Just Bought a House With ADT? Here Is What You Need to Know
If you bought a house with an existing ADT system, here is how to use the equipment without monitoring, reactivate the service, or switch to another company.
So you just bought a house with ADT already installed. Congrats on the new home! This is actually a pretty common situation. The previous owner left an ADT system behind, and now you're trying to figure out what to do with it.
I get asked about this a lot. Can you use the existing ADT equipment without paying for monitoring? Do the cameras still work without a subscription? Can you reactivate the old system? What about switching to a different security company?
I'll walk through all of it.
Your ADT panel might look like this or it could be an older push button style
How to Reactivate an Existing ADT System
If you want to get the ADT system up and running, you'll need to call ADT to reactivate it. Their phone number is (866) 968-7164 and you can also check out their website. When you call, a sales rep will set up a new account under your name, go over their monitoring packages, and talk through pricing.
The ADT reactivation process is pretty straightforward. Since you already have the equipment installed in the home, you skip the setup fee and you don't have to pay upfront for new equipment. That alone can save you a few hundred dollars compared to a brand new installation.
Once you pick a package, ADT will schedule an installer to come out and activate the existing system. The installer will test all of the sensors, set up your new pin code, and make sure everything is working. After that, you'll be good to go.
The process is quick and painless. Most of the time they can come out same day or next day.
What makes ADT unique compared to its competitors is that they have 6 different monitoring stations. This redundancy makes their service very reliable. If one station goes offline, the others pick up the slack.
Can I use ADT Without Monitoring or Paying for a Subscription?
Your ADT panel might look like this or it could be an older push button style
This is the big one. A lot of people who moved into a house with an ADT system just want to know if they can use it without paying for monitoring or a subscription.
The short answer is yes, but with limited functionality. The alarm system will still work as a local alarm without professional monitoring.
This means you can arm and disarm the system like normal and the siren will still sound if the alarm is tripped. However, nobody from the monitoring station will contact you or your local police department.
Here's a more detailed list on what will work without paying for the service:
- The siren still sounds when the alarm is triggered
- Door, window, and motion sensors still detect activity
- Smoke detectors and CO detectors still sound locally
- You can arm and disarm the system with the pin code
- Smart home devices will still function, just not from the app.
Here's what you lose without a subscription:
- No access to the ADT app on your phone
- ADT won't dispatch police, fire, or medical services
- No remote arm/disarm from your phone
- No camera access (more on this below)
If someone breaks in while your ADT alarm is armed, the siren will still go off. And honestly, most burglars aren't going to stick around when they hear that. The siren alone is a solid deterrent. You just won't have the monitoring center calling the police on your behalf.
> > ADT Promo: Nest Doorbell Camera + Full Security at No Cost or call (866) 968-7164
Getting the Pin Code From the Previous Owner
If the previous owner left you the pin code, you're all set. Just use it to arm and disarm the system as needed.
If you didn't get the pin code, your best bet is reaching out to the previous homeowner. This is one of the most common issues people run into when they move into a house with an existing ADT security system, because if you call ADT to ask for the PIN code they will not give it out unless you are a new customer. That's a security policy they have in place and honestly it makes sense.
If you can't get a hold of the previous owner, here are some commonly used pin codes you can try:
- 1234
- 2468
- 7923
None of these are guaranteed to work, but they're worth trying.
Does the ADT App Work Without a Subscription?
No. The ADT app does not work without an active subscription. This is one of the most common misconceptions I see. People assume that because the physical equipment still functions, the app should too. But ADT requires a paid monitoring plan to access the app.
Without a subscription, you can't remotely arm or disarm the system,receive push notifications, or control smart home devices. All of that requires the monitoring service.
> > ADT Promo: Nest Doorbell Camera + Full Security at No Cost or call (866) 968-7164
Can You Use ADT Cameras Without Service?
ADT cameras like this Nest doorbell require an active subscription to function
If the previous cameras are from Nest, then you can use those cameras without ADT service. You'll need to use the Google Home app to connect the cameras and you can watch them from there.
