Smart Home ControllerPut the Tuya device in pairing mode (a fast-blinking LED), open Smart Home Controller, go to Devices, tap +, choose Add Tuya Device, pick your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and enter the password. The app finds the device in about 30-60 seconds; then name it and assign it to a room.
Tuya is one of the world's largest IoT platforms, and Smart Home Controller works with the Tuya ecosystem, so you can control plugs, bulbs, switches and sensors from hundreds of brands in one app. Pairing takes a few minutes once the device is in the right mode and your phone is on the right Wi-Fi band.
What you'll need
Hardware
- Your Tuya-compatible smart device
- iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.0 or later
- A stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network
- Power for the device (plugged in or switched on)
Network
- Your Wi-Fi network name and password
- The 2.4 GHz band, not 5 GHz
- A network name without special characters, if possible
- A regular network rather than a guest network, which often blocks device-to-phone traffic
Step 1: Put the device in pairing mode
Pairing mode looks different depending on the device type:
- Smart plugs: press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds until the LED blinks rapidly.
- Smart bulbs: turn the bulb off and on 3 times, then leave it on. The bulb should start blinking.
- Smart switches: hold the main button for 5+ seconds until the indicator light flashes.
- Other devices: check the manual. Most Tuya devices use a fast blink for pairing mode and a slow blink for "waiting on Wi-Fi".
Step 2: Open Smart Home Controller
- Launch the Smart Home Controller app on your iPhone.
- Go to the Devices tab at the bottom.
- Tap the + (Add Device) button in the top right.
- Choose Add Tuya Device.
Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi
- Select your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network from the list.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password carefully. Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Tap Next.
- Wait while the app starts broadcasting the network details to the device.
Step 4: Finish pairing
- The app discovers the device, usually within 30-60 seconds.
- Give it a name you'll recognize on the dashboard, like "Kitchen lamp".
- Pick the room it belongs to.
- Tap Done.
The device now shows up on the dashboard with its quick controls, and you can add it to automations or one-tap room controls.
Troubleshooting: device not found
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| LED is solid or off | Not in pairing mode | Repeat the reset sequence until the LED blinks fast |
| Phone is on 5 GHz | Wrong band | Connect the phone to the 2.4 GHz network, then retry |
| Weak signal | Too far from the router | Move the device and phone closer to the router during setup |
| Times out every try | Stale state | Power-cycle the device and restart the app |
| VPN on | Local traffic blocked | Turn the VPN off while pairing |
If the device still won't appear, pair it once in the manufacturer's own app, confirm it works there, then sign in to Smart Home Controller with the same account so it imports.
Popular Tuya-powered brands
These brands ship devices built on the Tuya platform, and most of their Wi-Fi models work with Smart Home Controller: Smart Life, Feit Electric, Gosund, Kasa Smart, Treatlife, Martin Jerry, Lumiman, Enbrighten, THIRDREALITY, Zemismart, Maxcio and DEWENWILS. Compatibility varies by model, so check the product listing for "Tuya" or "Smart Life" before you buy.
FAQ
Why can't the app find my Tuya device?
Most of the time the device isn't in pairing mode or your phone is on a 5 GHz network. Check for a fast-blinking LED, switch your phone to the 2.4 GHz network, move closer to the router and try again.
Does Tuya pairing work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No. Tuya Wi-Fi devices connect on 2.4 GHz only. If your router combines both bands under one name, connect your phone to 2.4 GHz during setup or temporarily split the bands in your router settings.
Which brands use the Tuya platform?
Smart Life, Feit Electric, Gosund, Treatlife, Merkury, Geeni, Lumiman, Enbrighten, Zemismart and many others ship Tuya-powered devices. Compatibility varies by model, so check the device listing.
Do I need a hub to pair Tuya devices?
Wi-Fi Tuya devices pair directly over your home network with no hub. Zigbee or Bluetooth Tuya devices need a compatible Tuya gateway first.