One of the best ways to begin your smart home journey is with smart lighting. Here's how.
Home automation hasn't always been easy. But with the introduction of more smart home systems, automating your own home is now within everyone's reach! As long as you have a smartphone and a wireless network you can jump right into the smart home world. We recommend starting with something easy – like setting up a smart bulb.
What you need
‣ A smartphone running either Apple's iOS 9.0 or later, or Google's Android OS 4.4 or later.
‣ A smart light bulb. Check the socket type you have, as you may either need an Edison fitting or a bayonet connection.
‣ A Wi-Fi network with the 2.4GHz network frequency enabled – your smartphone and light bulb will communicate over that network.
Setting up your smart bulb
Step 1
On your smartphone, download and install the app recommended by the light bulb maker. For the bulb we're setting up, there are Android and iOS apps available.
Step 2
Start the app on your smartphone. If you're a first-time user, you'll need to create an account. Make sure you set a strong password to protect your account.
Step 3
Ensure that the power is switched off on your light fitting before installing the light bulb in your chosen appliance. Once complete, open the app on your smartphone and press the 'Add Device' option. Then choose 'Lighting' from the left side of the display and tap on 'Lighting (Wi-Fi)'.
Step 4
Enter the name of your wireless network and the password required for connection.
Step 5
Switch off your smart bulb, then turn it back on for between one and two seconds. Do this three times in this sequence: ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON. The bulb should now be flashing quickly, indicating that it's ready to be connected to the app over your network. If the light is on, switch it off. The bulb should now be flashing more slowly.
Step 6
Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone. You'll now see a wireless network named 'Smart Life' followed by some random numbers and letters. Connect to that network and return to the Smart Life app.
Step 7
The app will now configure the light bulb and connect it to your home or office network. You can now control the light from your smartphone.
Things you can do with your smart light
Now that your smart bulb is set up, you can take it to the next level! Try using your app to rename the light, adjust the brightness of the bulb, change the colour or schedule on and off times. When adding to your smart home system it's also important to make sure you're using compatible devices and platforms. Start with selecting a smart speaker and go from there.