Using Flappie Without WiFiUpdated 24 days ago

Yes — Flappie works without WiFi. The AI prey detection, the camera, and all physical button controls run entirely on the device. Your cat will be stopped from bringing prey inside, and you can lock or unlock the flap, all without an internet connection.

That said, we strongly recommend connecting Flappie to WiFi. Here's why.

What works without WiFi

Even with no WiFi connection at all, Flappie's core functionality is fully operational:

• Prey detection — the AI runs directly on the device, not in the cloud. Your cat will still be blocked when carrying prey.
• Lock entry / lock exit — the physical buttons on the device work independently.
• Camera and recording — the camera detects motion and records as usual.

In other words: Flappie protects your home from prey even as a fully offline device.

Why we strongly recommend connecting to WiFi

While Flappie works without WiFi, connecting it unlocks significant benefits — especially over time:

• AI model updates — we continuously improve our prey detection algorithms. Connected devices receive these updates automatically, meaning your Flappie gets smarter over time. Without WiFi, you're stuck on the model that shipped with the device.
• New features — future capabilities like Cat ID (facial recognition for cats) will be delivered as software updates. Without WiFi, you won't receive them.
• App control — view videos on your phone, control modes remotely, receive push notifications when prey is detected, and manage schedules.
• Video access — watch your cat's comings and goings from anywhere, save highlights, and share to FlappieTV.

Flappie is designed to get better with every update. Connecting to WiFi makes sure you benefit from every improvement we ship.

Temporary WiFi loss

If your WiFi drops temporarily — for example during a router restart or an outage — there's nothing to worry about. All features on the device keep running normally. When WiFi returns, Flappie reconnects automatically. No re-pairing or re-setup needed.

WiFi requirements

Flappie requires a 2.4 GHz WiFi network with WPA2 security. 5 GHz networks and WPA3 are not supported. For the full setup guide, see Connecting Flappie to the App →

Need help? Write to [email protected] or use the chat in the bottom right — we're happy to help.