See [Displine PoE Converter 10W](https://displine.com/en-gb/products/displine-poe-converter-10w).
Pick the one that best matches your wiring plan and your tablet's port (USB-C).
To keep a permanently powered battery healthy, you can automate charging with a smart plug. See [Keep the battery healthy](/permanent-devices/automations#keep-the-battery-healthy).
***
## Lock the device down
Once the hardware is sorted, set the tablet up as a dedicated controller:
* For iOS devices, [enable Guided Access](https://support.apple.com/111795).
* In Zendo, [enable Kiosk Mode](/permanent-devices/configure-zendo) so the screen stays on and dims automatically.
# Safety & Security
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/safety-physical-security/intro
Check on your property at a glance: cameras, locks, and recent activity in one place.
## Intro
You're away and you want a quick check-in on your property: with Zendo, you can view your security cameras, open a live stream, and see exactly what's been happening across your home, all from one place.
The Activity & Cameras view brings everything together: a glance at every camera, your locks, garage doors, electric gates, presence sensors, door and window sensors, smoke, CO, gas and water leak sensors, and a status update of what's been happening across the property. It's a calm, focused way to see what matters, without digging through rooms.
The Activity & Cameras view is for monitoring. To lock a door, open a gate, or close a garage door, use the accessory on your floorplan.
## Open the Activity & Cameras view
Tap the "Activity & Cameras" button at the bottom of your floorplan. You can open it from any floor.
## What you'll see
### Recent activity
The Activity & Cameras view opens straight to a feed of everything that's happened over the last two hours: which sensor detected activity, in which room, and when. It loads instantly, so you can see what's going on the moment you open it.
All accessories you've configured on the floorplan - presence sensors, door and window sensors, smart locks, electric gates and garage doors - automatically appear here. There's nothing extra to configure.
Accessories are grouped by room and by floor, so you can quickly see which floor and room needs attention. Tap a room to see the live status of all linked accessories and a timeline of what has happened.
### Cameras
A snapshot of each camera you've set up, refreshed periodically. Tap one to open the live stream.
To add or change cameras, see [Security Cameras](/accessories/security-camera). For smart doorbells, see [Smart Doorbells](/accessories/doorbell).
### Control accessories from the camera view
While watching a camera or doorbell (full screen or in the multi-camera tiled view), you can control nearby accessories without leaving the stream. For example: turn on the lights to improve image quality, or unlock a nearby smart lock when answering a [smart doorbell](/accessories/doorbell).
## When you'll use it
### At home
You wake up to a sound and want to know if anything's wrong. Tap "Activity & Cameras", and you'll instantly see where movement was detected and when, across the whole house. No need to walk room to room.
The alarm goes off: the activity feed shows where the alarm started and how movement is progressing through the house, so you can tell a false alarm from a real one.
Open all live camera feeds at once to spot the dog around the house. Handy when you want a full overview rather than checking one room at a time.
### At a commercial property
You get a notification overnight. Open Activity & Cameras to see exactly which sensor went off, where, and what's happened since: all in one place, no need to scrub through camera footage first.
Cameras can't cover every corridor or storeroom. The activity feed lets you follow movement through motion and contact sensors, so you can understand what's happening even where cameras don't reach.
While watching a camera, switch on the lights in that area without leaving the stream. Useful for opening up in the morning, closing down at night, or reacting to something you spot on screen.
## Restrict access
With [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl), you choose who can see and manage your security devices, so the right people have the right access.
### Hide cameras
Cameras are controlled **individually**. You can hide each camera from the people you choose, so some cameras stay private while others remain shared. Set this per camera, see [Security Cameras](/accessories/security-camera).
### Hide the activity feed
Each accessory follows its own [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl) settings. If you hide an accessory from someone on the floorplan, it's also hidden from the Activity & Cameras view.
To hide the entire Recent Activity section for certain people, there's a single setting that controls the whole feed:
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap "Activity & Cameras" at the bottom of your floorplan
5. Tap "Manage Security Sensors"
6. Choose who can see it, then save.
### Turn off the Activity & Cameras section completely
Prefer not to have an Activity & Cameras section at all? You can hide it entirely:
* Don't add any cameras.
