Cove Has Potential, but Needs Major Software and Smart Home Improvement
I’ve been a Cove customer since January 2023, and while I do like the security system, I believe Cove has a considerable amount of catching up to do, especially when compared to competitors like ADT and Vivint. The lack of customization, automation, scheduling, and smart home compatibility makes the system feel more limited than it should.
Customization is one of my biggest complaints. Both the Cove Connect mobile app and touchscreen control panel need more personalization options. Customers should be able to customize their home screens, rearrange devices, organize sensors by room, create shortcuts, and adjust how information is displayed. Other security systems already offer more advanced interfaces, and Cove should be moving in that direction.
Another issue is the lack of attention to detail with device icons. Door and window sensors should have separate, accurate images. A window sensor should display a window, not a door. This should apply to both the app and touchscreen control panel. It might seem minor, but these details make a difference in how polished and professional the system feels.
One of the most frustrating limitations is the lack of built-in scheduling. I should not have to rely on Amazon Alexa to automatically arm my security system at a specific time simply because Cove doesn’t provide that functionality directly within its own app. Customers should be able to create schedules to automatically arm their systems in Stay or Away mode, set different schedules for weekdays and weekends, and customize routines based on their daily activities. Scheduling is a fairly basic feature that I would expect from a modern security system. I would also appreciate customizable reminders and notifications if the system hasn’t been armed by a certain time.
Smart home compatibility is another area that needs improvement. I’d like to see Cove expand its supported devices and integrations, including:
• Garage door sensors: Monitor whether a garage door is open or closed and receive notifications directly through Cove.
• Smart thermostats: View and adjust temperatures through the mobile app and touchscreen control panel.
• Compatible smart door locks: Monitor lock status, remotely lock or unlock doors, and integrate locks into security routines.
• Advanced automation: Create personalized routines involving security devices, schedules, and other compatible smart home products.
Cove should also provide more control over individual sensor settings, notifications, and system behavior. Customers have different homes, routines, and security needs, and the system should be flexible enough to accommodate them.
When comparing Cove to ADT and Vivint, I feel that Cove is behind in several important areas. I understand that Cove may position itself as a more affordable alternative, but affordability shouldn’t mean customers have to sacrifice basic software features or depend on third-party services for functions that should be built into the system.
For a security system that requires an ongoing monthly monitoring subscription, I believe customers should expect consistent improvements, meaningful software updates, and expanded functionality over time.
I don’t dislike Cove, and I think the system has potential. However, there’s a difference between having a functioning alarm system and offering a modern, comprehensive home security experience. Right now, Cove feels too restrictive in several areas.
I hope Cove takes customer feedback seriously and prioritizes improving its app, touchscreen panel, scheduling capabilities, customization options, and smart home integrations. These improvements would make the system considerably more competitive and provide customers with a much better overall experience.
Customization is one of my biggest complaints. Both the Cove Connect mobile app and touchscreen control panel need more personalization options. Customers should be able to customize their home screens, rearrange devices, organize sensors by room, create shortcuts, and adjust how information is displayed. Other security systems already offer more advanced interfaces, and Cove should be moving in that direction.
Another issue is the lack of attention to detail with device icons. Door and window sensors should have separate, accurate images. A window sensor should display a window, not a door. This should apply to both the app and touchscreen control panel. It might seem minor, but these details make a difference in how polished and professional the system feels.
One of the most frustrating limitations is the lack of built-in scheduling. I should not have to rely on Amazon Alexa to automatically arm my security system at a specific time simply because Cove doesn’t provide that functionality directly within its own app. Customers should be able to create schedules to automatically arm their systems in Stay or Away mode, set different schedules for weekdays and weekends, and customize routines based on their daily activities. Scheduling is a fairly basic feature that I would expect from a modern security system. I would also appreciate customizable reminders and notifications if the system hasn’t been armed by a certain time.
Smart home compatibility is another area that needs improvement. I’d like to see Cove expand its supported devices and integrations, including:
• Garage door sensors: Monitor whether a garage door is open or closed and receive notifications directly through Cove.
• Smart thermostats: View and adjust temperatures through the mobile app and touchscreen control panel.
• Compatible smart door locks: Monitor lock status, remotely lock or unlock doors, and integrate locks into security routines.
• Advanced automation: Create personalized routines involving security devices, schedules, and other compatible smart home products.
Cove should also provide more control over individual sensor settings, notifications, and system behavior. Customers have different homes, routines, and security needs, and the system should be flexible enough to accommodate them.
