No Image Preview with Your August Notifications?
One of the best features of the August Doorbell Cam is getting a quick snapshot preview in the notification when someone rings the bell or motion is detected. It lets you see who is there at a glance without even opening the app. So, when those snapshots suddenly disappear, and you're left with a generic text alert, it's a significant loss of functionality.
This guide will help you troubleshoot the common reasons why August snapshots might not be working and how to get them back.
Step 1: Enable 'Snapshot Capture' in the August App
The feature that takes these preview images is called "Snapshot Capture." It's possible that this setting has been accidentally disabled.
- Open the August App.
- Select your August Doorbell Cam from your list of devices.
- Tap the gear icon to go to the device settings.
- Look for the 'Snapshot Capture' option.
- Ensure the toggle is switched ON. If it's off, the camera will not take any snapshots to include with notifications.
Step 2: Check Your August Subscription Plan
For most cloud-based features, including storing and viewing a history of snapshots in your activity feed, an active subscription is required.
- Verify Your Subscription: Check the status of your August subscription in the app or by logging into your account on the August website.
- Trial Expiry: Many new devices come with a free trial period. If this trial has recently ended, features like snapshot capture may have been disabled automatically. You will need to subscribe to a paid plan to restore them.
Step 3: Investigate Power and Connectivity
Your August Doorbell needs two things to send a snapshot: enough power to operate the camera and a stable internet connection to upload the image.
- Check Power: If your doorbell is battery-powered, ensure the batteries are well-charged. If it's hardwired, make sure there are no issues with your doorbell's wiring or transformer. Low power can cause the device to enter a power-saving mode, disabling non-essential features like snapshot capture.
- Check Wi-Fi via August Connect: Your doorbell communicates with the internet through the August Connect Wi-Fi bridge. In the app, check the status of your August Connect to ensure it's online and has a strong Wi-Fi signal. If the Connect is offline or has a poor connection, it won't be able to upload the snapshots. Try moving the Connect closer to your router or doorbell.
Step 4: Review Your Phone's Notification Settings
The problem may not be with the August system at all, but with how your smartphone is configured to display notifications.
- iPhone (iOS): Go to
Settings > Notifications > August. Make sure 'Allow Notifications' is enabled. More importantly, check that 'Show Previews' is set to 'Always' or 'When Unlocked'. If this is set to 'Never', you will not see the image preview. - Android: Go to
Settings > Apps > August > Notifications. Make sure notifications are allowed and that they are not configured to be hidden or minimized on the lock screen.
By checking these four areas—the in-app setting, your subscription, the device's power and connectivity, and your phone's settings—you can solve the vast majority of problems with August snapshots not working.