Control Belkin WeMo Switch from Home Screen - Easy Guide
Simplifying Smarthome Control: Beyond the App
Managing your smarthome devices – lights, switches, and more – via your smartphone offers convenience, but repeatedly opening apps can become cumbersome. This guide details how to streamline control of your Belkin WeMo Switch directly from your Android home screen or your iPhone/iPad's Notification Center.
The Widget Gap in Smarthome Apps
Many mobile applications offer widgets for quick access to frequently used functions. These widgets can be added to home screens or notification centers, enhancing usability. However, a significant number of apps, particularly within the smarthome sector, currently lack this feature.
The native WeMo app, for instance, doesn't provide a dedicated widget for direct device control.
Leveraging IFTTT and the DO Button App
Despite the absence of native widgets, a solution exists. Utilizing the DO Button application from IFTTT ("If This Then That") allows for simplified control of your Belkin WeMo Switch.
This method bypasses the need to launch the WeMo app each time you want to toggle a device on or off.
How it Works
The DO Button app creates a shortcut that triggers a pre-defined action within IFTTT. You can configure this action to control your WeMo Switch.
Essentially, a single tap on the DO Button widget will activate or deactivate your connected device.
Related: How to Add IFTTT Shortcuts to Your Phone's Home Screen
This approach provides a faster, more accessible way to interact with your smarthome setup.
Creating a DO Button for Your WeMo Switch
Prior to beginning, it is recommended to review our comprehensive guide detailing the setup of the DO Button application. This guide will walk you through account creation, channel linking, and button configuration. Once completed, return to these instructions to learn how to establish a shortcut button for your WeMo Switch.
Following the app download and account creation, initiate the process by selecting "Add a Recipe" located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Proceed by tapping the "+" icon to add a new recipe.
Tap the search icon, positioned in the top-right corner of the display.
Enter "WeMo" into the search field. A list of available options will then be displayed. Choose either "Toggle a WeMo Switch" or, if you possess an Insight Switch, select "Toggle Insight Switch on/off".
Select "Add". This action will initiate a request to connect your Belkin WeMo channel and grant the DO Button app access to your WeMo Switch.
You will be prompted to input the PIN associated with your WeMo Switch. This PIN can be found within the WeMo app itself.
Open the WeMo application and navigate to its settings menu. From there, choose the option labeled "Connect to IFTTT".
The necessary PIN will be displayed on the subsequent screen.
A long press on the PIN will highlight it, enabling you to copy it to your clipboard by tapping the "Copy" button at the top of the screen.
Return to the DO Button app and paste the copied PIN into the designated field. Tap "Connect" to finalize the connection. Then, select "Done" to proceed.
You will then be able to select your WeMo Switch from the presented list. Finally, tap "Add" to complete the setup.
Your WeMo Switch will now be represented as a button within the DO Button application.
Step Two: Adding a Widget to Your Home Screen
The next step involves incorporating a widget onto your device’s home screen for quick access. The procedure differs slightly depending on whether you are using an iOS or Android operating system.
For Android Devices
Android users benefit from a more direct method, allowing for immediate widget placement on the home screen. First, navigate away from the application and return to your device’s home screen. Then, perform a long press on an empty area of the screen and choose the "Widgets" option.
Browse through the available widgets and locate one of the DO Button widgets. Select it and drag and drop it onto your desired location on the home screen.
Once placed, a single tap on the widget will toggle the WeMo Switch on or off, bypassing the need to open the full WeMo application.
For iPhone and iPad
iOS devices utilize the Notification Center for widgets, rather than direct home screen placement. After creating the button within the DO Button app, exit the application and proceed with the following steps.
Initiate a swipe down from the top edge of the screen to reveal the Notification Center. Ensure you are viewing the "Today" section, if it is not already displayed.
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select the "Edit" option.
Within the list of available widgets, locate "DO Button" and tap the small, green "+" icon positioned next to it.
Return to the top of the screen; the widget will now be integrated into the list of active widgets. You can rearrange its position by holding down on the move icon to the right.
The DO Button widget will now reside within the Notification Center, enabling instant control of your WeMo Switch without launching the WeMo application itself.
While not as directly accessible as on Android, this method provides a convenient alternative for iOS users.