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White Series Dimmer (2-1) Switch • Setup Instructions • Apple Home
White Series Dimmer (2-1) Switch • Setup Instructions • Apple Home

Setup and Pairing instructions for the Inovelli White Series Dimmer Switch (VTM31-SN) on your Thread enabled Apple device

Eric Hines avatar
Written by Eric Hines
Updated over 3 months ago

DISCLAIMER: You may notice there are a lot of over-used keywords or phrases as well as English that seems a little off. This is because these articles are used to feed our AI Robot (Ira) and she needs the data to be structured in a certain way.

REMINDER: This switch is only to be used to control lights (except ballasts or any lights connected to a transformer). Do not use the switches on outlets, fans, or any other inductive load.

NOTICE: If you're having trouble pairing, please ensure the following:

  • Matter Devices and Controllers Must Be on the Same L2 Network

  • VLAN Use Requires Matter Controller/Server to operate on that VLAN

  • Make sure your Apple Home app and your compatible Apple Border Router firmware is up-to-date

  • IPv6 Networking is Required for Matter Networks. Link-Local Addresses Are Allowed, Look for a Setting in your Router Called “Enable IPv6.” (Note: This does not require you to configure the IPv6 connection for your entire network)

This is the digital setup instructions for the White Series Smart Dimmer Switch on the Apple Home platform.


Navigating the Instructions

Please click on any of the sections in the Table of Contents to get started. We recommend working your way down as it follows an intentional flow that is user friendly and hub/gateway specific. As always, any questions, please see the Additional Resources links section or submit a ticket, we’re happy to help.


Quick Setup Instructions

Follow these if you have already installed the Dimmer switch before and are just looking for some quick pairing instructions. If this is your first time installing the Dimmer switch, please skip this section and work your way through the various sections below starting with the Prerequisites.

This section assumes the following:

  1. You have a compatible Apple Device

  2. You’ve wired the switch and it works manually

Let’s begin:

  1. Open up your Apple Home App and click "+" at the top right

  2. In the drop-down, select, "Add Accessory"

  3. Where it says, "Add Accessory", scan the QR Code located at the bottom left of the switch

  4. There will be a pop-up that says, "Accessory" -- click on, "Add to Home" and Apple will start to add the device (you may get a pop-up that says, "Uncertified Accessory" -- please click, "Add Anyway")

  5. Apple will continue to add your Inovelli device and your LED Bar will start to pulse blue as shown in Video #1 (if it’s not, please exit out of the setup process, factory reset your switch (see Video #2) and start again) -- if successful, the LED Bar will flash green three (3) times

  6. Add your device to the location of your choosing and click, "Continue"

  7. Feel free to name your device and click, "Continue"

  8. Your switch should be added to your home -- click, "Done"

NOTICE: If you're having trouble pairing, please ensure the following:

  • Make sure your Apple Home app and your compatible Apple Border Router firmware is up-to-date

  • Matter Devices and Controllers Must Be on the Same L2 Network

  • VLAN Use Requires Matter Controller/Server to operate on that VLAN

  • IPv6 Networking is Required for Matter Networks. Link-Local Addresses Are Allowed, Look for a Setting in your Router Called “Enable IPv6.” (Note: This does not require you to configure the IPv6 connection for your entire network)

Video #1 & Video #2

Video #1: Switch Pulsing Blue after QR Code is scanned

Video #2: Factory resetting your switch
NOTE: Video sped up

If your LED bar refuses to pulse blue, hold down on the top of the paddle (on) and the config/favorites button simultaneously for 20 seconds until the LED Bar (D) turns green, yellow, then red. It will blink cyan, green(non-neutral) or yellow (neutral), and then blue confirms the switch has been reset as shown in the video.

IMPORTANT: The Apple Home app has no way of changing the switch from an On/Off Switch to a Dimmer Switch so you will have to do it manually at the switch.


Apple Home Limitations

Apple Home is a fantastic product that offers a ton of features along with voice control and is backed by an amazing company.

With that said, there are some limitations with the hub that you should be made aware of.

