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Orbi rbr750 geofencing issue
Hi, is anyone experiencing geofencing issues with their Orbi products?
3 of my apps that control heating and security relies on geofencing. When I’m at home those apps notify me that I’ve left the vicinity and then I’m back home.
As soon as my WiFi is turned off my products can locate me accurately but not on my Orbi. I’ve also check for firmware updates, I’m on the latest version.
Question for the community; is anyone else having the same issue where their Orbi is changing their location and if so is there a fix?
3 of my apps that control heating and security relies on geofencing. When I’m at home those apps notify me that I’ve left the vicinity and then I’m back home.
As soon as my WiFi is turned off my products can locate me accurately but not on my Orbi. I’ve also check for firmware updates, I’m on the latest version.
Question for the community; is anyone else having the same issue where their Orbi is changing their location and if so is there a fix?
My point exactly. Once the phone running the Arlo app learned where the WiFi system was (for 9nine months), it took some time for it to "re learn" the new location (back home again). Now that the app has adjusted, there is nothing else required.
If you ever feel the urge to "do something goofy", I'd love to hear what happens if you perform that experiment.
12 Replies
It would be helpful to know which apps are involved. (so that we can look at their setup instructions to see how they define geofencing.)
I very much doubt that the Orbi router has any part in how these apps determine "Where am I?"
For example, using my desktop computer connected to the Orbi, I went to this web site: https://www.where-am-i.co Gave it permission to "Know my location" and observed where it said I am, including the actual street address and the location of my IP address. Both were completely incorrect.
This app https://www.gps-coordinates.net/my-location also returned the same location as the first, both incorrect.
As did this one: https://www.mapdevelopers.com/where-am-i.php
And this one: https://mylocationnow.io
Wikipedia seems to think that most geofencing is based on a device having GPS capability.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geo-fence
Since my desktop computer has no GPS capability, those web sites are relying on something supplied by the Internet Service Provider (Spectrum cable, the brand name of Charter Communications). It would appear that there is no directory which relates IP addresses to physical street addresses. (Makes one wonder how those geeks on television programs know exactly where people are.)
Were I programming a geofencing app, I would probably set it to say I am "home" any time the device is connected to my home WiFi system. If not connected to my home WiFi, then I must be "not home". Clearly, mobile devices can save credentials for any number of WiFi systems (home, office, Starbucks, relative's house, etc.). Just being connected to WiFi should not be enough to conclude, "I'm home." Is it possible those apps were set up using the ISP router?
Perhaps one experiment could be to disable WiFi on the iPhone. Walk around the block and see if those apps know when you return home.
Now, to look at Arlo (formerly part of Netgear) and Tado.
- Thank both for your suggestions.
The double nat may have been part of the issue. My ISP router cannot be turned directly into a bridge however I did turn off the WiFi which stemmed the problem temporarily.
Checking a few ‘what’s my address’ sites it was sporadic but one was if my previous address.
Just to note, and maybe I should’ve mentioned it earlier, but I moved home last week bringing my Orbi with me.
With further googling there’s a possibility my Orbi was holding onto my previous location?
I found this: https://support.google.com/maps/thread/151298153/maps-keeps-thinking-i-m-at-my-old-home?hl=en
Not sure if this is useful or relevant but I thought I’d share it.
My geo fencing has seemed to calm down and back to expected behaviour.
Clakhu wrote:
With further googling there’s a possibility my Orbi was holding onto my previous location?
I found this: https://support.google.com/maps/thread/151298153/maps-keeps-thinking-i-m-at-my-old-home?hl=enThanks for sharing this. The way I read the discussion reinforces my understanding. The problem is once a device goes inside a building, it no longer gets strong GPS reception. Google Maps is based on GPS and has learned from experience that when the device connects to this particular WiFi SSID, the device is at a certain GPS location. ergo, every time it cannot get a good GPS signal and connects to this WiFi, it concludes "Well, I cannot get a good GPS signal right now, but I know where this WiFi system is. So, I must be at the location I have memorized."
The key instruction was to put the mobile device in a location where it could get both GPS and WiFi at the same time. At some point, Google Maps concludes, "Hey, this WiFi system is not where I remembered it to be. It has moved."
An interesting experiment would be to create a WiFi Hot Spot on a mobile device that is not running the Arlo app. Use exactly the same WiFi credentials as the home WiFi system. Travel somewhere that is clearly "not home" and does not get GPS signal (inside a building). Activate the Hot Spot. The device running Arlo should connect to the Hot Spot and the Arlo device should announce, "We're Home!" (I would enjoy doing this experiment, but I have no apps with geofencing. Users keep bugging my security camera company to add geofencing and they keep stalling. Neither does my home alarm company.)
I use NEST to control my central air system. No issues.
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-messageSomething to contact the Mfr of your central heating system about and ask them since that there product.
- Thank you. It’s affecting my Tado heating system, Arlo and alarm systems. One turned off randomised IP on my iPhone. Firmware version is 4.6.14.3 and I’m with Vodafone in the uk. When I’m using my ISP router (Orbi disconnected) I have no issues which makes me think it’s the Orbi sending my phone’s location all over the place.
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Try option #2 first...or #3
Clakhu wrote:
Thank you. It’s affecting my Tado heating system, Arlo and alarm systems. One turned off randomised IP on my iPhone. Firmware version is 4.6.14.3 and I’m with Vodafone in the uk. When I’m using my ISP router (Orbi disconnected) I have no issues which makes me think it’s the Orbi sending my phone’s location all over the place.
