How to Reduce Canary False Notifications
The Canary security camera is a powerful tool for keeping an eye on your home, but a constant stream of false notifications can quickly turn it from a helpful device into a major annoyance. Getting alerts for shadows, pets, or rustling leaves defeats the purpose of having a smart security system. This guide will provide you with a clear, step-by-step approach to fine-tuning your Canary settings and reclaiming your peace of mind.
## Understanding Why False Alerts Happen
Before we adjust settings, it's important to understand what causes these unwanted notifications. Canary cameras, like most security cameras, primarily use pixel-based motion detection. This means they look for changes in the pixels that make up the image. This system can be triggered by:
- Changes in Light: Headlights from a passing car, sunlight moving across the floor, or even a television turning on can cause a significant pixel change.
- Pets and Animals: Your cat or dog moving around is one of the most common triggers.
- Environmental Movement: Insects flying near the lens, curtains moving due to an air vent, or plants rustling can all set off an alert.
- Reflections: Movement seen in a window or mirror can also be a cause.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Reducing False Alerts
Work through these steps in order. Each one allows you to progressively filter out more unwanted notifications, giving you more control over what you're alerted to.
### 1. Adjust Motion Sensitivity
This is your first and most important tool. A high sensitivity setting will make the camera react to the smallest changes, while a lower setting requires more significant movement to trigger an alert.
- Open the Canary app.
- Tap the gear icon at the top right to go to your Location's Settings.
- Select Modes.
- Choose the mode you want to adjust (e.g., Away).
- Find the Motion notifications slider and adjust it to a lower level.
- Test it: Lower the setting by one notch at a time and see how it affects the notifications over the next day. Finding the right balance may take a little trial and error.
### 2. Use Masks to Ignore Problem Areas
Masking is an incredibly powerful feature that tells your camera to completely ignore motion in certain parts of its view.
- In the Canary app, go to your device's Settings.
- Select Mask Camera Motion.
- You will see a grid overlaid on your camera's live view. Tap and drag to draw boxes over the areas you want to ignore.
- Be strategic: Mask out the window where car headlights appear, the plant that moves in the breeze, or the area where your pet's bed is located. You can create multiple masks.
### 3. Leverage Person Detection (Premium Feature)
If you subscribe to Canary Premium, you have access to AI-powered Person Detection. This is a game-changer for reducing false alerts. When enabled, the camera's software analyses the motion to determine if it was caused by a person. You'll only receive a notification if a human shape is detected.
- Go to your Location's Settings > Modes.
- Select the mode you wish to edit.
- Ensure that Person detection is toggled on in the notification settings. This will automatically filter out alerts from pets and other general motion.
### 4. Optimise Camera Placement
The physical location of your Canary camera can have a big impact on false alerts.
- Avoid Pointing at Windows: Directing the camera away from windows that face a busy street or a neighbour's property can eliminate a huge number of unwanted triggers.
- Consider Height: Placing the camera higher up and pointing it downwards can keep pets out of the main detection zone while still capturing any people who walk by.
- Check for Heat Sources: Avoid pointing the camera directly at or near air conditioning vents, heaters, or radiators, as the heat changes can sometimes trigger motion detection.
By systematically working through these settings, you can transform your Canary from a source of constant interruption into the smart and reliable security guard it's meant to be.