best app on android to control tp-link smart plugs when not home (on cell netwk)

[rocket888]

I want to turn on/off my smart devices remotely from my android phone, when not on wifi, but on the cell network.

I found a tutorial using an app called UBI, but it doesn't seem to work for me. It says hold the button and start speaking, but after a short time of saying, "listening", it goes back to saying hold the button and start speaking. It otherwise ignores what I ask it to do.

I used the app to login to my amazon account. Is there anything else I need to do?

Is there a better app for doing this?

[mike27oct]

Yes, use the TPL Kasa app; that is what it is for!

[rocket888]

Thanks, that worked.

I Thought I was going to need to open a port on my router to allow something outside my lan to get in. I guess my echo must keep a connection going out to amazon and then kasa talks to amazon, or some such.

Sometimes having a little knowledge works against you.

[mike27oct]

Actually, Echo has nothing to do with it; before there was the tie in with Alexa there was stand alone KASA and that is how folks had to control their smart plugs, and still can -- at home or remotely..

[rocket888]

Out of curiosity, how does a remote cell phone, i.e. not wifi connected to my local lan, get into my lan to send controls to my tp-link devices. Do these devices maintain an active outgoing connection to kasa? Is that the internet activity that is reported by my router for these smart plugs?

If I blocked internet access (but allow lan access) to the smart plugs  would they no longer function, remotely or locally or both?

[mike27oct]

When you set up Kasa, you gave it permission to enter your lan and control the smart plugs.