Table of Contents
GeoDrops App Basics
Most users are able to complete installation in minutes using the prompts from the app.
Minimum Mobile Requirements
- iOS 15 or later
- Android 7 or later
App Installation Links
Tip: Photograph Your Sensors After Installation for Easy Relocation
After installing each Droplet, make sure to take clear photos from multiple angles. Lawns and gardens change over time—photos help you relocate sensors months later.
App Usage & Setup
If the app is having trouble connecting to your device, check the following:
- Remove the batteries and only insert them when the app instructs you to.
- Ensure Bluetooth and Location are both enabled.
- iOS - Location
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Make sure that Location Services is on.
- Find GeoDrops in the list below Location Services and make sure access is set to “While Using the App” or “Always”.
- iOS - Bluetooth
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap it to switch it to the on position (green)
- Also make sure Bluetooth permission is granted by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth > Find GeoDrops and Tap it to switch it to the on position (green)
- Android - Location
- Go to Settings > Location > Make sure “Use Location” is on.
- Also make sure Location permission is granted by going to Settings > Apps > All Apps > GeoDrops > Permissions > Make sure “Location” and “Nearby” devices are set to “Allowed”.
- Android - Bluetooth
- From the top of the screen, swipe down.
- Tap Bluetooth
- iOS - Location
- Confirm that your device is powered on and the LED is blinking blue slowly.
- Make sure your GeoDrops device is nearby.
- If you have more than one device, only set up one device at a time.
If your device is unable to connect to Wi-Fi,
- Make sure the Wi-Fi network supports 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz (5GHz is not supported).
- Verify the Wi-Fi name and password are correct.
- The app will pre-fill the Wi-Fi name based on your phone’s current connection. You can tap the “visibility-off” icon to reveal the password.
- Ensure you’re setting up the device in an area with a strong Wi-Fi signal.
- Try restarting your Wi-Fi router.
Hardware Basics
Device LED Guide
Battery Replacement & Care
- When replacing the batteries from the sensor, please remove it from the soil and rinse off the dirt before opening the battery cover. This will help prevent dirt from entering the machine.
- Please use only reputable brands to prolong battery life, such as ACDelco, Amazon Basics, Costco Kirkland, Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, Rayovac for non-rechargeable batteries, and Duracell Rechargeable, IKEA Ladda, Panasonic Eneloop, POWEROWL for rechargeable batteries.
- When replacing batteries, clean the O-ring before reapplying silicone grease to prevent water damage.
For GeoDrops Launch Edition Devices
Please refer to the video below (more here).
For GeoDrops Insider Edition Devices
Please reinstall the sensor onto the soil only after you see it entering Soil Detection Mode (see table in prior section).
Sensor Placement Tips
While the GeoDrops Droplet is designed to work anywhere within Wi-Fi range (even with weak signal strength), we recommend the following tips to make the best use of the system:
- Place units in sunny vs. shaded areas (lawn, garden beds) for balanced data.
- Avoid extremes such as next to sprinklers, gutters, or persistently soggy or dry spots.
- Make sure your units stay within Wi-Fi range—or add an extender—to ensure durable battery life (While the device can operate with a weak Wi-Fi signal, installing it in such areas may shorten battery life due to repeated connection attempts to GeoDrops Cloud).
Proper Sensor Installation for Accurate Data & Prolonging Sensor Probe Durability
Watch the installation video below for step-by-step guidance.
To summarize:
- Use a hand trowel to slice a narrow trench—do not stomp or press at an angle.
- Insert your Droplet straight down. If your Droplet sensor is hitting a large hard rock during insertion, please remove the rock before resuming insertion. Skipping these steps may cause inaccurate readings or damage the probes (potentially voiding your warranty).
- Remove your Droplets before lawn aeration or any soil-spiking work. They’ll survive mower weight but not sharp impacts.
Additional Installation FAQs
Q: What should I do if I hit plant roots during installation? Do I need to remove them?
A: No, there is no need to remove or cut plant roots. GeoDrop is designed to work accurately within a plant’s existing root system. Your main focus should be ensuring the area is free of any rocks larger than a thumbnail, as these can prevent a proper installation and impact sensor accuracy.
Q: Do I need to remove a plug of grass before inserting the GeoDrop sensor?
A: No, please do not remove any grass or thatch before installation. Doing so would inadvertently disturb the soil, which can delay the sensor’s calibration and affect the accuracy of initial readings. Simply install the GeoDrop sensor directly into the ground through the existing grass.
Q: Why does my GeoDrops show a weak Wi‑Fi signal? Is something wrong?
A weak Wi‑Fi signal is common for outdoor smart devices, such as smart cameras or sensors. As long as your GeoDrops stays online and updates data regularly, there’s no need to worry. Relocation is only needed if GeoDrops Cloud reports slow connections or if the device shows up offline frequently.
Preparing For Prolonged Sub-Freezing Temperatures
GeoDrops Droplet sensors will keep reporting in cold weather, but:
- Below 32 °F (0 °C), only soil temperature readings are available—moisture sensing is disabled.
- Standard alkaline AA batteries lose capacity quickly; expect significantly shorter runtimes.
If you still need winter data:
- Try using NiCd AA batteries for improved low-temperature performance.
- If winter temperature gets significantly below freezing, lubricate the O-ring again to recover lubcrication wear during summer.
If you don’t need data until spring:
- Store your Droplet indoors.
- Remove all four batteries and leave the cap loose to lengthen O-ring life.
- Delete the device from the GeoDrops app to stop “Device Offline” or other systems alerts.
Still Need Help?
If you need help, please feel free to create a post on https://geodrops.discourse.group/c/help-support/7.
If it’s Warranty & RMA related, please read this or create a new post in this category.
For private or account-specific issues, please email tech-support@geodrops.com.
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