Twinkly smart lighting products have established themselves in the market over several years, and their technology is now widely recognised. For first-time Twinkly users, however, the initial setup may seem slightly intimidating. Rest assured, the process is actually quite straightforward - we've created this step-by-step video tutorial to walk you through every stage.

Step-by-step: How to set up Twinkly lights

 1.    Install the lights in your chosen location, ensuring the plug connection remains close to your power source
2.    Connect the lights to the plug, then plug it into the mains socket
3.    Search for and download the Twinkly app (available on both App Store and Google Play Store)
4.    Open the app and sign up or log in
5.    Identify and select the correct generation of Twinkly lights
6.    Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your device and grant the app access
7.    Locate the Twinkly lights controller, press and hold the button - the app should then connect to the lights
8.    Select 'local' (recommended) or 'internal' WiFi. Note: For multiple Twinkly sets, only the 'local' option is available
9.    Follow the mapping process for your lights (see our guide to mapping your Twinkly lights)

You've installed your Twinkly lights in your chosen location, connected them to WiFi, and now you just need to map them before exploring the endless color and effect combinations. Accurate mapping is crucial for maximizing your lights' impact, so take time to do this step properly.

 Key things to remember:

Avoid reflective surfaces behind the lights
Keep the camera steady (use a tripod if available)
Ensure the room lighting is balanced (not too dark or too bright)
You'll notice options for both 2D and 3Dmapping - we'll examine each method separately.

Step-by-step: How to set up Twinkly lights

1.    Install the lights in your chosen location, ensuring the plug connection remains close to your power source
2.    Connect the lights to the plug, then plug it into the mains socket
3.    Search for and download the Twinkly app (available on both App Store and Google Play Store)
4.    Open the app and sign up or log in
5.    Identify and select the correct generation of Twinkly lights
6.    Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your device and grant the app access
7.    Locate the Twinkly lights controller, press and hold the button - the app should then connect to the lights
8.    Select 'local' (recommended) or 'internal' WiFi. Note: For multiple Twinkly sets, only the 'local' option is available
9.    Follow the mapping process for your lights (see our guide to mapping your Twinkly lights)

Twinkly lights 2D mapping

2D mapping is recommended for decorations that are set up on a flat surface:

The front part of a Christmas tree
Wall decorations
Garlands or wreaths

1.    In the Twinkly app, navigate to 'Layout', select 'Map Lights', then choose '2D Mapping'
2.    Select 'Start Mapping'
3.    Position your lights within the frame and wait for the timer to complete
4.    After the app generates your 2D layout, select 'OK'
5.    You're now ready to enjoy your Twinkly lights  

Twinkly Lights 3D mapping

3D mapping allows for 360 ° rendering, meaning more precise detection of each LED, and can be more suited to displays where lights can be visible from more than one single direction: Wrapped around the whole Christmas tree

1.    In the Twinkly app, navigate to 'Layout', select 'Map Lights', then choose '3D Mapping'
2.    Select 'Start Mapping'
3.    Position your lights within the frame and wait for the timer to complete
4.    Move to a different angle and repeat the process for each take (this works best when keeping part of the previously mapped section within the frame)
5.    The LEDs will change color from red → orange → yellow → green when fully mapped
6.    Select 'Add Another' to continue mapping until most LEDs turn green
7.    When satisfied, select 'I'm Satisfied'
8.    After the app generates your 3D layout, select 'OK'
9.    You're now ready to enjoy your Twinkly lights

Frequently asked questions

Q: When mapping, why are the LEDs not going red, orange, and yellow as described?
A: If your Twinkly lights are part of the 'Gold Edition' range, the colour of the LEDs will change from warm white when not mapped to cool white when mapped.

When you have multiple sets of Twinkly lights, grouping them allows you to fully synchronize your lighting display. You can group Twinkly lights in three ways: join them to create a single virtual device, sync them to display identical effects across all sets, or group them by area for displays featuring multiple Twinkly devices in a larger scene.

How to create Twinkly join groups
Join groups allow you to apply effects sequentially to your grouped lights - effectively extending them to form a single virtual string. A perfect example would be using multiple sets of Twinkly lights in a large tree.

1.    Navigate to the 'Devices' menu in the Twinkly app
2.    Add all Twinkly devices to the same WiFi network and ensure they are powered on
3.    Click the link icon
4.    Select the 'Join' option
5.    Choose the devices you want to include in the group
6.    Name the group - it will then appear in your device list
7.    Select the newly created group
8.    Go to the 'Layout' menu and map the entire group of lights 

How to create Twinkly sync groups

Sync groups enable you to apply identical effects to multiple light strings simultaneously, with perfect synchronization. A perfect example would be using Twinkly lights in two adjacent trees that you want to display matching patterns. 

1.    Navigate to the 'Devices' menu in the Twinkly app
2.    Ensure all Twinkly devices are powered on and have been individually mapped
3.    Click the link icon
4.    Select the 'Sync' option
5.    Choose the devices you want to include in the group
6.    Name the group - it will then appear in your device list
7.    Select the newly created group and you're ready to begin 

How to create Twinkly area groups/scenes

Area groups (also known as scenes) consist of multiple light sets arranged in extended displays, effectively combining them to form a single virtual light string. A perfect example would be installing multiple sets of Twinkly lights throughout a large tree. 

1.    Navigate to the 'Devices' menu in the Twinkly app
2.    Ensure all Twinkly devices are powered on
3.    Click the link icon
4.    Select the 'Area' option
5.    Choose the devices you want to include in the group
6.    Select the 'Area' group type:

Area Editor: This option lets you position each device according to its physical location. The editor enables you to adjust zoom, rotation, and layout size. After customization, select 'Save'.
Camera Mapping: Use your smartphone camera to map the group (2D option only).
Vertical (iOS only): Select devices sequentially from highest (e.g., tree top) to lowest (e.g., tree base).
Horizontal (iOS only): Select devices from left to right.

7.    Give the group a name - it should then appear in the device list
8.    If you used the 'camera mapping' option, you will be prompted to map the entire scene 

Frequently asked questions

Q: How many Twinkly lights can be grouped?
A: 1st Generation Twinkly: Up to 2,000 LEDs or 5 devices.  2nd Generation Twinkly: Up to 4,000 LEDs or 10 devices 
Q: Can Twinkly Line and Flex be grouped?
A: Yes, Twinkly Home Range products can be grouped using any of the three grouping methods. To group them with other Twinkly products, use the Area/Scene group option to create an extended lighting scenario.

If you're experiencing issues with your Twinkly lights, resetting them often provides the best solution. This standard troubleshooting procedure can resolve connectivity problems and other technical
issues. Here's how to perform a reset:

How to reset Twinkly lights

 1.    Unplug The twinkly lights from the power socket
2.    Press and hold the controller button while reconnecting the power
3.    Continue holding the button until the lights turn solid red
4.    The the reset process is now complete

Please note: Resetting your lights will erase all saved settings, including custom effects, layouts, and groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if resetting didn't resolve my issue?
A: Twinkly provides a dedicated troubleshooting section [here] with comprehensive solutions and guidance. 
Q: How do I reset Twinkly Music?
A: Follow the standard reset procedure - the only difference is the indicator light turns white instead of the lights turning red.