Set up and control Cync (C by GE) light bulbs and plugs

Note: This article applies to Cync (C by GE) bulbs and plugs only.

For information on how to set up and control bulbs or plugs from other manufacturers, or a Cync (C by GE) smart switch, check our smart device control page and smart device setup page.

Google Nest allows you to turn your Cync (C by GE) devices on and off and control bulb brightness remotely with voice commands, the Google Home app or a visual display like the Google Nest Hub. All Cync (C by GE) plugs and bulbs, including Soft White and Tunable White bulbs, can be paired with your Google Nest or Home speaker or display. You can connect up to 6 Cync (C by GE) bulbs and plugs with each speaker or display.

Set up your Cync (C by GE) devices

Note: If your Cync (C by GE) device doesn't appear during Seamless Setup, set up your device in the Cync (C by GE) app first. Then, follow the steps to connect other smart devices in the Google Home app.

Set up Cync (C by GE) devices in the Google Home app

If your Cync (C by GE) devices aren’t set up in the Cync (C by GE) app, you can set them up in the Google Home app.

1. Plug in your device in the same room as your speaker or display.
2. Set up your speaker or display if you haven’t already.
3. Open the Google Home app .
4. Tap Devices   Add   Works with Google Home .
5. Follow the in-app instructions to complete setup. 

Tip: The name that you give your device is used for voice commands. Use a name like 'reading light' or 'overhead light'. Don’t include the name of the room when you name the device. 

Note: The device may blink during its first firmware update after you set it up with the Google Home app.

Move Cync (C by GE) devices from the Cync (C by GE) app to the Google Home app

To move devices from the Cync (C by GE) app, delete them from the Cync (C by GE) app and set them up in the Google Home app.

1. Turn on your Cync (C by GE) device. The device must be turned on before you continue.
2. Delete the device from the Cync (C by GE) app. This action also factory resets the device.
   • If the factory reset is successful, the bulb that you’re about to set up should blink three times or the plug light should blink blue.
   • If the bulb or plug light doesn’t blink, it means that you need to factory reset each bulb or plug manually. Note that the reset sequence is different depending on your device’s firmware version. If the first reset sequence doesn’t work, it means that you have an older firmware version and will need to use the second reset sequence.
3. Open the Google Home app .
4. Tap Devices   Add   Works with Google Home .
5. Choose a home to set up the device in and tap Next. The Home app should start to scan for nearby devices that are ready for setup.
6. Select the bulb or plug that you’d like to set up. Your device blinks when selected.
7. Room selection: Choose which room your device is in.
   • To create a custom room, tap Add custom room type in room name  tap Next.
8. Name your device: Type in the name that you want to use for voice commands. It's recommended that you use a contextual name like 'reading light' or 'coffee-maker plug'. For best results, don’t include the room name in the device's name.
9. Your device may receive an update and blink a few times. Tap Got it.
10. Your devices are ready. Tap Continue.
11. Setup is successful. You've finished!

Note: The device may blink during its first firmware update after you set it up with the Google Home app.

Control your lights with a speaker or display

To do this:	Say 'Hey Google', then:
To turn on or off a specific light (e.g. 'desk light')	'Turn off the desk light'
Dim lights	'Dim the desk light' or 'Dim all the lights'
Brighten lights	"Brighten the desk light"
Set a light brightness to a certain percentage	'Set desk light to 50%' or 'Set lights to 70%'
Dim or brighten lights by a certain percentage	'Dim lamp by 50%' or 'Brighten lights by 10%'
Turn all lights on or off	'Turn on all of the lights' or 'Turn off all of the lights'
Set Tunable White bulbs to Vibrant or wake colour	"Set lights to bright white"
Set Tunable White bulbs to Active or everyday colour	"Set lights to soft white"
Set Tunable White bulbs to Calm or sleep colour	"Set lights to candlelight"
Change the colour temperature of Tunable White bulbs	'Change lights to 2700 kelvin' (2000–7000 range)

Control your plugs with a speaker or display

To do this:	Say 'Hey Google', then:
To turn a particular plug on or off (e.g. 'desk plug')	'Turn off the desk plug'
Turn all plugs on or off	'Turn on all of the plugs' or 'Turn off all of the plugs'

Note: When your speaker or display and Cync (C by GE) devices are in the same room, your speaker or display should know your voice commands are for the Cync (C by GE) devices in that room. For example, if your speaker and bulbs are in the living room, and you say 'Hey Google, turn off the lights', the living room lights should turn off.

