Netgear Geofencing Not Working? How to Fix It

Netgear Geofencing Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide

Geofencing for Netgear's Arlo security systems is a fantastic feature for automatically arming and disarming your cameras based on your smartphone's location. However, when it fails to work, it can compromise your security. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the most common problems with Netgear Arlo geofencing.

## Key Reasons for Geofencing Failure

The Arlo geofencing system relies on your mobile phone's location services to know when you have left or entered a designated area. The problem is rarely with the Arlo base station; it's almost always related to the settings on the mobile devices being used.

Common causes include:

• Incorrect location permissions for the Arlo app.
• Battery optimisation settings that prevent the app from running in the background.
• Poor GPS signal or disabled location services.
• Issues with setups involving multiple users.

## Essential Steps for Reliable Geofencing

To get geofencing working correctly, you must configure your smartphone's settings properly. The Arlo app needs to be able to check your location at any time.

### 1. Set Correct Location Permissions

This is the single most critical step.

• For iOS/iPhone users:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down to the list of apps and tap on Arlo.
  3. Tap Location.
  4. You must select the 'Always' option. If it is set to 'While Using the App', geofencing will fail.

• For Android users:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Apps (or 'Applications'), then find and tap on Arlo.
  3. Tap on Permissions, then Location.
  4. You must choose the 'Allow all the time' option. Any other setting is not sufficient for geofencing.

### 2. Disable Battery Optimisation for the Arlo App

Modern smartphones try to save battery by 'sleeping' apps that are running in the background. This will prevent geofencing from working.

• For iOS: Ensure Low Power Mode is turned off. Also, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and make sure it is enabled for the Arlo app.
• For Android: The steps can vary by manufacturer, but generally, you need to go to Settings > Apps > Arlo > Battery. From here, select 'Unrestricted' or disable any 'optimisation' settings. This ensures the Android OS doesn't stop the app from checking your location.

### 3. Geofencing with Multiple Users

If more than one person in your household uses geofencing, the logic is simple:

• The system will arm to 'Away' mode only when all registered mobile devices have left the geofenced area.
• The system will disarm to 'Home' mode as soon as the first registered mobile device enters the area.

For this to work, every single user must have their phone configured correctly with the location and battery settings described above. If one person's phone is not reporting its location accurately, the system may fail to arm or disarm correctly.

### 4. Check In-App Geofencing Settings

Finally, review the settings within the Arlo app itself.

• Enable Geofencing: In the Arlo app, go to the Mode tab and select your base station. Ensure that Geofencing is selected.
• Device Location: Make sure your mobile device is listed and enabled under the Geofencing settings.
• Radius Size: The geofence is a virtual circle around your home. If you live in an area with poor GPS, your phone's reported location might drift. If the radius is too small, this drift can cause false triggers. Try increasing the radius to a larger size (e.g., Medium or Large) to provide a better buffer.

By ensuring these settings are correct on all associated devices, you can make your Netgear Arlo geofencing feature reliable and effective.