Geofence troubleshooting

If you’re having problems with Geofence, this article can help get you back on track. 

Geofence is not working consistently for me. How can I troubleshoot?

Many issues with Geofence can be resolved by checking and modifying your mobile device’s settings because the feature depends on your iOS or Android device.

Poor network connectivity

Cause: The Ring app requires a strong, reliable connection to the internet to deliver the Geofence experience. If you physically cross your geofence boundary in an area where you have poor internet coverage, geofence-based events can be delayed despite you having successfully crossed a boundary.

Possible solutions: In Geofence settings, adjust the position of your geofence to cover an area where you will have stronger internet coverage. If you have set up a geofence on a wifi only device, be aware that the range of your wifi network may not reach to the edges of your geofence boundary.

Location sharing is disabled

Cause: Your Ring app is not being informed by your mobile device when you enter or exit a geofence.

Possible solutions: Check to see that the Ring app has the appropriate location permissions in iOS or Android.

On iOS: 

1. Go to iOS Settings, then the Ring app.
2. Tap

   Location.
3. Tap

   Always

   .
   • If your device is on iOS 14 or higher, ensure that “Precise Location” is also enabled for the Ring app.

On Android:

1. Go to Android settings.
2. Tap

   Permissions.
3. Tap

   Location.
4. Tap “Allow all the time” or “Always” (options may vary depending on your version of Android).

Airplane mode is on

Cause: When Airplane mode is enabled, cellular and wifi connections are disabled automatically. As a result, your device may not be able to detect that a geofence boundary has been crossed.

Possible solutions:

On iOS: Go to Settings and check the “Airplane Mode” toggle at the top of the list. It should be in the off (disabled) position.

On Android: Go to Settings, then Network & Internet, and check the “Airplane Mode” toggle. It should be in the off (disabled) position.

Battery savers and power optimisers

Cause: iOS and Android offer functionality to help extend battery life. This can limit how often location changes are reported to apps by the mobile device, as well as how often apps are allowed to communicate in the background with the internet. For the Geofence feature to work, the Ring app must both be informed of major location changes by your iOS or Android device and be able to promptly communicate with Ring servers to take action on your Geofence settings.

Possible solutions:

On iOS: 

To check Low Power Mode:

1. Go to iOS settings.
2. Tap

   Battery

   .
3. Ensure

   Low Power Mode

   is in the off (disabled) position.
4. To check these settings, go to iOS Settings, then the Ring app.
5. Check to make sure that low battery mode is disabled.
6. Ensure that “Background App Refresh” and “Cellular Data” are both enabled for the Ring app
7. Check any third-party apps that could be limiting the Ring app’s functionality, such as VPNs.

On Android: 

In app info 

1. In Android system settings, go to the Ring app (either by searching for it, or by tapping on Apps & Notifications, See all apps, Ring).
2. In Mobile data & wifi, ensure the Ring app has

   Background data

   enabled.

   Enabling Unrestricted data usage

   may also help with Geofence functionality when data saving features are enabled.
3. In Battery, ensure the Ring app can use battery in the background. Changing

   Battery optimisation

   to “Not optimised” may also help with Geofence functionality.

Low data mode

1. Go to Android settings.
2. Tap

   Network & Internet.
3. Tap

   Data Saver.
4. Either disable Data Saver, or tap

   Unrestricted data

   and enable the Ring app.

Battery saver

1. Go to Android settings.
2. Tap

   Battery.
3. Tap

   Battery Saver.
4. Check your current settings, such as whether you have the option to turn off Battery Saver, change the schedule, and your settings for Extreme Battery Saver. In all cases, Geofence in the Ring app on Android will work most reliably when the Ring app is not restricted by Battery Saver settings.

Adaptive Battery

1. Go to Android settings.
2. Tap

   Battery.
3. Tap

   Adaptive Battery.
4. Disable Adaptive Battery.

Battery optimiser

1. In Android settings, tap the search icon, and type “battery optimisation”.
2. Go to Android settings.
3. Tap

   Apps & notifications.
4. Tap

   Advanced

   (if necessary).
5. Tap

   Special app access.
6. Tap

   Battery optimisation.
7. Tap

   Not Optimised

   at the top, and select

   All apps.
8. Scroll to, and tap on, the Ring app .
9. Select

   Don’t optimise.

“Doze” (on Huawei Phones)

1. Open your Huawei devices phone settings.
2. Select

   Battery

   .
3. Select

   App Launch

   .
4. Find the Ring app and toggle it off; also ensure that Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and “Run in the background” are enabled for the Ring app.

Some phones and operating systems may limit functionality of an app that has not been used recently. If modifying battery and data settings do not appear to help, also ensure that the Ring app is being launched once every 2-3 days. 

Some Android device manufacturers introduce unique applications and settings to the Android operating system on their devices. 

As such, the following list may not fully encapsulate all areas where Android OS may be preventing timely geofence activations. Depending on your device and version of the Android operating system, some settings may be in a different location than what is described below, may not have an impact, or may not be available.

Check any third-party apps that could be limiting the Ring app’s functionality, such as VPNs or task killers.