Multi-Bridge Setup

We Love Lights supports controlling multiple bridges simultaneously, allowing you to manage larger smart home installations or combine different bridge types. This guide covers setting up, managing, and working with multiple bridges.

Why Multiple Bridges?

Common Scenarios

Large Homes

• Single bridge limit: ~50 lights + ~12 accessories
• Exceed device limits with second bridge
• Better coverage for large spaces

Multiple Locations

• Home + office setup
• Main house + guest house
• Different buildings on property

Mixed Bridge Types

• Philips Hue Bridge for primary lights
• deCONZ bridge for wider Zigbee compatibility
• Combine ecosystems

Network Segmentation

• Separate networks for different areas
• Guest house on different WiFi
• Isolated smart home networks

Bridge Limitations

Single Bridge Limits

Philips Hue Bridge

• Maximum ~50 lights (bulbs, strips, etc.)
• Maximum ~12 accessories (switches, sensors, plugs)
• Maximum 200 scenes total
• These are Zigbee mesh limitations

deCONZ Bridge

• Higher theoretical limits
• Dependent on hardware and configuration
• Can support more devices generally

When You Need Another Bridge

Signs you need a second bridge:

• Approaching device limits (40+ lights)
• Can't add new devices (bridge full)
• Coverage issues (very large home)
• Want to separate systems (home/office)

Adding Additional Bridges

Adding a Second Bridge

1. Physical Setup

   • Connect new bridge to power
   • Connect to network (Ethernet)
   • Wait for bridge to fully boot (blue light for Hue)

2. In We Love Lights Studio

   • Click bridge selector (top of window)
   • Choose "Add Bridge" or "+"
   • Follow discovery process

3. Discovery and Authentication

   • Automatic discovery (if on same network)
   • Or manual entry with IP address
   • Press button on bridge when prompted
   • Complete authentication

4. Verification

   • Bridge appears in bridge selector
   • Devices load automatically
   • Both bridges now accessible

See Bridge Discovery for detailed steps.

Adding Third, Fourth Bridges...

The process is identical for any number of bridges:

• No practical limit in We Love Lights
• Each bridge operates independently
• Switch between them using bridge selector

Managing Multiple Bridges

Bridge Selector

The bridge selector shows all connected bridges:

Location: Top of Studio window and in menu bar preferences

Information Displayed:

• Bridge name/identifier
• Connection status (connected, remote, offline)
• Number of devices
• Bridge type (Hue, deCONZ)

Switching Between Bridges

In Studio:

1. Click bridge selector dropdown
2. Select desired bridge
3. Interface immediately switches
4. Sidebar shows that bridge's devices

In Menu Bar:

• May show all bridges' devices mixed
• Or filter by selected bridge
• Configure in preferences

Viewing All Bridges

Some views allow seeing multiple bridges:

Bridge Overview

• List all connected bridges
• Status of each
• Quick access to each bridge
• Summary statistics

All Devices

• Combined view of all bridges
• Helpful for finding specific device
• Filter by bridge if needed

Organization Strategies

Naming Bridges

Give each bridge a meaningful name:

1. Select bridge in settings
2. Edit name field
3. Enter descriptive name
4. Save

Good naming examples:

• "Main House"
• "Guest House"
• "First Floor" / "Second Floor"
• "Home" / "Office"
• "Indoor" / "Outdoor"

Device Organization Across Bridges

By Location

• Bridge 1: Ground floor rooms
• Bridge 2: Upper floor rooms
• Clear physical separation

By Function

• Bridge 1: Main living areas
• Bridge 2: Outdoor and garage
• Functional grouping

By Coverage

• Bridge 1: East side of house
• Bridge 2: West side of house
• Based on Zigbee mesh requirements

Cross-Bridge Workflows

Since bridges are independent, plan workflows carefully:

Scenes

• Create similar scenes on each bridge
• Use same naming convention
• Activate multiple scenes for whole-home control

Automation

• Shortcuts app can control multiple bridges
• Create macro shortcuts for cross-bridge scenes
• Sequential activation possible

Remote Access with Multiple Bridges

Remote Configuration

Each bridge has independent remote access:

Setting Up:

1. Configure remote access per bridge
2. Each Hue Bridge needs Hue account registration
3. All bridges show remote status independently

Using Remotely:

• All bridges accessible remotely if configured
• Switch between them as usual
• Same connection indicators per bridge

See Remote Access for configuration.

