Remote Access and Geofencing That Actually Works

Quick Diagnosis

Geofencing not working when away?

• Your Home Assistant instance needs to be accessible from the internet
• The mobile app needs to send location updates back home

Local access slower than cloud?

• Check your Companion app settings for local/remote URLs
• Mesh networks can interfere with local detection

Understanding the Problem

Home Assistant’s mobile app needs to communicate with your instance to:

• Send location updates for geofencing
• Sync notifications and sensors
• Provide remote access when you’re away

Without external access, geofencing fails because the app can’t ‘phone home’ with your location.

Solution Options

Option 1: Nabu Casa (Recommended for Beginners)

Best for: Most users, especially those new to Home Assistant

Pros:

• Zero configuration required
• Secure, managed by Home Assistant team
• Includes additional features like voice assistants
• Works with all mobile platforms

Cons:

• Monthly subscription fee
• Relies on cloud service

Option 2: Reverse Proxy

Best for: Advanced users wanting full control

Pros:

• Complete control over your setup
• No ongoing costs (after initial setup)
• Can host other services

Cons:

• Requires technical knowledge
• Security responsibility is on you
• Need to maintain SSL certificates

Security Enhancement

Use Cloudflare in front of your reverse proxy for additional protection:

• Free DDoS protection
• Hides your real IP address
• Easy SSL management

Option 3: VPN

Best for: Privacy-focused users

Pros:

• Most secure option
• Phone always appears ‘home’ to HA
• Encrypts all traffic

Cons:

• Requires VPN client on all devices
• Can drain battery faster
• More complex setup

Network Design Considerations

VLANs: Do You Need Them?

For small home setups (under 20 devices), VLANs are usually overkill. Most users run perfectly fine with a flat network.

Consider VLANs if:

• You have many IoT devices (50+)
• You need to isolate critical systems
• You have specific security requirements
• You enjoy network engineering

Skip VLANs if:

• You have a typical smart home setup
• You prefer simplicity
• Your router supports basic firewall rules

Router Recommendations

If you do want advanced networking:

• Opnsense or pfSense: Best for control and features
• Unifi: Good balance of features and ease of use
• OpenWrt: For tinkerers who want full control

Fixing Geofencing Issues

Step 1: Ensure External Access

Choose one of the solutions above. Without external access, geofencing won’t work reliably.

Step 2: Configure Companion App

iOS Settings:

1. Open Home Assistant Companion app
2. Go to Settings → Connection
3. Set “External URL” to your Nabu Casa or reverse proxy address
4. Set “Internal URL” to your local HA address
5. Enable “Always Allow Location Access”
6. Ensure “Location Updates” is enabled

Android Settings:

1. Open Home Assistant Companion app
2. Go to Settings → Connection
3. Configure URLs similarly to iOS
4. Grant location permissions
5. Enable background location if prompted

Step 3: Test Presence Detection

1. Leave home with WiFi enabled
2. Check if HA detects you as ‘away’
3. Return home
4. Verify detection as ‘home’

If it’s not working:

• Check app notifications for errors
• Verify location services are always on
• Try toggling WiFi/cellular data

Fixing Slow Local Access

Problem: Local Slower Than Cloud

This happens when:

• Your mesh network is misconfigured
• DNS resolution is slow locally
• The app can’t properly detect it’s on WiFi

Solutions

1. Check Companion App Settings

• Ensure local URL is correct
• Verify the app can detect your home WiFi SSID

2. Network Troubleshooting

• Turn off non-primary APs to isolate issues
• Reboot router, HA, and phone
• Try with only one WiFi radio running

3. DNS Configuration

• Use local DNS for HA hostname
• Consider setting HA IP in hosts file

4. Alternative: Tailscale

If local issues persist, Tailscale can provide consistent access:

• Creates a private network
• Works the same locally and remotely
• Bypasses local network issues

Alternative Presence Detection

If built-in geofencing continues to be problematic:

Life360 Integration

• Free service with reliable location tracking
• Works well with Home Assistant
• Less battery drain than constant GPS

Apple HomeKit

• Native presence detection for iOS users
• Integrates with Home Assistant
• Very reliable for Apple ecosystem

Router-Based Detection

• Detect when devices connect to WiFi
• Works for any device on your network
• No app required

Security Best Practices

For Reverse Proxy Setups

1. Use Strong Authentication

• Enable 2FA on all accounts
• Use strong, unique passwords

2. Keep Software Updated

• Regular updates for HA and reverse proxy
• Monitor security advisories

3. Network Isolation

• Consider separate VLAN for IoT
• Block unnecessary inbound ports

4. Monitor Logs

• Set up alerts for suspicious activity
• Regular security audits

Final Recommendations

1. Start with Nabu Casa if you’re new or want simplicity
2. Use a reverse proxy if you need custom features or want to avoid subscription fees
3. Consider VPN only if privacy is your top priority
4. Don’t overcomplicate with VLANs unless you have specific needs
5. Test thoroughly after any configuration changes
6. Monitor performance and adjust as needed

References

Community discussions that informed this guide:

• Geofencing issues without external access: https://reddit.com/r/homeassistant/comments/1o61a5u/geofencing_not_working_when_i_leave_the_house/
• VLAN considerations for small setups: https://reddit.com/r/homeassistant/comments/1o5syrw/do_i_need_vlans_for_small_setup/
• Local vs remote connectivity problems: https://reddit.com/r/homeassistant/comments/1o6i36i/local_vs_remote_connectivity_but_not_what_you/

Useful resources:

• Cloudflare protection guide: https://corelab.tech/cloudflare-protection-free/
• Reverse proxy setup with Nginx: https://corelab.tech/nginxpt1/
• Home Assistant documentation: https://home-assistant.io/