Knowledge Base: Smart Home Control from the Deco App
Control your Kasa, Tapo, Philips Hue, and Matter Devices Directly from your Deco Network
Model Compatibility for Deco and Matter: Please note that not all Deco models support Matter. Please check your model’s official specifications or the Deco app to confirm compatibility.
The Deco App has always let you control your smart devices from Kasa, Tapo, and Philips Hue. But did you know that many models have been updated to support Matter devices directly?
Adding Matter Devices Directly to Your Deco App
With the Matter protocol, Deco works as a central controller to manage your Matter-certified devices such as smart bulbs, plugs, and switches.
Matter allows you to access the devices in your local area network (LAN) through the Deco app even when your home goes is offline.
Once configured, communication and control between Matter-certified devices can be achieved directly on the local network.
Looking for Help Adding a Kasa, Tapo, or Philips Hue Hub without Matter? Check out this FAQ:
Automating Your Home with the Deco App —
Automations – Make your smart devices do what you want, when you want.
FAQ: How to use the Automation function in the Deco app | TP-Link
- When (Automation Trigger)
- Time Trigger – Set the Effective Time for the Automation, or Set the Time at Which you would like the automation to fire.
- Device Triggers – The automation will start when the set smart device or another device connected to your network meets the criteria.
- For devices connected to your Deco Network, you may choose from any of the devices connected to your Deco Network.
- Then (Automation Action)
- Control Smart Devices (Lights, Switches, Plugs, Outlets): Turn Devices On/Off, Set a Duration for the Device to Turn On, and Add Delays to Prevent the Automation from running immediately.
- Send a Custom Notification – Create a Custom Notification to Send to Your Devices through the Deco App. You can set your own custom notification text and specify a delay to prevent the notification from being delivered immediately.
Create a Shortcut – Similar to An Automation, just without Triggers; Shortcuts Allow you to perform whole-home actions with a single tap.
FAQ: How to use the Shortcut function in the Deco app | TP-Link
Recommended Deco-Specific Automations
Disconnect Alerts for Known Devices and Cameras
Get notified whenever a camera or device on your network disconnects from the Wi-Fi.
- When: ‘ X’ Device Disconnects from the Network
- Then: Send a Notification “‘X’ Camera has Disconnected from the Wi-Fi”
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Home Arrival Notification
They say, “Home is where your Wi-Fi connects automatically.” Use a device connected notification, along with a notification to know when someone arrives at your house.
- When: ‘X’ Device Connects from the Network
- Then: Send a Notification “‘X’ Device has Disconnected from the Wi-Fi”
*We recommend also adding time-based triggers to create effective times and prevent notifications at night, while devices may be updating or rebooting.”
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KB: Difference Between Deco and Tapo App Smart Home Features
The Deco app gets you started on your smart home journey by meeting the essential needs of a smart home. However, for more complex control over your devices, we recommend exploring the Kasa or Tuya (Tapo) Apps.
In our Smart Home apps, you can find additional features for Tapo and Kasa devices; however, control over Network devices and Philips Hue devices is not possible. Connecting devices to Tapo via Matter also requires a compatible H500 Smart Hub.
Features Specific to Deco or Tapo Apps
- Deco:
- Automation triggers based on device connection/disconnection
- Actions respond directly to network device status changes
- Tapo:
- Geofencing triggers: Arrive/Leave based on mobile device location
- Conditional automations using “If” statements
- Automations adapt to location and specified conditions
Device Control
Deco Smart Home Tapo/Kasa App
Smart Light Bulbs Turn ON/OFF
Schedule
Adjust Brightness*
Adjust Color*
Energy Usage Display
Mesh Technology
Device Isolation Turn ON/OFF
Schedule
Adjust Brightness
Adjust Color
Energy Usage Display
Timer
Away Mode
Themes*
Preset
Auto Match/Compensation*
Groups
And More to Explore…
Smart Plug Turn ON/OFF
Schedule
Energy Usage Display Turn ON/OFF
Schedule
Timer
Away Mode
Auto-Off Timer*
Groups
And More to Explore…
Smart Switch Turn ON/OFF
Dimming*
Schedule
Energy Usage Display Turn ON/OFF
Schedule
Timer
Away Mode
Dimming Calibration*
Smart Control*
And More to Explore…
Network Devices High / No Priority
Duration of Trigger
Delayed Action None
*Function varies from device model, hardware, and firmware versions. To confirm whether your device supports certain features, check product specifications on TP-Link official website, or consult TP-Link technical support team.
Deco Smart Home and Tapo/Kasa App each offer unique features for device control:
- Smart Light Bulbs: Deco provides Mesh Technology and Device Isolation, while Tapo/Kasa offers Timer, Away Mode, Themes, Preset, Auto Match/Compensation, and Groups.
- Smart Plug: Deco includes Energy Usage Display, while Tapo/Kasa features Timer, Away Mode, Auto-Off Timer, and Groups.
- Smart Switch: Deco supports Dimming and Energy Usage Display, whereas Tapo/Kasa includes Timer, Away Mode, Dimming Calibration, Smart Control, and additional features.
Note: Some functions (marked with an asterisk) vary by device model, hardware, and firmware version.
Shortcut Differences Between Deco and Tapo
Deco Tapo
Control Smart Devices Control one or multiple Kasa/Tapo devices
Control Network Devices Adjust a network device’s connection priority. /
Run Shortcut / One tap control
e.g. Enable Night Sleep mode.
Enable/Disable Automation / e.g. Disable Detection Alerts (when arriving home)
Send App Notificaiton / Send an App push notification after running a shortcut or an automation is triggered.
Delay / Set a delay between two actions
Related:
How to add a Matter device on your Deco | TP-Link
1. Can I sync existing devices to Deco App if they’re already configured in Tapo/Kasa App?
Yes! devices bound to the same TP-Link account and within the same Wi-Fi (same subnet) can be synced to the Deco App and controlled from both locations.
Summary
For Tapo: In the Deco App, navigate to Smart Home > Add Device. Supported Tapo devices will be automatically scanned. Once the scan is complete, add them to the Deco Smart Home list for control and automation.
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For Kasa: Kasa devices will be added to Deco Smart Home automatically upon connecting to the Deco Wi-Fi. Auto-syncing may fail due to unexpected network fluctuations without reporting an error. In such cases, manually scan and add Kasa devices to the Smart Home list.
2. Why do some of my Tapo/Kasa devices display a generic device name in Deco App instead of the custom device name set in Tapo/Kasa App?
The device’s name in Tapo/Kasa App can only be synced to Deco App if the devices are supported by Deco Smart Home feature and have been added to the Deco Smart Home list.
If your devices meet these conditions but the custom device name set in the Tapo/Kasa App is not synchronized with Deco, try to manually scan for device synchronization to update the device name.
How to sync Tapo/Kasa device to Deco Smart Home?
In the Deco App, navigate to Smart Home > Add Device. Supported Tapo/Kasa devices will be automatically scanned. Once the scan is complete, add them to the Deco Smart Home list.
3. How many devices can be added to Deco Smart Home?
• Up to 32 devices can be added if the Deco firmware is released before May 2023.
• Up to 64 devices can be added if the Deco firmware is released after May 2023.
** The device quantity refers to the number of controllable units. For example, if a device is a 6-outlet power strip, it will be considered as 6 devices.*