Frequently asked questions

• How does it tell me a door has opened?

  The instant the body and magnet move apart, the reed contact opens and the ZDS16 sends an open state over Zigbee to the gateway and on to the Smart Life app — the notification reaches your phone in a fraction of a second. The same opening can also start a scene, not just an alert.
• Do I need a hub for the ZDS16?

  Yes. The ZDS16 is a Tuya Zigbee device and does not connect to Wi-Fi or a router directly — it needs a Tuya / Smart Life Zigbee gateway that picks up the sensor's signal and passes it to the app and the cloud. If you have no hub yet, add a Tuya Zigbee gateway first, then the sensor.
• What battery does it use and how long does it last?

  It uses a common 3 V CR2032 coin cell, and the maker quotes over a year of life. Before the battery runs flat you get a low-battery alert in the app, so you can replace it in time and never end up with a silent sensor.
• What can I mount it on and how does it stick?

  On any door or window with a moving and a fixed part: a front door, a balcony door, a window, even a cabinet. The two pieces stick on with adhesive tape and no drilling — the body on the moving part, the magnet on the frame. Align them on the same line, as the trigger threshold is around 23 ± 5 mm.
• Can I use a door opening as an alarm?

  Yes. In the app, tie a ZDS16 opening to a scene: at night or in an away mode an opening can sound a Tuya siren, send a push notification or turn on the lights. The sensor also has a tamper alert if someone tries to pry it off the wall.
• Which ecosystems and voice assistants does it work with?

  As part of the Tuya / Smart Life ecosystem, the ZDS16 shows up in the Smart Life app and integrates with SmartThings, and through a linked Tuya/Smart Life account with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for notifications and voice scenes. Every path, though, runs through the Tuya Zigbee gateway.
• Can I use it outdoors, on a gate or garage door?

  It is not recommended. The ZDS16 has no declared IP rating and is meant for indoor use in the -10 to 55 °C range, away from rain and direct damp. For a gate or an exposed garage door, choose a contact sensor rated for outdoor use.