How the presence sensor works
The presence sensor detects nearby devices by listening for WiâFi signals, rather than requiring users to actively connect to a network.
It uses technology that tracks:
Footfall trends: which shows a sample of how many devices enter the sensorâs range.
Dwell time: which shows how long those devices remain within range.
The sensor operates at approximately one and a half times the range of standard WiâFi hardware, although the exact range can vary depending on the hardware used and the environment.
By monitoring the status of the WiâFi on devices, the sensor can identify whether a device is present even if it is not connected to the WiâFi network.
What the sensor detects
The sensor primarily detects WiâFi beacons emitted by phones and other devices.
This means:
Devices may be detected when their WiâFi functionality is active.
Devices do not need to be connected to the network to be counted.
Detection is passive and based on signal presence, not user interaction.
â ď¸ Important: If a phone is turned off, has WiâFi switched off, or its WiâFi is sleeping, the sensor cannot detect it.
MAC address randomisation
Many modern smartphones and operating systems use a builtâin privacy feature called MAC address randomisation. This feature regularly changes the identifier a device shares over WiâFi to prevent longâterm tracking.
Because the presence sensor relies on detecting these WiâFi identifiers:
Devices cannot always be recognised as the same device when they return.
A single device may appear as multiple visits.
Some devices may not be detected at all.
đ Note: This means presence data should be used as an estimate of footfall trends, not an exact headcount.
Despite this, the sensor is still useful for understanding:
Overall changes in visitor numbers.
Busy and quiet periods.
Typical dwell behaviour over time.
Data privacy and personal information
Protecting privacy is a core principle of how the presence sensor operates.
The sensor doesn't collect any personally identifiable information (PII).
No user data is captured simply by being detected within range.
PII is only collected if a guest actively connects to your WiâFi network, and this follows your existing WiâFi data capture and consent processes.
Sensor location and setup
Sensors are shipped directly to you to install and position according to your own requirements, and we have no visibility over where sensors are situated within a venue.
đ¤ Tip: To get the most out of your data, we recommend placing your sensor or sensors in public areas.
For help installing the sensor, take a look at our plugin guide.
If you need help troubleshooting your sensor, take a look at our troubleshooting guide.