UNLOCKING THE ENCHANTED LIFE! UNLOCKING THE ENCHANTED LIFE!
Home / Tips and Guides

Tips and Guides

Linkstyle App Guide: Understanding Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Bluetooth with Hub Connections

Linkstyle App Guide: Understanding Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Bluetooth with Hub Connections
Introduction Welcome to Linkstyle! If you're setting up your first smart home devices, you might be curious about how your devices stay connected to our app. Linkstyle devices use various communication protocols—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Bluetooth with Nexohub. Each protocol offers unique advantages, depending on your devices and needs. This guide explains how each works and details how signals travel from your Linkstyle app to each device type.

1. Wi-Fi Protocol: Reliable Connectivity for Data-Rich Devices

Overview: Wi-Fi is a powerful protocol that connects devices to your home internet network. It’s excellent for data-heavy devices like cameras, allowing real-time updates through the Linkstyle app, even when you’re away from home.

Signal Pathway (Wi-Fi):

  1. User Action: You control the device via the Linkstyle app.
  2. Cloud Communication: The app sends the command to the Linkstyle app server through your internet.
  3. Device Activation: The server relays the command to your device over Wi-Fi.
  4. Feedback: Device status is updated back to the cloud over the internet via the Wi-Fi router/modem and displayed in the app.

Advantages & Disadvantages:

  • Advantages: Long-range control, ideal for video streaming and frequent updates.
  • Disadvantages: Higher energy use requires most devices to be plugged in or carry a large battery.
Linkstyle Device Examples: Mira Camera, Quistro Camera, Chlora Smart Planter

2. Bluetooth Protocol: Efficient, Close-Range Control

Bluetooth directly connects your phone to devices, making it ideal for close-range control over simple devices like lights and locks. Linkstyle Bluetooth devices work up to 30 feet under ideal conditions, providing fast and efficient control through the app without Wi-Fi (see this article for guidelines on Bluetooth range).

Signal Pathway (Bluetooth):

  1. User Action: You press a button in the Linkstyle app to control the device.
  2. Direct Connection: The app connects to the device via Bluetooth, requiring no cloud access.
  3. Device Response: The device executes the command, the feedback is sent directly to the phone and displayed in the app.

Advantages & Disadvantages:

  • Advantages: Low power use
  • Disadvantages: Limited range; must be within Bluetooth range for control.
Linkstyle Device Examples: Matrix series of lock boxes, Tocabot

Bluetooth with Nexohub: Extending Bluetooth Control through Wi-Fi

Overview: Bluetooth’s functionality can extend beyond its range with the Nexohub, which allows Bluetooth devices to connect to your Wi-Fi network. This provides remote access that enables you to control devices like Matrix Lock Boxes or check on your AFRA Indoor Soil Sensor from anywhere.

Signal Pathway (Bluetooth with Nexohub):

  1. User Action: You send a command from the Linkstyle app.
  2. Nexohub Communication: The app routes this command to the Nexohub through your Wi-Fi network.
  3. Device Activation: Nexohub translates the command to Bluetooth and sends it to the device.
  4. Feedback Return: Device status is sent back through Nexohub to the Wi-Fi router/modem, then to the Linkstyle app through the internet, allowing remote monitoring and control.

Advantages & Disadvantages:

  • Advantages: Remote access for Bluetooth devices, energy-efficient.
  • Disadvantages: Limited to Bluetooth’s basic capabilities.
Linkstyle Device Examples: Matrix series of lock boxes, AFRA Indoor Soil Sensor, Tocabot

3. Zigbee Protocol: Low-Power Networking for Many Devices

Overview: Zigbee uses a mesh network, letting devices connect to each other to extend the signal throughout your home. This is ideal for Linkstyle sensors that need low-power, continuous connections without draining batteries. Zigbee devices require a Zigbee hub and access to Wi-Fi.

Signal Pathway (Zigbee):

  1. User Action: You activate a Zigbee device via the Linkstyle app.
  2. Hub Communication: The command travels over the internet to your home Wi-Fi network, then to the Zigbee hub.
  3. Mesh Network Activation: The hub relays the command across the Zigbee network if there are multiple nodes, then reaches the device.
  4. Feedback Loop: Device status updates through the hub to the Wi-Fi router/modem, then over the internet to the Linkstyle app

Advantages & Disadvantages:

  • Advantages: Extended range through mesh, low power use.
  • Disadvantages: Requires a Zigbee hub; limited bandwidth.
Linkstyle Device Examples: AFRA and AFRA II Outdoor Soil Sensors, Linkstyle Smart Security series of devices
Zigbee Hubs: Nexohub, Linkstyle Multi-Purpose Security Hub

Understanding how each protocol functions can help you make the most of your Linkstyle smart devices. Whether you’re managing Wi-Fi cameras, Bluetooth locks, or a network of Zigbee sensors, Linkstyle’s app keeps you in control, providing a secure and streamlined smart home experience.

