BlinkUp tips for Android (Generation 1)
Last Update:Feb 10 2022 3:49pm • Est. Read Time:Est. Read Time: 4 MINSummary
Since every Android device has a different refresh rate, luminance decay rate, etc., some devices drop frame irregularities, which can result in BlinkUp failure. This occurs because Android vendors vary on how important they consider consistent frame rate to be, therefore each Android device and/or make/model will behave differently during BlinkUp. We anticipate improvements are going to be in the Android software stack, which prioritizes frame rate just as iOS devices.
Step by Step Guide
General instructions for any Android phone
- Reboot your phone.
- Close all open apps.
- Disable mobile data. If in doubt, put the phone into Airplane mode and enable Wi-Fi.
- Have the brightness turned all the way up on your device (auto-brightness off).
- Disable battery saving/low power mode.
- Have your screen completely flush against the controller with the screen facing down toward the photosensor.
- Perform BlinkUp in a dark place where there is no ambient light that could interfere with this process? Feel free to take the front panel into your house as this can help remove ambient light.
- When you are going through the BlinkUp process (your phone is turned and pressed against the Rachio's photosensor), the Wi-Fi light should stop flashing during BlinkUp. If it doesn't stop blinking, the controller didn't see the BlinkUp code from the phone.
- When the light first starts flashing again, what color does it flash? The Wi-Fi light should begin flashing green. If is it any other color reference our Wi-Fi Light Color Codes to see what may be occurring.
Other quick tips
• Samsung devices have had several screen setting changes over the past few years. If you have a Samsung Galaxy S6 or a Galaxy Tab S (or later models) try using the Amoled Cinema screen setting. If you have an older Samsung device, try using the Basic Mode screen setting. Also toggle off Daydream if applicable as this can interfere in the BlinkUp process.
• Some users have reported that holding the Android phone roughly a half an inch above the photosensor in a dark room allowed them to successfully connect.
Samsung Devices
Use Power saving mode: From the Home screen, touch "Applications" > "Settings"> "Power saving mode".
- Closing Recently Accessed Apps
a) Go to the Home Screen of your Samsung Galaxy Device.
b) Press and hold down the “Home” key on your device. This action will display a list of all applications you have recently accessed.
c) Review the list of applications to determine which apps you want closed.
d) Tap and drag each app you want closed to the right or left. The apps you drag off-screen will automatically be closed.
e) If you want all apps closed, tap on the "Remove All" icon located at the bottom right corner of your screen. - Closing Background Apps
a) Return to the Home Screen of your Samsung Galaxy.
b) Press and hold down the “Home” button on your device. This will display a list of the apps that are currently open on your Samsung Galaxy.
c) Tap on the “Task Manager” icon located at the bottom left corner of your screen. The screen will refresh to display all apps that are currently running in the background and consuming memory on your Samsung Galaxy.
d) Tap on the “End” button located to the right of each app you want closed.For example, if you are currently not using the Email app on your device, tap on “End” next to “Email.” If you want all background apps closed, click on “End all” near the top of the screen.
e) Tap on “OK” when prompted to confirm that you want to close your background apps. All the background apps running on your Samsung Galaxy will now be closed [1]. - Closing Apps Using RAM Manager
- a) Go to the Home Screen on you Samsung Galaxy.
b) Press and hold down the “Home” key until a list of all running apps are displayed on the screen.
c) Tap on the “Task Manager” icon located in the bottom left corner of the screen.
d) Tap on the “RAM” tab.
e) Tap on “Clear memory.” Your Samsung Galaxy will end all open background apps that are currently running on your device and free up additional memory [2].
HTC One (m7, m8)
Use Power saving mode: Enable or disable Power saving mode.
- With two fingers, swipe down from the status bar to open Quick Settings.
- Tap the Power Saver tile to turn Power Saver Mode on or off.
Close All Apps:
- From the Home Screen, tap Task Manager.
- In the Applications List, tap X to the right of the application name to stop it.
Sony Xperia Z
Use STAMINA Mode: Activate the STAMINA mode feature to pause your Wi-Fi® connection, data traffic and several power consuming applications when your screen is inactive. When STAMINA mode is active, you can still receive phone calls, and text and multimedia messages. You can also set up an applications list to allow some applications to keep running when your screen is inactive. Once the screen becomes active again, all paused functions are resumed.
- Drag the status bar downwards, then tap the cog icon.
- Find and tap Power management.
- Drag the slider beside STAMINA mode to the right, then tap Activate.
Close all apps:
- Press the application icon.
- Press and hold the required application.
- Press App Info.
- Press Force Stop.
- Press OK to confirm.
LG Optimus G Pro
Use Power saving mode: Settings > Power Saver (on/off).
Close All Apps:
- From the Home screen, tap and hold the Home key. (Recently accessed apps are displayed.)
- Tap and drag the application to the left or right. Tap Clear All to remove all apps.
- To close an app running in the background, tap Task Manager.
- Tap Stop next to the desired app, or Stop All to close all running apps.
Moto X
Use Power saving mode: No power save mode.
Close All Apps:
- From the Home screen, tap the Recent apps icon.
- Swipe app to the left to close it.
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