  1. There is no way to access some of the advanced features on your switch from the Apple Home app (ie: parameters, animated notifications, etc) and you will only be able to change select parameters locally at the switch

  2. You will have to manually change the switch from an On/Off Switch to a Dimmer Switch and vice versa

  3. You will still be able to control the LED Bar when the switch is in On/Off mode (other platforms, the LED Bar only shows on/off like it should)

  4. Two devices will show up initially (one device that has two endpoints and the devices settings)


Prerequisites

The only prerequisite for this device is that you have a compatible Thread hub. All Apple products that support Thread can be found here: Apple Hub Compatibility


Installation Instructions

Before setting up your switch within the Apple Home app, you will have to manually install your switch in the wall and have it powered up. In order to do that, you (or your licensed electrician) will need to follow our Wiring Instructions which can be found below:


Pairing Instructions

Please follow the instructions below to include/pair your White Series Dimmer Switch

  1. Open up your Apple Home App and click "+" at the top right

  2. In the drop-down, select, "Add Accessory"

  3. Where it says, "Add Accessory", scan the QR Code located at the bottom left of the switch

  4. After you've scanned the QR Code, the switch LED Bar should start pulsing blue as shown in Video #1. If it isn't, then please factory reset your switch as shown in Video #2. If the switch successfully pairs to Apple Home, the switch LED Bar will flash green three (3) times.


    Video #1: Switch Already Pulsing Blue

    Video #2: Factory resetting your switch
    Hold down on the top of the paddle and the config/favorites button for 20 seconds until the LED Bar turns red and let go (video below is sped up)

  5. There will be a pop-up that says, "Accessory" -- click on, "Add to Home" and Apple will start to add the device (NOTE: If you get a message that says, "Software Update Required", then you will have to update your Apple Hub to the latest firmware)

    NOTICE: If you're having trouble pairing, please ensure the following:

    • Make sure your Apple Home app and your compatible Apple Border Router firmware is up-to-date

    • Matter Devices and Controllers Must Be on the Same L2 Network

    • VLAN Use Requires Matter Controller/Server to operate on that VLAN

    • IPv6 Networking is Required for Matter Networks. Link-Local Addresses Are Allowed, Look for a Setting in your Router Called “Enable IPv6.” (Note: This does not require you to configure the IPv6 connection for your entire network)

  6. Add your device to the location of your choosing and click, "Continue"

  7. Feel free to name your device and click, "Continue"

  8. Your switch should be added to your home -- click, "Done"

  9. Back on your main screen, if you do not see your Inovelli switch, click on the room you added it to

  10. You will see two different tiles initially. The tile with the light bulb has two endpoints: the actual switch and the switch's LED Bar. The tile with the light switch has the settings and is where you can add multi-taps.

  11. Once you click on the tile with the light bulb, you will see two bars. The bar on the left is the actual switch. You can use this to turn on/off/dim your light. The bar on the right is your LED Indicator (do not use this to permanently change the LED Bar color -- please use Local Configuration -- this endpoint is for you to set Color Notifications).

Once your switch is successfully paired, check to make sure you have basic functionality of your switch by turning it on/off (if you are going to be using it as a dimmer, please move to the, "Switch Configuration" section below).

NOTE: You will be able to slide the bar on the right up and down and you will not see any changes at the light if you don't slide the bar completely to the top or to the bottom. This is because the switch is set as a simulated On/Off switch as the default. If you'd like to use it as a dimmer, please move to the Switch Configuration section below. Once you set it up as a dimmer, you'll be able to use the slider normally.


Switch Configuration

In this section, we will help you change your switch mode (ie: On/Off or Dimmer) and type (Single-Pole or 3-Way Aux). As noted above, because the Apple Home app is limited in what it can do, we will have to change these settings manually at the switch itself.

If you are trying to setup your switch in Smart Bulb Mode, please still select the Switch Mode and Type from the below instructions, and then follow the directions to setup Smart Bulb Mode

Switch Mode - On/Off

By default, your White Series Dimmer Switch is set to be a simulated On/Off switch and will only turn On/Off (ie: there is no dimming). If this is how you intend to use the switch, you can skip this step. We're just going to show you how to change it to a Dimmer for reference.

