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Forum Discussion

Dibbs's avatar
Dibbs
Aspirant
Dec 25, 2019

Connecting to wyze smart plugs

Just bought a WYZE smart outlet (plug) and it can only connect to 2.4 GHZ on my phone (galaxy S10+) - I dont see anywhere to temporarily force a drop from 5 to 2.4 GHZ, is this even possible without ...
CrimpOn's avatar
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Mar 14, 2020
JeffBaker wrote:

Are there any other relevant recent experiences out there?

I dug the Wyze camera out of my "Box of Stuff".  Opened Wyze app.  Deleted Camera.  Selected "Add Device".  Instructions said to plug it in and the yellow light would blink.  It did.  Instructions said to press the "Setup" button.  Did so.  Instructions said, "Did you hear?"  I did.  App brought up screen to enter my WiFi SSID and password.  Did so.  App said, "Aim camera at QR code."  Did so.  App said, "Did you hear QR code scanned?"  I did.  App said "May take up to 5 minutes".  Not quite.  App said, "Important firmware update needed."  Did so.  Camera rebooted and now is streaming picture of the cat staring at it.

 

My phone remained connected to Orbi at 5G the entire time.

 

Cameras are ideal devices to connect to WiFi because the app can prepare a QR code that the camera can scan.  All the camera needs is the SSID and password.  It looks at the available WiFi networks and find one that matches. (The Orbi 2.4G channel.)  Connects and "done."

 

So, if a Wyze camera is NOT connecting to Orbi WiFi, some step must fail during the setup. 

JeffBaker's avatar
JeffBaker
Tutor
Mar 15, 2020

Hi CrimpOn, thanks for chiming in.  If only things always worked as intended.  For me the connection wait times out with a screen that says "Connection Failed, try re-typing your password.  If that doesnt work, try rebooting your router and modem."  And of course, I have not mistyped the password and rebooting has no benefit.

 

Research tells me that the problem is probably with iOS and the iPhone app.  My phone is connected to my Orbi via 5G. 

 

I have successfully split the Orbi 2.4GHz and 5GHz ssid's and connected the Wyze camera to this same phone, but keeping that configuration would require me to re-setup a dozen other iOT devices.  So not happening. 

 

I do have an Android phone lying around.  I'll try that.

 

Jeff

  • JeffBaker's avatar
    JeffBaker
    Tutor
    Mar 15, 2020

    ok, the Android phone did the trick.  The problem is with iOS or the iPhone app.  

     

    Thanks,

    Jeff

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 15, 2020
    JeffBaker wrote:

    ok, the Android phone did the trick.  The problem is with iOS or the iPhone app.  

     

    Good feedback.

     

    Yet another device with no need for band separation.

     

     

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 15, 2020
    JeffBaker wrote:

    Research tells me that the problem is probably with iOS and the iPhone app.  My phone is connected to my Orbi via 5G. 

    I do have an Android phone lying around.  I'll try that.

    Thanks for checking again. Hmmm.  One wonders if the QR code produced by the Wyze iPhone app is different from the QR Code produced by the Android app.  I often use a "QR Scanner" app to see the actual contents of QR codes.  In contrast to other products that show the SSID and password in "plain text", the Wyze app appears to encrypt them.  If you have access to a QR scanner app, it would be useful to capture the QR codes from both iPhone and Android apps and compare them.  Especially if the Android app "works" and the iPhone app does not!

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 15, 2020
    JeffBaker wrote:

    Research tells me that the problem is probably with iOS and the iPhone app.  My phone is connected to my Orbi via 5G. 

    In addition to testing with the Wyze Android app, you can also try the "forget" trick with the iPhone.

    • On the Orbi web interface, navigate to Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings and uncheck the box "Broadcast SSID" on the 5G network. Click "Apply".
      Every device that is currently connected at 5G will remain connected.
    • On the iPhone, navigate to WiFi settings and "Forget" the Orbi WiFi.
       https://www.imore.com/how-forget-wi-fi-network-your-iphone-and-ipad 
    • Search for WiFi networks, select the Orbi, enter password and connect.
    • Back on the Orbi web interface, navigate to Attached Devices.  Refresh the display a few times.
      After a bit, the iPhone should be shown to be connected at 2.4G
    • Now, open the Wyze app and setup the camera.
    • After the camera is set up, "reverse" the steps.
    • Return to Orbi web interface, check the box "Broadcast SSID" on 5G network, Click Apply
    • Return to iPhone WiFi settings.  "Forget". Search. Connect.