Congratulations, you got your hands on the Nanoleaf Elements and now it’s time to upgrade your smart home (and your home decor) and set them up. If this is your first time setting up don’t worry—you’re in the right place to get started. We’ll always be here to help out and that’s why we made this quick setup guide!

I’m going to take you through all the ins and outs of the set up for Nanoleaf Elements so you can get to the fun part that much quicker. We’ll be going over:

• Designing Your Elements Layout
• Installing your Elements
• Pairing for iOS
• Pairing for Android
• Controlling Your Elements

Before we get into more details about setting up your Essentials, let’s first take a look at what’s inside the box so we can get started:

Elements Smarter Kit

• Elements Light Panels x 7
• Linkers x 8
• Mounting Tape x 8
• Controller x 1
• Mounting Plate x 7
• Power Supply x 1

Elements Expansion Pack

• Elements Light Panels x 3
• Linkers x 3
• Mounting Tape x 4
• Mounting Plate x 3

Now it’s time to design your unique layout—the most fun part in my opinion! It’s important to plan your layout on a table before mounting it and plugging it into a power source to make sure all is good. To ensure your design fits into your space, measure the width and height of your wall before setting up the panels. For some design inspiration, check out our Instagram to see what other Nanoleaf owners are creating or you can explore the Nanoleaf Library of Elements!

Explore different panel layouts with the Layout Assistant and preview them in your room using the AR feature. Download the Nanoleaf mobile App and open the Layout Assistant to get started.

Extend the possibilities of your Nanoleaf Elements even further! Bend around corners, mount the panels to angled surfaces, maybe even create something a little radical. Each linker bends 360 degrees, available on the Nanoleaf Shop.

So you’ve finally decided on a design, now we can get started with mounting your Elements panels—which is where the real magic begins!

The Nanoleaf Elements should only be installed indoors and on a flat surface that can support the weight of the panels. Ensure to clean your surface to be free of dust, moisture and oil.

PRO TIP: The included Mounting Tape is NOT recommended for textured, popcorn, and porous surfaces (ie. wallpaper or brick walls) or for use on ceilings of any texture. If you plan to use your panels on surfaces like these please, Screw Mount them in. See how here.

Designate a panel from your setup as the starting panel. Attach all needed linkers before you attach any panel to the wall.

With your first panel, connect the Controller and PSU. This will ensure that your setup is properly working as you continue to connect your panels together. The position of these can be changed to your liking later on.

PRO TIP: Each standard 42W PSU supports up to 22 Elements panels (2W per panel). Each Controller supports up to 80 Elements panels. Please check out our PSU calculator for large installations.

Remove the protective liner from the tape and position your panel into place. Mount your panel by applying strong pressure to the center (this should be where the Mounting Plate is on the reverse side). Make sure to rub your fist in a circular motion for 30 seconds to avoid any falling panels.

PRO TIP: Make sure to leave the end of the tape sticking out. This will allow you to safely remove them later from the wall.

Continue to add your panels ensuring that the linkers are fully snapped into the linker slot. The panels should be aligned edge to edge and should light up as each panel is added!

Quick Notes:

• Adding New Tape? When you need to attach a replacement tape to your Mounting Plate, make sure the tape is placed between the two holes. Leave the end of the tape sticking out. This will allow you to safely remove them later from the wall. Visit our shop for additional Mounting tapes.
• Need to Dismount Your Elements? Gently snap the panel off from the Mounting Plate. With one hand on the plate, use the other to pull on the tail of the tape. Pull the tape along the wall. Do not pull the tape towards you or at any other angle, otherwise the tape may snap and damage your wall.
• Add to Your Masterpiece! Get even more creative and grow your setup with Expansion Packs, available at the Nanoleaf Shop.

Now it’s time to pair your panels! Pairing will allow you to control your lights from your phone and give you access to some extra special features. To ensure a smooth pairing process, please make sure you have the following things ready:

Now that you’ve set up your iOS device with your Elements, you can also have multiple users control the lights using the Apple Home App and the Nanoleaf App:

Primary User:

Open the Nanoleaf App.
Select the MORE tab.
Select USERS.
Invite the secondary user with their Apple ID email.

Secondary User:

An invitation from the primary user should appear for you to accept.
Open the Home App and select the home icon in the top left.
Select HOME SETTINGS, a list of homes will appear.
Accept the home that has been shared with you. This will give you control of the Elements as well as any other HomeKit devices in the same home.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you Android users! When it comes to pairing your Elements to your Android devices, the pairing is essentially the same as iOS but, we’ll still go over every step with you to make the process as easy as possible.

Just like the iOS setup instructions, to ensure a smooth pairing process, please make sure you have the following things ready:

• Your Device: Requires Android 5.0+
• Pairing Code: Found on the Quick Start Guide, PSU or Controller
• Wi-Fi Network: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Network (5 GHz networks are not compatible with Nanoleaf products)
• Controller: A white light indicates that your Elements are ready for pairing

1. Download and Open the Nanoleaf App. You can find the official Nanoleaf Smarter Series App in the Google Play Store.
2. Pair Your Elements
3. Ensure your location settings are enabled on your device.
4. Select DEVICES, located in the side menu on the left.
5. Select + to add a device.
6. Select ELEMENTS as your product and START PARING, choose one of the following options to pair.

You’re finally done setting up your Elements—easy peasy! Now it’s time to see everything come to life and turn on your lights. I’m going to walk you through all the unique features, helpful tips and the different ways to control your lighting to help make your days a little easier.

