Troubleshooting Geofence in the Ring App

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

Most issues with Geofence can be fixed by checking and adjusting your mobile device’s settings. To work properly, the feature needs a consistent, reliable network connection and the correct level of access to your iOS or Android device's Location Settings.

Poor network connectivity

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.

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 the edges of your geofence boundary.

Location sharing is disabled

Your Ring app is not being informed by your mobile device when you enter or exit a geofence. Check to see that the Ring app has the appropriate location permissions in your iOS or Android settings.

On Android:

1. Go to

   Settings

   .
2. Tap

   Permissions.
3. Tap

   Location.
4. Choose

   Allow all the time

   or

   Always

   (options may vary depending on your Android version).

On iOS:

1. Go to

   Settings

   , then scroll down and tap

   Ring

   app in the app list.
2. Tap

   Location.
3. Choose

   Always.
4. If your device is on iOS 14 or higher, ensure that

   Precise Location

   is also enabled for the Ring app.

Airplane mode is on

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.

On iOS:

1. Go to

   Settings

   .
2. Check that the

   Airplane Mode

   toggle

   at the top of the list is set to the

   Off

   position.

On Android:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Check that the

   Airplane Mode

   toggle

   is set to the

   Off

   position.

Battery savers and power optimizers

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.

On iOS:

Check to make sure that low battery mode is disabled. 

1. Go to

   Settings

   .
2. Tap

   Battery.
3. Ensure

   Low Power Mode

   is in the off (disabled) position.

Ensure that “Background App Refresh” and “Cellular Data” are both enabled for the Ring app. 

1. Go to

   Settings

   .
2. Select the

   Ring

   app from the list at the bottom.

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

On Android

Please note that some device manufacturers introduce unique applications and settings to the Android operating system on their devices. The following list may not fully cover all areas where your device may be interfering with 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, may not have an impact, or may not be available.

Check App info 

1. In

   Android system settings

   , go to the Ring app (either by searching for it or by tapping

   Apps & Notifications

   ,

   See all apps

   , then

   Ring

   ).
2. In

   Mobile Data & Wi-Fi

   , 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 optimization

     to

     Not optimized

     may also help with Geofence functionality.

Check Low data mode

1. Go to

   Settings

   .
2. Tap

   Network & Internet.
3. Tap

   Data Saver.
4. Either

   disable

   Data Saver, or tap

   Unrestricted data

   and enable for the Ring app.

Check Battery saver

1. Go to

   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, or change 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.

Check Adaptive Battery

1. Go to Android settings.
2. Tap

   Battery.
3. Tap

   Adaptive Battery.
4. Make sure Adaptive Battery is turned

   Off

   .

Check Battery optimizer

1. Go to

   Settings

   .
2. Tap

   Apps & notifications.
3. Tap

   Advanced

   (if necessary).
4. Tap

   Special app access.
5. Tap

   Battery optimization.
6. Tap

   Not Optimized

   at the top, and select

   All apps.
7. Scroll to and tap the Ring app.
8. Make sure

   Don’t optimize

   is selected

   .

Check if the Ring app has not been recently launched

• 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. 

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

Check "Doze” settings (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.