Location reminders not working? Fix it

A location reminder that never fires almost always lacks one of three things: location access set to Always ("Allow all the time" on Android), precise location, or a trigger radius big enough for the phone to notice you crossing it. On Android, a battery saver can also hold location updates back.

The steps use Buzzley as the example. Most of them apply to any app with "remind me when I get to" reminders.

How location reminders work

A location reminder doesn't track you all day. The app hands the phone a list of places, each with a circle around it (a geofence), and the phone's location system tells the app when you cross a circle's edge. That only works if:

• the app may use your location when it isn't open, which is what Always or Allow all the time means;
• the phone knows your position well enough, which needs precise location;
• the circle is large enough for the phone's position estimate, which is less exact indoors and in dense cities.

Phones also limit how many places one app can watch at once. In Buzzley that's up to 20 places on iPhone and up to 100 on Android. If you have more location reminders than that, Buzzley watches the ones due soonest.

How to fix location reminders

1. Allow location all the time

Android: open Settings > Apps > Buzzley > Permissions > Location and choose Allow all the time. When Buzzley asks for background location, it explains why first and tells you: 'On the next screen, select "Allow all the time"'.

iPhone: open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Buzzley and choose Always. Also check that Location Services itself is on at the top of that page.

2. Turn on precise location

Android: on the same location permission page, switch on Use precise location.

iPhone: on Buzzley's Location Services page, switch on Precise Location.

3. Turn on location reminders in Buzzley

In Buzzley, open Settings and check that Location reminders is on. If it's off, Buzzley saves the reminder but tells you that location monitoring is not enabled, and the reminder won't trigger.

4. Use a bigger radius

When you set the location trigger, the Trigger radius slider goes from 50 to 500 metres; the default is 100 metres. If a reminder fires late or not at all, try 150 to 300 metres. A small circle around a building can be missed when the phone's estimate jumps around.

5. Remove battery restrictions on Android

Battery savers also slow down location updates. Set Buzzley's battery use to Unrestricted and follow the steps for your phone's brand in the Android battery guide.

Choosing how the reminder triggers

Buzzley asks How should this reminder trigger? when you add a location:

• At the scheduled time rings at the time you set, as any reminder does. It also rings if you arrive at or leave the place within half an hour of that time.
• At this location only has no time. It triggers when you arrive or leave.

Pick Arrive, Leave or Both under Trigger when, and choose Use current location or one of your saved places (Home, Work or your own). If a reminder seems to fire at the wrong moment, check these two choices first. More examples are on the location reminders page.

Common questions

Can I create location reminders on the web?

No. Location reminders are created in the Android or iPhone app, because the phone does the watching. The web app shows them, but you can't add or change the location there.

Does a location reminder use a lot of battery?

The phone's own location system watches the places, and Buzzley only wakes up when you cross one. Some battery use is unavoidable with Always location access, which is why the phone asks you to allow it.

My iPhone location reminder fires late

Check that Precise Location is on, and that Buzzley is allowed in your Focus modes so its notification isn't held back. The iPhone guide covers Focus and Scheduled Summary.

Is my location shared?

No. As the app puts it when it asks for access, your location is never shared or sold, and it's only checked when you're near saved places.

For a walkthrough of setting one up from scratch, read how to set a location reminder.