Xiaomi Geofencing Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide
Geofencing is one of the most powerful features of your Xiaomi smart home system. It allows your cameras and other devices to automatically change their behaviour based on your smartphone's location—for example, arming your security cameras when you leave home and disarming them upon your return. When this automation fails, it's not just an inconvenience; it can be a security concern.
If your "Home" and "Away" routines are not triggering correctly, this professional guide will walk you through the common causes and solutions to get your Xiaomi geofencing working reliably again.
Why Geofencing Fails: The Common Culprits
The problem rarely lies with the Xiaomi camera or device itself. Geofencing is a complex interaction between the Xiaomi Home app, your smartphone's operating system (iOS or Android), and its location services (GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular data). The breakdown usually happens in the communication between these elements.
Incorrect App Permissions
For geofencing to work, the Xiaomi Home app needs constant access to your phone's location. If you have only granted permission "While using the app," it won't be able to detect when you cross the virtual boundary you've set around your home when the app is closed.
Aggressive Battery Optimisation
Modern smartphones have powerful battery-saving features. These systems often work by "hibernating" or closing apps that are running in the background. If your phone's operating system closes the Xiaomi Home app to save power, it cannot check your location and therefore cannot trigger your geofencing rules.
Inaccurate Location Data
The geofence is a virtual circle drawn on a map. If your phone's GPS is providing inaccurate data, or if the "Home" location pin is not placed correctly in the app, the system may think you are home when you are away, or vice versa.
Poor Network Connectivity
Your phone uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to determine its location. If you are in an area with poor signal, your phone may struggle to report its position accurately to the Xiaomi app, leading to delays or failures in automation.
How to Fix Xiaomi Geofencing Issues
Follow these steps carefully on the smartphone you use to control your Xiaomi Home system. If multiple family members use geofencing, these steps may need to be repeated on their devices as well.
1. Grant 'Always Allow' Location Permissions
This is the most critical step.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Find the "Xiaomi Home" app in the list and ensure permission is set to Always. Also, ensure the "Precise Location" toggle is turned on.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Xiaomi Home > Permissions > Location. Select the option Allow all the time.
2. Disable Battery Optimisation for the Xiaomi Home App
You need to tell your phone to leave the app alone.
- On stock Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Xiaomi Home > Battery. Select Unrestricted or Don't optimise.
- On Samsung: Go to Settings > Apps > Xiaomi Home > Battery > and ensure 'Allow background activity' is on. Also, check Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits, and make sure the app is not in the 'Sleeping' or 'Deep sleeping' lists.
- On other Android devices: The exact path may vary, but the setting is usually found under Battery or Power Management settings. Look for an "App launch" or "Optimisation" section and create an exception for the Xiaomi Home app.
3. Check and Refine Your Home Location
Ensure the app knows exactly where your home is.
- Open the Xiaomi Home app and navigate to the geofencing or automation settings where you configured your home location.
- Zoom in on the map and verify that the pin is placed directly on your house, not on the street or a neighbour's property.
- Adjust the radius of the geofence. If it's too small, you might experience issues. Try increasing it slightly to provide a larger buffer zone.
4. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning
Even if you are not connected to Wi-Fi, having it enabled allows your phone to use nearby networks to determine its location more accurately.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Location > Location services and ensure Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning are both turned on.
- On iOS: This is handled automatically, but ensure Wi-Fi is turned on in your Control Centre or Settings.
5. Restart Your Smartphone
A simple reboot can often resolve temporary glitches within your phone's operating system or its location services. Turn your phone off completely, wait a minute, and then turn it back on.
By ensuring the Xiaomi Home app has the permissions and resources it needs to run correctly in the background, you can solve most geofencing problems and restore the convenience and security of your automated routines.