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Howto: Connect IKEA's Trådfri Zigbee Bulbs to a Philips Hue Hub

shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/07/howto

Written because it pissed me off. I hope this helps you in your hour of need.

  1. You have to do one bulb at a time. If you plug in multiple bulbs and try to pair them, it won't work. I don't know why.
  2. You will need a portable lamp - or some other way to bring the bulb as close as possible to the hub.
  3. Open the Hue app, go through the "Add Device" sequence.
    • The app changes regularly and may be different depending on your phone.
    • Get to the screen which says "Searching for lights".
  4. With the lamp off, plug in the bulb to the lamp.
  5. Turn on the lamp.
  6. After the light has come on, you need to rapidly switch it off then on again 6 times.
    • This means 12 switch flicks in total. Off, then on.
  7. After flicking the switch 12 times, the bulb should be on.
  8. The bulb should start to dim then brighten. It will keep doing this.
    • If it doesn't, switch it off. Then switch it on. Wait a moment, then repeat the rapid toggle.
    • Try doing more than 6 toggles.
  9. Bring the bulb as close as possible to the Philips Hue Hub - touching it if possible.
  10. After a moment, the bulb should stop pulsing and go to full brightness.
    • If it doesn't stop pulsing, use the app to "Add Device" again.
  11. All being well, the app will tell you that it is paired.
    • Continue the set up in the app.
      • Once done, you can switch off the lamp.
    • If it doesn't work, switch off the lamp, have a drink, try again - making sure to read all the instructions thoroughly.
  12. Repeat for all other bulbs.

Once done, the Trådfri lights work flawlessly. The colour is good as is their dimming curve. They are very expensive. Personally, I'd go for the ultra-cheap ZigBee lightbulbs from eWeLink.

FAQ

juST use A ligHTswiTch

Our kitchen is big. The lightswitches are far away. Also, I don't want them covered with cake-batter when I'm cooking.

gEt a sMarT LIGhtSWItCh

Most UK homes don't have a neutral wire to the switch. That makes it hard to use smart-switches. The ones which work without neutral don't work with dimmable bulbs.

PRIVaCY AnD secuRItY is iMpORtAnt

Yes it is. ZigBee bulbs don't have a way to "phone home" and are relatively resistant to being hacked.

Terence Eden’s Blog · Howto: Connect IKEA's Trådfri Zigbee Bulbs to a Philips Hue Hub
More from Terence Eden
#hue#IoT#lights

🆕 blog! “Howto: Connect IKEA's Trådfri Zigbee Bulbs to a Philips Hue Hub”

Written because it pissed me off. I hope this helps you in your hour of need.

You have to do one bulb at a time. If you plug in multiple bulbs and try to pair them, it won't work. I don't know why.
You will need a portable lamp - or some other way to bring the bulb as…

👀 Read more: shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/07/howto

#hue #IoT #lights #SmartHome

Terence Eden’s Blog · Howto: Connect IKEA's Trådfri Zigbee Bulbs to a Philips Hue Hub
More from Terence Eden