How do I use a Philips Hue starter kit?

Philips Hue starter kits are meant to be the easiest way to get started with smart lighting — so that means they’re easy to use, too. You'll need to install your lights and Hue Bridge and pair your lights with the Philips Hue app. To get the most out of your smart lighting, position your lights around a single room and automate them to match your daily routine.

Starter kits — especially White and color ambiance ones — work best when you set your lights up in the same room or area. Place your bulbs into lamps and fixtures with which you can create layers of light around the room: the main ceiling light, a table lamp, and a floor lamp, for example.

Once your lights are in place, connect the Hue Bridge to your router with the included cable, plug it in to a wall socket, and use the Philips Hue app to set up your lights.

Automations let you turn your lights on or off automatically at a certain time, set certain light settings throughout the day, and help you make sure you never forget to turn out the lights again. You can choose from default automations — Wake up, Go to sleep, or Coming home, for example — or create your own custom automation. In the Philips Hue app, go to the Automations tab and tap the plus icon (+) to choose the type of automation you want to create. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your automation.

Some starter kits come with a smart accessory, such as the Hue dimmer switch or the Hue smart button. These devices allow you to control your lights from anywhere in your home without opening the Philips Hue app. All Hue smart accessories can be customized in the Settings tab of the Philips Hue app. And don’t worry — if your starter kit doesn’t come with a Philips Hue accessory, you can always add one to your setup later.