BLUCONNECT / USER GUIDE

Adding devices

Last updated: 7 October 2026

Whenever possible, BluConnect adds a device directly over your local network with no account; it asks you to link a manufacturer account once only when needed. This page covers every way to add a device in the app. For brand-specific steps, see the Supported devices page.

The Add device screen

Tap the + button at the top right of the Home or Devices tab. The screen has two tabs at the top: Nearby, which finds devices around you, and By brand, where you pick a brand.

The free plan allows up to 2 devices; when you reach it you see "Device limit reached." BluConnect Plus removes the limit.

Add nearby devices

When the Nearby tab opens, your phone starts scanning over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Different connection paths to the same device are grouped into one row.

Make sure the device is on and on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone; put Bluetooth devices in pairing mode.
In the Found devices list, tap Add next to your device.
Follow the step in the panel that opens: enter the pairing code shown on the TV (pairing starts automatically once the code is complete), tap Continue and approve on the device's own screen, enter the device password, or link the manufacturer account if asked.
When you see "Device added", tap Go to devices.

The No account tag means the device will be added over your local network without any account.
Rows marked Added are already in your home; tap one to open the device page.
"Also add via …" or "Add with … account" under a row adds a second connection path to the same device.
If you haven't given the app local network or Bluetooth permission, a notice appears; tap Open Settings and allow it.

Add by brand and link a manufacturer account

On the By brand tab, search for the brand or pick a category such as Appliances, Lighting or Cameras. For brands with several connections, tap the brand, then the connection you want. The page that opens explains how the connection works (the manufacturer's cloud, your phone directly, or Home Hub) and how your password is protected.

For brands that need an account, tap "Sign in with …"; you sign in on the manufacturer's own page and your password never reaches us. Some brands ask for an email and password or an access token inside the app.
Once you sign in, all devices in that account come into your home automatically.
See your linked accounts under Account › Linked accounts, and link another one with Add account.

Only the home's admin can add or remove manufacturer accounts. Disconnecting an account (Disconnect) removes the devices from that account for everyone in the home. If your brand isn't listed, use the "Brand not listed? Suggest it" link at the bottom.

Local or with an account?

With a local connection your phone talks to the device directly over the same network; no internet is needed and it responds quickly. With an account, commands go through the manufacturer's cloud. If a device is added both ways, it shows up as one device and the local path is tried first.

Some brands' connection pages have a Work offline section: after linking the account once, Run on local network or Move to Home Hub makes those devices work without internet from then on; the account path stays as a backup.
The Beta tag means the connection has had limited testing on real devices and may be incomplete on some models. If you spot a problem, report it under Account › Feedback and ideas.
Some devices, such as Zigbee, work through a Home Hub on the same network. Home Hub is a BluConnect Plus feature and shows up in the Nearby list.

Matter devices

You can add devices with the Matter logo straight to BluConnect, without Apple Home, Google Home or any other account. Matter support is currently in Beta.

For a brand-new device, search for "Matter" on the By brand tab and choose the brand that connects through Matter.
Tap Set up new Matter device and scan the device's QR code; your phone joins it to Wi-Fi and adds it to BluConnect.
A Matter device in pairing mode may also appear in the Nearby list; tap Add and enter the 11-digit Matter setup code printed on the device.

If your phone can't add the device on its own, the app points you to add a Home Hub on the same network.

Apple Home, Google Home and Home Assistant

If you already use one of these platforms, you can bring in all its devices at once. All three are under By brand › Platforms.

Apple Home: tap Allow Apple Home access and approve the system prompt. Accessories in the Apple Home app appear in BluConnect, and new ones you add there show up automatically.
Google Home: tap Connect with Google, sign in and pick your home. Use Change home to switch to a different home. If it isn't available in your version yet, the page tells you.
Home Assistant: enter your local address (e.g. http://homeassistant.local:8123) or your Nabu Casa address in the Home Assistant address field, then tap Sign in with Home Assistant, or enter a long-lived access token and choose Connect with token. Devices in Home Assistant come into BluConnect.

You can disconnect a platform with the Disconnect button on the same page.

IP cameras and adding by address

Devices that don't announce themselves on the network can be added by typing their address.

On By brand › Cameras, choose your camera's brand (IP camera connection).
Tap Search network, or fill in Address, Username and Password and choose Add camera. ONVIF must be enabled in the camera's settings.
For a camera or recorder channel without ONVIF, fill in the RTSP address field and tap Add stream.

Some connection pages also offer an IP address field (e.g. LG soundbar); you can find the address in your router's interface or the manufacturer's app.
A reset Xiaomi / Mi Home device broadcasting its own Wi-Fi network can be joined to your network with Nearby › Set up a new device on Wi-Fi.

Infrared and Bluetooth remotes

You can add non-smart devices such as a TV, air conditioner or sound system as a remote. Infrared remotes are a BluConnect Plus feature; Bluetooth remotes are available on every plan.

On the Nearby tab, tap Add remote, choose what you want to add and then the brand.
Choose how it should send: this phone's IR blaster (only on Android phones that have one), a Broadlink blaster on the same Wi-Fi, or pairing the phone with the TV as a Bluetooth remote (on phones that support it).
Try codes with Send power button: if the device responds tap It worked, otherwise Didn't work, next. If no code matches, you can teach it from the original remote with Broadlink.
Give the remote a name (e.g. Living room TV) and tap Add remote.

FAQ

My device doesn't show up under Nearby.
Check that the device is on and on the same Wi-Fi as your phone, that Bluetooth devices are in pairing mode, and that the app has local network permission. If it still doesn't appear, pick its brand on the By brand tab; some devices can only be added through a manufacturer account.

How many devices can I add on the free plan?
The free plan allows 2 devices in total per home. If your plan ends or you go over the limit, the devices added to the home first stay available (the same devices on every phone and for every member) and the rest are flagged as unlocking with Plus on the Devices tab. If you remove an available device, or it isn't seen on any phone for 30 days, its place goes to the next device. With BluConnect Plus there's no device limit.

If I add a device both locally and with an account, will it appear twice?
No. BluConnect merges the paths to the same device into one device and tries the local path first for commands. You can see which paths are connected in the CONNECTION PATHS section of the device page.

Do I need a Home Hub?
For most devices, no; your phone talks to them directly or through the manufacturer's cloud. Zigbee devices and some devices your phone can't add on its own need a Home Hub on the same network. Home Hub is a BluConnect Plus feature.

BluConnect is coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Start free; upgrade to Plus when you need it. See plans ↗