Other virtual assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant work in much the same way – all you should need are the correct apps and account details for each. How to connect your smart plug to Google, Apple, Philips or Hive devices Once this is done, you should be able to control the smart plug either through its own app or through Alexa. Clicking this should prompt you to sign into your Alexa account, after which you’ll confirm that you want to link the two apps. The exact menu settings will depend on your smart plug, but you’ll usually find Alexa in Settings. This means it works with the service, but doesn’t have a built-in microphone – so you’ll need to use your phone or, in some cases, an Echo device.Ĭonnecting your smart plug to Alexa should be simple enough using the app that comes with the plug. Usually compatible smart plugs are marked ‘Works with Amazon Alexa’. This allows you to control the smart plug using simple voice commands. Many smart plugs are compatible with Alexa – Amazon’s virtual assistant. If your phone no longer receives software updates, it might be time to consider a new one. Keeping old versions might be convenient, but it increases your risk of being hacked. That said, we strongly advise that you update your phone’s software to its most recent version. If you’re using an older version of these operating systems, be sure to check the minimum version requirements before you buy. Most smart plugs have separate apps for Android and iOS users, so there shouldn’t be a problem connecting to the vast majority of smartphones. Will a smart plug work with my smartphone? You won’t see much benefit with anything that requires more than one step to turn on, such as a television or washing machine. Smart plugs are best used with simple devices, such as lamps. Once you’ve connected to the smart plug using the app, you can control it remotely. Most smart plugs connect with an app on your smart phone through wi-fi or Bluetooth. Head to our roundup of the best smart plugs to find the right model for you How do smart plugs work? But some models have additional bells and whistles that make them more useful than others. Have questions? Leave them in the comments and I will be happy to answer.A smart plug is device that plugs into a wall socket, with another socket to plug an electrical appliance into.Īt their most basic, smart plugs allow you to turn your devices on and off from your smartphone. If you are ready to buy a Rachio, Rainbird, Hunter or other smart timer feel free to head over to our Amazon page. Set the days and run times yourself and then let Rachio adjust for rain, temperature, and wind. Sometimes is will want to grossly over water and, other times, it wants to water too little. I have not had great success with letting the Rachio determine how often and for how long to run each zone. You can use the controller to run your system manually, but it is not as intuitive as a Rainbird or Hunter controller. Is the Rachio a perfect controller? No, it does have some drawbacks: Rachio was designed, from day 1, to be programmed and monitored with your device. Rainbird and Hunter make great controllers, but the apps feel like afterthoughts- because they are. Otherwise every unit I have installed has worked perfectly, and I have yet to warranty one.īasically, Rachio is a great smart controller because the hardware is high quality and user interface is intuitive. If you are going to switch accounts associated with the controller you will need to call support. The only issue I have ever had is when I wanted to take a Rachio from one property and then move it to another. If you choose this information can be used to determine how often, and for how long, each irrigation zone should water. You go through your system, zone by zone, and give it some basic information. But I’m convinced (and other reviewers back this up) that 98.3% of people can install one in less than an hour.Įase of programming. Installing a Rachio is really easy, at least it is for someone who has installed hundreds of timers.
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