The Controller is also the brain of the Nanoleaf Elements! With the Controller buttons, you can easily control your lights and you have access to convenient shortcuts to common commands. You can also attach your Controller to any available linker slot in your layout. Here’s what you can do with the Controller buttons:

• Power ON/OFF: Turns the lights on and off.
• Dim/Brighten: Change your brightness from 0% – 100%.
• Next Rhythm Scene: Cycle through Default or Saved Rhythm Scenes.
• Shuffle Scenes: The Controller comes with dozens of preset Scenes, using the Shuffle button to cycle through them. Hold the Shuffle button to return to a previous random Scene.

You can also use the Controller’s touch buttons for advanced commands—most commands can be executed by holding buttons, or tapping two buttons at once. Here is a full list of shortcuts:

Return to previous random Scene: Hold ‘Shuffle Scenes’ button down for 3 seconds
Only the last 5 randomly loaded Scenes are available. A flash of yellow on the panels will indicate that you are at the end of your browsing history.

Save a Current Scene: Hold ‘Next’ button down for 3 seconds
This saves the current Scene if it’s not already saved. This is most useful for saving Scenes you like when using Shuffle.

Activate White Lighting Mode: Tap ‘Dim/Brighten’ buttons together
Cycle through the following preset white light modes: Warm White (1500K), Reading Light (2700K), Daylight White (4000K).

Activate Power Diagnostic Mode: Hold ‘Dim/Brighten’ buttons down for 5 seconds
If you have more than 22 panels connected to your Controller, this enables or disables Power Diagnostic Mode. This mode helps you place additional power supplies to optimize your Nanoleaf Elements system.

Pair a Third-Party App: Hold ‘Power ON/OFF’ button down for 5 seconds
This opens a 30s window to pair your devices.

Activate Wi-Fi Hotspot Mode: Hold ‘Power ON/OFF’ and ‘Next Rhythm Scene’ buttons down for 30s
This mode allows your Controller to act as a local network hotspot without an Internet connection. With this mode active, you can use the Nanoleaf App to operate your Nanoleaf Elements without needing a Router or access point.

NOTE: During Wi-Fi Hotspot Mode, your Controller will not be able to download firmware updates. Discover content from the Nanoleaf App will also be unavailable.

Our Elements Controller also acts as a Thread Border Router! So not only do you get amazing lighting, but you’re also guaranteed the fastest and most reliable connection in your home with your Thread-enabled devices.

In short, Thread creates a self-reinforcing mesh network, eliminating dropped connections and providing a more reliable network between devices! If you have a compatible Thread Border Router set up in your home (like Nanoleaf Shapes, Lines and Elements or the Apple HomePod mini), your Essentials Bulb and Lightstrip will automatically start running on Thread as soon as they’re paired to the Apple Home App, with no additional steps required. If you’re interested in Thread and want to learn more, check this out.

Touch Actions transform each light panel into a smart button, allowing for the most seamless control of your entire smart home. With as little as a single press on a panel, activate HomeKit Scenes to control any or all of your HomeKit products at once. See it in action here.

Touch Gestures can be used to change brightness, Scenes or turn your Elements on and off. Find more about this function here.

With the Nanoleaf App, turn your lighting on and off, control brightness, group lights by home and by room, create and use Scenes, and much more:

• Dashboard: Choose an existing Scene or create your own (Static, Dynamic, Rhythm, Group, Layered). You can also use the Paint Tool to paint panels individually.
• Discover: Find and download thousands of new Scenes created by the Nanoleaf community.
• Explore: Find helpful information including tutorials, new device features, etc.
• Schedules: Automate your Scenes to turn on or off.

You can easily control your Elements just by the sound of your voice in a few different ways by setting your lights up with your voice assistant! In the Nanoleaf App, make sure to choose a specific name for your lights (just to make your life a little easier). Here are just a few voice commands you can use:

If you are connected to HomeKit or you have an iOS device, just say “Hey Siri…”

• “Turn [Device Name] on/off.”
• “Set [Device Name] to 10% brightness.”
• “Brighten/dim the lights.”
• “Brighten/dim the lights to [%].”
• “Set [Scene Name].”
• “Set [Device Name] to [Scene Name]”
• “Set [Device Name] to [Shade of White].”

If you have a Google Home or Google Assistant, you can say “Okay Google…”

• “Turn on [Device Name or Scene Name].”
• “Turn on/off the lights in [Room Name].”
• “Turn on/off all my lights.”
• “Turn off [Device Name].”
• “Brighten/dim [Device Name].”
• “Brighten/dim the lights in [Room Name].”
• “Brighten/dim all my lights.”
• “Set [Device Name] to [%].”
• “Set [Device Name] to [Shade of White].”

If you have an Alexa, all you have to say is “Alexa…”

• “Turn on [Device Name or Scene Name].”
• “Turn off [Device Name].”
• “Brighten/dim [Device Name].”
• “Set [Device Name] to [%] brightness.”
• “Set [Device Name] to [Shade of White].”

Congrats, you’ve finally made it to the end and can graduate as a Nanoleaf Elements pro! If you’re interested in some more fun features to try with your Elements, the list doesn’t end here—make sure to check out our blogs on Scenes, Thread, Schedules and Circadian Lighting to help you get the most out of your Nanoleaf lights.

Share with us how your Nanoleaf Elements set up experience went!

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