Things to remember about Scenes:

  • A Scene can only perform a single action, but that action can be programmed to operate multiple devices. For example: You can create a scene that turns on multiple lights in your home and raises the thermostat. However...
  • To undo the changes made by a scene, a separate scene is required to change back those settings that were switched by the first scene. This is discussed in more detail in the FAQ After a Scene runs, how do I change things back?
  • Scenes send specific commands to your devices. For example, if an automated light switch in your system is already on when it receives the command "Turn On", nothing will happen. In other words, that switch will not mindlessly toggle to its Off state. Devices that are compatible with Total Connect are smart enough to understand the difference between "Turn On" and a simple "flip the other way".
NOTE: The screens and configurations discussed in this article will vary with your mobile device and the services and hardware in your system.

These illustrations are taken from the iOS version of the app. The steps are similar on Android.

If you have an account with more than one Location:

Before you do anything else, make sure to select the Location where you want to use the Scene you're creating.


1. Touch Scenes on the navigation bar at the bottom of the Security/Home screen.
See the notes at the end of this article for what to do if you can't find the icon you want
on the navigation bar.
  • On Android, touch SCENES near the top of the screen
2. A screen opens displaying a list of any existing scenes and the option to create a new one.
3. Touch
4.         On the next screen, name the scene and touch . (On this screen, use the next button at lower right on the device's keyboard.)

See the notes at the end of this article for a couple of suggestions about naming Scenes.
5. Next, choose the type of trigger that will start the scene:
  • During this time: This will open a page of clock/calendar settings so you can choose the exact day and time the scene runs. Remember that each time/date-based scene only initiates a single action, starting at a specific time/date. You will be setting a start time, not a start time and an end time.
  • Triggered by some device: Choose this option if you want the scene to be triggered by a change in the state of another piece of hardware in your system, like the security system being disarmed
  • Manually activate: This kind of scene is handy for actions like turning off all the lights when you're ready to start a movie night, for example.

    NOTE that any scene can be started manually, notwithstanding the type of trigger you select; see the FAQ How do I manage and modify Scenes on the app?
6. After making your settings, touch
7. The next screen displays all the settings in your scene (at left below).
8.   Touch
9.   On the Summary screen (above right), verify your settings and touch . As we've said elsewhere, touch the Edit icon  to make any changes.

NOTES
  • iOS: If the Scenes icon isn't present on the navigation bar, touch the button. This will open a settings screen where you'll find Scenes at the top of the page.
    • If any feature icon you're looking for isn't on the navigation bar, you can set it to appear there. See the FAQ What if the feature I want isn't at the bottom of the screen? (iOS Navigation Order)
  • It's a good idea to give your scenes simple, meaningful names. For example, in an emergency, you don't want to be on the phone with the babysitter, struggling to explain a jokey name you've given to the lights on the patio.
  • Note that the system lists scene names in alphanumeric order. You can take advantage of this in small but helpful ways. For instance:
    • You create two Scenes that you naturally think of together, like Morning OFF, which turns off outside lighting at sunrise and Evening On, which turns on the outside lights at sunset. However...
    • If it makes you crazy that they are listed like this...
    • ...you can add numerical characters to the names to display them in your preferred order: