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Robot vacuum apps use different labels and menus, and not every model supports map-based exclusions or scheduled room cleaning. The common setup is to create and save a usable map, add and save an exclusion zone in the map editor, then configure a schedule or routine using the options your model supports.
Before you start: check model support and map requirements
Look up your exact vacuum model in its manufacturer’s current support pages before following menu instructions. Features can vary by model, app version, and region. A schedule may clean the whole home without offering room selection, and some robots have no map-based zones at all.
- For the Roborock S4, virtual no-go zones require Map Saving to be enabled. Its tutorial uses the Mi Home app and describes up to 10 zones; that limit is specific to the cited S4 guidance, not a universal Roborock limit. Roborock’s S4 no-go-zone instructions.
- Roborock’s documented multi-floor room-schedule steps apply to the S4 Max and S5 Max. Roborock’s multi-floor schedule instructions.
- In iRobot’s cited Smart Map guidance, Roomba i1, i2, i3, i4, and i5 do not support Zones. iRobot’s Smart Map guidance.
Roborock notes that app features and screens may change without notice. Check the current app and support instructions rather than assuming another model has the same menu path. Roborock app feature overview
Create or complete a saved map
Map editing depends on the robot having a usable map. iRobot recommends a mapping run to create a Smart Map and requires one complete mission or run before map customization. Roborock’s S4 guidance likewise requires map creation and Map Saving before adding virtual zones. iRobot Smart Map guidance · Roborock S4 no-go-zone instructions
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Run the robot through the areas it needs to map, then confirm that the map is saved in the app. If your model has a Map Saving or map-management setting, enable it before trying to edit exclusions. The exact control and mapping procedure depend on the model.
Add a no-go or Keep Out Zone
Once the map is ready, use the map editor to create an exclusion, position it over the area the robot must avoid, resize it, and save. Menu names differ: Roborock uses “No Go Zone” in the cited S4 tutorial; iRobot calls its feature a “Keep Out Zone.”
Roborock S4 in Mi Home
- Open the robot in Mi Home and enable Map Saving in Vacuum Settings if it is off.
- Return to the map and choose Edit Map > No Go Zone.
- Add a zone or virtual wall, position it on the map, and resize it to cover the area to avoid.
- Save the map changes. The cited S4 tutorial allows up to 10 No Go Zones.
These labels and the zone limit are from the S4-specific Mi Home instructions; do not assume the same flow or limit applies to every Roborock. Roborock S4 no-go-zone instructions
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iRobot Roomba with supported Smart Map Zones
- Open the customized Smart Map.
- Select Zones, then Keep Out Zone.
- Drag and resize the box over the area the robot should avoid, then save the change.
iRobot says Keep Out Zones cannot be rotated. For an unusual shape, overlapping or stacked boxes can approximate the area. Make the zone a little larger than the precise object or floor area you want protected because position can vary by a few centimetres. Avoid placing a zone on or too close to the dock, and preserve clear routes between rooms. iRobot Smart Map guidance
Set a schedule or routine
After the map and exclusions are saved, use the scheduling controls in your model’s app. Depending on the robot, these may be called Schedule, Routine, or something similar. A routine may let you choose a time, cleaning mode, and rooms, but those choices are model-specific; a scheduled clean does not necessarily support arbitrary zone selection.
Roborock multi-floor room schedule on S4 Max or S5 Max
- Open Settings > Schedule.
- Under Clean Position, select the map or floor the schedule should target.
- Choose the rooms to clean, set the schedule options shown in the app, and save.
Selecting the intended map under Clean Position is part of Roborock’s documented multi-floor workflow for the S4 Max and S5 Max. Other models may present different controls or may not support scheduled room selection. Roborock multi-floor schedule instructions
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Choose the right kind of boundary and cleaning plan
| Option | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Map-based no-go or Keep Out Zone | Marks an area on the saved map for the robot to avoid. | Requires a compatible model and usable map; menu names and limits vary. |
| Physical Virtual Wall | Creates a boundary without editing a map. | iRobot’s Dual Mode Virtual Wall has Virtual Wall and Halo modes, but compatibility is model-specific. Check iRobot’s compatibility information for your Roomba. iRobot Dual Mode Virtual Wall guidance |
| Selected-room schedule | Schedules cleaning for chosen rooms when supported. | Confirm room selection and, for multi-floor homes, the target map or floor are available for your model. |
| Whole-home schedule | Schedules a general clean rather than a chosen set of rooms. | Do not assume the schedule can include or exclude arbitrary map zones; check the app’s available settings. |
A room choice controls where the robot is meant to clean, not necessarily every route it will take. iRobot notes that its robot may pass through another mapped area to reach a selected room. If entry into a place must be prevented, use a supported Keep Out Zone, a compatible physical barrier, or a closed door as appropriate. iRobot Smart Map guidance
Check the first run and troubleshoot
Watch the first scheduled clean so you can spot map or boundary problems before relying on the setup unattended.
Quick Recap
- No zone control appears: Confirm that your exact model supports zones and that mapping or map saving is enabled. Some models do not offer map-based zones.
- The robot crosses the boundary: Review the map and zone placement, add a small buffer around the area, and start the robot from its home base. For camera-based models covered by iRobot’s troubleshooting advice, check that lighting is adequate and the camera view is unobstructed. iRobot Smart Map guidance
- A zone or map setting has disappeared: Check whether the saved map changed or became inaccurate. Roborock warns that manually moving the robot or significantly changing the home environment can cause virtual-zone settings to be lost. Correct the map and reapply the zones if needed. Roborock app feature overview
- A scheduled room clean targets the wrong floor: For the documented Roborock multi-floor flow, check the map chosen under Clean Position and confirm your model supports that workflow. Roborock multi-floor schedule instructions
- The robot crosses a room you did not schedule: It may be taking a route through that area to reach its destination. A cleaning selection is not a route barrier; use an exclusion or physical barrier if the robot must not enter.
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