Borealis
Setting up Borealis
1. Install it
- Unplug your panels’ original Nanoleaf controller and plug Borealis into the same connector on a panel.
- Connect a USB-C Power Delivery charger that supports 20 V (most laptop chargers do) to the USB-C port marked for power.
- Borealis finds every connected panel and works out your layout when it starts. Moved or added panels? Restart it (unplug it for a few seconds) and it maps them again.
When a new Borealis starts, the panels breathe blue: it’s waiting to be added to a smart home.
2. Choose how to set it up
With Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or Home Assistant (Matter)
- Open your smart home app and choose to add a device or accessory.
- Scan the Matter setup code that came with your Borealis, or type in its number.
- Your app puts Borealis on your Wi-Fi network. The panels flash green when it’s done.
Borealis then appears as a colour light. Scenes and music effects are chosen in the Borealis app, and you can use both at the same time.
Your Home app can’t find it? Unplug Borealis for a few seconds and plug it back in to start pairing again.
With just the Borealis app
No smart home system? The app can set up Borealis by itself, over Bluetooth:
- While the panels breathe blue, press the button twice quickly. The panels change to a mint green breathing light.
- In the Borealis app, tap + (Add controller) and choose your Borealis.
- Pick your Wi-Fi network and enter its password. Borealis works with 2.4 GHz networks only.
- The panels turn green when it has joined. Give it a name, and you’re done.
You can still add it to a Matter smart home later.
The status light and button
| Status light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| On | Lights are on |
| Off | Lights are off |
| On for a second, off for a second | Not connected to Wi-Fi |
| One short flash a second | Waiting to be added to a smart home |
| Two short flashes, then a pause | Waiting for the Borealis app (Bluetooth setup) |
| Fast blinking | Ready to factory reset: release the button |
| Button | Does |
|---|---|
| Press | Turns the lights on or off |
| Double-press (while waiting for setup) | Switches between smart home and app setup |
| Hold for 10 seconds, then release | Factory reset |
Factory reset
Hold the button for 10 seconds until the status light blinks fast, then let go. Borealis forgets its Wi-Fi network, its smart home pairings, its name, your custom scenes and its settings, then restarts ready to be set up again.
If you’re removing it from a smart home for good, remove it in that app first.