Echo & Alexa Forums

General Category => Smart Devices and Gadgets => Topic started by: rocket888 on July 21, 2017, 03:11:17 pm

Title: best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)
Post by: rocket888 on July 21, 2017, 03:11:17 pm
I want to turn on/off my smart devices remotely from my android phone, when not on wifi, but on the cell network.

I found a tutorial using an app called UBI, but it doesn't seem to work for me. It says hold the button and start speaking, but after a short time of saying, "listening", it goes back to saying hold the button and start speaking. It otherwise ignores what I ask it to do.

I used the app to login to my amazon account. Is there anything else I need to do?

Is there a better app for doing this?
Title: Re: best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)
Post by: mike27oct on July 21, 2017, 04:18:00 pm
Yes, use the TPL Kasa app; that is what it is for!
Title: Re: best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)
Post by: rocket888 on July 21, 2017, 07:54:05 pm
Thanks, that worked.

I Thought I was going to need to open a port on my router to allow something outside my lan to get in. I guess my echo must keep a connection going out to amazon and then kasa talks to amazon, or some such.

Sometimes having a little knowledge works against you.
Title: Re: best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)
Post by: mike27oct on July 21, 2017, 11:44:03 pm
Actually, Echo has nothing to do with it; before there was the tie in with Alexa there was stand alone KASA and that is how folks had to control their smart plugs, and still can -- at home or remotely..
Title: Re: best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)
Post by: rocket888 on July 22, 2017, 12:24:42 pm
Out of curiosity, how does a remote cell phone, i.e. not wifi connected to my local lan, get into my lan to send controls to my tp-link devices. Do these devices maintain an active outgoing connection to kasa? Is that the internet activity that is reported by my router for these smart plugs?

If I blocked internet access (but allow lan access) to the smart plugs  would they no longer function, remotely or locally or both?
Title: Re: best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)
Post by: mike27oct on July 22, 2017, 02:11:16 pm
When you set up Kasa, you gave it permission to enter your lan and control the smart plugs.