 

Linkstyle App Guide: Location Management

Linkstyle App Guide: Location Management
Location Management, also referred to as Home Settings in the Linkstyle App, allows users to create, edit, and manage multiple locations or homes where Linkstyle devices are installed. This guide walks you through the various features accessible under the Location Management menu.

Accessing Location Management

  1. Open the Linkstyle App.
  2. Navigate to the Account Menu.
  3. Tap on Location Management (Home Settings).

Main Location Management Page

The main page displays an overview of your current home setup, including:
  • Home Name: Displays the name of your current home or location.
  • Room Management: Shows the number of rooms in the home.
  • Location: Enables you to set or edit the geographical location of the home.
  • Manage Permissions: Allows you to manage user roles and access rights.
  • Home Members: Lists all members linked to the home and their roles.
  • Delete Home: Removes the home and its associated data.

Home Name

  1. Tap on Home Name to edit the name of the home.
  2. Enter a new name in the text field.
  3. Tap Save to confirm the changes.


Room Management

  1. Tap on Room Management to view or manage rooms within the home.
  1. Select a room to view or edit its associated devices.
  1. Add or delete rooms as needed.

Location

  1. Tap on Location to set or update the geographical location of the home.
  2. Use the map interface to pin the exact location of your home.
  3. Tap OK to save the location settings.

Manage Permissions

  1. Tap on Manage Permissions to assign or update roles for users.
  2. Role Options:
    • Administrator: Can manage devices, rooms, and settings.
    • Common Member: Limited to device usage and basic settings.
  1. Transfer ownership to another member if required.

Adding or Managing Home Members

  1. Scroll to the Home Member section.
  2. Tap Add Member to invite new members by their Linkstyle app account email.
  3. View or edit roles for existing members by tapping on their profile.

Deleting a Home

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the Location Management page.
  2. Tap on Delete Home.
  3. Confirm the action by following the on-screen prompts.
Note: Deleting a home will remove all associated data, including devices and rooms.

By efficiently using the Location Management feature in the Linkstyle App, you can ensure your smart devices are well-organized and accessible to all necessary users.

 

Linkstyle App Guide: Account Settings

Linkstyle App Guide: Account Settings
The Account Settings tab in the Linkstyle app is a key area where users can manage their profiles, preferences, and integrations with other services. This guide provides an in-depth look at each menu item and functionality available within the Account tab.


Menu Items in the Account Tab

1. Profile Settings

Tapping the area that contains the profile photo, user name, and account email brings up the Profile Settings page.
  • Profile Photo: Change your profile image.
  • Nickname: Set or modify your nickname displayed in the app.
  • Time Zone: Adjust the time zone to match your location for accurate device schedules.

2. Location Management

See this article for details.

3. Camera Settings

  • Camera Management
    • Camera Card Sorting: Rearrange your camera cards by long-pressing and dragging the hamburger menu icons. Tap "Save" when done.
    • Camera Card Selection: Choose which cameras appear on the main screen.

4. Smart Protect Settings

  • Security Mode: Enable or disable the Smart Security panel on the Devices Page
Select "Armed Away", "Disarmed", and "Armed Home" in the Smart Security Panel to quickly toggle the status of the associated smart home security devices.

  • Security Settings:
    • Configure devices to be armed in different modes (e.g., Armed Away, Armed Stay).
    • Set entry/exit delays for armed modes.
Select which smart security devices to manage with the smart security panel. NOTE: some devices may require a Smart Security Hub to work.
  • Emergency Contacts: Add up to five contacts to notify in case of alarms.
  • Voice Disarm Password: Set a voice password to disarm security modes.

5. Third-Party Voice Services

This page leads to instructions for connecting your Linkstyle app with Amazon Alexa and/or Google Assistant.

6. Community

  • Access the user community to exchange tips, ask questions, or report issues.

7. Shop

  • Visit the Linkstyle shop to browse and purchase compatible devices and accessories.