FAQ
TL;DR: Smart Life now shows 2 alarm add‑ons (SMS and phone call); "I see SMS and phone options as part of the notification." If push only works when the app is open, allow background access or use the paid SMS/phone option. [Elektroda, Ricorro, post #20737931]
Why it matters: Smart Life/Tuya flood‑sensor owners need reliable alerts even when the app is closed so leaks are caught fast.
Quick Facts
- As of 2023‑09‑18, Smart Life exposes SMS and phone‑call alert options for alarms as a subscription feature. [Elektroda, Ricorro, post #20737931]
- Push alerts may stop if battery optimization is enabled; allow Smart Life to run in the background. [Elektroda, daniel93, post #19583101]
- The discussed leak sensors are Wi‑Fi and cloud‑connected (not Bluetooth), so phone proximity is unnecessary. [Elektroda, daniel93, post #19583517]
- SMS delivery typically incurs charges, so vendors rarely bundle it for free. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19583542]
- Many IoT clouds use MQTT; the client must be connected to receive messages. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19583542]
How do I get SMS or phone‑call alerts from Smart Life for floods?
Open your flood sensor in Smart Life and enter its alarm notification settings. Select SMS or Phone Call where available. The feature appears as a subscription add‑on and may show plan options. A user reported seeing both options on 18‑09‑2023. [Elektroda, Ricorro, post #20737931]
Why didn’t I get flood alerts unless the app was open?
Android battery optimization or background restrictions are blocking Smart Life. The app must run in the background for push to arrive. Disable power saving for Smart Life and allow it unrestricted background activity. Then test the sensor again. [Elektroda, daniel93, post #19583101]
How do I make Smart Life push notifications reliable on Android?
- In Smart Life, enable push notifications for the flood sensor.
- Allow Smart Life to run in the background in system settings.
- Exclude Smart Life from battery optimization, then test the sensor.
These steps address the behavior seen when power saving blocks alerts. [Elektroda, daniel93, post #19583101]
Do these leak sensors use Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth, and does that affect alerts?
They are Wi‑Fi sensors and talk to the cloud. You do not need to be near them to receive alerts. Bluetooth sensors would require proximity or a gateway. Wi‑Fi plus cloud supports remote notifications over the internet. [Elektroda, daniel93, post #19583517]
Is there a cloud option that can send SMS notifications?
Yes. In Smart Life, SMS and phone‑call alerts appear inside the alarm notification settings as subscription options. This lets the cloud trigger SMS or a call on alarms. Availability and pricing are shown in‑app. [Elektroda, Ricorro, post #20737931]
Can the app send an SMS using my phone’s SIM automatically?
Consumer apps rarely auto‑send background SMS for alarms due to OS restrictions and charging considerations. Use push notifications or Smart Life’s paid SMS/phone add‑ons instead. These paths are designed to work under modern background limits. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19584053]
What’s the catch with push notifications?
Push depends on Google’s infrastructure and system policies. As one expert noted, “Sending push notifications is a surefire way out but comes with a number of restrictions.” Ensure Google services and background access are intact on your device. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19584053]
What does MQTT imply for my alerts?
MQTT is a publish/subscribe cloud setup. Your client (app) must be connected to receive messages. If the app is inactive or blocked, you can miss alerts. Push or SMS bridges the gap when the app is not actively listening. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19583542]
Where exactly do I find the SMS/phone options in Smart Life?
Open your flood sensor in the Smart Life app, then enter its alarm notification settings. Look for SMS and Phone Call items among notification methods. The options and plan selector appear there in the screenshots shared by a user. [Elektroda, Ricorro, post #20737931]
How much do SMS or phone‑call alerts cost in Smart Life?
They are presented as subscription services within Smart Life. The thread does not list prices, and they can vary by region. Open the in‑app notification options to view current packages and costs for your account. [Elektroda, Ricorro, post #20737931]
Can I get email alerts instead of SMS?
Yes, email alerts are often supported by cloud platforms at no cost. If SMS is paid or unavailable, try email notifications to add redundancy. Check your device’s notification settings in the app for an email option. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19583542]
Do alerts still arrive if my internet or router is down?
For Wi‑Fi, cloud‑connected sensors, internet loss breaks cloud delivery. Push, SMS, and calls triggered by the cloud will not arrive without connectivity. Consider local alarms or backup connectivity for critical sites. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #19583542]
For critical floods, is SMS better than push?
Use layered alerts. Push is convenient and free. SMS often yields higher attention, with typical open rates near 98%. Phone calls add urgency. Many users choose push plus SMS or call for water‑leak alarms. [Twilio, 2020]
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