When comparing Cove to ADT and Vivint, I feel that Cove is behind in several important areas. I understand that Cove may position itself as a more affordable alternative, but affordability shouldn’t mean customers have to sacrifice basic software features or depend on third-party services for functions that should be built into the system.
For a security system that requires an ongoing monthly monitoring subscription, I believe customers should expect consistent improvements, meaningful software updates, and expanded functionality over time.
I don’t dislike Cove, and I think the system has potential. However, there’s a difference between having a functioning alarm system and offering a modern, comprehensive home security experience. Right now, Cove feels too restrictive in several areas.
I hope Cove takes customer feedback seriously and prioritizes improving its app, touchscreen panel, scheduling capabilities, customization options, and smart home integrations. These improvements would make the system considerably more competitive and provide customers with a much better overall experience.
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Worked great for the first year now I can’t view the cameras
Camara’s won’t connect threw the app anymore
Horrible
This is absolutely the worst security system. Set up was a pain and service is terrible. I can’t get the cameras to work 90% of the time and one of the doors I need to protect can’t use their stupid equipment. I am going to be switching very soon. Connection is so slow and the equipment is just not compatible to one another.
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Cameras
My cameras can never stay connected, as soon as we connect them back they are back disconnected in the app again.
Trash
The app, the system, the integration - all awful. Not to mention the overpriced monitoring. I’ll be switching to another brand very soon.
Cameras
Solar cameras battery will last a day or so, does not charge faster than it is used
Doorbell camera cameras work well when you can adjust the settings but most of the time you can’t
App constantly crashes
Doorbell camera cameras work well when you can adjust the settings but most of the time you can’t
App constantly crashes
Horrible app
App NEVER loads. Waste of money. It’ll give you a motivation and not show you what was recorded. When you want to live view it just never loads or just kicks you out of the screen
Unreliable Service App
The app is terrible and very unreliable. Unable to perform arming functions.
Ehh.
Honestly, you get what you pay for. This service does not compare to Vivint or any of the other security systems. Constant slow response when opening the app (if someone rings the doorbell, by the time the app finally opens, they are long gone) and the hub goes wonky quite a bit. It’s not the best. You may as well just get a ring camera. There are other companies that are more superior for security. If Vivint didn’t have such poor customer service, we would still be with them.
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Recorded events suck
First, you’re not allowed to see the free range 24/7 recording. It only records events it detects (these are usually about 10 seconds). It’s annoying to have to click the clips and it takes forever to load. Sometimes u can’t even watch a recorder clip. They need to upgrade this system because it sucks. I have eufy cameras and the eufy app is soo so much better and showing events, detecting people and animals. I cannot download eufy tho bcz I am connected to this
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Cameras will not load
I have to reload this app every two or so weeks just to be able to use the cameras.
The original was better
A huge step back on the usability front from the original Cove device and app. Endless screens full of useless things I never needed or wanted, while something as table stakes as adding a sensor requires in googling. The old app and panel were super easy to use and did everything needed except for connect to a camera. So now I’ve spent a ton of money and a ton of time. Just to get the ability to connect to a camera, and I can’t even get two of my doors back to being monitored
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App is horrible
The system and service is great but they really dropped the ball with this app, a lot of the times it doesn’t work. It will say the alarm got disarmed just for me to walk into my home and the alarm still be active. Fix your app!
Super slow
I checked my connection on all my cameras and they stay strong even on the app but it load so so slow when you want to get the video even on their own equipment it loads slow because I tried on the cove security panel and it took 15 minutes to load
Slow app
I’ve had cove at 2 different locations now and it doesn’t matter where I live, what internet I have, if I’m home or not home. If I need to see my cameras because of an alert it takes a whole minute or longer to pull up the camera.
Does NOT work from my phone
I have tried to arm and disarm from my phone several times since having the system and it NEVER works!
The app sucks
The app constantly has issues, glitches and weird visual problems. The cameras don’t like to load and when they do, they take FOREVER to load. Recommend a different service.
Horrible connection
I rarely can view my cameras and have to reconnect them all the time
Do not buy
First, it’s not DIY. Not at all. Also, they tell you the solar cameras last 7-8 months without a charge, it’s more like 2 weeks. The doorbell camera lasts 1-2 weeks. The panel only 1 day. None of them record. Don’t waste your money
Crashes all the time
Crashes when you press Security button or when you click on to see what door/window is open
