Suffering From Geeni Notification Lag? Here’s How to Speed Up Your Alerts
A security camera's value is tied to its ability to notify you of events in real-time. If you're experiencing a significant delay between when motion happens and when you get a notification from your Geeni camera, it can defeat the purpose of having it. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to identify and fix the root causes of Geeni notification lag.
Delayed alerts are usually caused by a bottleneck in one of three areas: the camera's connection to your network, your network's speed, or your phone's own settings. Let's tackle each one.
Step 1: Strengthen Your Camera's Wi-Fi Connection
The most frequent culprit for notification lag is a weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal at the camera's location. The camera needs a strong connection to upload video clips to the cloud and trigger an alert.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Geeni app, go to your camera's settings and look for a Wi-Fi signal strength indicator. If it’s less than 90%, you may experience delays.
- Move Your Router: If possible, move your Wi-Fi router closer to your Geeni camera. Even a few feet can make a significant difference.
- Eliminate Obstacles: Thick walls, especially those made of concrete or brick, metal objects, and even large home appliances can block Wi-Fi signals. Ensure the path between your router and camera is as clear as possible.
- Consider a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move your router, a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system can be an effective way to boost the signal strength in the area where your camera is installed.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Home Internet Speed
Your internet connection's upload speed is critical for security cameras. While download speed affects how you stream movies, upload speed determines how quickly your camera can send data out.
- Run a Speed Test: Connect your phone or computer to the same Wi-Fi network as your camera. Open a web browser and search for "internet speed test." Run the test and look specifically at the upload speed.
- Check Requirements: For smooth operation, most smart cameras, including Geeni, require a minimum upload speed of 1-2 Mbps per camera. If your upload speed is below this, especially with multiple devices online, your network is likely the bottleneck. Contact your internet service provider to discuss upgrading your plan if needed.
Step 3: Optimise Your Smartphone's Settings
Sometimes, the problem isn't with the camera or network, but with how your phone is handling the notifications. Modern smartphones use aggressive battery-saving features that can delay push notifications from apps.
### For Android Users:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Geeni.
- Tap on Notifications and ensure all permissions are enabled.
- Go back and tap on Battery or Power saving.
- Select "Unrestricted" or "No restrictions" to allow the app to run in the background and deliver notifications instantly.
### For iOS Users:
- Go to Settings → Geeni.
- Ensure "Background App Refresh" is turned on.
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Geeni.
- Make sure "Allow Notifications" is enabled and that "Immediate Delivery" is selected for time-sensitive alerts.
Step 4: Adjust In-App Motion Detection Settings
Finally, check the settings within the Geeni app itself.
- Motion Sensitivity: If the sensitivity is set too low, the camera may wait for a more prolonged event before it starts recording and sending an alert, creating a perceived lag. Try increasing the motion sensitivity slightly.
- Reboot the Camera: A simple reboot can often clear temporary software glitches. You can usually do this through the app's settings or by unplugging the camera for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
By methodically checking your Wi-Fi signal, internet upload speed, and phone settings, you can effectively eliminate the frustrating delays and restore the real-time alerting capability of your Geeni camera.