Lee Stanton Read more April 13, 2022

Smart home lighting is often the first step homeowners take on the journey to automating their homes. Nowadays, you don’t have to get up to switch the light on or off. In fact, you don’t even have to be at home to do it. Thanks to your phone, you can control the lighting even when you’re miles away.

If you’re interested in learning how to control lights with your phone, you’ve come to the right place. This article will explain what you’ll need to get started.

If you have an Android phone, you’ll be happy to know you can use it to control lighting in your home. However, you’ll need specific software that enables you to do this.

Here are the essential factors you need to consider:

The most important component of a smart home lighting system is its technology. Here are the most popular ones:

If you want to control your lights remotely, you’ll most likely need an app designed for your Android phone. Such apps are divided into two types: single-tasking and multitasking apps.

Single-tasking apps control only your smart lights, while multitasking apps manage all smart home devices.

Here are the most popular Android apps for smart lighting:

If you want to have a smart lighting system, you’ll need to invest in at least one of the following:

Smart light bulbs are designed to replace your ordinary bulbs without any modifications or repairs. They’ll fit right into the existing fixture. Most smart light bulbs can connect to your Wi-Fi network, so you don’t have to purchase a hub. Other options, such as the light bulbs that operate on ZigBee, do require a hub.

Smart light bulbs come in all sorts of sizes, colors, shapes, and configurations, giving you plenty of choices for finding the perfect one for your home.

You can enjoy smart home lighting with ordinary light bulbs. However, you’ll need to replace the in-wall switches with smart switches. These switches get integrated into your home’s electrical system. Installing a smart switch can be a more cost-effective solution than smart light bulbs if you have recessed lights controlled by a single switch.

Unlike regular smart switches, smart dimmers offer the dimming feature. They can also be controlled by your Android phone.

Smart plugs turn your ordinary standalone light fixture into a smart device, thus enabling control over the phone.

Depending on the technology you opt for, you may need to purchase a hub. Without it, you may not be able to control your lights using your Android phone.

Controlling smart home lights with your iPhone is usually straightforward. But, before getting to it, it’s important to understand the basics so you can make an informed decision regarding the technology that suits you.

When deciding on a smart home lighting system, it’s important to consider the technology and the mobile app suitable for your operating system.

Smart home lighting systems can use different technologies for operation. Here are the popular ones:

If you want to control lights with your iPhone, you’ll need an app. Nowadays, you can find numerous apps with different features on the market. Which one you’ll choose will depend on what you want from the system, but also on the type of lighting you’re using. Here are some of the most popular iPhone apps:

Besides the technology and app, you need to consider what kind of lights you want. There are several choices:

Smart light bulbs are the most popular option for turning your ordinary lights into smart lights. They are mounted into the existing fixtures and don’t require modifications, making them easy to set up for everyone. You can find them in numerous sizes, colors, and shapes.

Most smart light bulbs operate on your Wi-Fi network, in which case they don’t require a hub. However, if you purchase light bulbs that use a low-energy wireless standard such as ZigBee, you’ll need a hub to transfer those signals into Wi-Fi network signals.

You don’t need to replace every lightbulb in your house to enjoy smart lighting. By installing smart switches, you can keep using traditional lightbulbs and enjoy smart features. Smart switches are wired into your home’s electrical system and replace your existing switches.

When are smart switches a better option? If you have recessed lights controlled by one light switch, installing a smart switch is a more convenient and cost-effective solution.

Smart dimmers are similar to smart switches, except they offer dimming features. They can also be pre-programmed and controlled remotely.

If you want to control a standalone light fixture (for example, a lamp) with your iPhone, you can use a smart plug. They enable you to control a fixture without replacing the light bulb or the switch.

A hub that enables you to control lights with your iPhone may be necessary, depending on the technology you choose. Of course, you can always opt for lights that don’t require a hub.

Smart lighting is convenient and easy to use, so it’s no wonder many homeowners are considering installing it. Besides the cost, there are numerous factors you should consider before purchasing the system.

We hope this article explained what you’ll need to control lights with a phone. If you’re not sure what the best option for your home is, talk to experts, and they’ll recommend a solution.

What smart home lighting options are you considering? Have you tried any of the smart home apps we’ve mentioned? Tell us in the comments section below.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.

Please enable JavaScript to submit this form.

Contact Us | Privacy Policy | TOS | All Rights Reserved