Tapo Package Detection Missing or Not Working?
Tapo's range of smart AI detection features, including Package Detection, is designed to give you more specific and useful notifications. Knowing instantly when a parcel has been delivered to your doorstep is a fantastic security feature. However, it can be confusing if the option seems to be missing from your app, or if it's enabled but doesn't seem to work reliably.
This guide will explain how Tapo Package Detection works, why it might not be available or functioning correctly, and how you can fix it.
Common Issues with Package Detection
You might be facing one of these common problems:
- The option for "Package Detection" is completely missing from your camera's settings in the Tapo app.
- You have enabled the feature, but it never sends a package-specific alert.
- A courier drops off a package, but you only receive a generic "Motion Detected" or "Person Detected" notification.
- The feature works, but only inconsistently.
- You are unsure where to find the setting to turn it on.
How to Enable and Troubleshoot Tapo Package Detection
The solution to most of these issues lies in understanding the requirements for the feature.
1. It Requires a Tapo Care Subscription
This is the most important point: Package Detection is a premium feature and is not free. To access this and other advanced AI detection features like Pet Detection or Vehicle Detection, you must have an active, paid subscription to a Tapo Care plan.
- How to Check: In the Tapo app, go to the "Me" section at the bottom and look for "Tapo Care". Here you can see your subscription status or sign up for a plan.
- What if I have a free trial? If you are on a 30-day free trial of Tapo Care, the feature should be available to you during that period.
2. Ensure Your Camera and App are Up to Date
To use the latest features, all your software needs to be current.
- Update the Tapo App: Go to your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and check if there is an update available for the TP-Link Tapo app.
- Update Camera Firmware: In the Tapo app, select your camera, go to its settings (the gear icon at the top right), and find the "Firmware Update" section. Install any available updates. New features are often enabled via firmware updates.
3. Finding and Enabling the Setting
Once you have a Tapo Care plan and everything is updated, you can enable the feature.
- Open the Tapo app and select the camera you want to configure.
- Tap the gear icon to go to its settings.
- Tap on "Detection & Alerts".
- You should see a section for "AI Detection". Tap on it.
- Here, you will see a toggle switch for "Package Detection". Make sure it is turned on.
4. Optimise Your Camera's Setup for Best Results
If the feature is enabled but not working accurately, your camera's placement and settings may need adjustment.
- Camera Angle: The feature works best when the camera has a clear, slightly angled, top-down view of the area where packages are left. If the camera is too low or too far away, it may struggle to identify the object as a package.
- Lighting: Ensure the area is well-lit, both during the day and at night. If the area is too dark, the camera's AI will have difficulty recognising objects.
- Activity Zones: For the most accurate results, create a specific Activity Zone that tightly covers the exact spot where packages are dropped off. This tells the AI to ignore movement in the surrounding area and focus only on that spot, reducing the chance of misidentification.
By ensuring you have the required subscription and optimising your camera's view, you can take full advantage of this incredibly useful smart detection feature.