How to Change Sensitivity on Eufy Camera

Adjusting the sensitivity on your Eufy camera helps reduce false alerts and ensures you only get notified when it matters. This guide walks you through the process using the Eufy app, covering motion detection settings, custom zones, and troubleshooting tips.

Key Takeaways

• Access sensitivity settings via the Eufy Security app: All adjustments are made directly in the app, not on the camera itself.
• Adjust motion detection sensitivity from low to high: Choose a level that matches your environment to avoid unnecessary notifications.
• Use motion zones to focus on important areas: Limit alerts to specific parts of the camera’s view, like driveways or doors.
• Enable Smart Detection for fewer false alarms: Human and vehicle detection filters out animals, leaves, and shadows.
• Test and fine-tune after changes: Walk through your detection zones to ensure the camera responds correctly.
• Update firmware regularly: Keep your camera up to date for the latest features and bug fixes.
• Contact support if issues persist: Eufy’s customer service can help with persistent sensitivity problems.

How to Change Sensitivity on Eufy Camera: A Complete Guide

So, you’ve installed your Eufy camera and it’s working great—except it keeps sending you alerts every time a leaf blows by or a squirrel runs across the yard. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many Eufy users face this issue, and the good news is that it’s easily fixable. The key lies in adjusting the motion detection sensitivity on your Eufy camera.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about changing sensitivity on your Eufy camera. Whether you’re using a Eufy SoloCam, Indoor Cam, or a Security Kit with multiple cameras, the process is similar. We’ll cover how to access the settings, tweak sensitivity levels, set up motion zones, enable smart detection features, and troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll have a camera that alerts you only when it really matters—like when a person approaches your front door or a car pulls into the driveway.

Let’s get started!

Why Adjusting Sensitivity Matters

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand why sensitivity matters. Eufy cameras use motion detection to trigger recordings and send alerts to your phone. But not all motion is equal. A strong wind might cause tree branches to sway, triggering your camera—even though there’s no real threat. Similarly, pets walking around indoors or cars driving past on a busy street can flood your notifications with false alarms.

By adjusting the sensitivity, you’re essentially telling your camera: “Only alert me when something significant happens.” This improves your experience in a few key ways:

• Fewer false alerts: You won’t be constantly checking your phone for every little movement.
• Better battery life (for wireless models): Less frequent recording means longer battery life for cameras like the SoloCam E40 or S220.
• More reliable security: You’ll be more likely to notice real threats when your alerts are meaningful.

Now that you know why it’s important, let’s look at how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Eufy Security App

The first step to changing sensitivity on your Eufy camera is opening the Eufy Security app. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is the central hub for managing all your Eufy devices.

Download and Install the App

If you haven’t already, download the Eufy Security app from the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android). Once installed, open the app and log in with your Eufy account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one—it’s free and only takes a minute.

Ensure Your Camera Is Connected

Make sure your Eufy camera is powered on and connected to your home Wi-Fi network. You should see it listed on the app’s home screen. If not, check the camera’s power source, Wi-Fi connection, and ensure it’s within range of your router.

Select Your Camera

Tap on the camera you want to adjust. This will open the live view screen. From here, you’ll access all the settings, including sensitivity controls.

Step 2: Access Motion Detection Settings

Once you’re in the live view of your camera, it’s time to find the motion detection settings. This is where you’ll adjust the sensitivity.

Tap the Gear Icon

In the top-right corner of the live view screen, tap the gear icon (⚙️). This opens the camera’s settings menu.

Find “Motion Detection” or “Detection Settings”

Scroll down until you see an option labeled “Motion Detection” or “Detection Settings”. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your camera model and app version, but it will be something similar.

Tap on it to open the motion detection menu. Here, you’ll see several options, including sensitivity, motion zones, and smart detection features.

Step 3: Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity

This is the core of what you came for: changing the sensitivity level. Eufy cameras typically offer a sensitivity scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the lowest (least sensitive) and 10 is the highest (most sensitive).

Understand the Sensitivity Scale

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each level means:

• 1–3 (Low): Only large, fast movements (like a person walking quickly) will trigger alerts. Great for areas with lots of background motion (trees, busy streets).
• 4–6 (Medium): Balanced setting. Detects most human-sized movements without too many false alarms. Good for general use.
• 7–10 (High): Very sensitive. Even small movements (like a cat or fluttering curtain) can trigger alerts. Best for quiet environments or when you want maximum coverage.

Choose the Right Level for Your Environment

Think about where your camera is placed. For example:

• Front door or driveway: Medium to high sensitivity (6–8) is usually ideal. You want to catch people approaching, but not every passing car.
• Backyard with trees: Low to medium (3–5) helps avoid alerts from swaying branches.
• Indoor hallway: Medium (5–6) works well, especially if you have pets.

Slide to Adjust Sensitivity

In the sensitivity menu, you’ll see a slider. Simply drag it left to lower sensitivity or right to increase it. As you move the slider, the app may show a preview of what level you’re selecting (e.g., “Low,” “Medium,” “High”).

After adjusting, tap “Save” or “Apply” to confirm your changes.

Step 4: Set Up Motion Zones (Optional but Recommended)

Even with the right sensitivity level, your camera might still pick up unwanted motion from certain areas—like a busy sidewalk or a tree in the wind. That’s where motion zones come in.

What Are Motion Zones?

Motion zones allow you to define specific areas within the camera’s field of view where you want motion to be detected. Areas outside these zones will be ignored, even if something moves there.

How to Create Motion Zones

Back in the Motion Detection menu, look for an option called “Motion Zones” or “Detection Zones”. Tap on it.

