Pair and install Xfinity Home motion sensors — Xfinity Smart Home and Shield Select

Set up sensors to keep an eye on your home, wherever you are. This article provides step-by-step instructions to pair, install, and test Xfinity Home motion sensors. The setup typically takes a few minutes per sensor.

Get a pro to do it! If you subscribe to Xfinity Smart Home, you can reach out to HelloTech for professional installation.

What you'll need

• Access to the Xfinity app
• Active Smart Home service
• Compatible gateway (XB6 or newer unless current product eligibility states otherwise)
• All parts in the Getting Started Kit:
  • Motion sensor and preinstalled batteries (one)
  • Double-sided tape (three)

Difficulty

Easy

Time needed

About 10–15 minutes

Before you begin

• Ensure you’re using the latest version of the Xfinity app. 
• For best pairing results, keep all sensors close to the gateway until pairing completes, then install and test each sensor in its final location.

Pair your sensor using the Xfinity app

1. Sign in to the Xfinity app.
2. Select the Home tab, then select the plus sign (+) in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Xfinity Sensors, then select Get Started.
   • Your gateway will then prepare to be paired with your sensors.
   • The Xfinity app will then prompt you to bring all the sensors you’d like to activate near the gateway for the best pairing connection.
4. Select Begin pairing sensors.
5. Remove activation strips to allow the sensors to pair.
6. Remove or slide down the battery cover to remove the strip.
   • Lights should begin blinking.
7. Select Next.
8. The Xfinity app will now scan for the sensors.
   • Wait until all the sensors you are trying to pair appear in the Xfinity app.
   • This should not take longer than three minutes.
9. Once all the sensors appear, the Xfinity app will walk you through the installation process for each sensor.

Install your motion sensor

Note: Your sensor should be paired before installation. Refer to the above steps if you have not yet paired the device.

1. Choose any motion sensor and verify that it is working.
   
   • Start with all motion sensors face down on a flat surface so they do not detect motion. 
   • The status in the Xfinity app should say Clear. 
   • Turn over one of the sensors and wave a hand or move in front of it. 
   • The status should change from Clear to Detected. 
2. Select Begin installation.
3. Check for proper sensor placement before continuing.
   
   • Choose a clean corner in a room where the sensor can be attached to the wall (about six to eight feet above the floor) and face the entire area you want to cover.
4. Select Next.
5. Remove the sensor from the cover.
6. Place the battery cover first in the corner using the double-sided tape and press firmly to ensure a strong bond.
   • Place it high enough so it’s out of reach of children and pets.
7. Select Next.
8. Slide the sensor down onto the battery cover until you hear a click.
   • The sensor will go into test mode for 15 minutes.
9. Select Continue.
10. Stand in range and get ready to test the sensor.
    
    • Testing ensures the sensor has a good connection to your Xfinity WiFi Gateway and is working correctly.
11. Select Begin sensor test.
12. Move around within the coverage area, then wait for test confirmation.
    • Once motion has been detected by the sensor, your test will be complete. 
13. The Xfinity app will let you know if the test was successful. Select Continue.
14. The Xfinity app will prompt you to add a name for your sensor.
15. Tap Done.
16. If you have additional sensors to install, the Xfinity app will prompt you to go through the installation steps again for each device.
17. You’re all set! When all sensors have been installed, you can choose to create rules and schedules, and sync your sensors with other connected devices to get real time-alerts.

Troubleshooting

If the sensor will not pair, confirm the activation strip has been removed, the sensor is near the gateway, and the Xfinity app is up to date. If the sensor still does not appear, restart pairing or reset the sensor to factory settings.

If the sensor shows offline after installation, check battery status, confirm the gateway has not moved, and clear large objects between the sensor and gateway before retesting.

Locate and remove the activation strip

The activation strip is a plastic tab beneath the battery cover of the sensor. Pull the strip. The light should blink until pairing is complete.

If pairing is unsuccessful after a few minutes, the sensor will go to sleep and no longer appear as paired. Close this screen and refer to strip missing or sensor not appearing instructions to restart the pairing process.

Strip was already removed or a sensor isn’t appearing

First, make sure the sensor is near the gateway for the best pairing connection, then:

• A: Start the pairing process by sliding the battery cover open, waiting five seconds, then closing.
• B: The light will blink until pairing is complete.

If the light doesn't go on, you may need to replace the batteries or reset the sensor back to factory settings.

Reset the sensor back to factory settings

• A: Slide the battery cover open and remove both batteries.
• B: Press and hold the tamper/reset button while reinserting only one of the batteries, then release within four seconds. Reinsert the second battery.

The light will blink until pairing is complete.

Identify which motion sensors have paired

1. Start with sensors face down on a flat surface, so they stop detecting motion. The status under the sensor names should say Clear.
2. Turn over one sensor. Wave a hand or move in front of it. The status should change to Detected. Place it face down and repeat for other sensors.
3. Set successfully paired sensors aside.
4. If any sensor’s status won’t change, check the other Help options to make sure it’s paired.
   • If the issue persists, try factory resetting the sensor.
   • Alternatively, continue through installation for successfully paired sensors and try troubleshooting other sensors later.

Remove your motion sensor

To remove your motion sensor:

1. Sign in to the Xfinity app.
2. Select the Home tab, then select the sensor you'd like to remove.
3. Select the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
4. Select Remove this device.