There there are older ADT branded cameras then unfortunately those will not work on their own and you will need to activate the service in order to use them.
This applies to all ADT cameras: indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. Even if the previous owner left cameras installed throughout the home, they won't do anything unless you sign up for the $48.99/month ADT camera plan.
ADT now uses Nest cameras (made by Google). If the previous owner had older ADT-branded cameras, those are even less likely to work with a new subscription since ADT has transitioned away from that hardware.
What Happens to ADT Equipment After Cancellation?
Wired sensors like door contacts can usually transfer to another security company
If the previous owner cancelled their ADT service before selling the house, all the physical equipment stays. ADT doesn't come repossess the sensors, panel, or wiring when someone cancels. It's all still there and it still belongs to whoever owns the home.
After cancellation, the system works exactly like I described above in the "without monitoring" section. The alarm, sensors, and smoke detectors function locally. Cameras go dark. The app stops working. But the hardware is still physically installed and the basic alarm functions still operate.
The equipment doesn't have an expiration date or anything like that. I've seen homes with ADT systems that are 10+ years old and the sensors still work fine. The batteries in the sensors will need replacing eventually, but the equipment itself holds up.
If you're using ADT equipment after cancellation and want full functionality again, you can call ADT customer service at (866) 968-7164 to reactivate the system under a new account.
> > ADT Promo: Nest Doorbell Camera + Full Security at No Cost or call (866) 968-7164
Can You Use ADT Equipment With Another Security Company?
Most other companies can use existing sensors and smart home equipment, but they cannot use the panel or cameras.
Other larger companies such as Vivint can typically use ADT equipment, but if you purcahse a DIY system such as SimpliSafe or Cove then neither of those systems will be able to use any of the ADT equipment.
How to Upgrade the ADT Equipment
If the equipment is old and you are not an existing customer yet, then you can call ADT directly at (866) 968-7164 or visit their website to set up the reactivation and upgrade. ADT has been in business for over 100 years, so chances are the system in your home is a few generations behind if your panel is a traditional push button style keypad.
Their newest panel is the ADT Command panel. It's a touchscreen with the ADT app built in, control smart home devices, and manage your security system from one screen.
I Accidentally Triggered the ADT Alarm. How Do I Turn It Off?
If you set the ADT alarm off by accident, punch in the pin code on the panel and it should stop.
If you don't have the pin code, unplug the ADT panel from the wall and then remove the backup battery. Just unplugging it won't do it since the backup battery will keep the system running for another 3-4 hours. Here are some instructions on how to replace the battery. Those same steps will show you how to remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ADT monitoring cost per month?
ADT's monthly cost starts at $42.99 per month for the base home security package. Adding cameras brings it up to $48.99 per month.
Does ADT require a contract?
Yes, ADT requires a minimum 12-month monitoring contract. If you finance equipment, the contract extends up to 36 months to match the financing period. There is an early termination fee if you cancel before the contract is up.
Do ADT smoke detectors work without a monitoring subscription?
Yes. ADT smoke detectors and CO detectors will still sound their alarm locally without a subscription. The difference is that ADT's monitoring center won't be notified to dispatch fire services. The alarm will go off in your house, but nobody at ADT is calling 911 on your behalf.
Can I transfer ADT service to my new home?
Yes. ADT offers a movers program that helps transfer your monitoring service to a new address. Contact ADT customer service to set this up before your move.
What smart home devices work with ADT?
ADT works with Z-Wave smart home devices including smart locks, thermostats, garage door openers, and smart lights. ADT is also compatible with Nest products from Google.
Will ADT remove old equipment from my home?
ADT generally does not come out to remove old equipment after cancellation. The equipment stays in the home. If you want it removed, you would need to do it yourself or hire a handyman. Wired sensors are usually best left in place since they are inside the door frames and walls.
Does the ADT app work without a subscription?
No. The ADT app requires an active monitoring subscription. Without a paid plan, you cannot use the app to arm or disarm the system, view cameras, receive alerts, or control smart home devices.
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