What is Tuya Smart?
Tuya Smart is an Internet of Things (IoT) platform connecting over 5000 manufacturing partners globally, offering solutions from DIY to commercial installations. It supports a wide variety of products that can be combined for specific purposes.
Product categories compatible with Tuya include:
- Domestic Appliances
- Small Appliances
- Kitchen Appliances
- Pet Machines
- Electrical Applications (e.g., smart plugs, power strips, switches)
- Lighting
- Sensors
- Energy Monitoring
- Entertainment
- Outdoor
- Cleaning Robots
- Camera Equipment
- Smart Locks
- Smoke/CO2 Detectors
Tuya Smart devices can be controlled via Wi-Fi on-site and remotely. Some products also support Bluetooth connectivity when Wi-Fi is unavailable. The application can send device status change notifications, triggered events, or alerts based on metrics like temperature or time of day. The app is available for iOS and Android.
Profile / Home Management
After creating an account, the home page displays your added devices. Your user profile is accessible from the top-left corner of the app.
In your profile, you can set a nickname and timezone based on your location. Navigate to "Me" then "Home Management" to set up your home name, rooms, and assign devices to specific locations. You can also join a home already set up by another user.
To create a home, select "Create a home", assign rooms, and tap "Save".
Invitations can be sent to other Tuya members to join your home, which is recommended over sharing a single account for simultaneous logins.
Adding a Device
To add a device, tap the ➕ button on the app's home screen. This leads to the device category screen where you select the appropriate product category and device type to begin pairing.
The "Electrical" category, for example, covers smart plugs, power strips, and switches. You can scroll through categories on the left to find your device type.
Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the device. The "Auto Scan" feature can add devices already in pairing mode if supported.
The app may prompt you to enable your mobile device's Bluetooth for faster pairing of supported devices using Tuya's automated process.
Adding a Device: EZ / AP Mode
If "Auto Scan" fails, EZ mode is the next option. It starts automatically upon selecting the product you wish to pair.
Most Tuya Smart equipment operates on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. It is recommended to split your 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands if devices experience timeouts.
Follow the EZ mode on-screen prompts. If pairing continues to fail, check that your router's Wi-Fi frequency is set to 2.4GHz only, retry, or switch pairing modes.
AP (Access Point) Mode: If EZ mode fails, AP mode is recommended. This mode allows the device to create its own wireless hotspot, to which you then connect your phone and input Wi-Fi credentials directly.
If EZ, AP, and Auto Scan modes all fail, try creating a Wi-Fi hotspot from a spare mobile device and use it for pairing. If this also fails, the device may be faulty. If successful, the issue likely lies with your router's settings, which you may need to discuss with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Adding a Device / Configuration
Upon successful pairing, a completion screen appears. You can rename the device or use the default name.
To rename, select the pencil icon ✏️. A dialog box will appear with the current name. Amend it as required and press the save button. After saving, select "Done" in the top-right corner. The app will then navigate to the device's control screen for configuration.
The example control screen shown is for the Timeguard WFADAPM (Smart plug with power monitoring). Different devices have unique control screen layouts and functions.
Google / Alexa Services
Many Tuya Smart platform devices support integration with third-party services like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
To check for third-party support on your Timeguard device, select the pencil icon ✏️ from the control screen, then choose the desired third-party control option (e.g., Alexa or Google Assistant).
Follow the on-screen instructions or video guide to link the service with your chosen provider. Note that configuration methods for third-party services may change and are managed by the Tuya Smart development team. Timeguard has no control over these third-party application updates.
Product Grouping
Product grouping allows you to link devices, such as multiple lights in a fixture, to be controlled simultaneously.
To set up grouping: Select one of the devices (e.g., a light) from your list, tap the pencil icon ✏️ in the top-right corner to access the settings menu.
Select "Create Group" and add the additional products you want in the group (e.g., "Front Room Light 1" and "Front Room Light 2"). Give the group a name, such as "Front Room Lights".
