"Does it still work if the WiFi goes down?"
This is one of the most common questions in automatic feeder communities, and the standard answer — "yes, it supports offline mode" — does not actually tell you what you need to know. Offline mode means different things for different features. Whether your cat gets fed during an internet outage depends on what exactly you are asking about.
This article goes through it feature by feature, because "the feeder still works" and "everything still works" are very different statements.
The feeding schedule: yes, it runs offline
The scheduled feeding program is stored locally on the feeder itself — not in the cloud, and not dependent on your phone or internet connection. When you set a schedule through the app, that schedule is written to the feeder's onboard memory.
If your WiFi drops, your router restarts, your internet provider has an outage, or you lose your phone — the feeder continues dispensing meals at the scheduled times. This is true for all Tajrah WiFi-connected models.
The schedule runs locally until you change it. It does not require a connection to check in, sync, or validate. It just runs.
This is the most important thing to understand about WiFi feeders: the WiFi is for convenience features, not for basic function. The feeder is a timer with smart capabilities added on top — not a cloud-dependent device that stops working without a connection.
Push notifications: these stop during an outage
Push notifications — low food alerts, dispensing confirmations, motion detection alerts — require an active internet connection to reach your phone. During a WiFi outage, these do not come through.
What this means in practice: if the feeder runs out of food or encounters a dispensing issue during an outage, you will not receive an alert. You will see the missed notification when connectivity is restored, but not in real time.
This is worth knowing if you rely on notifications as your primary confirmation that meals happened. During an outage, you are flying blind on the smart features — but the feeder is still doing its job.
Feeding logs: synced when connection returns
Feeding logs — records of when each meal dispensed — are stored locally on the feeder during an outage and synced to the app when the connection is restored. You will not see real-time updates during an outage, but the log will reflect what happened once connectivity comes back.
This means the historical record is preserved. You can check after the fact whether meals dispensed correctly during the outage period. It is not real-time visibility, but it is not lost data either.
Remote manual feeding: not available during an outage
The ability to trigger an extra portion from the app — manual feeding — requires an active connection between your phone and the feeder. During a WiFi outage, this does not work.
If you are away from home and your WiFi goes down, you cannot remotely add a meal or skip a scheduled one. The feeder runs its preset schedule and that is it.
The manual feed button on the feeder unit itself still works — pressing it once dispenses one portion immediately, regardless of internet connectivity. But that requires someone to be physically at the feeder.
Camera and live view: not available during an outage
Camera features — live streaming, motion detection alerts, two-way audio — all require an active internet connection. During a WiFi outage, the camera is not accessible from the app.
This is the most significant impact for people who use camera feeders specifically for remote monitoring. If the primary reason you bought a camera feeder is to check in while you are away, an outage removes that capability for the duration.
The feeder continues running. The camera hardware is still there. But the connection between the camera and your phone depends on your home network being active.
Battery backup: what it covers and what it does not
Most Tajrah models include a battery backup slot for use during power outages. Battery backup is separate from WiFi — it addresses what happens when the power goes out, not when the internet goes out.
When a power outage occurs and batteries are installed:
- The feeder motor continues running — meals dispense on schedule
- The local feeding program remains active
- Camera features stop — they require active power and internet to function
- WiFi features stop — the router and modem are typically also powered down during an outage
Battery backup duration varies by model and battery type. Check the user manual for your specific model for the correct battery type and the estimated standby duration under normal conditions. The figure given in specifications is typically for feeder motor operation only — not for camera or WiFi features, which draw significantly more power.
One practical note: batteries are not included with any Tajrah model. Install them when you first set up the feeder, not after your first power outage. By the time the power is out, it is too late to install them.
The scenario most people are actually worried about
The question behind "does it work offline" is usually something more specific: if I am traveling and my home WiFi goes down, will my cat still be fed?
The answer is yes — the schedule runs locally and does not require your internet connection to function. Your cat will receive meals at the programmed times regardless of what happens to your network.
What you lose during that period: the ability to confirm it happened in real time, to see camera footage, to trigger an extra meal, or to change the schedule remotely. If the outage is short — an hour, a few hours — this is probably fine. If the outage lasts days and you are away, you are relying on the preset schedule holding without being able to monitor or adjust it.
For extended trips, this is why having someone who can check in remains a reasonable precaution — not because the feeder stops working, but because something could go wrong (a jam, an empty hopper, a pet health issue) that the feeder cannot respond to and that you cannot see.
What to set up before you leave
If you are leaving for a few days and want the feeder to run reliably without being able to troubleshoot remotely, a few things help:
- Fill the hopper fully before you go — do not leave it half-full and assume it will last
- Install backup batteries and confirm they are fresh — not the ones that have been in there for eight months
- Test the scheduled feeding for two or three days before your trip, not the night before
- Confirm the feeder is connected to the app and showing the correct schedule before you leave the house
- If you have a camera model, do a test live view from your phone before you go — confirm the connection is working
The feeder is reliable in normal conditions. The setup work you do before leaving is what makes it reliable when you cannot intervene.
If you want to compare which Tajrah models include battery backup and which include cameras, the full lineup is at tajrah automatic feeders. The buying guide also walks through these questions. For anything specific, email us at support@tajrah.com — we respond within 1 to 2 business days.