How to set up the Philips Hue Bridge

The Philips® Hue Bridge acts as the control center for smart lighting. It connects Philips Hue bulbs and other accessories to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to easily manage them through the Philips Hue app. You can use the Hue Bridge to schedule and automate light settings. And if you have a compatible home voice assistant, connect it with the Hue Bridge for voice command over your lighting system.

Asurion Experts help you get the most from your smart home essentials. From explaining the things you can do with smart lights to syncing smart lights with music, we have answers you can trust. Here's how to get your Philips Hue Bridge set up, so you can enjoy the benefits of smart lighting.

Download the Philips Hue app

Before plugging in your device, download the Philips Hue app to your smartphone from the Apple® App Store® or Google Play™ store. The app will facilitate the setup process.

Also, verify you've connected your smartphone to your Wi-Fi network. Use the same Wi-Fi network that you plan to connect the Philips Hue Bridge with.

Connect the Hue Bridge to power and your router

Position the Philips Hue Bridge close to your Wi-Fi router. It should be within a few feet of the device. Then, follow these steps.

1. Plug the Philips Hue Bridge into a working power outlet.
2. Insert one end of an Ethernet cable into the Philips Hue Bridge.
3. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into an available port on the Wi-Fi router.
4. Wait for the three LED indicator lights on the Philips Hue Bridge to turn solid.

Pair the Hue Bridge with the app

Take these steps to connect the Hue Bridge with the Hue app.

1. Open the Philips Hue app.
2. If prompted, tap Yes to set up a Bridge.
3. If a prompt doesn't appear, do the following:
   • Tap Settings > Devices.
   • Tap the blue + icon.
   • Scan the QR code on the bottom of the Philips Hue Bridge. If it doesn't have a QR code, tap No QR code to add it manually.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect the device to the Philips Hue app.
5. Press the button in the center of the Philips Hue Bridge to finalize the connection.

Add and organize your Hue lights

Once you have the Philips Hue Bridge set up, you can add all compatible Philips Hue lights and accessories to the app. This lets you control each device directly through your phone.

Adding Philips Hue lights to a room

The Philips Hue app lets you organize lights by room. This is helpful if you have Philips Hue products in multiple rooms.

1. Open the Philips Hue app. Tap Settings > Devices.
2. Tap the blue + icon.
3. Tap a room from the menu to add your device. If you need to create a room, tap Add another room. Enter a name for the room.
4. Scan the QR code on the Philips Hue product. If it doesn't have a QR code, tap No QR code to search for it or enter its serial number.
5. Install the light and turn it on.
6. Tap Next in the Philips Hue app to verify that it has been added to the room.

Creating a zone for Philips Hue lights

Zones let you control the light settings for multiple Hue lights, even if they're not in the same room. To set up a zone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Philips Hue app. Tap the three-dot menu > Add new Room or Zone.
2. Tap Zone.
3. Tap the Level of the lights you want to group.
4. Enter a name for the zone.
5. Tap the lights you want to add to the zone from the available options.
6. Tap Done.

Connect to a smart home assistant

Philips Hue is fully compatible with Amazon Alexa™, Apple HomeKit®, and Google Home®. If you have a smart home assistant, connecting it with the Philips Hue Bridge gives you voice control over your smart lights and systems.

FAQ

What should I do if the Hue Bridge isn't detected in the app?

Verify that the Hue Bridge is powered on and within range of your smartphone. Then, tap Retry in the app to start the connection process again.

Can I use the Hue Bridge with voice assistants?

Yes, Hue Bridge works with most home voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

How do I update the Hue Bridge firmware?

Open the Philips Hue app and tap Settings. Tap Software update. Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install available updates to your device.