How Do I Connect the IQ5 NS Panel to My Home WIFI Network?

To connect the IQ5 NS to WIFI, open the IQ Installer app on your mobile device, connect to the panel, and navigate to the Configuration menu. Select Wi-Fi, choose your home network from the available list, and type your password. The app disconnects briefly while the panel joins the network.

Why Connect to WIFI?

The IQ5 NS (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) uses WIFI alongside LTE cellular for dual-path communication. Connecting to your home WIFI network gives your security system a second path to reach Alarm.com and your monitoring provider, improving reliability. WIFI is also required for the IQ Installer app to connect to the panel for configuration, and for software updates to download automatically.

Because the IQ5 NS has no screen, all WIFI configuration is handled through the IQ Installer app on your iOS or Android device. The app connects to the panel over the panel's built-in access point during initial setup, then manages the WIFI connection from there. Have your home WIFI network name and password ready before starting. Note that when the IQ5 NS connects to your home network, the IQ Installer app will temporarily disconnect since your phone transitions from the panel's access point to your home network.

How to Connect to WIFI

1. Open the IQ Installer app on your mobile device and connect to the IQ5 NS. Make sure your phone is connected to the panel's built-in access point or on the same local network. If this is initial setup, scan the QR code on the back of the panel and press the power button twice within 3 seconds to enter pairing mode.

Navigation path to the Wi-Fi menu in the IQ5 NS IQ Installer app:

2. Navigate to the Configuration menu and select Wi-Fi. From the app's main dashboard, tap Configuration. Scroll through the menu and select Wi-Fi. The app displays the current WIFI connection status and a button to view available networks.

IQ5 NS WIFI available networks page in the IQ Installer app:

3. Select your home network from the available list. All WIFI networks within range of the IQ5 NS appear in the list. Tap the name of your home network. A confirmation popup appears asking you to confirm the network change.

IQ5 NS WIFI network change confirmation popup:

4. Enter your WIFI password and confirm. Type your network password when prompted and tap Yes to confirm. The IQ5 NS will connect to the selected network. The IQ Installer app will disconnect briefly during this process as the panel switches from its built-in access point to your home WIFI network.

5. Reconnect the IQ Installer app to the panel over your home network. After the panel joins your home WIFI, connect your phone to the same home WIFI network. Reopen the IQ Installer app and reconnect to the IQ5 NS. The panel now communicates over both WIFI and LTE for full dual-path operation.

After Connecting

Once connected, the IQ5 NS uses WIFI and LTE together for dual-path communication to Alarm.com. Software updates can now download automatically over WIFI. To change networks later — such as after a router replacement — return to the Wi-Fi section in the IQ Installer app, select the new network, and enter the updated password. The panel saves the most recent credentials and reconnects after a reboot. You can also view the current WIFI connection status from the About page in the Configuration menu.

Connecting the IQ5 NS to your home WIFI network enables dual-path communication and ensures the panel stays connected to Alarm.com for reliable security monitoring on the IQ5 NS. For help with WIFI connection and network settings or other configurations on your IQ5 NS, contact the Alarm Grid support team. We are here Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Email us at support@alarmgrid.com, call us at 888-818-7728, or visit our website and chat with a live support agent.