How to Customize Your Lighting Using the MiBoxer Ecosystem

Whether selecting lighting for inside your home, business, or for outdoor lighting, it’s important to have convenience and controllability. Using the MiBoxer ecosystem increases the controllability and functionality of your lights using a Smart app or RF remote. This blog explains the differences between the two, the available apps, how to pair your lights, and the advantages of both. 

What is MiBoxer?

MiBoxer, previously known as MiLight, is a company focused on smart lighting and smart lighting controllers. Using MiBoxer products simplifies controlling your lights, increasing what you’re able to do with them. MiBoxer products are compatible with the Smart Life and Tuya Smart apps. These apps are both owned by Tuya, but they suit different applications. Smart Life is more tailored to residential consumers due to its simple setup. Tuya Smart is more complex and beneficial for commercial applications or those having more comprehensive lighting needs. These apps make it easy to control your lighting through your smartphone or tablet. 

Download the apps using the QR codes and links below.

QR Codes for businesses outside global markets: 

SmartLife - Apple Store:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smartlife-smart-living/id1115101477 

SmartLife - Google Play: 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tuya.smartlife&hl=en_US

Tuya Smart - Apple Store: 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tuya-smart-life-smart-living/id1034649547

Tuya Smart - Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tuya.smart&hl=en_US

MiBoxer Ecosystems

Customize your lighting setup using two types of controls– Smart Systems or RF Remotes. With the smart ecosystems, you can pair your phone or tablet to the light and control it via app or voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. These must either be connected to a hubless controller or a paired Wi-Fi Hub. RF remotes don’t require a Wi-Fi controller hub to set up, letting you adjust your lighting with a touch of a button from the remote. The installation process will vary for each, and there are benefits to both. 

What Products With MiBoxer Smart Ecosystems?

We carry both indoor and outdoor products that are compatible with the MiBoxer smart ecosystems. These include strip lights, flood lights, and LED smart bulbs. 

MiBoxer Smart Ecosystem With Strip Lights

MiBoxer Remote Ecosystem With Strip Lights

MiBoxer Smart Ecosystem With Smart Bulbs

MiBoxer Remote Ecosystem With Smart Bulbs

How Do I Pair My Phone or Tablet Using the MiBoxer Wi-Fi Hub? 

To ensure your smartphone or tablet can control the lights, you must be successfully connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, depending on the product's specifications. Follow the instructions below to get started.  

1. Download the Tuya Smart or Smart Life app to your phone or tablet. 

2. Create an account, or log in if you already have one. 

3. Connect to Wi-Fi. This process will vary depending on whether you’re using a hubless controller or one that requires a Wi-Fi hub. To connect the MiBoxer product to a Wi-Fi hub, check if the 2.4GHz Gateway Wi-Fi hub is ready to pair.  The ‘SYS’ indicator should be flashing quickly. If it isn’t, press the ‘SET’ button for three seconds. Once ready, find the device in the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or tablet and connect to the gateway. 

If your controller is hubless, once you are on the app, you can connect to a Wi-Fi router for long-range control, with the ability to use Bluetooth at a close range if the Wi-Fi connection is lost. 

4. Go to the app and find the section where you manually add your installed lights to your account. Search for the product in the lighting category. 

5. Follow the app's instructions to add the lights to the desired zone. 

6. Use the app to begin customizing your lighting by creating scenes, altering brightness, scheduling, and more. 

How Do I Connect the Remote to the Lights? 

The process of connecting an RF remote to lights differs from connecting to a smart device. We’ve listed the steps below.

1. Purchase a remote that is compatible with your controller type. 

2. Install two AAA batteries in the remote; these are typically not included. 

3. Power off the light or controller and keep it off for ten seconds before powering back on. 

4. When the light turns on, press one of the ‘l’ zone buttons on the remote three times within three seconds; other products may just require you to hold down the zone button until it begins flashing. To ensure the product is properly linked, check the remote’s user manual for the specific time constraints and instructions. Link specific lights to the desired zones. These remotes can hold four to eight zones, so group lights together with what makes sense for your application.   

5. The lights will blink slowly to indicate that the devices have paired. 

What’s the Difference Between a Wi-Fi Controller Hub and a Wi-Fi Controller? 

To guarantee the strip light works with both remote and smart ecosystems, connect it to a MiBoxer Wi-Fi Controller. The Wi-Fi controller should match the color options of the strip light. For example, if the strip has RGB+CCT color options, you should use an RGB+CCT controller. This will ensure the strips will operate as intended. Wi-Fi Controller Hubs are needed for the MiBoxer Smart Ecosystem products that are not hubless to pair the phone or tablet with the lights. 

Advantages of Using Smart App Control 

Installing lights using a smart app increases convenience by having everything at your fingertips. RF remotes have a set operating radius of 98 feet, while smart ecosystems allow you to control connected devices on your network from any location. Besides increased lighting control, once you’ve installed the app for your lighting, integrate it with other smart devices you control with your Tuya app, such as TVs, thermostats, and security cameras. Additionally, you can use smart apps to connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control. 

Advantages of Using an RF Remote 

Choosing an RF remote is a simple way to control MiBoxer products. Easily adjust multiple zones without relying on a Wi-Fi connection or app access. Using RF remotes allows for a more straightforward installation for individuals not needing as high-tech a solution. Just grab the remote and directly adjust the settings in multiple zones, without relying on Wi-Fi access, app access, or dealing with Internet connectivity issues.

Due to the streamlined operation, RF remotes are often the most convenient choice for commercial/business use. RF remotes simplify company use by eliminating the need to install apps on all company tablets or phones, and by preventing daily operations from facing internet or connection issues. 

What Are the Benefits of Using MiBoxer for Residential vs. Commercial Applications?

Whether choosing to install the MiBoxer Remote or Smart ecosystems, there are benefits for both residential and commercial use.

• Residential: Connecting your lights to Wi-Fi creates a sense of ease. If you forget to turn the lights off when you leave home, simply go on the app to power off, or if you’re going to be arriving home when it’s dark and want your exterior flood lights on, simply go on the app and power them on beforehand. With RF remotes and phones, you can set the lights to different colors or CCTs based on the desired mood or activity. A natural CCT may be preferred in your living room if you’re reading, but if you’re watching a movie or trying to relax, set the lights to a warm CCT. If you have Amazon or Google smart home devices in your home, integrate them with your lighting and control them with voice commands, such as “turn lights on” or “lights off.” 

• Commercial: Using smart lighting for your business can increase energy efficiency and reduce electricity bills. Using the Tuya apps, you’re able to adjust the light output to only the necessary light when needed. If you use either an RF remote or smart app, you can turn multiple lights on or off simultaneously, increasing convenience for buildings with extensive amounts of lights. You can also use scheduling for lights to automatically power on at the same time daily, before the workday starts.  

Both options come with their own benefits. Decide what works best for you based on where you plan to install the lights, your tech needs, and other factors in your installation. Choose the MiBoxer products that work best for you now, and begin unlocking all kinds of lighting opportunities. If you have questions or need assistance selecting the right products, reach out to our team of knowledgeable customer support advocates by calling 866-590-3533 or by email.