Abus Geofencing Not Working? A Guide for Smartvest Users
The geofencing feature in the Abus Smartvest system is designed to automatically arm or disarm your alarm based on your smartphone's location, adding a layer of convenience to your security. When this feature fails, it's usually due to a handful of common issues related to your phone's settings. This guide will walk you through the steps to get it working reliably.
## Step 1: Correctly Configure Phone Location Permissions
The Smartvest app needs constant access to your location to know when you've crossed the virtual "fence" around your home. This is the most common point of failure.
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Enable Main Location Services: Ensure your phone's global location setting is turned on.
- On iOS: Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and make sure the main toggle is on.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Location and turn the service on.
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Grant 'Always Allow' Permission to the Smartvest App: This is crucial. The app must be able to check your location even when it's closed.
- On iOS: Go to Settings, scroll down to the Smartvest app, tap Location, and select Always. It's also important to enable the Precise Location option.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Smartvest > Permissions > Location, and choose Allow all the time.
## Step 2: Check the Geofencing Setup in the Smartvest App
Once your phone's permissions are correct, verify the configuration inside the Abus Smartvest app.
- Activate the Feature: Navigate to the menu where you control automations or geofencing and ensure the feature is toggled on.
- Verify Home Location and Radius: The app uses a pin on a map to mark your home. Check that this pin is placed exactly on your property. If it's on a nearby street, it can cause erratic behaviour. Also, check the radius of the geofence; if it's too small, minor GPS inaccuracies could make the system think you're home when you're not, and vice-versa. Consider making it slightly larger.
- Link to an Action: Ensure that crossing the geofence is linked to a specific action, such as 'Arm the system' or 'Disarm the system'.
## Step 3: Disable Battery Optimisation for the App
Smartphones try to save battery by putting apps to "sleep". This is a major cause of geofencing failure.
- Turn Off Low Power Mode: Do not use your phone's general 'Low Power Mode' or 'Battery Saver Mode' if you want geofencing to be reliable, as these modes heavily restrict background activity.
- Exempt the App from Optimisation (Especially Android):
- On Android devices, go to Settings > Apps > Smartvest > Battery.
- Set the app's battery usage to Unrestricted. This will prevent the operating system from stopping the app's background processes.
- Also, check any "Device Care" or "Cleaner" apps to ensure the Smartvest app is on an exclusion list.
## Step 4: Ensure a Stable Data Connection
For the app to report your location back to your Smartvest panel, your phone needs an internet connection.
- Keep Mobile Data On: When you leave home and are no longer on Wi-Fi, your phone must have mobile data enabled to report that you have exited the geofence zone.
- Check Background Data: Ensure that the Smartvest app has permission to use background data. This can usually be found in the app's settings under "Mobile data & Wi-Fi".
By methodically ensuring the app has the permissions it needs and is exempt from battery-saving features, you can solve most Abus Smartvest geofencing problems.