Control your lights and plugs with the Google Home app

To find the control screen for your device, open the Google Home app  tap your device.

You can turn your device on and off or change the Tunable White bulb colour temperature.

Set a schedule for your lights and plugs

You can use routines to set a schedule for your device.

1. Open the Google Home app
2.  Tap Automations .
3. Tap Add or a ready-made routine.

Note: You need to enter a voice command for your routine. The routine should still start automatically at the time that you schedule.

Set a nickname for your light or plug

1. Open the Google Home app .
2.  Tap Favourites or Devices
3. Tap and hold your device's tile.
4. At the top right, tap Settings   Name.
5. Enter a name  tap Save.

Tip: The name that you give your device will be used for voice commands. Use a name like 'reading light' or 'overhead light'. Don’t include the name of the room when you name the device. 

Unlink your Cync (C by GE) device(s) from the Home app

Note: You can't unlink individual Cync (C by GE) lights or plugs. When you remove one Cync (C by GE) device through these steps, it removes all Cync (C by GE) devices:

1. Make sure that your bulbs or plugs are powered on.
2. Open the Google Home app .
3. Tap Favourites or Devices
4. Touch and hold your Cync (C by GE) device's tile.
5. Tap Settings  Remove device Remove. When you remove one device, it removes all your Cync (C by GE) bulbs and plugs. The option to remove individual Cync (C by GE) lights and plugs is not supported.

If the Google Home app can't find your bulb or plug during setup

1. Turn the device off for 10 seconds then turn it back on.
2. Make sure that you have the latest version of the Google Home app.
3. Reboot your speaker or display.
4. Force close the Google Home app.
5. Factory reset your speaker or display.

Note: If your bulbs or plugs don’t appear in either the Google Home app or the Cync (C by GE) app, they probably need to be factory reset. Your bulbs or plugs might also use older firmware, so follow the second factory reset sequence if the first sequence doesn’t work.

If your bulb or plug doesn't respond

• Make sure that the socket is receiving power. Check that your wall switch is on.
• Turn the bulb or plug off and on. The device takes up to one minute after it receives power to reconnect to your speaker or display. Try your light or plug and check if it works. If so, you’ve finished.
• Try to use the device in a different lamp or socket.

If you get the error message 'Something went wrong'

• The signal between your device and your speaker or display might not be strong enough. To increase the signal strength, move the Cync (C by GE) device and your speaker or display closer to each other. They should be no more than 4.5 metres (15 feet) apart.
• You might not be a member of the home in which the Cync (C by GE) device was set up. Ask the person who created the home to add you as a member.
• Other devices near your speaker, display or Cync (C by GE) device might cause interference. If you have a nearby Wi-Fi router, cordless phone, microwave or Bluetooth speaker, move it further away if you can.
• You might have too many Cync (C by GE) devices in one Home app home. You can add up to six Cync (C by GE) devices per Google Assistant device in your home.

If you're still unable to resolve the issue, share feedback about your speaker, display or the Google Home app.

Factory reset your Cync (C by GE) devices

Follow these steps to reset your Cync (C by GE) lights and plugs:

• Factory reset Cync (C by GE) bulbs
• Factory reset Cync (C by GE) plugs

If you want to set up a Cync (C by GE) smart switch

Follow the steps to set up smart home devices. Cync (C by GE) switches use different setup steps to bulbs or plugs. After you open the Google Home app : Tap Devices   Add   Works with Google Home .

New to smart lights? The Smart Light Starter Kit is your first step to home automation with a Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) or a Google Home Mini (1st gen) and a GE Soft White smart bulb in one package.