Do you have old and dumb appliances lying hither and thither in your home? Do you know that with a smart plug, you can make these appliances interactive? Here is how you do it.
Smart Plug is the first and most important prerequisite to turning any appliance into a smart device. Smart plugs are inexpensive, so don’t bother about the cost. These plugs come in different sizes, shapes and unique features like energy monitoring. Prices may vary depending on these factors. The plugs come in ZigBee, Bluetooth, Z-Wave and WiFi formats. Of these formats, Bluetooth may cause range issues. Z-Wave and ZigBee are highly recommended as they offer faster performance. But they can be set up in a smart hub. It is much appreciated if you are going for the WiFi smart plugs. They need a WiFi router to perform.
How to set up a smart plug?
Plug it into a wall outlet. If the plug is new, it should be paired with the app (for instance- free Kasa Smart app for iOS or Android) on your smartphone or tablet. Allow the app to connect to devices on your local network. Then on the app, tap Add Device > Smart Plugs. Select the smart plug from the list (the model number). The smart plug will be blinking orange and blue. If so, tap ALREADY ORANGE AND BLUE. Select the Wi-Fi network and enter the password. You may also update the firmware. (It is ideal to choose a 2.4GHz network if your network uses multiple bands. Give the connected smart plug a name or icon easy to recollect. This name can be used for voice control later.) Now, plug in any appliance you wish the smart plug to control. Test the appliance and see the magic yourself!
How to Control Smart Plugs with Voice and Smartphone?
The smart plugs generally include voice control with either Alexa, Google Home or both. If it’s that you want to set up voice control, you have to add the device to your voice assistant.
For setting up Alexa:
- Open the app.
- Tap the hamburger menu in the top left.
- Tap Add Device.
- Choose the plug category.
- Select its manufacturer.
- Respond to the prompts to link your accounts.
For setting up Google Home:
- Open the Home app.
- Tap the add button.
- Tap “Set up device.”
- Tap “Works with Google.”
From the list of manufacturers, choose the right one and follow the linking process. Once the smart plug is connected to Alexa or Google Home, add it to a Google room or Alexa group. You can still take control if you don’t want a voice assistant to do it for you. Instead, you can use your smart plug’s app to control it. Now that you have done everything, you can set up your smart plug to perform actions automatically. You may be away from your home, but you can still set it to turn on an antique non-smart lamp in your cozy room. You can enjoy a few more minutes on your bed in the morning without worrying about turning on the geyser. Set your routines on smart plug, automate appliances and live a smart life.
Also Read: How to See Old Notifications on Your iPhone?
