Setting Up OpenSeizureDetector as a Remote Alarm Receiver (Network Mode)

This guide explains how to set up a second Android phone (or tablet) as a remote alarm receiver for an existing OpenSeizureDetector installation. This is useful when the person being monitored is in a different room and you need alarm notifications on a second device, for example a phone carried by a carer overnight.

How Network Mode Works

[PineTime / Garmin watch]
         |
         | Bluetooth
         v
[Primary phone running OSD]  <-- detects seizures, raises alarms
         |
         | Wi-Fi (same local network)
         v
[This phone in Network mode] <-- receives alarm notifications remotely

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Before You Start

You will need:

A second Android phone or tablet running Android 8.0 or later
An existing OpenSeizureDetector installation on a primary device (with a watch connected)
Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network
The IP address of the primary device (see below)

Finding the Primary Device IP Address

On the primary phone, open OpenSeizureDetector and look at the System tab. You will see a line like:

Access Server at: http://192.168.1.50:8080

The four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 192.168.1.50) are the IP address you need. Alternatively, find the IP address in your router’s connected devices list.

Step 1 - Welcome Screen

Install OpenSeizureDetector on the second device. When you first launch it, the setup wizard starts automatically.

Press Next to continue.

Step 2 - Choose Data Source

On the Choose Data Source screen, select Network (Remote Monitoring).

Option	Description
Phone (Demo Mode)	Uses the phone accelerometer - for testing only
PineTime Watch (Recommended)	PineTime wrist watch seizure detection
Garmin Watch	Garmin smart watch seizure detection
Network (Remote Monitoring)	Receives alarms from another OSD device on your Wi-Fi

Press Next to continue.

Step 3 - Configure Network Connection

The network configuration screen asks for the IP address of the primary device.

Empty state (before entering IP)

The screen explains:

This device will receive alarm notifications from the remote (primary) device
Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network
No seizure detection algorithms run on this device - those run on the primary device

Entering the IP address

Tap the IP address field and type the IP address of the primary device.

As you type a valid IP address (four numbers separated by dots, e.g. 192.168.1.50), the app automatically attempts to connect to the primary device on port 8080.

Validation results:

Status	Meaning
Green: Server validated successfully	Connected - tap Next to continue
Orange: Cannot reach server	Check IP address and that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi
Red: Invalid IP address format	The address format is wrong - check you have typed it correctly

A Retry button appears if validation fails - tap it after checking your settings.

Note: The Next button only becomes enabled once the primary device is successfully reached. Algorithm selection is skipped entirely in Network mode - the algorithms are configured on the primary device.

Press Next once validation succeeds (shown in green).

Step 4 - Setup Complete

The wizard skips the algorithm selection step (since algorithms run on the primary device) and goes straight to the completion screen.

The summary shows:

Data Source - Network (Remote Device)
Enabled Algorithms - Configured on remote device

Press Get Started to launch the monitoring screen.

What Happens Next

OpenSeizureDetector connects to the primary device over Wi-Fi
The primary device sends alarm status updates every 2 seconds
When the primary device raises a Warning or Alarm, this device:
- Sounds the alarm tone
- Displays a notification
- Shows the alarm status on screen

The second device mirrors the alarm state of the primary device in near real-time.

Important Notes

The primary device must have OpenSeizureDetector running and connected to the watch at all times for remote monitoring to work
If the Wi-Fi connection is lost, the secondary device will show a connection error
The secondary device does not need a watch connected
Alarm sensitivity and algorithm settings are controlled only on the primary device
All settings can be changed at any time from the Settings menu

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Cannot reach server	Confirm both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data)
IP address keeps changing	Set a static IP (DHCP reservation) for the primary phone in your router settings
Alarm notifications not appearing	Check Android notification permissions for OpenSeizureDetector on this device
Validation succeeds but no alarms received	Ensure OSD is running and connected to the watch on the primary device
Connection drops overnight	Disable Wi-Fi sleep/power-saving on both devices

For more information visit openseizuredetector.org.uk