To put your White Series Dimmer Switch in On/Off Mode, hold down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button three (3) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid red (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has changed to an On/Off switch.

Video Demonstration

Switch Mode - Dimmer

By default, your White Series Dimmer Switch is set to be an On/Off switch and will only turn On/Off (ie: there is no dimming). If you'd like to change your switch to a Dimmer switch, then please follow the directions below.

To put your White Series Dimmer Switch in Dimmer Mode, hold down on the bottom part of the paddle (off) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button three (3) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid orange (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has changed to a Dimmer switch.

Video Demonstration

Switch Type - Single-Pole

By default, your White Series Dimmer Switch is set to be installed in a Single-Pole setup (ie: one switch controls one load). If this is how you intend to use the switch, you can skip this step. We're just going to show you how to change it to a multi-way (2+ switches controlling a load) with an aux switch for reference.

To have your White Series Dimmer Switch work as a Single-Pole switch, hold down on the bottom part of the paddle (off) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button five (5) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid violet (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Single-Pole Mode.

Switch Type - Multi-Way (Dumb)

By default, your White Series Dimmer Switch is set to be installed in a Single-Pole setup (ie: one switch controls one load). If you'd like to change your switch to work in a multi-way setup with a dumb/existing switch, then please follow the directions below.

To have your White Series Dimmer Switch work with your existing, "dumb" switch in a multi-way (3-Way) setting, hold down on the bottom part of the paddle (off) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button five (5) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid pink (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled 3-Way + Dumb Switch Mode.

Video Demonstration

Switch Type - Multi-Way (Aux)

By default, your White Series Dimmer Switch is set to be installed in a Single-Pole setup (ie: one switch controls one load). If you'd like to change your switch to work in a multi-way setup with an auxiliary switch, then please follow the directions below.

To have your White Series Dimmer Switch work with an Auxiliary (Add-On) switch in a multi-way (3-Way) setting, hold down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button five (5) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid white (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled 3-Way + Aux Switch Mode.

Video Demonstration


Advanced Feature Setup

This switch is packed with features and most of them come directly from this community. They've been debated back and forth, added to wishlists, and talked about over the course of 4+ years.

While the advanced features are built into the light switch firmware, they unfortunately are not recognized by the Apple Home platform at this time. The only advanced feature Apple Home supports is, "Smart Bulb Mode" which is discussed more below.

Color Notifications

Color Notifications can be setup to notify you of certain events. Some common examples are:

  • Switch LED Bar turns orange if the garage door is left open past 10pm

  • Switch LED Bar turns red if the alarm system is armed

  • Switch LED Bar turns green at 10am to remind you to take your medicine

To learn how to setup color notifications, please visit the following article: Setting Up Color Notifications • Apple Home

Scene Control

Scene control, in this context, refers to activating a scene from your light switch via a tap sequence (ie: double-tap, triple-tap, favorites button, etc). This is not to be confused with setting up scenes in your Hubitat app, which is different.

To learn how to setup multi-tap scene control, please visit the following article: Setting Up Multi-Tap Scene Control • Apple Home

Smart Bulb Mode

Smart Bulb Mode is a special mode that allows you to use your Inovelli smart switch to control smart bulbs. Rather than cutting power to your smart bulbs, Smart Bulb Mode tells the switch to send a digital signal to your bulbs or your hub to turn on/off or dim.

For directions on how to control smart bulb(s) from your White Series Dimmer Switch, please follow the directions in the, "Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from Smart Switch(es) • Apple Home" article.

Local Parameter Changes

The White Series Dimmer switch has 30 different parameters that can be changed locally (i.e., at the switch). These can be changed via Quick Tap Sequences or Local Configuration. Some examples include:

  • Changing the color of the LED Bar

  • Smart Bulb Mode

  • Leading/Trailing Edge Dimming Modes

  • Setting Min/Max Dim Levels

  • State After Power is Restored

Quick Tap Sequences

To see the full list of Quick Tap Sequences and understand more about them, please see the following links:

Local Configuration

To see the full list of Local Configuration options and understand more about them, please see the following links:

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