Decommissioning Decision Reversed | Last updated: October 2026 | Applies to: All Sense users
Thanks for sharing your feedback! After hearing how much you rely on the Sense web app to explore energy data on a larger screen and analyze long-term trends, we’ve reversed our decision to decommission the web app. The Sense web app will remain available.
We’ll continue improving the Sense mobile app while keeping the web experience operational, learn more about the difference between our Mobile and Web App.
Sense Web App vs. Mobile App: Features, Setup & Key Differences
Applies to: Sense Home Energy Monitor & Sense-Enabled Smart Meters
Web App URL: home.sense.com
Whether you are analyzing detailed energy trends from your computer or checking appliance status on the go, Sense offers two tailored interfaces: the Sense Consumer Mobile App (iOS & Android) and the Sense Web App.
While both platforms deliver real-time wattage tracking and historical usage insights, they play complementary roles in your energy management routine:
- The Consumer Mobile App is required for initial onboarding and provides the most up-to-date, feature-rich experience, including instant push notifications, smart plug setup, and ongoing updates.
- The Web App provides an expanded desktop view optimized for deep trend analysis, multi-tab comparisons, and data modeling.
Feature Comparison
| Feature / Capability | Sense Consumer Mobile App (iOS / Android) | Sense Web App (home.sense.com) |
| Initial Setup & Meter Pairing | ✅ Required | ❌ Not Supported |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Provisioning | ✅ Yes (BLE & 2.4 GHz) | ❌ No |
| Live Power Meter & Gauge | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Full-screen view) |
| Device "Bubbles" Screen | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Historical Trends & Billing Data | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Data Export (.CSV Download) | ✅ Yes (Usage screen) | ✅ Yes (Trends screen) |
| Instant Push Notifications | ✅ Exclusive Feature | ❌ No (Email alerts only) |
| Smart Plug Setup & Discovery | ✅ Yes (Kasa, Wemo) | ❌ Limited |
| Multi-Window / Side-by-Side View | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Multiple browser tabs) |
| Accessibility | iOS App Store & Google Play | Modern desktop browsers |
Why the Consumer Mobile App is Required for Initial Setup & Onboarding
A common question from new users is whether setup can be completed entirely on a computer. Initial hardware setup, network pairing, and device onboarding strictly require the Sense consumer mobile app. The mobile app delivers the most up-to-date experience and feature set for managing your Sense system.
The Technical Requirements of Onboarding
- During initial installation, whether pairing a Sense-enabled smart meter or installing a dedicated Sense monitor in your electrical panel, the hardware relies on specific mobile capabilities to establish a secure link to your network:
- Wi-Fi Credential Transfer: The mobile app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to securely transmit your local 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi credentials to the device.
- Proximity & Signal Diagnostics: The mobile app evaluates signal strength between your phone, meter, and router in real time during setup to guarantee long-term connection stability.
Workaround for Unsupported Devices: If your primary phone does not meet minimum operating system requirements, you can temporarily sign in on a supported smartphone or tablet to complete initial onboarding. Once complete, you can sign out and access your account daily via the Sense Web App on any desktop computer.
The Sense Consumer Mobile App
As the core platform for Sense, the Consumer Mobile App receives the latest feature enhancements and is tailored for real-time monitoring, mobility, and interactive diagnostics.
- Instant Push Alerts: Get real-time alerts the moment your clothes dryer finishes, your sump pump runs, an oven is left unattended, or your home exceeds a customized wattage threshold.
- Smart Plug Pairing: Use your phone’s local network discovery tools to link compatible smart plugs (e.g., TP-Link Kasa, Wemo) and monitor individual electronics.
- Walk-Around Diagnostics: Carry your phone from room to room, flipping circuit breakers or switching appliances on and off while observing the live wattage needle respond in real time.
- Hardware & Network Maintenance: Manage Wi-Fi reconfiguration, panel sensor calibrations, and system health checks directly beside your electrical equipment.
System & Browser Requirements
Sense Consumer Mobile App
- Apple iOS: Requires iOS 15.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone and iPad.
- Android: Requires Android 9.0 or later with official Google Play Services (GMS) and native Bluetooth LE support. (Sideloaded APKs or de-Googled devices are not supported).
Sense Web App: Compatible with the latest versions of all major desktop browsers on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Apple Safari
- Microsoft Edge
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a web browser instead of the consumer app to onboard my meter?
No. Initial setup and onboarding require Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols that are only available through the Sense consumer mobile app. However, once onboarding is complete, you can conduct all your daily monitoring via the web app.
Does the web app update in real time?
Yes. When viewing the Power Meter or Device Bubbles on home.sense.com, data streams in real time with the same sub-second responsiveness as the mobile app.
Can I export my data to a .CSV spreadsheet?
Yes, on both platforms.
- On Web: Navigate to Trends and click the Export icon in the upper-right corner.
- On Mobile: Go to Dashboard > Detailed Usage, scroll to the bottom, and select Export Data. You can export data broken down by hour, day, month, or year for your entire home or specific devices.
Will I receive notifications if I only use the web app?
You can configure your account to send critical notices to your verified email address. However, instant device alerts (e.g., "Oven left on") require the consumer mobile app with push notifications enabled.