How to Fix Issues with the Ikea Home Smart App

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

  • Troubleshoot issues with the Ikea TrÃ¥dfri app on your mobile device.

2. OS Choice

To continue, we need to know what Operating System your smartphone or tablet has.

There are 2 main Operating Systems for smartphones currently available, Android and iOS.

Android SmartphoneiOS SmartphoneAndroid smartphones are produced by multiple companies, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus.Apple is the only company that makes iOS smartphones.

Example Android home screen.
Example iOS home screen.

3. Close Running Apps

  1. Tap on the App Drawer button.
Home screen with the App Drawer button highlighted

  1. The App Drawer may be located on either the bottom left or bottom right as either an onscreen button or a physical button. If you're unsure which button it is, please refer to the user manual of your android device.
  2. Either tap the X or swipe to close an app.
App Drayer screen with arrows indicating to swipe to the right on an app to close it

4. Restart

  1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
    Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
  2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
Power prompt with Restart highlighted.

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

  • If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

5. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Wi-Fi.
Settings with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
Wi-Fi settings with Wi-Fi On switch and connected network highlighted.
  1. Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
Wi-Fi Properties.

More Details

  1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
  2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
Wi-Fi Settings with settings gear highlighted.
  1. Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
Configure Wi-Fi with MAC and IP address info highlighted.

6. Check App Updates

  1. Open the Play Store.
Play Store.
  1. At the top, choose the three bars on the left of the search line.
Menu option highlighted in Google Play.
  1. Choose My apps & games at the top.
My app & games option highlighted in Play Store menu.
  1. Choose Update All.
Update All option highlighted in Play Store Updates.

7. Uninstall Android App

  1. Open Apps on your Android device.
Android Apps.
  1. Look for the Ikea Trådfri app.
Ikea Trådfri.
  1. Tap and hold the app's icon until you see the Uninstall option show up at the top side of the screen.
Uninstall option highlighted on Android screen.
  1. Drag the icon over the Uninstall option until the icon turns red and release it.
App icon turned red when dragged over the Uninstall option.
  1. You will be asked whether you want to uninstall the app. Tap OK to confirm.
OK option highlighted on app uninstall confirmation prompt.

8. Install Android App

  1. Launch the Play Store on your mobile device.
Google Play Store.
  1. Tap in the search box at the top of the screen.
Google Play Store with Search bar highlighted.
  1. Search for "ikea tradfri" and tap on the found app.
Keyword highlighted in Google Play search.
  1. Tap Install and then Open to use it.
Install button highlighted in Play Store for found app.

9. Connect to Gateway

  1. Launch the Ikea Trådfri app on your mobile device.
Ikea Trådfri.
  1. Check the box to agree with the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, then tap Let's Get Started.
Checkmark pointed out and Let's Get Started button highlighted in Ikea Tradfri setup.
  1. Ensure the gateway is plugged into your router and a power outlet then tap Next.
Next button highlighted in Ikea Tradfri setup.
  1. Tap Scan to continue.
Scan button highlighted in Ikea Tradfri setup.
  1. Locate the Security Code on the bottom of your gateway and point your mobile device's camera towards it. Ensure it's placed within the square marked on the screen.
Code scanning area highlighted in Ikea Tradfri app.
  1. If you're unable to scan the Security Code, tap Type in the code instead so you can enter it manually.
Security code pointed out on bottom of gateway and Type in code instead option highlighted in Ikea Tradfri app.
  1. You should get a confirmation once your mobile device is connected to the gateway. Tap Next to continue.
Next button highlighted in Ikea Tradfri app.

10. What's next?

11. Connect Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

  1. From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
Home screen with Apps button highlighted.
  1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
Apps page with Settings icon highlighted.
  1. Go to Wi-Fi.
Settings page with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
Wi-Fi settings with toggle highlighted with arrow pointing to toggle and list of available networks.
  1. Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath and the Wi-Fi symbol will fill up in the top right corner of the screen.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrows pointing to connected Wi-Fi network and Wi-Fi symbol in the status bar.
  1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock next to the Wi-Fi symbol, which also means the connection is secure. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Connect.
Secure and unsecure Wi-Fi symbols shown.

Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to field to type in your security key and another arrow pointing to Connect.
  1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the More option which looks like three dots positioned vertically, on the top right corner of the screen, then tap Add network.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to the Menu icon.

