Editor's Review
Security hardware is only as usable as the app in front of it, and ADT Control ® is the phone-side interface for one of ADT's platforms. Arming, disarming, camera views, sensor status and automation rules all move from a wall keypad to a screen you already carry.
Day-to-day use:
The routine tasks are the point. Arm the system on the way out, disarm it for a cleaner or a delivery, check whether a door or window was left open, see what tripped a motion sensor. Camera integration adds live views and recorded clips, push notifications carry alarm and sensor events as they happen, and automation ties lights, locks and thermostats to the security state rather than scattering them across separate apps.
The catch:
None of this exists without ADT equipment and an active monitored plan. The app is the front end for a paid service, not a standalone security product, and which features appear depends on the package and the hardware generation a household has. ADT has also moved customers between platforms over the years, and picking the wrong app from the store is an easy mistake to make.
The 4.53 average across a million installs points to a stable piece of software. The complaints that do surface cluster around delayed notifications and cameras that take a moment to load on a weak connection.
Features
Arm and disarm the system remotely
Live camera views and recorded clips
Door, window and motion sensor status at a glance
Push notifications for alarm and sensor events
Automation rules linking lights, locks and thermostats to the security state
User codes and access management for the household
Pros
Replaces the wall keypad for almost everything routine
Cameras, sensors and automation sit behind one login
A 4.53 average across a million installs points to stable software
Cons
Requires ADT equipment and an active monitored plan
Available features vary with the package and equipment generation
ADT publishes more than one app, and choosing the wrong one is easy
Questions people ask
Do I need an ADT subscription?
Yes. The app talks to ADT equipment through a monitored account. Without the hardware and an active plan there is nothing for it to connect to.
Is this the right ADT app for my system?
Not necessarily. ADT has run several platforms and publishes a separate app for each. If your login is rejected, check which platform your system sits on before assuming the account is broken.
Can several people in the household use it?
Yes. Systems are normally set up with multiple users and access codes, managed from the account rather than by installing a second copy.
Does the app itself cost anything?
The listing is free. The cost sits in the monitoring plan and the equipment, not in the software.