You’ll now see a live preview of your camera’s view with a grid overlay. Here’s how to set up zones:

• Tap “Add Zone” or the “+” button.
• Drag the corners of the zone to cover the area you want to monitor (e.g., your front porch).
• You can create multiple zones—for example, one for the driveway and one for the side gate.
• To remove a zone, tap on it and select “Delete.”

Tips for Effective Motion Zones

• Focus on entry points: Prioritize doors, windows, and driveways.
• Avoid busy areas: Don’t include sidewalks or roads if possible.
• Use overlapping zones: For wide areas, create two smaller zones instead of one large one for better accuracy.

Once you’re happy with your zones, tap “Save” to apply them.

Step 5: Enable Smart Detection (If Available)

Many newer Eufy cameras come with Smart Detection technology, which can distinguish between humans, vehicles, pets, and other objects. This is a game-changer for reducing false alerts.

What Is Smart Detection?

Instead of triggering on any motion, Smart Detection uses AI to analyze what’s moving. For example, it can tell the difference between a person walking and a dog running. You can then choose to only receive alerts for people or vehicles.

How to Turn On Smart Detection

In the Motion Detection menu, look for “Smart Detection” or “AI Detection”. Toggle it on.

You’ll then see options to select which types of motion you want to be alerted about:

• Human Detection: Only alerts when a person is detected.
• Vehicle Detection: Only alerts when a car, truck, or motorcycle is detected.
• Pet Detection: Alerts when pets are detected (useful for indoor cameras).

You can enable one, two, or all three, depending on your needs. For example, if you only care about people approaching your home, enable Human Detection and turn off the others.

Benefits of Smart Detection

• Drastically fewer false alerts: No more notifications from leaves, shadows, or animals.
• More relevant recordings: Your saved clips will mostly show people or vehicles.
• Better battery life: Fewer recordings mean longer battery life for wireless cameras.

Step 6: Test Your Settings

After making changes, it’s crucial to test your camera to make sure it’s working as expected.

How to Test Motion Detection

Here’s a simple way to test:

• Stand in front of the camera and walk slowly through the detection zone.
• Check if you receive an alert on your phone.
• Try walking quickly, then slowly—see how the camera responds.
• If you have pets, let them walk through the zone to see if they trigger alerts (if you haven’t enabled Smart Detection).

What to Look For

• Alerts should come quickly: You should get a notification within a few seconds of motion.
• No false alarms: Leaves, shadows, or passing cars shouldn’t trigger alerts (if you’ve set zones and Smart Detection properly).
• Clear recordings: Play back the clip to ensure the video quality is good and the motion is captured clearly.

If something isn’t working, go back and adjust the sensitivity or zones. It may take a few tries to get it perfect.

Step 7: Update Firmware (If Needed)

Sometimes, sensitivity issues are caused by outdated firmware. Eufy regularly releases updates that improve detection accuracy and fix bugs.

Check for Updates

Go to the app’s main menu (usually three lines in the top-left corner), then tap “Device Settings” > “Firmware Update”. If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.

After updating, restart your camera and test the sensitivity again.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best settings, you might run into problems. Here are some common issues and how to fix them.

Camera Still Sending Too Many Alerts

Possible causes:

• Sensitivity is set too high.
• Motion zones include busy areas.
• Smart Detection is turned off.

Solutions:

• Lower the sensitivity to 4 or 5.
• Adjust motion zones to exclude sidewalks or trees.
• Enable Smart Detection and select only “Human” alerts.

Camera Not Detecting Motion at All

Possible causes:

• Sensitivity is too low.
• Motion zones are too small or misplaced.
• Camera is in a low-light area and night vision isn’t working.

Solutions:

• Increase sensitivity to 7 or 8.
• Expand motion zones or add a new one.
• Ensure the camera has a clear view and is not obstructed.
• Check that night vision is enabled in the settings.

Alerts Are Delayed or Missing

Possible causes:

• Poor Wi-Fi signal.
• App notifications are disabled.
• Camera is in power-saving mode.

Solutions:

• Move the camera closer to your router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
• Check your phone’s notification settings for the Eufy app.
• Disable power-saving mode in the camera settings (if available).

Smart Detection Not Working

Possible causes:

• Camera model doesn’t support Smart Detection.
• Firmware is outdated.
• Lighting conditions are poor.

Solutions:

• Check your camera’s specs on the Eufy website.
• Update the firmware.
• Ensure the area is well-lit, especially at night.

Best Practices for Optimal Sensitivity

To get the most out of your Eufy camera, follow these best practices:

• Regularly review your settings: Seasons change, trees grow, and new obstacles may appear. Check your sensitivity and zones every few months.
• Use multiple cameras for full coverage: One camera might miss blind spots. Consider adding a second camera for better monitoring.
• Keep the lens clean: Dust or smudges can affect image quality and detection accuracy.
• Position the camera correctly: Aim it at entry points and avoid pointing it directly at bright lights or reflective surfaces.
• Enable two-way audio: If your camera supports it, use it to talk to visitors or deter intruders.

Conclusion

Changing the sensitivity on your Eufy camera is a simple but powerful way to improve your home security experience. By adjusting the motion detection level, setting up custom zones, and enabling Smart Detection, you can reduce false alerts and ensure you’re only notified when something important happens.

Remember, the goal isn’t to catch every single movement—it’s to catch the right ones. With the steps in this guide, you now have the tools to fine-tune your Eufy camera for your specific environment. Whether you’re monitoring a quiet backyard or a busy front entrance, the right sensitivity settings will make all the difference.

So go ahead, open the Eufy Security app, and start customizing. Your future self will thank you when you’re not woken up by a notification about a falling leaf—but you are alerted when someone approaches your door.

Stay safe, stay smart, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-tuned security system.