Tapo Geofencing Not Working? A Step-by-Step Fixing Guide

Tapo Geofencing Not Working? Let's Fix Your Smart Actions

The geofencing feature in the Tapo app is designed to make your smart home truly automated. Having your lights welcome you home or ensuring everything is turned off when you leave is a fantastic convenience. When this feature fails, it breaks that seamless experience. If your location-based triggers are unreliable or not working at all, you've come to the right place. This guide will provide a clear, step-by-step process to get your Tapo geofencing working perfectly.

## The Four Pillars of Tapo Geofencing

For geofencing to operate correctly, four key elements must be in place. A problem with any one of these can cause the entire system to fail. We will check each one to find the root of the problem.

1. Correct Phone Permissions: The Tapo app needs constant, precise access to your phone's location.
2. Unrestricted App Activity: Your phone's operating system must not be putting the Tapo app to sleep to save battery.
3. Accurate In-App Setup: The home location and smart actions must be configured correctly within the Tapo app.
4. Reliable Connectivity: Both your phone and your Tapo devices require a stable internet connection.

## Your Troubleshooting Checklist for Tapo Geofencing

Follow these instructions in order. Do not skip a step, as the most common issues are often related to the initial permission settings.

### Step 1: Grant Proper Location Permissions

This is the number one reason geofencing fails. You must allow the Tapo app to see your location even when it's not open on your screen.

• For iPhone Users (iOS):

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on Privacy & Security, then Location Services.
  3. Make sure Location Services at the top is ON.
  4. Scroll down to the Tapo app in the list.
  5. Under 'Allow Location Access', you must select Always.
  6. Ensure the Precise Location toggle is ON.

• For Android Users:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on Apps, then find and tap on the Tapo app.
  3. Tap on Permissions.
  4. Tap on Location.
  5. Select Allow all the time. This is essential.
  6. Make sure the Use precise location switch is enabled.

### Step 2: Disable Battery Optimisation for the Tapo App

Android phones in particular are very aggressive in closing apps to save power, which stops geofencing from working.

• On most Android phones (e.g., Google Pixel):

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Tapo.
  2. Tap on Battery.
  3. Select Unrestricted.

• On Samsung phones:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Tapo.
  2. Tap on Battery.
  3. Ensure Tapo is not in the list of 'Sleeping apps' or 'Deep sleeping apps'. Set its usage to 'Unrestricted'.

### Step 3: Verify Your Geofence Setup in the Tapo App

Let's make sure you've told the app what to do correctly.

1. Open the Tapo app and tap on the Smart Actions tab at the bottom.
2. Find your geofencing automation (the one for arriving or leaving).
3. Check the Trigger: Tap to edit the 'When I Arrive' or 'When I Leave' condition. Is the address correct? Is the pin on the map located precisely on your home?
4. Check the Radius: The blue circle around the pin is your geofence zone. If this circle is too small, you might enter and exit it before the app has time to react. Try making the radius larger (e.g., 200-300 metres).
5. Check the Action: Ensure that the automation is set to perform the correct task, such as turning on the right bulb or plug.

### Step 4: Confirm Internet Connectivity

Remember, geofencing is a cloud-based service.

• When you leave or enter the zone, your phone sends a message to the Tapo servers via mobile data or Wi-Fi.
• The Tapo servers then send a command to your Tapo devices at home via your home's Wi-Fi network.

If your phone has no signal, or if your home internet is down, the automation cannot be completed. Ensure both ends of the chain have a solid connection. After following these steps, test the geofencing by leaving your designated zone and returning. Your Tapo devices should now respond reliably to your location.