Using Siri & Geofencing | Smart Home Security

What this card covers: Part 1 teaches you to use Siri to arm and disarm your security system with your voice. Part 2 walks you through setting up geofencing — so your system arms itself when you leave and disarms when you come home, automatically.

🎙️ Part 1 of 2

Arming & Disarming
with Siri

Just say "Hey Siri" followed by one of the commands below. Siri talks to your Apple TV — which talks to your security system. You don't need to open any app.

🔒 Away

Hey Siri, arm my home in Away mode

Use this when leaving your home. All door, window, and motion sensors turn on. Your system is fully armed.

🏠 Home

Hey Siri, arm my home in Home mode

Use this when staying inside. Door and window sensors stay on — motion sensors turn off so you can move freely around your home.

✅ Disarm

Hey Siri, disarm my home

Use this when returning home. The system turns off. Fire and water sensors stay active at all times — those never turn off.

❓ Status

Hey Siri, is my home armed?

Siri will tell you the current status of your security system — Armed Away, Armed Home, or Disarmed.

💡 Good to Know

Siri works on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and through the Apple TV itself. You can say these commands from anywhere in your home — or even when you're away, as long as your Apple TV is on. These commands work without an Abode subscription.

⚠ If Siri Says "I Can't Do That"

This usually means your Apple TV is off or not connected to the internet. Check that the Apple TV is plugged in and the TV input is not required — the Apple TV works in the background whether your television is on or not. If the problem persists, call EJ: 623.272.8066.

📍 Part 2 of 2

Setting Up Geofencing —
Arm & Disarm Automatically

Geofencing uses your iPhone's location to arm your system when you leave and disarm when you return home — without touching a button or saying a word. Set it up once. It runs quietly in the background from then on.

✅ This is Free — No Subscription Needed

Geofencing through the Apple Home app works without an Abode subscription. Your Apple TV 4K runs the automation in the background, even when your iPhone isn't home.

How It Works

You leave home → iPhone notices → Apple TV runs automation → System arms Away

You return home → iPhone notices → Apple TV runs automation → System disarms

Setup Steps — Follow in Order

1

Allow the Home app to always see your location

Open your iPhone's Settings app. Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security. Tap Location Services. Scroll down and tap Home. Tap Always. Also make sure Precise Location is turned on.

This is what makes the automation work. Without "Always," your iPhone only checks location when you open the app — too slow to be useful.
2

Make sure your home address is set in the Home app

Open the Home app on your iPhone. Tap the three-dot menu ··· in the top right. Tap Home Settings. Tap your home name at the top. Confirm your address is correct or type it in.

Your iPhone uses this address to know when you've left and when you've come back.
3

Create the "When I Leave" automation

Open the Home app. Tap Automation at the bottom of the screen. Tap the + button in the top right. Tap A Person Arrives or Departs.

Under "When," select Departs and make sure your name is checked. Set the location to your home address. Tap Next.

Scroll to find your security system. Tap it. Select Away. Tap Done.
4

Create the "When I Return" automation

Tap + again. Tap A Person Arrives or Departs.

Under "When," select Arrives and make sure your name is checked. Same home address. Tap Next.

Tap your security system. Select Disarmed. Tap Done.
5

Test it — take a short walk

Walk at least 800 feet (about two city blocks) away from your home. Wait one to two minutes. Check the Apple Home app — the security system status should show Armed Away.

Walk back home. Wait one to two minutes after you arrive. The status should show Disarmed.

If it doesn't work on the first try, make sure your iPhone's Location Services step (Step 1) is set to Always — that's the most common reason it doesn't trigger.

⚠ If Your Phone Battery Dies Away From Home

Your system will stay armed — it cannot receive the "I'm home" signal from a dead phone. Use your Key Fob or the Keypad to disarm when you get back. This is why EJ leaves both with you at install.

💡 A Note on Privacy

Your iPhone's location is used only to trigger the automation locally — it runs on your Apple TV, inside your home. Apple does not share your location data with Abode or Inward2Onward. If you ever want to turn geofencing off, simply delete the automations in the Home app's Automation tab.

Quick Reference

Arm Away (leaving) "Hey Siri, arm my home in Away mode"

Arm Home (staying in) "Hey Siri, arm my home in Home mode"

Disarm "Hey Siri, disarm my home"

Check status "Hey Siri, is my home armed?"

Geofencing arms system 800+ feet from home · waits ~1–2 min

If Siri doesn't respond Check Apple TV is plugged in

If phone battery dies away Use Key Fob or Keypad to disarm

Need help? Call EJ · 623.272.8066

Using Siri & Geofencingwith Your Security System

Arming & Disarmingwith Siri

Setting Up Geofencing —Arm & Disarm Automatically

Using Siri & Geofencing
with Your Security System

Arming & Disarming
with Siri

Setting Up Geofencing —
Arm & Disarm Automatically