Smart Home: Introduction to Common Smart Action Scenarios for Tapo Cameras

With the continuous advancement of smart home technology, surveillance devices have become increasingly sophisticated. In today's world, where security is paramount, Tapo cameras enhance our lives by offering the Smart Action feature, providing an additional layer of protection. 
Let's explore the various usage scenarios of Tapo Camera's Smart Action feature and discover how they contribute to both safety and comfort in our daily lives. 

 

Below are the instructions for setting up the Smart Action (Shortcut and Automation) feature in the Tapo app. 
How to create Smart Action (Automation or Shortcut) on the Tapo app 
 

Scenario 1: Multi-Location Alerts with Tapo Hub 

Tapo Hubs located in various places will ring when the Tapo Camera detects specific events, thereby enhancing the security at those locations. 

 

Trigger and Action Settings:  

• Trigger: Device Status Change > When the camera detects Motion, Person, Vehicle, etc. (set according to actual needs). 
• Action: Control One Device > Tapo Hub > Ring Hub. Add multiple actions based on the number of Tapo Hubs. 

 

Note: 
  1. Tapo Hubs can connect to different Wi-Fi networks and do not need to be on the same network as the Tapo Camera. However, the hubs and camera must be bound to the same TP-Link account. 
  2. Please ensure that the camera's detection features are configured correctly. 

 

Scenario 2: Turn the Camera's Privacy Mode On and Off 

Automatically turn the camera's privacy mode on and off based on a schedule or in conjunction with Geofencing, thereby protecting personal privacy. 

 

Case 1. Based on a Schedule 

 

This requires adding two automation entries: 

 

Trigger and Action Settings in Entry 1: 

• Trigger: Time of Day > Select a time to turn the camera’s privacy mode on, and set the repeat date. 
• Action: Control One Device > Select your camera > Enable Privacy Mode. 

 

Trigger and Action Settings in Entry 2: 

• Trigger: Time of Day > Select a time to turn the camera’s privacy mode off, and set the repeat date. 
• Action: Control One Device > Select your camera > Disable Privacy Mode. 

 

Case 2. With Geofencing

 

Example: Enable privacy mode upon arriving home and disable it upon leaving. Add two automation entries:

 

Trigger and Action Settings in Entry 1: 

• Trigger: Refer to the instructions (How to set up Geofencing on the Tapo app) to add an "Arrive Home" trigger. 
• Action: Control One Device > Select your camera > Enable Privacy Mode. 

 

Trigger and Action Settings in Entry 2: 

• Trigger: Refer to the instructions (How to set up Geofencing on the Tapo app) to add a "Leave Home" trigger. 
• Action: Control One Device > Select your camera > Disable Privacy Mode. 

 

Scenario 3. Pan & Tilt the Camera to a Specific Viewpoint

 

Pan & tilt the camera to monitor a specific area at designated times.  
Note: The camera is a Tapo Pan & Tilt camera. 

 

Trigger and Action Settings: 

• Trigger: Time of Day > Select a time to pan & tilt the camera, set the repeat date. 
• Action: Control One Device > Select your camera > Pan & Tilt Control > Tap Rotate to add a specific viewpoint. 

 

Additionally, to return the camera to its previous viewpoint after a set time (e.g., 30 minutes), add two more actions:  

• Action 1: Delay > Set a delay time (e.g., 30 minutes).  
• Action 2: Control One Device > Select your camera > Pan & Tilt Control > Tap Rotate to add another viewpoint. 

 

In this way, the camera will pan & tilt to the first viewpoint at a specified time, wait 30 minutes, then pan & tilt to the second viewpoint. 

 

Scenario 4. Notifications for Doorbell Presses with Privacy Mode Enabled

 

For instance, the doorbell camera faces the street. To avoid frequent detection notifications while conserving battery life, the privacy mode is turned on during the day. However, this prevents notifications when someone presses the doorbell. 
To receive a notification when someone presses the doorbell while privacy mode is enabled, add the following automation entry. 

 

Trigger and Action Settings: 

• Trigger: Device Status Change > Select your doorbell camera > Doorbell is Pressed. 
• Condition: Device Status > Select your doorbell camera > Privacy Mode is On. 
• Action: Send Me Notifications > Enter the message for your notification. 

 

Conclusion 

The current Smart Action feature supports various triggers and actions, allowing for even more scenarios to be fulfilled. We encourage everyone to explore and share your own feature settings to help others enhance their smart home experience!