Sricam Geofencing Not Working as Expected?
Geofencing is a powerful feature that allows your Sricam camera to automatically change its mode based on your location. It can arm your camera when you leave home and disarm it upon your return, providing seamless, automated security. However, when this feature doesn't work, it can be frustrating, leading to missed alerts or unnecessary notifications.
This troubleshooting guide will help you identify and fix the common issues that prevent Sricam's geofencing from functioning correctly. The problem usually lies with your smartphone's settings rather than the camera itself.
Key Troubleshooting Steps for Geofencing
Follow these steps in order to ensure your Sricam app and your mobile device are configured correctly for accurate location tracking.
1. Grant Correct App Permissions
This is the most frequent cause of geofencing failure. For the feature to work, the Sricam app needs to know your location at all times, not just when you have the app open.
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For Android Users:
- Go to your phone's Settings.
- Tap on Apps > Sricam > Permissions.
- Select Location.
- Change the permission from 'Allow only while using the app' to 'Allow all the time'.
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For iOS (iPhone) Users:
- Go to your phone's Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on the Sricam app.
- Tap on Location.
- Set the permission to 'Always'. This allows the app to track your location in the background.
2. Disable Battery Optimisation for the Sricam App
Modern smartphones use aggressive battery-saving features that can shut down background apps, including the Sricam app. This prevents it from checking your location and triggering the geofence.
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For Android Users:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Sricam.
- Tap on Battery.
- Select 'Unrestricted' or 'No restrictions'. This ensures the app can run in the background without being put to sleep by the operating system.
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For iOS (iPhone) Users:
- iOS manages this automatically, but ensure Background App Refresh is enabled.
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Make sure the toggle is turned on for the Sricam app.
Fine-Tuning Your Location Settings
If permissions are correct, the next step is to ensure your phone's location services are providing accurate data to the app.
3. Enable High-Accuracy Location Services
For geofencing to be reliable, your phone needs the most precise location data available.
- Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning: Even if you're not connected to Wi-Fi, having it turned on allows your phone to use nearby networks for more accurate location triangulation.
- Set Location to High Accuracy: In your phone's location settings, ensure the mode is set to 'High accuracy', which uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and sensors. Avoid using 'Battery saving' location modes.
- Keep GPS On: Ensure your phone's main GPS or Location service is always enabled.
4. Check and Adjust Your Geofence Zone
An improperly configured zone can lead to unreliable performance.
- Verify the Location: Open the geofencing settings in the Sricam app and check that the pin marking your 'Home' location is placed correctly on the map.
- Adjust the Radius: If the virtual fence's radius is too small, minor GPS drift while you are at home might trigger an 'Away' event. If it's too large, it might not trigger until you are far down the street. Try increasing the radius slightly to create a more stable buffer zone.
5. Restart and Re-enable
If you've made all the changes above, a fresh start can help.
- Restart Your Phone: This can clear up any temporary glitches with your phone's location services.
- Toggle Geofencing Off and On: In the Sricam app, disable the geofencing feature, wait a few moments, and then re-enable it. This can sometimes force a refresh of the settings.
By ensuring the Sricam app has the permissions it needs and your phone is providing accurate location data, you can resolve most geofencing issues and enjoy the convenience of automated security.