10
Votes

Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life

 
10
Votes

Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life

Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2024-03-28 17:47:39 - last edited 2026-03-18 08:49:08
Model: Tapo T100  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.12.0 Build 230512 Rel. 103011

Hello

 

I understand that T100 notifications can be enabled/disabled for set time periods but I would like the ability to disable PIR for set time periods to extend battery life.

 

The typical scenario is where the PIR is mounted in a hallway which is busy during the day but quiet at night.  The problem at the moment is the PIR stays active at all times recording unnecessary motion detection events during the day when detection is only required at night to send a notification alert and sound an alarm (on the T200 Hub).

 

Thanks.

 

Other than that, I'm loving the Tapo/Kasa range.

 

#1
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9 Reply
Re:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-03-18 08:55:41

To users with the same request regarding temporarily disabling Tapo T100 motion sensor:

To help us prioritize and shape this potential feature, please: 

  • Upvote the post to indicate your interest.

  • Commenting to share details about your use case, including:
  1. Why you wish to temporarily disable the sensor.
  2. Where the sensor is installed and the activity level in that area (e.g., “high-traffic hallway,” “occasional activity at night”).
  3. Any other relevant context about your usage pattern.

 

The more context you provide, the better our product team can understand your needs and evaluate this feature for development.

 

For those primarily interested in extending battery life:

While sensor batteries are designed for long-term use—supporting up to two years or 25,000 activations under typical conditions (approx. 50 triggers per day), you can further optimize battery performance with the following adjustments:

  1. Lower the motion sensitivity.
  2. Increase the detection interval.
  3. Adjust the sensor’s position or angle to reduce unnecessary triggers while maintaining coverage.
  4. As a temporary manual solution, physically cover the sensor or remove the battery (or reinsert the battery isolation tab) to disable it.

 

If these suggestions do not fit your situation, please let us know why. This feedback is valuable for understanding user constraints.

> Try the New Device Sharing 2.0 Feature Today!
#2
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-05-08 12:33:34
Would be great if the sensor can automatically go into a sleep state when no automation flow is active with the hub.
#3
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-05-09 07:30:42

Gorbin wrote

Would be great if the sensor can automatically go into a sleep state when no automation flow is active with the hub.

  @Gorbin 

 

I believe that may be difficult to implement, since you can’t anticipate when motion will occur within the sensor’s detection zone. If the sensor isn’t kept in an active monitoring state, it won’t be able to respond promptly to events or trigger associated automations.

> Try the New Device Sharing 2.0 Feature Today!
#4
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-05-16 01:28:59

  @Wayne-TP 

We have one motion sensor installed on our external deck to detect intruders from that part of the house during the night. However, we often eat and do bbq on the very deck: can you imagine how many times the sensor detects people moving around there and then sends a signal for the app log? This is the reason why I support making the motion sensor completely shut off via the app when needed. Thank you.

#5
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-06-02 06:44:26
I have my T100 sensor in high traffic spot and the battery got drained in just 3 months. It is for turning on/off the lights and the schedule for the automation is only at night. So a lot of the battery drain is coming from day time which I dont even intend to use during that time.
#6
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-06-05 04:37:47
I wish that the ability to disable PIR detection be added to all types of devices.
#7
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Re:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
2026-06-27 01:48:52 - last edited 2026-08-05 07:54:09

  @JR22 

Please can we have this feature sooner than later? It makes really no sense that the sensor stay alive in high traffic areas when notifications or smart actions are not needed, or during certain hours of the day. Mine, for instance, ends up recording and logging more than a hundred motions a day, while I need it only at night. Please, do us a favor!

 

Note: I had to replace the original battery after only less than three months from purchase due to the sensor being always active in a high traffic area!

#8
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
3 weeks ago
Please implement this feature so we can disable the IR sensor during the daytime. I have these in my house for security and during the daytime hours I don't need them and I work from home so I'm constantly sending signals to it. I only need the IR sensor to work overnight for security. It's a waste of battery power to have it sending notifications to the hub every 60 seconds during the day.
#9
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RE:Request Ability to disable the PIR to a schedule to Extend Battery Life
Thursday
In the T100 settings just extend the Motion Sensitivity feature from "Low---High" to have "Zero(off)---Low---High". Simple firmware update.
#10
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