After a three-way light switch in my home broke, I decided that it was time to upgrade to a smart switch. The broken switch controlled a single light in my hallway along with another switch which was still functional. So, at first, I wasn’t sure whether I needed to replace both switches with smart switches.
Kasa Smart 3-Way Switch
I purchased the Kasa three-way kit on Amazon that included both smart switches. What’s nice about this kit is the smartphone companion app that will instruct you step-by-step on how to install your new switches and set up your network
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Switch-HS210-KIT-1-Pack/dp/B07724HNTX/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=kasa&qid=1602487073&sr=8-6
Removing the old switch
I was able to replace the new switch successfully using only one of the two smart switches in the kit. But in order to use only one of the switches, the smart switch must be connected to a neutral wire. If you are unsure whether your outlet has a neutral wire, here is a good video on how to identify neutral wires in your home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVNvSoQB5xg&ab_channel=smarthome
Before beginning your install, please take basic safety precautions by shutting off the power to the outlets you are installing. Use a multimeter to verify that no power is being supplied to the outlet before you touch or remove anything.
After installing the companion app on your phone, launch the app, and follow the instructions for installing your switch. Carefully remove the wires from the old switch with a flathead screwdriver
Label each wire from the old switch using the labels in the kit. I also like to take a picture of the old switch before I remove anything in case I need to refer to it afterward for troubleshooting.
Connecting the switch to the network
After installing the switch turn on the power to verify everything is connected and you are able to turn the light on and off with the new switch. Next, continue the instructions to connect the switch to your wireless network. Make sure your phone is connected to the same network as your light switch. Once the switch connects to your network successfully, you can now control your light from your phone using the Kasa app.
If you would also like to link your switch to an Alexa device, install the TP-LINK Kasa Alexa skill so you can control your lights by voice commands
