About this update
Firmware 3.90 introduced several new features and configuration changes for the LIFX Switch family.
This is an archived firmware article. It applies to Switches running legacy non-Matter firmware and does not describe the setup, reset or commissioning behaviour of Switches running Matter firmware 4.100 or later.
If your Switch has been updated to Matter firmware, see Troubleshooting LIFX Switch: Matter Firmware 4.100 and Later.
What was added in firmware 3.90?
Updating the Switch to firmware 3.90 and using a compatible version of the LIFX app added:
- Apple HomeKit compatibility
- The ability to retrieve a HomeKit code through the LIFX app
- Separate configuration for physical terminals and Switch buttons
- More options for assigning button actions
- Adjustable button backlight brightness
- Adjustable button backlight colour
- Adjustable haptic feedback strength
- A redesigned Switch settings screen
- The ability to include wired non-LIFX devices in Scenes and Schedules
Finding your Switch settings
Switch settings were moved from the main device dashboard to the Settings area of the LIFX app.
To find them:
- Open the LIFX app.
- Tap the Settings cog.
- Find Switch under Accessories.
- Select the Switch you want to configure.
If you have only one Switch, selecting Switch may open its settings directly.
If you have multiple Switches, select the required Switch from the list.
Buttons and terminals
Firmware 3.90 separated the configuration of buttons from the configuration of physical terminals.
Terminals
Terminals are the physical relays connected to electrical circuits.
Configure the terminals first so the LIFX app knows:
- Whether each terminal is physically wired
- Whether it controls LIFX lights or a non-LIFX circuit
- The name of any connected non-LIFX device
When a terminal is configured for wired LIFX lights, the circuit remains powered so the connected smart lights can stay online and be controlled through the app.
Buttons
Buttons are the physical controls on the front of the Switch.
A button can be configured to control:
- A LIFX device
- A wired non-LIFX device
- A group
- A location
- A scene
- A terminal on another LIFX Switch
Because buttons and terminals are configured separately, a button does not need to control the terminal directly behind it.
Configure the wiring
- Open the Switch settings in the LIFX app.
- Open the Wiring section.
- Tap Setup.
- Configure each terminal according to what is physically connected.
- Save the configuration.
Complete the Wiring setup before assigning button actions.
Configure the buttons
- Open the Switch settings in the LIFX app.
- Open the Buttons section.
- Tap Setup.
- Select the button you want to configure.
- Choose the device, group, location, scene or terminal you want the button to control.
- Save the configuration.
For current button configuration guidance, see Switch Button Configuration with Multi-Press Feature.
Button backlight brightness
The Brightness setting controls the backlight brightness of all buttons on that Switch.
The available range is 5% to 100%.
This setting applies to the entire Switch rather than individual buttons.
Button backlight colour
The Backlight Colour setting allows you to choose a colour from the available palette.
The selected colour applies to all buttons on that Switch.
Haptic feedback
The Haptic Feedback setting controls the strength or duration of the vibration felt when a button is pressed.
The available range is 0 ms to 60 ms.
This setting applies to all buttons on that Switch.
Legacy HomeKit support
Firmware 3.90 introduced legacy Apple HomeKit compatibility for LIFX Switches.
After updating to firmware 3.90, a legacy Switch could:
- Be paired with Apple Home using HomeKit
- Retrieve a HomeKit code through the LIFX app
- Be onboarded using the HomeKit setup process
- Be added to the LIFX app without HomeKit after the legacy 15-minute HomeKit setup period expired
These instructions apply only to legacy non-Matter firmware.
Matter-enabled Switches running firmware 4.100 or later use Matter commissioning instead of this legacy HomeKit process.
For legacy HomeKit pairing guidance, see Switch HomeKit Pairing: Legacy Non-Matter Firmware.
For legacy code recovery guidance, see Switch HomeKit Code Recovery: Legacy Non-Matter Firmware.
Legacy HomeKit setup behaviour
A Switch running firmware 3.90 could be added using one of the following methods:
iOS with a HomeKit code
Use the HomeKit code to complete setup through Apple Home and the LIFX app.
iOS without using HomeKit
Power on the Switch and wait approximately 15 minutes for it to leave the legacy HomeKit setup period. It can then be added directly through the LIFX app using Wi-Fi setup.
Android
Add the Switch through the normal LIFX app onboarding process.
Do not apply this 15-minute legacy HomeKit process to a Matter-enabled Switch. Matter firmware uses a separate 15-minute Matter commissioning window.
Reboot and factory reset
Do not use the reset instructions from this archived article for a Matter-enabled Switch.
The reboot and factory-reset process depends on the installed firmware.
For Matter firmware 4.100 or later, see:
Troubleshooting LIFX Switch: Matter Firmware 4.100 and Later
For an overview of reset guidance across LIFX products and firmware versions, see:
Hardware Resetting Your LIFX Device
Matter firmware 4.100 and later
The following legacy firmware 3.90 features and processes do not apply in the same way after a Switch has been updated to Matter:
- Legacy HomeKit onboarding
- The previous HomeKit Pair and Get Code workflow
- The legacy 15-minute HomeKit setup period
- Green-flashing Setup Mode after a factory reset
- Legacy reboot and reset LED behaviour
Matter-enabled Switches use Matter commissioning and firmware-specific recovery actions instead.