Canary Third-Party App Problems? Here's the Solution

Troubleshooting Canary's Third-Party App Integrations

Connecting your Canary camera to other smart home services like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or IFTTT unlocks a new level of convenience and automation. However, when these connections don't work as expected, it can be a source of frustration.

This guide is designed to help you troubleshoot and resolve the most common issues that arise when integrating your Canary system with third-party applications.

Common Problems with App Integrations

You might be facing one of several issues, such as:

• Your voice assistant (Alexa or Google Assistant) can't find or control your Canary camera.
• IFTTT (If This Then That) applets that rely on your Canary camera are failing to trigger.
• You are unable to link your Canary account to a partner service in the first place.
• Previously working integrations have suddenly stopped.

These problems often stem from authentication issues, permission changes, or software updates.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Integration Issues

Follow these steps to get your smart home ecosystem working together smoothly again.

1. The Universal First Step: Unlink and Relink

This is the most common and effective solution. Disconnecting and then re-establishing the link between Canary and the third-party service forces a fresh authentication and often resolves permission-related glitches.

• For Alexa:

  1. Open the Alexa app.
  2. Go to More > Skills & Games > Your Skills.
  3. Find the Canary skill, tap on it, and select Disable Skill.
  4. After disabling, select Enable To Use and follow the prompts to log back into your Canary account.

• For Google Assistant:

  1. Open the Google Home app.
  2. Tap Settings > Works with Google.
  3. Find Canary in your list of linked services, tap it, and select Unlink account.
  4. Go back and add the Canary service again, logging in to re-authorise the connection.

• For IFTTT:

  1. Open the IFTTT app or website.
  2. Go to My Services and select Canary.
  3. Choose Settings and then Disconnect.
  4. Reconnect the Canary service and re-authenticate.

2. Check for App and Firmware Updates

Ensure all related software is up to date.

• Canary App: Check the App Store or Google Play for any updates to the Canary app.
• Third-Party App: Make sure the Alexa, Google Home, or IFTTT app is also on its latest version.
• Canary Firmware: While Canary devices typically update their firmware automatically, ensure your device hasn't missed an update by checking its status in the Canary app.

3. Verify Your Account Credentials

It may sound simple, but make sure you are using the correct username and password for your Canary account when linking it to a third-party service. If you've recently changed your Canary password, you will need to relink all connected services.

4. Review Specific Commands and Applets

• Voice Commands: Ensure you are using the precise voice commands. For example, with Alexa, you might need to say, "Alexa, show me the [Camera Name]" or "Alexa, ask Canary what's happening." Check the skill description in the Alexa app for a list of supported phrases.
• IFTTT Applets: Review your IFTTT applet's configuration. Ensure the correct Canary device and trigger (e.g., motion detected) are selected. Sometimes, applets can become corrupted and need to be recreated from scratch.

5. Check Service Status

Occasionally, the issue might not be on your end. Check the official social media pages or status websites for Canary, Amazon, Google, or IFTTT to see if they are reporting any service outages or widespread issues.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve most third-party integration problems and get back to enjoying a fully connected and automated home security experience with your Canary camera.