Programming and controls · Rolling Shutter Guide
Which Somfy remote do I need for my rolling shutter?
Somfy RTS remotes run Somfy RTS shutter motors; pick one by how many shutters it must control. A 1-channel Telis or on-wall Smoove runs one shutter, a 4-channel runs four or all together, and a 16-channel with a screen runs up to sixteen. A key fob suits a car, and a Wi-Fi hub adds phone control.
Key facts
- The remote must match the motor brand: Somfy RTS remotes transmit at 433.42 MHz and Gaposa remotes at 434.15 MHz, so a Gaposa remote will not pair with a Somfy motor or the reverse.
- On Roll-A-Shield shutters the transmitter follows the motor: Somfy motors get Somfy Telis handhelds (1, 4 or 16 channels), Smoove on-wall remotes (1 or 4 channels) and a key fob. Roll-A-Shield data
- One shutter can answer several remotes, and one multi-channel remote can run several shutters, so remotes can be mixed and matched. Roll-A-Shield data
- Somfy rates the Telis 16 RTS at about 20 m (65 ft) through two concrete walls; metal surfaces and devices on the same frequency shorten the range.
- Gaposa is the standard motor on Roll-A-Shield motorized shutters and Somfy is the alternative, so check the brand on the old remote or the motor head before buying. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Somfy RTS radio motors (Altus RTS and RTS override motors) on rolling shutters, with Somfy Telis, Smoove and Situo remotes, Somfy key fobs and Somfy or Bond Wi-Fi hubs. Not Somfy wired (switch) motors, Gaposa motors or OZRoll battery motors.
Will any Somfy remote work with my shutter?
Somfy RTS remotes pair with Somfy RTS shutter motors; Gaposa remotes do not. RTS ("Radio Technology Somfy") puts the radio receiver inside the motor, so the only wiring is power to the motor and the remotes talk to it by radio. Somfy RTS controls transmit at 433.42 MHz; Gaposa remotes transmit at 434.15 MHz with their own code, which is why a remote only pairs with a motor of its own brand.
On Roll-A-Shield shutters the transmitter brand is set by the motor: Somfy motors are supplied with Somfy remotes, Gaposa motors with Gaposa remotes. Gaposa is the standard motor and Somfy the alternative, so before buying, check which brand you have. The name is printed on the remote and on the motor head inside the box. If you have a Gaposa motor, see Which Gaposa remote do I need? instead.
A Somfy switch-operated (wired) motor has no radio receiver, so no remote will pair with it. A switch motor has a 4-wire cable (two direction wires, neutral and ground); an RTS motor has a 3-wire cable (hot, neutral and ground).
Which Somfy remotes are there, and what does each do?
The choice comes down to how many shutters the remote has to run and where you will use it.
| Remote | Channels | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Telis 1 handheld | 1 | One shutter; up, stop, down; comes with a wall holder |
| Telis 4 handheld | 4 | Any one of four shutters, or all four at once; wall bracket included |
| Telis 16 handheld | 16 | Up to sixteen shutters or groups, chosen on a screen; each channel can be named |
| Smoove on-wall remote | 1 or 4 | Looks like a light switch but is a battery remote; no wiring to the wall |
| Key fob | see note | A keychain remote for opening or closing from a car |
| Wi-Fi hub or Bond Bridge | many | Phone-app and voice control; covered on the phone and app control page |
In the Somfy remote video on this page, the 16-channel remote is also described as setting schedules and timers, but Somfy's own Telis 16 RTS guide lists no timer function, so plan on a Wi-Fi hub for schedules.
Roll-A-Shield's ordering system lists the Somfy key fob as a 4-channel unit that controls up to four shutters, while the Somfy product video shows a single-channel fob. Ask which one you are getting if a second or third shutter matters.
Somfy's Telis 16, Smoove and Situo remotes also have a STOP/"my" button: a short press stops the shutter, and when the shutter is already stopped it sends it to a saved favorite position.
How do I choose between them?
Count the shutters, then decide where people will be when they use them.
- One window or door, used from inside: a 1-channel Telis, or a 1-channel Smoove on the wall beside the opening.
- A room or one side of the house: a 4-channel Telis or 4-channel Smoove, which runs each shutter alone or all four together.
- The whole house: the 16-channel Telis, with each channel named on its screen.
- A storefront or garage: a key fob, so the last shutter can be closed from the car.
- Away from home, or on a schedule: a Wi-Fi bridge. See timers and schedules.
Because remotes mix and match, one shutter can answer a multi-channel remote for the whole house and also a 1-channel remote or wall remote at its own opening. How to give several shutters one button is on run two or more shutters from one switch or remote.
How far will a Somfy remote reach?
Expect a Somfy remote to cover a room or a floor of a house, not a whole property. Somfy rates the Telis 16 RTS at about 20 m (65 ft) through two concrete walls, and warns that radio headphones and other devices on the same frequency, and mounting the remote on or near metal, all cut the range. Somfy describes the 1-channel Situo as a room-range remote and the 5-channel Situo as a floor-range one.
Before you screw a wall remote or wall holder in place, stand where it will hang and run the shutter from there. Somfy's own instructions ask for this range check before mounting.
Tip: Somfy's Situo handhelds and Smoove RTS II wall remotes are indoor remotes; Somfy says not to use or install the Situo outdoors and marks the Smoove for indoor use only. For an outdoor kitchen or patio, keep the remote indoors.
What should I know before I buy a replacement?
Keep one working remote if you can, because adding a remote is quick with one and much more work without. On the remote that already works, press the PROG button on its back until the shutter jogs; then, on the new remote, select the channel and briefly press its PROG button. The shutter jogs again and the new remote is paired. The full steps, including key fobs and wall remotes, are on adding a Somfy remote, wall switch or key fob.
If no working remote is left, the motor has to be cleared with Somfy's power-cut reset before a new remote can be paired; on an Altus RTS motor that reset also erases the limits. See Somfy RTS factory reset and then set the limits.
A few practical points:
- The Smoove RTS II wall remote ships with its front buttons switched off. Hold the On/Off button until the green light shows.
- The Telis 16 RTS runs on two AAA batteries; Somfy says never to use rechargeable ones. Battery types for the other remotes are on changing a shutter remote battery.
- A remote that suddenly does nothing usually needs a battery, not a replacement. See remote stopped working.
For a Somfy remote for a Roll-A-Shield shutter, or help working out which remote your existing Somfy motor takes, call (480) 921-0200.
Watch it done
Somfy remote options for Roll-A-Shield motorized shutters
The written steps on this page are the reference; the video shows the same job.
Frequently asked questions
Will a Gaposa remote work my Somfy shutter?
No. The two brands use different radio frequencies and codes (Somfy 433.42 MHz, Gaposa 434.15 MHz), so a remote only pairs with a motor of its own brand. Look for the brand name on the motor head if the old remote is gone.
Does a new Somfy remote come paired to my shutter?
A remote bought as a replacement has to be added to the motor. With a working remote you press its PROG button until the shutter jogs, then briefly press PROG on the new one.
How many remotes can one Somfy shutter have?
Several. A shutter can be paired to a handheld, an on-wall remote and a key fob at the same time, and each one also keeps working on its own.
My new Smoove wall remote does nothing. Is it faulty?
Probably not. Somfy ships the Smoove RTS II with its front buttons switched off; press and hold the On/Off button until the green light shows, then try again.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Replacement motors, remotes, straps, slats and hardware ship from our Tempe, Arizona factory. Phoenix-area owners can book a service visit; everywhere else, our technicians help by phone. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.