* Set the activity feed to "Hide from" and select everyone.
When someone can see neither cameras nor the activity feed, the "Activity & Cameras" button disappears for them, so the whole section is gone.
You'll still see the Activity & Cameras section while editing your floorplan, so you can change these settings whenever you need to.
# Family Sharing (Access Control)
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/share/acl
With Zendo you can personalise the floorplan for each person you've invited.
## Intro
Family Sharing (Access Control) lets you decide who can see and control each accessory on your floorplan.
You have three options for each accessory:
* Everyone (no restrictions)
* Show to: only the selected people will see and control the accessory
* Hide from: the selected people won't be able to see and control the accessory, but everyone else can
## Set up Family Sharing for an accessory
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "Edit Floorplan"
4. Tap an accessory on the floorplan or tap "Speakers & Media Players".
5. Scroll down to the "Family Sharing (or Access Control)" section
6. Change the settings to your liking and save.
Admins will see **all accessories** when in edit mode. Family Sharing filters are applied after saving.
## Inspiration: examples of Family Sharing / Access Control
If you're using Zendo at home, you can:
* Hide accessories from kids so they can control only their own room.
* Simplify your setup for guests by hiding accessories they don't need to control (e.g., appliances, robot hoovers, etc.).
If you're using Zendo for a commercial property, you can:
* Hide accessories from staff so they can control only their own workspace.
* Simplify your setup for visitors by hiding accessories they don't need to control (e.g., security cameras, security systems, HVAC, etc.).
* Allow only admin staff to arm/disarm the security system or check the security cameras.
# Invite people to your Zendo
Source: https://docs.myzendo.com/share/invite
Inviting someone to your Zendo is as simple as sharing a link.
## Intro
You can share your Zendo app with other people. At home, you can invite family, friends & guests. At a commercial property, you can invite staff, contractors, or visitors.
Inviting someone is as simple as sending them the invitation link. Each link can be used multiple times, so you can share it with multiple people (e.g., in a group chat or email).
Each link is unique and expires after 30 days for added security.
You can cancel an invitation at any time, so you don't have to worry if you've made a mistake or sent it to the wrong person.
Once they've joined, you can give each person a personalised view of your floorplan with [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl): choose exactly which accessories they can see and control. You always see everything. For example: A guest staying for the weekend sees the guest room and the living room.
### Invite someone as Resident
If you're using Zendo at home, a resident is someone who lives at the property with you.
If you're using Zendo at a commercial property, a resident is someone who works at the property or is often at the property.
* You can set up [location-based automations](/automate/geofences) for each Resident.
* You can personalise the floorplan for each Resident using [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl).
* You can send [push notifications](/automate/push-notifications) to each Resident.
### Invite someone as Guest
If someone is visiting for a short period, invite them as a Guest.
* You can't set up [location-based automations](/automate/geofences) for Guests.
* You can personalise the floorplan for Guests using [Family Sharing (Access Control)](/share/acl), but all Guests are treated as a group (instead of per-person granular control).
* You can't send [push notifications](/automate/push-notifications) to Guests.
Guests get a simpler version of the app. These are hidden from them: [Climate Monitoring](/control-backend/climate-control), [Energy](/control-backend/energy), the Accessories section in Settings ([Batteries](/control-backend/batteries) and [Offline Accessories](/control-backend/offline-accessories)), What's New, and Help & Support.
## Invite someone
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "People & Invitations"
4. Tap "Invite People"
5. Follow the instructions on the screen
## Cancel an invitation
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "People & Invitations"
4. Select the name of the person you've invited (or select "Guests").
5. Find the invitation at the bottom of the screen, tap on it, and tap "Delete Invitation"
The link will be immediately deactivated and will no longer work.
## Remove a device (phone/tablet)
Noticed a device you don't recognise? Have your guests left and no longer need access? You can easily delete their devices from your Zendo.
1. Tap
2. Tap "Settings"
3. Tap "People & Invitations"
4. Select the name of the Person (or select "Guests")
5. Find the device you'd like to delete, tap on it, and tap "Delete Device"
The device will be immediately deactivated, and the app on that device will no longer work.