The created group will appear on your home page, allowing central control of multiple devices. Not all devices support grouping; for these, the "Smart Automation" feature can be used as an alternative.
Smart Automation / Tap-to-Run
The Smart Automation function enables users to create custom scenes triggered by events like weather changes, location changes, or device status updates. These scenes can integrate multiple devices for seamless communication.
For example, you can set lights to turn on after dusk, with an option to integrate a switch or socket to operate simultaneously.
"Tap-to-Run" allows users to initiate a single action or run a scene with a single button press, potentially triggering multiple devices based on predefined parameters.
The following stages illustrate setting up a simple scene:
- Stage 1: Select "Smart" from the Tuya Smart home screen.
- Stage 2: Select "Scene".
- Stage 3: Select "When weather changes" to set a weather-based trigger.
- Stage 4: Select "Sunset/Sunrise" as a device trigger parameter.
- Stage 5: Select "Sunset". Determine any offset (e.g., a certain time before or after sunset) for the trigger. Select "Save", then "Next".
- Stage 6: Select "Run the device".
- Stage 7: Select the device required for the scene (e.g., "Front Room Lights").
- Stage 8: Select the function for the device (e.g., ON/OFF, Mode, Brightness).
- Stage 9: Confirm settings by selecting the local area/region.
- Stage 10: Add additional triggers if needed. In this example, a delay function is added. Select a delay time (e.g., 5 hours) and press "Next".
- Stage 11: The scene so far: "At sunset for the local area or region, switch ON front room lights with a brightness level set at 390, then delay by 5 hours."
- Stage 12: Press the ➕ button to add another trigger.
- Stage 13: Select "Run the device".
- Stage 14: Select the device to run (e.g., "Front Room Lights").
- Stage 15: Select "OFF" for the action, then press "Next".
- Stage 16: The complete scene breakdown: "At sunset for the local area or region, switch ON front room lights with a brightness level set at 390, then delay ON time by 5 hours before switching the lights OFF." Press "Save" to confirm.
Note: Device functions vary. Multiple functions can work together.
Sharing a Device
Devices or entire properties can be shared with other users, granting them access without allowing them to delete the device from the main account. Other changes may also be limited.
To share a device or group:
- Select the device or group from your list.
- Navigate to the settings screen.
- Select "Share Device" or "Share Group".
- Tap the "Add Sharing" button.
- Enter the user's registered email address in the "Account" field.
- Select "Done". The device will now be shared.
The app will display the shared user's email address to confirm access.
Message Center / Notifications
The Message Center provides notifications from the Tuya Smart application, including device removal alerts, camera snapshots, scene execution confirmations, and motion detection alerts from sensors.
It serves as a central hub for data and activity logs from your devices. For enhanced awareness, you can add triggers to scenes to receive text messages, calls, or notifications when a scene executes.
Notifications can be disabled for specific devices if desired.
Notes & Support
Notes:
- All images in this guide refer to the Android version of the Tuya Smart App (Version 3.32.5 International).
- All data and images are for illustrative purposes only.
- Tuya Global reserves the right to change application usage and navigation tools without notice as software updates occur.
- Timeguard Ltd is not responsible for the tools related to the Tuya Smart Application.
Support:
For support, visit the Timeguard website at www.timeguard.com. The website provides the latest information, press releases, and product operating instructions.
Contact Details:
- Sales Office: Tel: 020 8452 1112 | Fax: 020 8450 0635 | Email: csc@timeguard.com
- Helpline & Technical Service: Tel: 020 8450 0515 | Fax: 020 8450 0635 | Email: helpline@timeguard.com
- General Enquiries: Tel: 020 8450 8944 | Fax: 020 8452 5143 | Email: csc@timeguard.com
Product Models Mentioned: WF10COMIP, WFLGU10, LEDPROCAM, WFADAPM, FSTWIFITUTGV, WFTWSUSB, WFIC.
