How to Connect TruLight to Music

Music sync is a newer TruLight feature with a couple of important requirements you need to know before getting started — skipping these is the #1 reason it doesn't work.

Key Concepts

Music Sync Only Works Over Bluetooth

Unlike controlling your light colors or schedules (which works over Wi-Fi), the music sync feature requires a Bluetooth connection. Your phone needs to be paired to the TruLight control box via Bluetooth for the lights to respond to audio.

It's Beta — But It Works

TruLight's music sync is considered a newer/beta feature. Most competing permanent lighting companies don't offer this at all. Minor bugs can occur, but following the steps in this module will get it working reliably.

Action Step

Before going any further, make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your phone. Open your phone's Settings, go to Bluetooth, and confirm it's enabled. You'll need it on for the next lesson.

How to switch the app to Bluetooth mode and navigate to the Music section.

Key Concepts

Switching to Bluetooth Mode

In the TruLight app, tap the + button in the top right corner of the main screen. This opens connection options. Switch the mode to Bluetooth and connect to your control box from the list of available Bluetooth devices.

Finding the Music Section

Once connected, scroll to the bottom of the app and tap Music. This is where all music sync controls live — inputs, effects, colors, and palettes.

Action Step

Open the TruLight app, tap the + button in the top right, switch to Bluetooth, and connect to your box. Then tap Music at the bottom of the screen. Stop here — you don't need to do anything else yet, just confirm you can see the Music screen.

The Music screen has multiple audio input options. Understanding which one fits your situation will save you frustration.

Key Concepts

The Three Input Options

• Device Mic — Uses your phone's microphone to pick up ambient sound. Best for playing music from a nearby speaker — the phone "hears" the music.
• Line In — Direct audio input from an external source. Best for a wired connection from a stereo, mixer, or speaker output.
• Music Library — Plays music files stored locally on your phone. Best for songs you own and have downloaded to your device.

The Important Catch with Music Library

The library input only shows music you own and have downloaded to your phone. Songs from streaming subscriptions — Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal — will not appear, even if they're downloaded for offline listening. This is a licensing restriction, not a bug. You must have purchased or otherwise own the files outright (e.g., bought on iTunes, or have MP3 files transferred to your phone).

Customizing the Light Response

Once you've selected an input and music is playing, you can customize how the lights respond:

• Effects — choose how the lights react to the beat
• Colors — pick which colors pulse to the music
• Palettes — pre-set color combinations for different moods

Action Step

Look at your phone's music library right now. Do you have any purchased/downloaded songs (not just streaming)? If yes, select Music Library as your input. If all your music is from a streaming service, plan to use Device Mic for now and continue to Lesson 4 to learn the workaround.

If you don't own any music files, TruLight's built-in Music Manager lets you upload MP3 files directly from your computer to your phone's TruLight library — no purchases required.

Key Concepts

What Music Manager Does

Music Manager creates a temporary local web server on your phone that you can access from your computer on the same Wi-Fi network. You upload MP3 files from your computer directly into the TruLight app's music library.

Step-by-Step: Using Music Manager

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (same network as your computer — this is required)
2. Open the TruLight app and go to Music then Library
3. Tap the envelope icon with a + button in the top right corner of the library screen
4. The app will display an IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.105)
5. Keep this screen open on your phone — closing it stops the Music Manager
6. On your computer, open a browser and type that IP address into the address bar
7. The Music Manager interface will load in your browser
8. Upload your MP3 files — they'll transfer directly into your TruLight music library
9. Return to the app and your uploaded songs will now appear and be playable

Supported File Formats

MP3 and MP4 audio formats are confirmed to work. Stick to MP3 for best compatibility.

Important Notes

• Your phone and computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network
• The Music Manager screen must stay open on your phone during the upload
• Free MP3s are widely available legally (royalty-free music sites, purchased tracks, etc.)

Action Step

Find one MP3 file on your computer (a purchased song, a royalty-free track, anything). Follow the steps above to upload it to your TruLight library using Music Manager. Then play it and watch your lights sync up. That's the full workflow — once you've done it once, it takes under 2 minutes.