FAQ
Everything you need to know about SmartRemote.
Getting Started
Any device that operates on a switched circuit — electric gates, garage doors, outdoor lights, water pumps, irrigation valves, electric fences, alarm bypasses, and more. If it can be switched on or off with a relay, SmartRemote can control it.
Each SmartRemote unit has three independent relay outputs (channels 1, 2, and 3). Each channel can control a separate device and has its own mode and schedule settings.
No subscription. The device is a once-off purchase. The only ongoing cost is messaging credits if you use WhatsApp, SMS, or missed-call controls. Telegram, mobile app, web dashboard are always free.
SmartRemote is a compact IoT device that lets you remotely control up to three switches — gates, garage doors, lights, pumps, irrigation, or any other switched load. You control it via WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, missed call, a Bluetooth mobile app, or a web dashboard, with a weekly scheduler built in.
Installation
SmartRemote runs on 12V DC. You can connect it to an existing 12V supply (common inside gate motor enclosures), or purchase an optional 12V wall adapter from us.
Each relay channel provides a normally-open and normally-closed contact. You wire them in parallel with your existing trigger switch — the same way you’d add a second physical button. No cutting of power cables is required.
Nope, we use an online only, always on and highly available number which you don’t need to manage or worry about if its got airtime or going to expire.
Yes — if you’re comfortable with basic wiring inside a gate motor or electrical enclosure. The setup guide walks you through every step. If you’re unsure, any electrician or gate motor technician can do the installation in about 10 minutes
Yes. SmartRemote requires a Wi-Fi internet connection to communicate with the
messaging gateway that handles WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS etc. All control channels (WhatsApp, SMS, mobile app, web dashboard) route through the internet; there is no direct cellular fallback on the device itself.
WhatsApp & SMS Control
Only numbers you whitelist in the dashboard. Any message from an unknown number is ignored. And when you whitelist a number you can whitelist it from a date to an end date as well as only on certain days at certain times, etc. So its good for a permanent resident, a guest who has a defined length of stay as well as a gardener who only needs access during daylight hours on a Tuesday!
Once your number has been authenticated in the dashboard, you send a WhatsApp message to the device’s number with the device name (eg, if your device is called pool-light that’s what you send).
Yes, by default. After each command it sends a reply confirming the action. You can disable outgoing confirmations per-channel in the dashboard to save credits. (Telegram is always free)
The device ignores it. There is no risk (although it may consume credits)
Yes. SMS commands use the same syntax as WhatsApp and are supported on any phone.
You call the device’s number and it hangs up. The device detects the missed call and triggers a relay. Note that you must disable replies in the dashboard otherwise it will answer with a message you provide.
Mobile App & Bluetooth
Yes. An app is available for Android and iOS. It connects directly to the device over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) — no internet required.
For Bluetooth control, yes — you need to be within BLE range (roughly 10–30 metres). For remote control over any distance, use
the web dashboard or a messaging channel instead.
Yes because the online dashboard is where you set your device password and how each relay (switch) needs to act. An account does not cost anything to register.
Multiple phones can use the app, but only one connects at a time via Bluetooth. There’s no limit on web dashboard or messaging
access.
Web Dashboard
Yes. When you register your device you create an account linked to it. You can manage multiple devices from one account.
Yes, from any browser on any device, as long as your SmartRemote has a working data connection.
The dashboard at iot.smartremote.co.za lets you trigger relays, view activity history, manage authorised numbers, configure relay
modes and schedules, top up messaging credits, and update device settings.
Relay Modes & Scheduling
Each channel can be set to one of three modes:
- Pulse — closes the relay briefly then releases. Ideal for gate and garage door triggers.
- Hold — toggles the relay on/off like a latching switch. Ideal for lights and pumps.
- Timer — the relay operates on a weekly schedule you define, independent of any command.
Yes. Each of the three channels is configured independently.
In Timer mode you set one or more on/off time slots per day of the week. For example: irrigation on Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 06:00 for 20 minutes. The schedule runs on the device itself — it continues even if your internet connection is
interrupted.
Yes. The schedule is stored in the device itself and is restored automatically on power-up.
Yes. A manual command always takes effect immediately regardless of the schedule.
Credits & Billing
No. Unused credits carry forward indefinitely.
WhatsApp channel cost R0.15 per message (incoming commands and outgoing confirmations).
SMS, and missed-call channels cost R0.20 per incoming and outgoing message.
Telegram, the mobile app, and web dashboard are always free.
Log in to iot.smartremote.co.za, go to Credits, and follow the top-up instructions. Credits are loaded immediately on payment.
Paid messaging channels stop responding until you top up.
Telegram, app, and web dashboard control continue to work normally.
Your device and schedules are unaffected.
Yes. You can set a low-balance alert threshold in the dashboard — SmartRemote will notify you when the balance drops below it.
Yes, end user (that’s you) WhatsApp’s are free. However commercial WhatsApps which we use are charged for by Meta.
Troubleshooting
Check that the device has an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and has had 30–60 seconds to connect
after power-on. Make sure you’re messaging the correct virtual number assigned to your device, that your number is on
the authorised whitelist in the dashboard, and that your credit balance is sufficient — WhatsApp messages won’t be
processed if your credits have run out.
Confirm the wiring is correct for the device you’re controlling. Check that the relay mode is set correctly for your use case
(Pulse for gates, Hold for lights). If using Pulse mode, try increasing the pulse duration in the dashboard.
Make sure you’re within Bluetooth range and that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Try closing and reopening the app and re-pairing if needed.
Also ensure that the device name and password in the app match the device name and password in the dashboard.
Privacy & Security
Only numbers you explicitly whitelist in the dashboard. All other numbers and senders are ignored.
Commands sent over the internet (web dashboard, Telegram) use TLS encryption. WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted by WhatsApp itself.
Yes, we store them so that you can get activity logs to review who triggered what and when.