No. New SimpliSafe hardware is not backward compatible with older generations. Sensors, keypads, and base stations from the Original SimpliSafe will not work with Gen 3 – and the reverse is equally true. If you’re upgrading, you’re replacing almost everything.
The one exception is cameras. Your SimpliCam Wired Indoor Camera and Video Doorbell Pro will carry over to a Gen 3 system automatically. Everything else starts fresh.
SimpliSafe Generation Overview
SimpliSafe has two main hardware generations on the market:
- Original SimpliSafe – the pre-2018 system. All-white keypad with oval buttons, one red and one blue. No Wi-Fi connectivity, no app control, no smart home integration. Still functional if you have it, but SimpliSafe no longer sells components for it.
- Gen 3 SimpliSafe (2018-present) – the current system. Black and white keypad with round buttons. Wi-Fi and cellular, app control, Alexa/Google Assistant compatible, video verification, over 15 sensor types. This is everything SimpliSafe sells today.
There is no “Gen 2” in SimpliSafe’s naming – they went from Original to Gen 3. If you bought a system before 2018, you have Original. After 2018, you have Gen 3.
What’s Cross-Compatible vs What Isn’t
SimpliSafe is direct about this. From their official support documentation:
“The sensors from your Original SimpliSafe system are not compatible with the new Gen 3 system.”
Here’s the full breakdown:
| Component | Cross-compatible? |
|---|---|
| Entry sensors | No |
| Motion sensors | No |
| Keypads | No |
| Base station | No |
| Key fob | No |
| SimpliCam wired indoor camera | Yes – transfers automatically |
| Video Doorbell Pro | Yes – transfers automatically |
| Account / monitoring plan | Yes – carries over via app |
The wireless protocol changed between generations – that’s why sensors won’t pair across systems. It’s not something that can be patched or worked around.
Upgrading to New SimpliSafe – What to Keep and What to Replace
If you’re moving from Original to Gen 3, plan to replace the base station, keypad, all sensors, and key fobs. Budget accordingly – a decent Gen 3 starter kit runs $250-$400 on Amazon before you add extra sensors.
What you don’t have to replace:
- SimpliCam wired indoor cameras carry over and link automatically when you set up the new base station via the app
- Video Doorbell Pro also transfers
- Your monitoring plan and account settings transfer when you use the “Replace Base Station” option in the SimpliSafe app
For most households upgrading from Original, the practical path is buying a Gen 3 package that covers your main entry points, then adding individual sensors for doors and windows you want covered. SimpliSafe sells add-on sensors individually so you’re not locked into a bundle size that doesn’t fit your home.
The current Gen 3 system (available on Amazon with affiliate tag) is a solid starting point for a full replacement:
How to Check Which Generation You Have
Look at your keypad
All-white with oval buttons and one red + one blue button = Original SimpliSafe. Black and white with round buttons = Gen 3.
Check the base station
The Original base station is a short, squat cylinder. The Gen 3 base station is taller and slimmer – about 8 inches tall with a flat top.
Open the SimpliSafe app
If you can control your system through the SimpliSafe app, you have Gen 3. The Original system has no app control – you manage it through the keypad only.
Check your purchase date
If you bought your system before 2018, it’s almost certainly Original. Gen 3 launched in January 2018 and is the only version SimpliSafe has sold since.