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How to use smart home automation actions and scenes in your Boston home

June 03, 2025
Resident accessing a home security app on his mobile device

Home security is more than alarms and motion detectors. These days, your modern system focuses on smart home automation and pre-configured scenes. By using your command panel or smartphone app, you can incorporate custom actions that elevate your conveneince and security. Learn how to create your own in just a few straightforward steps. 

What is possible with smart home automation?

Advanced smart homes let you do so much, like inspecting video streams or adjusting thermostat settings directly from your cell phone. But that’s merely the beginning. Smart home automation lets different elements of your home to work together. 

These are some examples of what you can do:

  • Disarm your system when a door unlocks with a PIN
  • Unlock your main entrance when a fire alarm or CO detector activates
  • Lock doors a set amount of time after they are unlocked
  • Set indoor cameras to record if a door opens or motion detector trips
  • Activate and deactivate your system at certain moments

There’s no limit to what you might do. You could even establish a varied nighttime scene that activates your system, locks doors, and adjusts lighting all at once. The best home security systems in Boston make it simple with user-friendly smartphone apps.

Setting home automation actions in your Boston home

Programming smart home automation is simpler than you realize, even if you are daunted by new technology. Cell phone apps like Vivint’s let you make life easier with custom actions in merely a minute or two. Vivint’s app even comes pre-configured with various recommended automation actions you can just turn on.  

Here’s a general rundown of how to make a new action, also referred to as a rule:

  1. Access the Vivint app on your mobile device.
  2. Tap the menu icon in the upper left corner and select “Smart Actions.”
  3. Tap the “+” sign to start a new action.
  4. Select what you wish to occur. For example, you could wish to commence a camera recording, arm your system, or turn on a light. You’ll find various possibilities.
  5. Next, determine what will cause the action. To illustrate, you could want a light to switch on when a motion detector activates or a surveillance camera to record when a door lock opens. You might also schedule an action according to the time of day.
  6. Then, you just have to check what you’ve done, ensure you save it, and toggle it on to enable it.

If it appears complex, it’s far from it. Due to the app's usability, you can virtually just touch what you want and toggle rules on or off. If you want a surveillance device to record when a door is opened, you may choose which camera you want from a list. You'll also choose the door if there are more than one options. The rule may be set for all hours or only for certain timeframes.

Find the best in smart home automation by choosing a Vivint security system

Take some of life’s daily tasks off your to-do list and have your new Vivint smart home handle them for you! By using smart home automation, you’ll benefit from a new level of convenience while getting better protection for your loved ones. Design your smart home in Boston today by calling (617) 826-8647 and speaking to a Vivint expert.