Technician helping fix Tuya not discovering devices in Smart Life app

Steve H.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Companion app connection issues, Bluetooth pairing delays, local network permissions, device discovery problems.

Why the app keeps spinning instead of pairing — common reasons and the safest checks first

Technician avatar Technician
Let’s start with the safest checks first. I don’t want you removing the device from the app or resetting it until we know whether this is a phone permission issue, a pairing issue, or the device never entering the right connection state.

What changed right before this started — new phone, app update, router change, or nothing obvious?
Customer
It started today after I updated the app. The app opens normally, finds the device name, then just keeps saying connecting.
Technician avatar Technician
That timing matters. When a companion app opens but never finishes connecting, I usually want to separate three things:
• the phone can see the device name
• the app has the permissions it needs
• the device is still in pairing or discovery mode long enough to complete the handshake

Are you on iPhone or Android?
Customer
iPhone.
Technician avatar Technician
Good to know. On iPhone, an app can open normally and still fail to complete device setup if Bluetooth or Local Network permission is blocked or if the prompt was dismissed earlier.

Quick check: did the app ever ask for Bluetooth or local network access, and do you remember denying anything?
Customer
I might have denied something by accident when it first popped up. I was in a hurry.
Technician avatar Technician
That would fit what you are seeing. The app can still launch and even show the accessory, but the connection process may never complete if one permission is missing.

Trust moment: I don’t want you to try something that could make it worse. So don’t remove the device profile from the app yet, and don’t factory-reset the hardware yet.

Does the device itself show any sign that it is ready to pair — blinking light, setup tone, or pairing screen?
Customer
Yes, it has a blinking light while I try. After a bit the light stops blinking.
Technician avatar Technician
That is a useful clue. It suggests the device is only discoverable for a short window, so even a small delay on the phone side can make the connection spin and then fail quietly.

Before we assume the device is bad, I want to rule out the simple causes:
• iPhone Bluetooth permission for the app
• local network permission for the app
• the phone being on the wrong Wi-Fi band or network if this setup uses Wi-Fi after discovery
Customer
My phone is on home Wi-Fi. I am not sure about the permissions though.
Technician avatar Technician
That is where I would look first. An app that sees the accessory name but never finishes can be stuck between discovery and handoff.

Let’s keep it gentle and methodical. Is your phone connected to a VPN, private relay, or anything similar right now? I ask because some companion apps struggle when they are trying to discover a device on the local network.
Customer
I do have a VPN app, but I think it was on earlier.
Technician avatar Technician
That could interfere, especially if the setup needs local discovery after Bluetooth starts the process.

This is common after updates, but we should rule out risks before changing too much at once. I would not change app settings, network settings, and the device state all in one go because then it becomes hard to tell what helped.

One more question: has this device ever connected successfully to this same phone before?
Customer
No, this is the first setup.
Technician avatar Technician
That makes a missing permission or setup mismatch more likely than a saved-profile conflict. A lot of first-time setups fail at the last stage because the phone can discover the device but cannot complete the handoff.

Safe checks to think about first are:
• whether Bluetooth is enabled for the app
• whether Local Network access is enabled for the app
• whether the accessory is still in pairing mode by the time the app reaches the connection screen
Customer
If the pairing light times out, should I try again from the beginning each time?
Technician avatar Technician
Yes, but only after the phone side is ready first. If you restart the device pairing window before checking the app permissions, you can end up repeating the same failed attempt over and over.

Trust moment: I want to avoid sending you into a loop of retries. It is better to make sure the phone has the needed access first, then start a fresh pairing window once.
Customer
That makes sense. Could this also be my Wi-Fi? The phone is on 5 GHz.
Technician avatar Technician
It could, depending on the device. Some accessories are discovered by Bluetooth first and then handed off to a local network step that expects the phone and device to be on a compatible setup. If the accessory only supports a certain Wi-Fi band during onboarding, the app may appear to hang rather than showing a clear message.

I would treat Wi-Fi as a second-layer check after permissions and pairing mode, not the first conclusion.
Customer
So it is probably not broken?
Technician avatar Technician
I would not jump to that. When the device name appears and the app keeps spinning, that often points to the connection process not completing, not to a dead device.

The stronger suspects are permissions, discovery timing, VPN or local network interference, or a Wi-Fi mismatch during setup.
Customer
Okay. I will check the app permissions and make sure everything is ready before putting the device back into pairing mode.
Technician avatar Technician
That is the calmest way to do it. Get the phone side ready first, make sure Bluetooth and local network access are allowed, avoid the VPN during setup, and then start one clean pairing attempt while the device is actively discoverable. That gives you the clearest signal about what is actually blocking the connection.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

The most useful first checks are to confirm the app has the permissions it needs, make sure the phone is ready before restarting device pairing, and avoid extra variables like VPN or repeated resets during setup. If the device appears in the app but never finishes connecting, the problem is often in the handoff stage rather than total device failure. A clean pairing attempt works best after checking Bluetooth access, local network access, and whether the device stays discoverable long enough. Save device removal, network resets, and factory reset steps for later, after the basic phone and pairing checks are ruled out.

Why the device can show up in the app but still never finish connecting

Seeing the device name in the companion app does not always mean the full connection is working. Many accessories use a multi-step process: discovery first, then permissions, then a handoff through Bluetooth or the local network. If one permission is missing, the pairing window expires, or the phone is using a setup the device does not expect, the app may keep spinning without a clear error. That is why this problem can feel confusing even when the app itself opens normally.

What to rule out before blaming the app or the device

It is tempting to assume the update broke everything or the accessory is defective, but there are safer checks to make first. Missing Bluetooth permission, blocked local network access, a VPN still running, or a pairing light timing out can all stop the process halfway through. Looking at those basics first gives a cleaner answer than repeatedly removing the device and starting over. It also reduces the chance of making the setup more confusing.

Companion app stuck on connecting — safe troubleshooting checks

Start with the phone permissions and pairing state before trying bigger changes.

Helpful checks include confirming that the app has Bluetooth and local network access, making sure the device is still in pairing mode, and avoiding VPN or extra network layers during setup. If this started after an app update, note that timing before assuming the hardware is bad. Keep the process simple: get the phone ready first, then make one clean connection attempt while the device is discoverable. That usually gives better clues than repeated retries.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Do not open devices or attempt unsafe electrical work. For advice specific to your Tuya/Smart Life device model and router settings, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech or the manufacturer’s support before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why did the companion app stop at connecting all of a sudden?

This can happen after an app update, a missed permission prompt, or a network change. The app may still open and show the device name, but the final handoff can fail. That often looks like endless connecting.

Is this a phone settings issue or a device problem?

It can be either, but phone-side checks are often the safest place to start. Bluetooth permission, local network access, and VPN use can all interfere with setup. A hardware fault is usually not the first conclusion.

Did this happen after an update?

It can. App updates sometimes change permissions, discovery timing, or setup behavior. If the issue started right after an update, it is worth checking permissions before trying bigger steps.

Can this be checked safely at home?

Yes. Start with Bluetooth, local network access, and whether the device is still in pairing mode. Keep VPN off during setup and avoid repeated resets at first. One clean attempt after the basic checks gives better clues.

Sources

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