Wi-Fi settings page with Menu open and Add Network is highlighted.
  1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Save if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security and select the security type. Type in the password, then tap Save.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to a manually typed network name and another arrow pointing to the security type dialog box.

Wi-Fi settings page with an arrow pointing to the security key typed in and another arrow pointing to save.

At this point your Android device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

As an alternate way you can also try the following method:

  1. Swipe downwards from the top side of the screen.
Home scree with arrow indicating to swipe your finger down from top of the screen.
  1. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol in the drop down menu and tap on the word below it. If you're not connected to any network, it will say Wi-Fi. If you're already connected to a network, it will show its name.
Quick Menu options with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
Wi-Fi quick settings with arrow pointing to highlighted toggle and another arrow pointing to the list of available wifi networks.

12. Close Running Apps

  1. Double press the Home button rapidly.
iOS device home button.
  1. You will now see a list of apps that are currently open. Swipe up on any of the apps to close them.
Recent programs screen with arrows indicating to swipe up on an app

13. Restart

Powering off an iPhone.
  1. Hold down the lock/power button.
  2. Slide to power off when prompted.
  3. Wait until the phone is off.
  4. Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.

14. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

To check if your iOS mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

  1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
iOS Settings icon.
  1. With Settings open, look for the Wi-Fi field. This field will display the current Wi-Fi status on the right hand side:
  • Off - the Wi-Fi antenna is currently disabled.
  • Not Connected - Wi-Fi is turned on, but your device is not currently connected to a network.
  • Wi-Fi network name - Wi-Fi is turned on, and the network name displayed is the network your device is currently connected to.
iOS Settings menu with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  • You can also tap on the Wi-Fi field and make sure the Wi-Fi switch is in the On position. The switch should be green in color and will display the network that you are currently connected to directly beneath it with a check mark to the left.
  • iOS Wi-Fi menu highlighting the Wi-Fi switch and the currently connected network.

  • 15. Check App Updates

    1. If an app has an update available, the App Store will show a number in a red circle next to it.
    iOS screen with app icon highlighted
    1. Choose the App Store on your home screen.
    2. Choose Updates at the bottom, then choose Update All on the top-right.
    iOS App Store Updates screen

    16. Uninstall iOS App

    1. On the main screen of your iOS device, look for the Ikea Trådfri app.
    Ikea Trådfri.
    1. Tap and hold the icon until an X shows up on its top left corner. Tap the X.
    Removal option highlighted on mobile app icon.
    1. You will be asked whether you want to delete the app. Tap Delete to confirm.
    Delete option highlighted on app uninstall confirmation prompt.

    17. Install iOS App

    1. Launch the App Store on your mobile device.
    Apple App Store.
    1. Tap Search in the bottom right corner.
    App Store Search Button.
    1. Type "ikea tradfri" in the search bar at the top. The app will show up below.
    Keyword highlighted in search field of App Store and Get button highlighted for found app.
    1. Tap Get and Install, then Open to use it.

    18. Connect Wi-Fi

    Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

    1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
    Home screen with setting icon highlighted.
    1. After that, go to Wi-Fi. You will see that this option also shows one of three statuses to the right:
    2. Off - the Wi-Fi feature is disabled
    3. Not Connected - there is no Wi-Fi connection establishe
    4. the Wi-Fi connections name - there is a Wi-Fi connection already established.
    Settings page with Wi-Fi menu item highlighted.
    1. Make sure that the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On/Off switch to the green position. Locate and tap the Wi-Fi networks name that you wish to connect to from the list.
    Wi-Fi settings page with Wi-Fi toggle highlighted and the list of available networks highlighted.
    1. Your iOS device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark and Wi-Fi symbol indicate you are connected.
    Wi-Fi Settings page with an arrow pointing to a checkmark to the left of the connected network and another arrow pointing to the Wi-Fi symbol in the status bar.
    1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock to the right of its name, which also means the connection is secure.
    Wi-Fi settings page with an arrow pointing to the padlock representing a secured network.
    1. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Join on the bottom right corner. If tapping it does nothing, then it means the password you typed in is too short.
    Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to password field and another arrow pointing to the Join button.
    1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
    Wi-Fi settings page with Other highlighted.
    1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Join at the bottom right if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security.
    Wi-Fi Other Network page with name highlighted and security highlighted.
    1. Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
    Wi-Fi security page with a list of security protocols.
    1. Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
    Wi-Fi Other Network page with arrow pointing to the password field and another arrow pointing to the Join button.

    At this point your iOS device should be connected to Wi-Fi.