PocketOS Buy

Getting started

PocketOS arrives with its software installed. Setup takes a few minutes and needs your phone and Home Assistant running on your home network.

Unbox PocketOS

Lift PocketOS out of its cradle using the finger notches on either side. Keep the box for storing PocketOS or sending it for service.

See What’s in the box for the full contents.

Switch on

Hold the Power button (the upper button on the side) for one second. The PocketOS logo appears, then the setup screen with a code to scan.

Power buttonUpper side buttonBoot buttonLower side button

If PocketOS doesn’t switch on, connect it to a USB-C charger for a few minutes and try again.

Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Scan the codePoint your phone’s camera at the code on PocketOS. Your phone joins a temporary network named PocketOS-XXXX.
  2. Choose your networkThe setup page opens automatically. If it doesn’t, go to 192.168.4.1 in your browser. Select your home network and enter its password.

PocketOS uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, which most home routers provide alongside 5 GHz. The temporary network is only used during setup.

Open the settings page

  1. ReconnectPocketOS restarts on your home network and your phone rejoins it. Open the link shown on the setup page, or scan the code on PocketOS’s Settings tile.
  2. Pair your phoneEnter the six-digit code shown on PocketOS. Each phone pairs once.

On iPhone or iPad, choose Share → Add to Home Screen to keep the settings page one tap away.

Connect to Home Assistant

PocketOS controls your home through Home Assistant. It connects with a separate, non-administrator user, so your own account stays private.

  1. Create a PocketOS userIn Home Assistant, go to Settings → People → Add person. Name it PocketOS, allow it to log in, and leave Administrator turned off.
  2. Create an access tokenAn access token works like a password just for PocketOS. Sign in to Home Assistant as the new user, select its name at the bottom left, then choose Security → Long-lived access tokens → Create token. Copy the token it shows.
  3. ConnectOn the PocketOS settings page, open Smart home, paste the token and select Test and connect. The address is already filled in with Home Assistant’s usual one. Change it only if you open Home Assistant at a different address.

The token is kept only on PocketOS and is never shown again. Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home aren’t supported directly.

Choose your devices

PocketOS finds the lights, heating, media players, locks, blinds, plugs and scenes in Home Assistant. On the settings page:

  • Devices: rename devices, show or hide them, and star favourites and put them in order.
  • Look: arrange the menu, and set the clock, brightness and companion.
  • Smart home → Add new devices automatically: choose whether devices you add later appear straight away or wait for your review.

Start using PocketOS

Open the menuSwipe up or left from the home screen.
Control a deviceTap a tile, then drag the dial or press the centre button.
Go backSwipe right, or press the Boot button twice to go home.
Favourite or hide a devicePress and hold it, or tap ··· on its screen.
Open the settings pagePress the Boot button once and scan the code.
Talk to your homeHold the Boot button, speak, then let go.

Everything the buttons do is listed in Controls and buttons.

Need help? See Troubleshooting. PocketOS updates itself over Wi-Fi, so there’s nothing to install.