Remote Performance

With multiple bridges:

• Each bridge connects independently
• No performance penalty for multiple
• All bridges can be remote simultaneously

Best Practices

Network Configuration

Same Network (Preferred)

• Place all bridges on same network if possible
• Easier discovery and management
• Simpler remote access setup

Different Networks

• Manual IP address configuration required
• Ensure Mac can reach all networks
• May need VPN or routing configuration

Static IP Addresses

• Assign static IPs to all bridges
• Prevents connection loss after router restart
• Configure in router DHCP settings

Bridge Placement

Physical Positioning

• Central to the devices they control
• Good Zigbee mesh coverage
• Wired Ethernet preferred (more stable)

Zigbee Coverage

• Bridges should not overlap coverage too much
• Each manages its own Zigbee mesh
• Maintain ~50+ feet separation if possible

Accessibility

• Easy physical access to button (for re-pairing)
• Near router or switch
• Protected from accidental unplugging

Device Assignment

Planning Device Distribution:

1. Map your home

   • Identify all lights and devices
   • Note locations

2. Assign to bridges

   • Group by proximity
   • Keep rooms together when possible
   • Balance device count

3. Configure devices

   • Pair each device to appropriate bridge
   • Name clearly with location
   • Organize into rooms

Migration:

• Can't move devices between bridges easily
• Must un-pair and re-pair to new bridge
• Plan initial distribution carefully

Coordinated Control

Controlling Multiple Bridges

Scenes Across Bridges: Can't create single scene spanning bridges, but:

1. Create same-named scene on each bridge
2. Use Shortcuts to activate both
3. Macro creates coordinated effect

Example Shortcut: "Good Night"

• Activate "Good Night" scene on Bridge 1
• Activate "Good Night" scene on Bridge 2
• Both execute, all lights turn off

Automation Across Bridges

Motion Sensor on Bridge 1 → Lights on Bridge 2: Not directly possible through bridge rules.

Workarounds:

• Use Shortcuts app
• Third-party automation (Home Assistant, etc.)
• Complex but achievable

Simple Coordination:

• Matched scenes on all bridges
• Time-based Shortcuts triggering all bridges
• Manual control of each bridge

Troubleshooting Multiple Bridges

Can't See Second Bridge

Problem: Added bridge doesn't appear

Solutions:

• Verify bridge is on same network
• Check bridge has power and connected
• Try manual discovery with IP
• Restart We Love Lights
• Check bridge button was pressed for auth

Wrong Bridge Selected

Problem: Looking at wrong bridge's devices

Solutions:

• Check bridge selector (top of Studio)
• Click selector and choose correct bridge
• Verify bridge name to avoid confusion

Bridges Have Same Name

Problem: Can't tell bridges apart

Solutions:

• Rename bridges with unique names
• Use location or floor-based naming
• Check IP address to identify if needed

One Bridge Offline

Problem: One bridge shows offline

Solutions:

• Check that bridge's network connection
• Verify power to that bridge
• Other bridge working confirms We Love Lights OK
• See single-bridge troubleshooting

Slow Performance with Multiple Bridges

Problem: App feels slower with multiple bridges

Solutions:

• Expected slight overhead per bridge
• Check network connectivity to all bridges
• Consider hiding unused bridges if many
• Verify each bridge responding normally

Lost Track of Which Device Is Where

Problem: Don't remember which bridge has which devices

Solutions:

• Check bridge selector (shows device count)
• Switch to each bridge and view devices
• Use naming conventions (prefix with bridge/location)
• Create documentation of device assignments

Advanced Multi-Bridge Scenarios

Home and Office

Separate Locations:

• Bridge 1: Home network
• Bridge 2: Office network
• Control both from Mac

Benefits:

• Manage both locations from one app
• Consistent interface
• Remote access to both

Considerations:

• Must have network access to both
• VPN may be needed for security
• Each location independent

Main House and Guest House

Different Buildings:

• Bridge 1: Main residence
• Bridge 2: Guest house (separate network or far away)

Setup:

• Each bridge on appropriate network
• Names clearly differentiate
• Scenes coordinate when guests present

Indoor and Outdoor

Segmented by Environment:

• Bridge 1: Indoor lights
• Bridge 2: Outdoor lights, garage

Benefits:

• Separate management
• Outdoor devices don't count against indoor limit
• Different automation rules

Multi-Floor Large Homes

Vertical Coverage:

• Bridge 1: Basement and ground floor
• Bridge 2: Upper floors and attic

Setup:

• Bridges centrally located per floor
• Clear device organization
• Floor-named bridges

Limits and Scaling

Practical Limits

We Love Lights:

• No hard limit on bridge count
• Performance depends on network and Mac
• Most users: 2-3 bridges maximum

Home Scaling:

• 2 bridges: ~100 lights, 24 accessories
• 3 bridges: ~150 lights, 36 accessories
• Beyond this, consider professional systems

When to Consider Alternatives

If you need:

• 200+ lights
• Complex cross-bridge automation
• Professional integration
• Commercial installation

Consider:

• Professional smart home systems
• Home automation hubs (Home Assistant)
• Commercial lighting control

We Love Lights excellent for residential multi-bridge setups.

Next Steps

Master multi-bridge setup? Explore advanced features:

1. Remote Access - Access multiple bridges remotely
2. Organization - Organize large device collections
3. Shortcuts Integration - Coordinate multiple bridges
4. Rules Engine - Advanced automation
5. Automation Examples - Multi-bridge scenarios

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Questions? Visit the FAQ or troubleshooting guide.