How To Make Nanoleaf Discoverable? – Complete Guide

You might be wondering how to make Nanoleaf discoverable. Ensuring it can become discoverable is essential once you buy your Nanoleaf panels or any other product.

That way, you can control all their functions.

Making Nanoleaf discoverable involves pressing some buttons in the correct order. It might be different for each product, and then you have to follow the step-by-step instructions according to the model you have.

The guide below will discuss everything you must know before putting your Nanoleaf products into discovery mode.

In addition, a few tips will help you along the way, ensuring the connection is achieved.

How To Make Nanoleaf Discoverable?

How to put Nanoleaf in Discovery Mode? That is an important step when you buy your Nanoleaf products and want to pair them with any compatible device.

Remember that each Nanoleaf product works differently, so follow the applicable section below (there is one section for each Nanoleaf available).

Preparation Steps

Since the discovery mode will require Wi-Fi for the last step, you must connect your phone to a 2.4GHz network.

That is because smart gadgets such as Nanoleaf products can’t use 5GHz. 

Moreover, the 2.4 GHz network has a wider reach, which is beneficial for smart lights, panels, etc.

How To Make Sure

If your phone can connect to 5GHz, you must check and ensure you connect to a 2.4GHz when putting the Nanoleaf products into pairing mode. 

1. Find your phone’s Wi-Fi configurations;
2. Check the name of the Wi-Fi network
3. When there are two networks on your router, one of them is identified by the frequency;
4. Connect to the 2.4GHz

The steps above are important, so you don’t face a “Nanoleaf not discoverable” situation.

Option #1: Connecting The Light Panels

Light Panels are some of the most popular Nanoleaf devices. Putting them into pairing mode is essential if you want to control them from the app or further control from any smart hub.

1. Ensure the light panels are plugged in
2. Locate the power button on the control square
3. Hold the power button on the control square for 5-7 seconds 
4. The LED on the square will start flashing in a pattern.
5. Your Light Panels are now in discovery mode. 

Next, you can pair it with the Nanoleaf app:

1. Open the Nanoleaf App;
2. Allow the app to know your location;
3. Tap on the ‘+’ icon;
4. Select “Light Panels”;
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Option #2: Connecting The Canvas

Canvas is another option among the wide range of Nanoleaf products.

Here is the method you will employ to put them into discovery mode:

1. Plug the Canvas into a power source and power it;
2. Keep pressing the power button on the control square;
3. Release when the square’s LED starts flashing;
4. Your Canvas is now in discovery mode 

Next, you can pair it with the Nanoleaf app:

1. Open the Nanoleaf App;
2. Click on the ‘+’ icon;
3. Tap “Canvas”;
4. Enter the 8-digit code found in the quick user guide.

Option #3: Connecting The Shapes

Shapes are another wonderful Nanoleaf alternative when you need smart lighting in your environment.

To control it remotely, you must put it into discovery mode:

1. Ensure the Shapes are plugged in
2. Hold the power button on the Remote for 5 seconds 
3. The LED on the square will blink in a pattern.
4. Your Light Panels are ready to be discovered.

Next, you can pair it with the Nanoleaf app:

1. Open the Nanoleaf App;
2. Tap on the ‘+’ icon;
3. Select “Shapes”;
4. Enter the 8-digit code or scan the QR code.

Option #4: Connecting The Essentials

Nanoleaf Essentials is what the bulbs and light strips are called. Nanoleaf Essentials are very different regarding their discovery mode.

That happens because they are more simplistic in design.

Here is what you must do:

1. Make sure your Nanoleaf Essentials are powered on;
2. Open the Nanoleaf App on your mobile device;
3. Tap on the “+” button;
4. Select “Essentials” from the list of products.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new Home in the Nanoleaf App.

Remember you must give a name to the Home so you can localize it correctly each time you need it.

Next, do the following: 

1. Tap “Add Device.”;
2. Hold the button on the back of your Nanoleaf Essentials ;
3. Release when it starts flashing rapidly;
4. The Nanoleaf App should automatically detect it;
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Option #5: Connecting The Lines

Nanoleaf Lines are some of the latest Nanoleaf products, and entering into its discovery mode differs greatly from other Nanoleaf products.

Here is the method to make them discoverable:

1. Plug your Nanoleaf Lines into power;
2. Wait for the startup cycle to finish (when the solid white light fades out);
3. Press “Start Pairing” in the app.

As a new product, the Lines have three options for pairing: QR code, NFC Tap, or Manual Input.

The codes are on the postcard inside the Lines package, its Processor’s back, and the Power Supply back. 

Choose the option you want and then:

• Scan the QR code if you’ve chosen that option;
• If NFC is selected, hold the top of your phone over the Processor;
• If you choose manual Input (necessary when you have more than one set of Lines), tap the magnifying glass>tap to pair>type the pairing code.

After choosing between any of the above, the next steps are the same for all situations:

1. Choose the network for the Lines to connect (it must be 2.4GHz);
2. Once the Lines flash, you know they are paired;
3. Choose a name to identify them;
4. Assign them to a room.

If Any Step Fails

One step may fail. It is rare to happen, but failure might indicate you need to reset the Lines before trying to set them up in discovery mode. 

Here is how:

1. Hold the Processor’s reset button for 15 seconds;
2. Release when its light starts blinking;
3. Wait for the light to become solid;
4. Go to the Nanoleaf app and delete the device if available.

Option #6: Discover The Elements

Elements is another standard product made by Nanoleaf, and its discovery mode is very straightforward. 

Using it includes these steps:

1. Turn the Elements on;
2. Open the app;
3. Select “My Devices”;
4. Tap the “+” button;
5. Click on “Elements”;
6. Tap “Start Pairing”;

Now you must choose one of the following options to pair: QR Code, NFC, or manual Input. 

• To scan the QR code, you can find it on the user’s manual, PSU, or Controller;
• If NFC is selected, approach the top of your phone to the Controller;
• For manual Input, choose the magnifying glass, tap on “pair,” and enter the correct code (found on the user’s manual, PSU or Controller).

If the process fails, you will have to unplug the Elements from power, restart the app, and start again. 

Note: Android users will have to activate location settings. The Nanoleaf will probably ask to enable that when you open the app, so confirm to allow it.

Option #7: Set Up The Nanoleaf Remote

If you are enhancing all of your house’s experience with Nanoleaf, you are probably using the Remote too.

Its pairing process will vary heavily from the other products, and it also changes according to your phone (Android or iOS).

Discovery Mode For iOS

Here is how to pair the Nanoleaf Remote with your iPhone:

1. Ensure the Nanoleaf Remote is powered;
2. Pick it up in your hands;
3. Rotate it;
4. Open the Nanoleaf Smarter Series App;
5. Tap on “Add devices”;
6. Follow the few prompts.

Discovery Mode For Android/Without Phone

Android users or users that don’t want to connect the Nanoleaf system to the app will need Nanoleaf Panels with the Rhythm module if they want to use the Remote.

Do the following:

1. Pick the Remote up;
2. Ensure it lights up;
3. Rotate it;
4. Press the Rhythm button;
5. Release when it starts flashing;
6. Bring the Remote close to the Rhythm;
7. Green flashing on the Remote indicates success.

Note: If you already have the Nanoleaf Panels connected to the app, the Remote should become available on the app too.

What We Learned

How to make Nanoleaf discoverable? That will depend on whether you have new or used Nanoleaf products.

When you have used products, you might have to perform a reset to ensure all their old data is gone. However, the process is very straightforward in any case.