SwitchBot Hub Plus and SwitchBot Setup

SwitchBot Hub Plus and SwitchBot Setup
Get your SwitchBot Hub Plus and your SwitchBot's set up and working in your smart home. This is a quick tutorial on how to get these devices set up and how you can use them.
Getting your #SwitchBot #setup and working isn't hard, but these devices are quite different.
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Thanks,
Brian

[@garethjones5068]

Love how different the design of the hub is for the SwitchBot, it fits the quirky nature of a switches with a strange mechanically actuated switch that works from a digital signal. I dunno it just feels right

[@TechYourLife1]

It all just feels right...wait till you see the new one ;)

[@EricKlein]

When adding a device controlled by IR how much control do you have? I noticed on the TV you added it was volume, channel, etc, the basic controls. But what if I want to hit a less common function on the remote? Basically, can you add "custom buttons" somehow and feed the switchbot hub the ir output of such a button?

[@TechYourLife1]

Hi Eric, so if they have the remote "mapped" as part of their integration process, you usually don't need to add custom buttons. You can, but the way I do this most often is to totally custom map an IR remote. I can also really do some fancy things my mapping it as an entirely new device. Example: My office has a multicolor light in it that uses IR to turn on/off and change to different modes. I created a new IR device in SwitchBot that uses the "flashing" mode button as on, and the off button as off. I called that device "Flashing Light" in SwitchBot and then in Google/Alexa/SmartThings I can trigger on/off the Flashing Light.

[@EricKlein]

@@TechYourLife1 Awesome! Thanks for the details, got one on order, excited to play with it.

[@maxf1]

I just got delivery of my switch bot today, and just realised its only a bluetooth device, if I buy the hub do I just need to connect it to wifi and it will operate the switchbot?

[@TechYourLife1]

Yessir, or you can just operate through the app which does connect through BT to it :)

[@SudarshanAshiya]

can I only use this for decor ? i don't want any sort of automation and smart hub.

[@TechYourLife1]

Giver! It just sits and looks pretty!

[@bigrob6000]

If I already have a harmony hub do I still need the Switchbot hub plus?

[@TechYourLife1]

If you want to use the SwitchBot buttons, you will. Otherwise, no. They overlap very well in terms of IR device control. :)

[@tuffyman3067]

What is the difference between hub plus and mini and what is the range. If I have the two switchbot in different rooms?

[@TechYourLife1]

It's really the same hub. They're Bluetooth and IR, so the Bluetooth has a good range across most mid-sized homes. IR needs line of sight to work correctly.

[@rooma3983]

Hi, is it available for Google Home Mini to control the degree of an air conditioner by speaking details like "Hey google, turn on it and make it 24 degree"?

[@TechYourLife1]

Voice control is not usually good across all the device types. That's kind of a Google thing. You could set up a device in SwitchBot called "AC Temp Down" and turn that on to adjust a degree down. You'd have the On button in SwitchBot mapped to the Temperature Down button on the existing remote.

[@michaellabista8030]

Unable to connect to the router, check your router firewall settings? this is what it says, any fix for this?

[@TechYourLife1]

It's likely you have a setting not allowing this device on the network. I'd reach out to SwitchBot's support directly if it keeps happening.

[@jasonchan1239]

Is that only hub plus can get the switchbot button to connect to the internet? Can I connect the button with Hub mini?

[@TechYourLife1]

You can use the Hub Mini, yep.

[@psborole]

Do I need switch or hub for each room to control IR devices? Or one hub can control all devices in multiple rooms? Also how can I set them to work with my SmartThings hub.

[@TechYourLife1]

Hi Piyush - IR control requires line of sight, so you would need a Hub or a Mini for each room you want to control an IR device. Otherwise, in general, a SwitchBot Hub can be used to control its own devices all over your home.

[@kosta8439]

I currently have to use at least 2 different remotes because my older LG 5.1 surround sound system (with infrared remote) isn't completely compatible with my Samsung Smart TV's remote. My TV's model number is UN65MU8500FXZA and I'm pretty sure my TV remote works with Bluetooth (but it is capable of controlling my cable box that has an infrared remote). Would the Switchbot Hub Plus be capable of controlling everything including the TV? Also, do you think Switchbot or Google will release an update that allows for volume and channel control?

[@TechYourLife1]

So if it's only controlling the TV by Bluetooth, no. If it uses IR to control the TV too, then yes. I'd be surprised if a TV only used BT as it's not 100% reliable though, so I feel like there will be a backup IR signal going. Or a setting on the TV to use IR....something like that. Anyways, if it's IR, I would suggest you get the new SwitchBot Mini Hub, which seems to do better with IR control. The Hub Plus does well, but has sometimes struggled for me with certain remotes.

[@v1Broadcaster]

@@TechYourLife1 verified that it does indeed also use ir/rf

[@DeneF]

Can you operate the bot via Bluetooth directly from your device? Or does it have to go through the hub Yoof? Thanks.

[@TechYourLife1]

You can totally operate the bot through the hub, or simply by Bluetooth if you're in range.

[@DeneF]

@@TechYourLife1 So, does this mean the hub is not needed at all? Fanks Yoof!

[@TechYourLife1]

@@DeneF You don't if you want to operate it by phone, however...if you want voice control, yoof gonna need a hub.

[@DeneF]

@@TechYourLife1 Many thanks. It's my friend actually. He needs one for his kitchen switch but refuses to be ripped off with having to buy another hub. I told him he didn't need a hub and you have just confirmed it, sort of. Thanks. Older Yoof out...

[@marknewman2756]

HI Mate with the hub after you have set it up do you leave it on on or auto for the future ie the at the back of the hub. Cheers

[@TechYourLife1]

Yep! Just leave it on Auto from that point on!

[@marknewman2756]

Automate Your Life Tutorials thanks mate appreciate the help 👍

[@marknewman2756]

Automate Your Life Tutorials hi there there interesting when I did that the cloud colours went off. I must have to leave it to on. Instead

[@Jojo-eb5fu]

Hi, is the switchbot mini the same thing as hub plus?

[@lbarke2]

@automateyourlife Brian can you answer this??

[@TechYourLife1]

Sorry folks! Yes it is. It's just a smaller form factor. :)

[@enoserwaa]

@autmateyourdevice Hi, can you gift the switchbot hub plus to me if you are not using it please. I can’t seem to get any online. Thanks

[@TechYourLife1]

You need a Hub 2 or a Hub Mini! you don't want the Hub Plus anymore

[@abdulazizamh6495]

Do I need the hub to use the switchbot or is that optional?

[@TechYourLife1]

You're going to want it. The bots only work with Bluetooth without the hub :)

[@abdulazizamh6495]

@@TechYourLife1 yea i guess i definitely am going to get it. where can i find it? I tried looking for it on amazon but i did not find it there

[@abdulazizamh6495]

@@TechYourLife1 did they discontinue the hub plus? because i cant find it anywhere not just on amazon, i can only find the hub mini