Friedland Geofencing Not Working? Here's How to Fix It
Geofencing is a powerful feature of your Friedland smart security system, designed to automatically arm and disarm your alarm based on your location. When it works, it's incredibly convenient. When it doesn't, it can be frustrating and undermine your home's security. If you're finding that your system isn't responding as you enter or leave your designated home area, this troubleshooting guide is for you.
We'll explore the common reasons why Friedland geofencing fails and provide clear, step-by-step instructions to get it working perfectly. These solutions apply to both iPhone and Android users.
## Step 1: Check and Correct App Permissions
The single most common cause of geofencing failure is incorrect location permissions for the Friedland app on your smartphone. For the feature to work, the app needs to know your location at all times, not just when you're actively using it.
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For iPhone Users:
- Go to your phone's Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security.
- Tap on Location Services.
- Find the Friedland app in the list and tap on it.
- Under 'Allow Location Access', you must select Always. If it's set to 'While Using the App' or 'Never', geofencing will not function correctly.
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For Android Users:
- Go to your phone's Settings.
- Tap on Apps (or 'Apps & notifications').
- Find and tap on the Friedland app.
- Tap on Permissions.
- Tap on Location.
- Select the option that says Allow all the time. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Android version.
## Step 2: Disable Battery Optimisation for the App
Modern smartphones are very aggressive with battery-saving features. These features often work by preventing apps from running in the background, which is exactly what the Friedland app needs to do to monitor your location. You need to tell your phone to make an exception for the Friedland app.
- For iPhone Users: Ensure 'Low Power Mode' is turned off, as this can limit background activity. This is in Settings > Battery.
- For Android Users: This is a critical step on Android.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Friedland app.
- Tap on Battery (or 'Battery usage').
- Look for an optimisation setting. You must select Unrestricted or Not optimised. This prevents the Android operating system from putting the app to sleep.
## Step 3: Review Your Geofence Settings in the Friedland App
An improperly configured geofence can also lead to problems.
- Check the Geofence Location: Open the Friedland app and navigate to the geofencing settings. Is the pin for your home location placed accurately on the map?
- Adjust the Geofence Radius: Don't make the virtual boundary too small. A very small radius (e.g., 50 metres) can lead to the system not triggering if your phone's GPS signal is slightly inaccurate. Try increasing the radius to 150-200 metres. This provides a larger buffer zone and makes the system much more reliable.
- Ensure it's Enabled: It sounds simple, but it's worth double-checking that the geofencing feature is actually toggled on within the app for your user profile.
## Step 4: General Smartphone and App Maintenance
Finally, some general housekeeping can resolve persistent issues.
- Restart Your Phone: A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches with your phone's GPS and network services.
- Update the App: Check the App Store or Google Play Store to ensure you are running the latest version of the Friedland app. Developers frequently release updates that fix bugs related to features like geofencing.
- Check for Stable Internet Connection: While geofencing relies on GPS, your phone still needs a data connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to communicate your location status back to the Friedland system. Ensure you have a stable connection when leaving or entering your geofence zone.
By carefully working through these four areas—permissions, battery optimisation, in-app settings, and general maintenance—you can resolve the vast majority of issues affecting Friedland geofencing.