#Best way to build fast & reliable presence detection Wifi?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

wraith plume
#

Here’s a concise Discord post for both of us:

Hey There, i need some input.
Goal: Control a Shelly plug (camera) based on our presence.

  • If either of us is home → plug OFF.
  • If we’re both away → plug ON.

Setup: HA Core (local only), FRITZ!Box + repeater (SSID “LV-426”). Phones: Pixel 8 Pro (me) & Pixel 9 Pro (partner) with Companion App.

Available sensors: *_wi_fi_state, *_wi_fi_connection (SSID), *_wi_fi_bssid, *_wi_fi_ip_address. Optional: FRITZ!Box device_tracker, Ping.

Best approach to detect us both reliably?

  • App-only Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi state == on AND (SSID/BSSID whitelist OR IP prefix), with ~120s debounce for “away”.
  • Hybrid: (App Wi-Fi OR FRITZ!Box tracker OR Ping), first hit wins.

Any proven patterns, Android gotchas (Doze/permissions), or recommended debounce for “both away”? Happy to share package drafts.

tranquil plover
#

I had a similar problem and the simplest way I found is to connect my cameras when my door is open. I can disconnect the cameras by a Ikea remote near the door, by a phone widget, etc...

#

That way, I never forget to connect the cameras 🤷‍♂️

bitter shard
#

@wraith plume Have you managed to get the device tracking working? For me, especially the Google Pixels is creating trouble. My daughter has got a pixel 6 which is irregular unavialable. I'm using device tracking from the FRITZ!Box tools.
I am controlling the main door light with our presence.

  • If everybody is home switch light OFF at 23:00
    else leave ON till sunrise - 00:45:00
  • if everybody is home after 23:00 and before sunrise - 1h, turn light on in the hall and turn main door light off 5min later.

Because my daughters phone is not available the light will never be turned off at 23:00. Even though everybody is home.