Geeni False Notifications? A Guide to Reducing Unwanted Alerts
While a Geeni security camera is excellent for peace of mind, a constant stream of false notifications can quickly turn it into a nuisance. Alerts for swaying trees, passing cars, or changing shadows defeat the purpose of a smart security system. This professional guide will walk you through the steps to fine-tune your Geeni camera's settings and dramatically reduce the number of false alerts.
Let's regain control over your notifications so you're only alerted to the events that truly matter.
Step 1: Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity
The single most effective tool for combating false alerts is the motion sensitivity setting. By default, it may be set higher than necessary for your specific environment.
- What it is: The sensitivity level determines how much movement is required to trigger a recording and a notification. A 'High' setting means even very small movements will trigger an alert.
- How to change it:
- Open the Geeni app and select the camera you want to adjust.
- Tap the settings icon (often a pencil or gear icon) in the top right corner.
- Select "Detection" or "Motion Detection".
- You will see a setting for "Sensitivity Level".
- If it's set to 'High', try reducing it to 'Medium'. If it's already on 'Medium', try 'Low'.
- Test and Observe: After changing the setting, monitor your notifications for a day. The goal is to find the right balance where you don't get alerts for trivial movements but still reliably capture people approaching your property.
Step 2: Set Up an Activity Zone
This is another powerful feature for eliminating irrelevant alerts. An activity zone tells your camera which part of its view to monitor for motion and which parts to ignore.
- Why it's useful: You can focus the camera's attention on your driveway or garden path while telling it to completely ignore the public pavement or the busy road beyond it.
- How to set it up:
- In the same "Motion Detection" settings menu, look for an option called "Set Motion Detection Area" or "Activity Zone".
- You'll be shown the camera's view with a grid overlay.
- Drag your finger to draw a box or select the grid squares that cover the specific area you want to monitor.
- Ensure you save the zone before exiting the menu.
Step 3: Consider Environmental Factors
Sometimes, the source of false alerts is the camera's environment itself.
- Moving Objects: Be mindful of what's in the camera's field of view. Trees, bushes, flags, and even wind chimes that move in the wind are common culprits for false notifications. If possible, adjust the camera's angle to exclude them or use an activity zone.
- Light and Shadows: Rapid changes in light can be mistaken for motion. This includes car headlights at night, the shadows of clouds moving on a sunny day, or reflections from windows. While you can't always eliminate these, lowering the motion sensitivity is the best way to reduce their impact.
- Insects and Cobwebs: At night, the camera's infrared (IR) lights, which are used for night vision, attract insects. A spider building a web or a moth flying directly in front of the lens will cause a major motion alert. Regularly cleaning the camera and clearing away cobwebs can make a significant difference.
By systematically adjusting the sensitivity, defining a precise activity zone, and being mindful of the camera's environment, you can transform your Geeni camera from a source of annoyance into a truly smart and effective security tool.