GivEnergy Monitor for Android

A number of people have asked me recently if my app will work remotely (like the old GE one did).
I have only ever used my app at home on my home network, but I know some people have been running it successfully over a VPN.

I don't want to advise anyone wrongly, so I'll defer to the expertise of those who have already done it.

Presumably you need a piece of hardware (e.g. a router) on your home network, and some software on your mobile device.
What hardware do you use? Is it your main router, or a device internal to your network? If internal do you set port forwarding on the main router?
What software do you use and what protocol does it run (OpenVPN, WireGuard, or something else?)?
Do you use Dynamic DNS or have a static public IP address?
Do you have any links to instructions or YouTube videos that would help others set up a VPN like yours?

Thanks for any contributions.

Just written a long message, but took so long I must have been logged out when I submitted it and it's disappeared! .

Anyway the gist of it was that I've successfully managed to set up a connection from my Samsung mobile to my Nokia G11, which is on a stand at home with the Inverter Monitor app on it connected via home Wifi to the inverter (no sim in the Nokia), and now am able to control and operate the Nokia remotely using my Samsung. I get Nokia screen showing on my Samsung screen. Can't use my router as vpn, because it doesn't use Open vpn or Wireguard.

The two apps needed (found using an AI search) are AIRDROID, and AIR MIRROR. Airdroid goes on the home Nokia phone, and AIR MIRROR goes on my mobile Samsung. The 2 then get connected together and you can control the screen and use the apps on the home phone.
I've only had it on a couple of days using the free version which has a data restriction of 200mb per month, but there's an offer of 12 months for $15 at the moment, which does away with ads and has unlimited data use.
Don't know how secure it all is. Perhaps one of those looking at this, who is more techie, can tell me if I'm more exposed than I should be. (Not sure if that reads right! )

Here's the AI answer I was given.

Option 1: Using AirDroid (Best for Unattended Access)
This is ideal if you want to access your home phone at any time without someone there to click "Accept."
On the Home Phone (the one you are leaving behind):
Download AirDroid Personal from the app store.
Open the app and create an account (or sign in if you already have one).
Go to Me > Security & Remote Features and turn on Remote Control.
If prompted, download and install the AirDroid Control Add-on. This is a small helper app that allows for full control.
Ensure the phone is plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi.
On Your Current Phone (the one you take with you):
Download the AirMirror app.
Log in with the same account you used on the home phone.
Your home phone should appear in the list. Tap it and select Control to see its screen and use your apps.
AirDroid
AirDroid
+2

I've also been running the RubikCube app remotely via VPN for a few months now. I'm fortunate in that my router, a Fritzbox which came with our Zen full fibre connection, has a native VPN and it's a simple procedure. Having configured it (easy) I simply switch the VPN on in the settings of my mobile phone and I can connect into my Home network. It's of type IPSec/PSK. So check to see if your router has this onboard natively.

I've also got Home Assistant running and configured to completely replace the functionality of the official Giv app. Remote connection to that is also fairly straightforward using the TailScale system - you can integrate this into HA and then use the secure remote URL it generates to log in to HA on your local network. If you follow SpeakToTheGeek's latest walkthrough video on YouTube, it's simple enough. I will look into TailScale with the RubikCube app next.

I use a WireGuard VPN running in a container on an RPI4 that also hosts NextCloud and HomeAssistant.

I use Duck DNS to point to my external IP address, which isn't fixed. I have a Google Nest mesh WiFi system connected to the fibre ONT. That port forwards the WireGuard port to the RPI4.

This was all in place long before we got the GivEnergy system because we have an apartment in Tenerife so it allows to access all the devices in our UK home and watch UK TV, etc.

I have WireGuard clients on our phones and on my PC in Tenerife. The GivEnergy Monitor app works on my phone anywhere. The GivEnergy app works in home mode on any WiFi but not on phone data because it seems to check the phone is connect to WiFi before it checks if it can connect to the inverter's IP.

Thanks for all this...I tried Tailscale but found it too difficult to get to work reliably..
I do not have OpenVPN on my router..

I might try AirDroid/AirMirror as mentioned above.but not sure if secure enough - any thoughts?

Someone on the main Giv Forum mentioned this method: https://www.nomachine.com/support/docum ... achine-vpn
Anyone experience of this and it's security? It seems easy enough to operate.
Andy

I was wondering that too, about security with Airdroid.

However, it's very easy to set up, and the old Nokia phone I use to display the Inverter Monitor app has only a couple of other apps on it, and certainly nothing of value to anyone else. Not only that, but I'm only likely to use Airdroid for a few minutes a day in the evening, just to check and adjust the app if necessary when I'm away on holiday, or out with friends, so I think security is likely to be less of an issue. I also read somewhere that using the mobile sim in your phone to log on to your home Monitor is inherently more secure, because of your phone's security and the security of the sim provider.

I'm on IOG, and use the app to off-load the battery to the grid in the evening so it's just about empty by 11.30pm. That runs pretty well automatically using a sliding scale of battery percentages, checking the battery level every half hour through the evening. Occasionally the discharge rate needs adjusting slightly so I don't use the grid before 11.30pm.

Hi All - I tried NoMachine - was far too complicated and needs a subscription after trial!
I am using AirDroid/AirMirror - works well..but a few annoying adverts

I've just successfully set up remote control of Android by Android using RustDesk which is open source. Seems to behave quite nicely and I have established a persistent connection with permanent password for remote waking... Time will tell if it stays up.

I have just succeeded in setting this up with wireguard.
I have to say despite trepidation it was incredibly easy. there are turorial videos on line such as this one ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g87glfBBFv4 )
My asus mesh router has wireguard as an option and following that video i was up and running in no time.

I have to remember to turn the vpn on in the wireguard app on my android phone before loading your monitor software but all works fine.

I have had some communication with givenergy software team and they have confirmed that without paying we will not get the weekly / monthly /annual reports that i rely on to track payback of my sytem. I have turned on "collect stats" on an android tablet but am cluelss as to how to collect the data and or sort it to give totalled figures, perhaps reports graphs etc can be provided in a similar format to what GE gave?

I might give this a try but my reasoning is probably much simpler in that I want to ensure that stats are collected for any period when I am away from home. I guess I could just leave an old phone running the app, but if not, does this app pick up all of the stats when returning after several days or weeks away? Not too concerned about daily stats but certainly solar generation for the month and usage. If I read the notes properly the stats get picked up after any absence on a YTD basis, so no daily data but cummulative should be OK.