Adding TCP Bulbs to Smartthings Hub/app

[Rob_Crook]

Hi,

So i have TCP bulbs as Argos said they can connect with Smartthings. And I got the ST hub today.
For the life of me, I cannot work out how to add them.

I have gone on the Smarthings Hub website and added the custom app (TCP app). Then i have gone back into my phone app and i can see the custom app there. It tells me to log in with my Official TCP app log in details. But all it says is “We’re having trouble connecting. Check your network connection and try again.”

Any help would be appreciated!

[GSzabados (Gabor Szabados)]

What brand bulbs are we talking about? Can you post a link to the TCP app what you are mentioning?

[Rob_Crook]

The bulbs are “TCP Smart Wifi Classic” and the app is “TCP Smart” (which the bulbs are connected to).

play.google.com

TCP Smart

TCP smart, fit, connect, play: 1. Easy connecting, easy controlling; 2. Remote control your smart home devices anywhere. 3. Devices sharing with your family; 4. One App controls multiple devices; 5. Timer scheduled, accurately performe...

Free

[GSzabados (Gabor Szabados)]

I might have to disappoint you, but does it by any chance a Tuya based device? If yes, then you can’t connect it directly to SmartThings at the moment of writing this.

Some Tuya based devices working with SmartThings, the Globe Suite own branded devices, but not others.

There are some indirect ways to connect them through IFTTT and by another Tuya based app, not the TCP one.

[GSzabados (Gabor Szabados)]

Look here for some information:

Integrating WiFi Switches/Plugs that use the Tuya SmartLife App or eWeLink app

Hmmmm… In the Paul Hubbard video that @leonardo09 linked to, he says two things: One) Ifttt has raised their charges to the device company, which is why some of the device companies are dropping them Two) specifically for devices that use the smartlife app, there is an Australian company called “brilliant smart home“ which has a reskinned version of the smartlife app and has their own Ifttt channel. So if you add your Devices to the “brilliant smart home“ app you can then use their IFTTT channel. And Hibbard says that that company has told him they are very recently renewed with Ifttt, so they should be available for at least one year. (However, it’s not clear to me what will happen if the company finds that it’s costing them too much money to support brands other than their own.) Hibb…

[Rob_Crook]

I cant see anywhere on the packaging, amazon or argos about them being Tuya. And i did see the Paul Hubbard video the other day with the workaround. Its not too much of a big deal because im connecting the TCP app and Smartthings to google Home anyway. So i can still create routines. Ie, Iv done it on google home so if i say “turn TV on”, it will turn the Samsung Tv on(smart things) and also the Livingroom Bulb on(TCP).

TCP Smart Wi-Fi LED Lightbulb Classic B22 Warm White & Colour Changing...

Buy TCP Smart Wi-Fi Multicolour E27 LED Bulb | Smart light bulbs | Argos

[Tim_Jones]

The look/feel of the screenshot of that app suggests Tuya to me.

[Rob_Crook]

@Rob_Crook

Its not too much of a big deal because im connecting the TCP app and Smartthings to google Home anyway. So i can still create routines. Ie, Iv done it on google home so if i say “turn TV on”, it will turn the Samsung Tv on(smart things) and also the Livingroom Bulb on(TCP).

Its not too much of a big deal because im connecting the TCP app and Smartthings to google Home anyway. So i can still create routines. Ie, Iv done it on google home so if i say “turn TV on”, it will turn the Samsung Tv on(smart things) and also the Livingroom Bulb on(TCP). So i assume most of the cheaper bulbs are Tuya. I cant justify spending stupid amounts on ST listed compatible bulbs such as LifX, Hue etc.

[GSzabados (Gabor Szabados)]

Actually someone just posted Tuya/SmartLife works again with IFTTT, so virtual switches can be utilized again.

FYI- IFTTT is working with Smart Life again (1 July 2020)

Not sure if it is working everywhere but was looking for something on a different forum and noticed a post about this, I checked and IFTTT is once again working with Smart life devices, if you did not know they cut ties a few months ago and if you went to the IFTTT channel for Smart life you got a message that they (SL) had cut ties. No clue if this will hold but it was working last night for me.