How to Install Smart Light Bulbs

Use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to light things up

EufyHome app open on smartphone.
EufyHome app open on smartphone.
by Kayla Matthews
Kayla Matthews is a former Lifewire writer who specialized in Android, gaming, and other topics. She's also a writer at MakeUseOf, Digital Trends and The Next Web.
Updated May 17, 2019

Smart light bulbs provide versatility and control that’s appealing to anyone seeking a lighting solution.

The best smart light bulbs go hand-in-hand with apps on your mobile phone or computer, letting you control your lights even away from home. As a result, smart home lighting can help with security and energy efficiency while you're on vacation.

Smart lights also provide versatility in potentially changing colors, assuming sleep-friendly modes and providing versatile dimming functionalities.

The variety of features and general accessibility comparative to normal lights make smart lights an appealing solution.

Here are the key points you need to know about installing a smart light.

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How to Connect a Smart Light Bulb

01
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Decide Which Smart Light Bulb to Buy

Orage, red, pink and purple lighting options with the Eufy Lumos Smart light.
You can change your lights to virtually any color you want with the Eufy Lumos Smart Light.  Eufy via their Facebook page

To start, purchase a standard, simple lightbulb with smart capabilities, such as the Eu​fy Lumos Smart Bulb.

A bulb in the range of $15 to $20 is all you need.

Some bulbs need a hub, though others do not.

A hub is essentially a piece of hardware that acts like a wireless router, which the bulbs utilize to connect to the internet.

Typically, a smart light with a hub will cost more.

A smart bulb does not require a hub to work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, though it's recommended to only purchase a smart bulb that states compatibility with these brands, as the Eufy Lumos Smart Bulb does in its Amazon product description.

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Install Your Smart Lights into Your Light Fixtures

EufyHome app screenshots
Using your smart bulb's app, you can connect the bulb to your home's WiFi.

Now that you have a smart bulb that’s compatible with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, it’s time to get started.

Many smart bulbs come with an app, such as the Eufy Lumos Smart Bulb and EufyHome app.

Note, however, that some smart lights have better apps than others. In the case of the EufyHome app, the app can frequently block you from logging in, which might account for its 2.8 review on Google Play. 

Be sure to research your lights and their accompanying apps thoroughly before making a purchase.

For the sake of keeping a consistent explanation here, we'll continue using the Lumos smart bulb and the EufyHome app. 

After installing the app and signing up for an account, you can add a new device to the app. In the case of EufyHome, you can do this via the plus (+) symbol in the top right corner of the app.

From there, select the type of lightbulb you are installing. Then screw in the bulb as you would a normal light bulb and turn on the fixture's light switch.

The bulb should blink three times and you will be prompted to click Next in the app.

Another section of the app will let you connect the smart light to Wi-Fi.

On the iPhone app, this will be via the Go to Wi-Fi settings button, while Android features a +Add button next to the bulb under Devices.

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Add Your Smart Lights as a New Device in Google Assistant, or...

Google Assistant app open with plus sign to add new smart devices.
Add smart lights in your Google Assistant app.

For Google Assistant functionality with the smart bulb, do the following: 

  1. Open the Google Assistant app on your device of choice.
  2. Click the options icon in the top left corner, then click on Home Control and Add Devices. 
  3. From this menu, select the relevant device to your smart bulb.
  4. From here, the devices will sync and allow you to provide options for specific rooms and other settings.

If you don't have it already, you can download the Google Assistant app for free for Android or iOS.

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Connect Your Smart Light to Your Alexa Device

Search results in Alexa app displaying EufyHome app to connect smart lights.
Search for the smart light's Alexa skill to connect your smart lights with Alexa.

Upon installing the smart bulb and its native app, do the following:

  1. Open the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device.
  2. Under the menu, select Skills and search for the relevant skill, such as "MagicLight Wi-Fi" or “EufyHome.” Enable that skill.
  3. Now, you can ask Alexa to discover the device by saying “Alexa, discover devices.”

Manually, you can:

  1. Find Discover Devices in the Smart Home section of the app.
  2. Upon discovering the smart light, the lights will appear within the Smart Home section of the Alexa app, where you can assign the smart bulbs to groups. Groups are helpful because they allow you to control multiple lights at once, rather than having to control each light individually.

If you don't already have the Alexa app, you can download it for free here for Android or here for iOS.

Alexa compatibility offers great flexibility and a variety of support commands, such as the ability to set a specific light to a certain percentage by saying "Alexa, set (light name) to (0-100 percent)."

Additionally, it's easy to dim or brighten, set the light color and make other adjustments via vocal commands.

Installing smart light bulbs for use via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa is an easy process, assuming the smart light you have is compatible with these devices.

After installation, you can enjoy excellent customization and versatility with your new smart lighting.