Getting started with your new Philips Hue smart lighting system is very easy and just require a few simple steps. There is no difference in starting with a Bridge that comes with a starter kit, or one that you bought separately. Follow these steps to connect your new amazing lights:

1. Connect the bridge to a power source and to a router with the included power and ethernet cables.
2. Wait for the three small LED-lights above the center button to shine with a stable blue light. They should not be blinking.
3. Download the Philips Hue app on your phone or tablet.
4. Open the app and choose the option to connect a Hue Bridge in the app. Follow the instructions to complete the connection.
5. Your Bridge is now connected and you can go on to add lights and accessories!

Once you have your Hue Bridge setup, you are ready to start adding and connecting your different light sources.

1. Install your Philips Hue light.
2. Open up the Philips Hue app on a device connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Hue Bridge.
3. Go to "Settings" and find the option "Light Setup" and press the "Add Lights" button.
4. The application will now search for any Hue lights in your home. Once found, you can add them to a room or zone for easy control.
5. (In case the Hue application has a hard time finding your lights, try to find the respective serial number that can be found on each bulb or luminaire, and connect them by searching for that number)

Connecting to your Philips Hue lights using Bluetooth is also very easy and straightforward. Follow these steps to get started with your smart lighting:

1. Download the Philips Hue Bluetooth app on your phone or tablet
2. Install your Philips Hue Bluetooth light.
3. Open up the Philips Hue Bluetooth app and press "Add light" in the "Add Hue Bluetooth Light" window.
4. The application will now search for each new light source and when found you can accept and then name each light individually.
5. You are now set and ready to go!

The absolute most simple way to get started with Philips Hue is to buy a Hue light source or luminaire and a Hue Dim Switch remote. This allows you to quickly connect the light to the remote, but the functionality is very limited, only allowing you to dim and change between 4 pre-set light setting for up to 10 bulbs or luminaires. If you have bought any products in the Hue Color family, you will not be able to access that full range of colors. Follow these steps to get started with a remote!

1. Install your Philips Hue light.
2. Remove the plastic slip from the Dim Switch battery to start it.
3. Place the remote close to the Hue light source and then hold the On button (the button with a single line) for 10 seconds.
4. The light source will blink for a second and is now connected to that remote only. Each light can only be paired to one remote in this way.

Getting started with Philips Hue Outdoor lighting is not very different from the steps regarding the connection of a Hue Bridge and a Hue light listed above, but there are a few extra notes worth taking.

• The first outdoor light that you install should be positioned within 10 meters of either an indoor Hue light, or the Hue Bridge (take in regard the thickness of outer walls of a house, they might shorten the range slightly).
• The outdoor luminaires then have 20 meters of signal range between each other.
• We recommend that any high voltage luminaire (220-240V) is installed by a certified electrician.
• Any Hue LowVoltage outdoor luminaires (24V) is plug-and-play.

For more information about Philips Hue Outdoor, click here!

The Philips Hue Bridge

The Philips Hue eco-system of smart, connected lighting primarily uses a hub called the Hue Bridge to control communication between the users smart device (phone, tablet) and the different light sources placed out around the home. The Hue Bridge uses a protocol known as ZigBee to create a flexible network where the Hue bulbs and luminaires send signals between each other to increase the connectivity and speed of the system. Using the Hue system through the Hue Bridge gives access to all of the features that are available for your lights, and allows for easy download and implementation of new software updates. You can in total connect and control up to 50 different light sources, both bulbs and larger luminaires, as well as devices like remotes and motion sensors. If you play a lot of games on your PC, the bridge also allows you to start using the free software Hue Sync, as well as connect to the Hue Play HDMI sync box that works with your TV. Through the Hue Bridge, you will also get access to all connectivity to Philips Hue's partner brands and their products.

Full app control

The Philips Hue app allows you to freely control your lights by turning them on and off, changing color, dimming and much more. Navigate through the stylish interface to easily keep track of what lights are on in your home, set schedules for the lights to turn on automatically, choose a theme that sets the mood or simply turn everything off with one simple push when you leave for work. With the Hue Bridge, you have full access to all of the amazing functions that your Philips Hue lighting has. Apart from the 800+ third party apps that provide unique and fun experiences and control options, you also get access to the full Hue app with more intricate control and functionality.

Hue with Bluetooth

The Philips Hue smart lighting system can also be controlled through the recently integrated Bluetooth functionality that allows for easy connection for anyone who wants to try Hue before investing further. This Bluetooth connectivity is part of all the different light sources (bulbs, spotlights) that Philips Hue offer, as well as the large majority of all their indoor luminaires. This allows anyone to start using the system through their phone by just buying a bulb and you can then quickly expand to fill an entire room with pendants, spotlights and much more (up to 10 different light sources). If your goal is to expand your lighting system beyond just one room, then the Hue Bridge is a necessary step for you.

Bluetooth app control (Limited)

If you want to try out the Hue system using Bluetooth control, there are a few pointers that you need to think of. The Bluetooth system allows for a maximum of 10 different light sources to be connected and controlled through your phone. The Hue Dim Switch is the only connectable Hue accessory. Voice control is limited to Google Home Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Lighting software like Hue Sync is not supported, and there is no compability with third-party apps.

There is currently no support for Bluetooth control for any of the Philips Hue Outdoor luminaries. If outdoor lighting is something you are looking for, then the Hue Bridge is a necessity.