What Are the Arming Options on the Qolsys IQ5 NS System?

The IQ5 NS offers multiple arming options including Arm Stay, Arm Away, No-Entry, and Night arming modes. Since there is no touchscreen, control arming through a wireless keypad, PowerG keyfob, IQ Remote PG, or the Alarm.com mobile app. The Status LED shows solid red when the system is armed.

Before You Begin

The IQ5 NS (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE versions) has no touchscreen, so arming is performed through external add-on devices. The Alarm.com app provides full arming control from your smartphone. Compatible wireless keypads like the IQ Remote PowerG, other PowerG keypads, and PowerG keyfobs offer local arming control when installed. If you have not yet connected the IQ Installer app to program the IQ5 NS, see our guide on setting up the IQ5 NS with the IQ Installer app before proceeding.

Compatible Keypads and Key Fobs:

Image	Model	Frequency	Description
	IQ Remote (QW9104-840)	WIFI	WIFI IQ Remote Touchscreen
	IQKP-915	PowerG	Wireless Numerical Keypad
	IQKP-PRX-915	PowerG	Wireless Numerical Keypad
	HS2LCDWF9	PowerG	2 x16 Wire Free LCD Keypad
	IQ Remote PG (IQR-PG)	PowerG or WIFI	PowerG IQ Remote Touchscreen
	PG9929	PowerG	4 Button Fob
	PG9939	PowerG	4 Button Fob
	PG9949	PowerG	2 Button Fob

Arming Modes

Arm Stay: Arm Stay mode arms all perimeter sensors including doors and windows while leaving interior motion sensors inactive. Use this mode when you are home and want to protect entry points without triggering alarms as you move around inside.

On a numerical keypad like the IQKP-915 or the HS2LCDWF9, press and hold the Stay key for 2 seconds and enter your access code, if requested. A feature called "Secure Arming" determines if a user code is required for any arming option. This setting is disabled by default and is located in the IQ Installer App by going to Configuration > Installation > Security and Arming.

Arm Away: Arm Away mode activates all sensors including perimeter doors, windows, and interior motion detectors. Use this mode when you plan to leave the premises and no one will remain inside. On a numerical keypad, press and hold the Away key for 2 seconds and enter your access code, if required. The exit delay timer begins counting down.

No-Entry Arming: No-Entry arming removes the entry delay from all configured zones, creating an instant alarm if any sensor is triggered once the exit delay expires. This provides maximum security for instances where you do not plan to re-enter through a protected door, such as when you're going on vacation. On a numeric keypad, press [*9] and enter your access code, if required. The Armed indicator flashes as a reminder that there is no entry delay.

Night Arm: Night Arm mode is activated when the system is already armed in Stay mode. It provides additional protection by arming specific interior zones while keeping others inactive. On a keypad, press [*1] and enter your access code (if requested) while the system is in Stay mode. This is useful for arming motion sensors in unoccupied areas of your home at night.

Arming Using the IQ Remote PG

The IQ Remote PG is a 7" wireless touchscreen keypad that mirrors the same arming interface used on the IQ Panel 5 and IQ5 Hub. To arm your system using the IQ Remote PG:

1. From the home screen, touch the Disarmed status icon to open the Arming Options screen.
2. Choose Stay to arm your doors, windows, and any Stay-enabled motion sensors, or choose Away to arm doors, windows, and all motion sensors, along with the programmed exit delay.
3. If your system has at least one motion sensor programmed as Sensor Group 21 (Night Motion), a third option, Night, will also appear alongside Stay and Away. Night Motion sensors are active only when the system is armed in Away Mode and are bypassed in both Stay and Night modes. Motion sensors programmed using any of the other interior Sensor Groups are armed in both Night and Away modes, but are automatically bypassed in Stay Mode. This makes Night Mode useful for households where someone may be up and moving around in certain areas at night.
4. If prompted, enter your access code. The system will begin its exit delay countdown (if applicable).

Unlike numeric keypads, which require arming Stay first and then entering a code sequence to switch into Night Mode, the IQ Remote PG lets you arm directly to Night Mode from the touchscreen, as long as the Night option is available on your system.

Additional Arming Options

Bypass: Bypass allows you to exclude specific sensors from the armed system. This is useful when a sensor is malfunctioning or a window needs to remain open. On a numeric keypad, press [*1], enter your access code, then enter the three-digit zone number of the sensor to bypass. Bypassed zones will not trigger an alarm during the current arming period.

Entry Delay: Entry delay gives you time to disarm the system after opening a designated entry door. The default entry delay is 30 seconds and this time can be adjusted through panel programming, if needed. You can disable entry delay during arming, for instant alarm protection, but once you do you must disarm before opening any protected door.

Exit Sounds: Exit sounds are the beeps that occur during the exit delay countdown. You can silence these beeps before arming if you prefer a quiet exit. The default exit delay is 60 seconds.

Auto Bypass: When Auto Bypass is enabled, the system automatically bypasses any open or tampered sensors during arming, allowing the system to arm even when a zone is faulted. This feature is enabled by default but can be disabled in panel programming.

Auto Stay: Auto Stay automatically changes the arming mode from Away to Stay if no entry or exit door is opened during the exit delay. The system assumes you are still home and adjusts protection accordingly.

LED Armed Status

The IQ5 NS Status LED indicates the current armed state. Solid green means the system is disarmed and ready to arm. Solid red indicates the system is armed in either Stay or Away mode. Flashing red means an alarm has occurred. The Power LED shows solid green when AC power is connected and flashing green when running on battery backup.

The IQ5 NS provides flexible arming options to match your security system needs. Consider professional monitoring and home automation for complete protection. For help configuring arming settings on your IQ5 NS, contact the Alarm Grid support team. We're here Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Email us at support@alarmgrid.com or call 888-818-7728. You can also visit our site and chat with a live agent Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time.