Understanding Frustration-Free Setup
Frustration Free Setup Overview
Frustration-Free Setup (FFS) makes it easy for customers to set up new devices by leveraging existing devices or apps to automatically fill in network credentials, register the devices, link Alexa skills, link to device-specific apps, and more! In a best-case scenario, FFS can setup a device without any customer interaction and allow them to simply turn on their new device and enjoy using it almost immediately, resulting in better reviews, fewer returns, and bigger smiles.
FFS does not replace your existing setup but operates in addition to it, creating an optimized customer experience with marginal development effort while still allowing setup through your app or with other Smart Home systems. FFS is available for Matter, Alexa Connect Kit (ACK), and Alexa Voice Services (AVS) devices, or can be integrated directly using a standalone SDK. FFS supports Wi-Fi, Thread, BLE, and Zigbee radio protocols. Implementation depends on the specific configuration, so be sure to read up on the protocol-specific documentation on the sidebar.
Understanding the Customer Experience
Zero-Touch Setup
Our best setup experience is a Zero-Touch Setup (ZTS). This is available when a device has been purchased from Amazon and meets other FFS pre-requisites listed below. We save the unique identifier of the device we shipped to you and use an existing network of Amazon devices and apps to look for it when it powers on and requests setup. If an existing device is in range and detects the new device, we can share network credentials, register the device to the Amazon account, link it to the Alexa Skill, and make it operational without any additional customer input.
Requirements
- The customer purchased your provisionee device from Amazon.com and opted-in to link the device to their account.
- The customer's network credentials (Wi-Fi, Thread, etc.) are already saved with Amazon.
- A device-specific barcode meeting FFS requirements is visible on your provisionee device’s packaging, suitable to be scanned during fulfillment.
- You have completed certification for the specific device type.
Additional requirements may be necessary depending on protocol (refer to protocol-specific documentation):
- The customer has your Alexa Skill linked to their Amazon account.
- You have implemented Login with Amazon.
- You have provided control logs to Amazon containing required device information.
Light-Touch Setup
For devices that are not already associated with a customer, Light-Touch Setup (LTS) allows a simplified experience with minimal interaction, often as easy as accepting a prompt in the Alexa App. These include devices that are not purchased from Amazon, devices that are received as gifts, devices that do not have a unique packaging barcode to scan during fulfillment, and those that have been factory reset and need to be setup again. LTS operates similarly to ZTS, where an existing device looks for any new devices within range and will offer a setup prompt to the customer asking if they would like to set up the device. Once a customer accepts the setup prompt, LTS provides a similar experience to ZTS and shares credentials, registers the device, and links it with applicable Alexa Skills.
The exact LTS customer experience will vary based on the device being set up, customer devices available to receive notifications, customer settings, and Amazon's ability to identify the possible owner(s) of a device. LTS is currently available for smart plugs, lights, and soundbars using Matter Simple Setup (MSS) or Wifi Simple Setup (WSS) over Wifi or BLE. LTS enablement for a device type must be explicitly requested and the device must complete Amazon certification.
Requirements
- You have a device type that is eligible for LTS
- You have confirmed that the device does not require any additional proof-of-ownership/possession
- You have implemented FFS, enabled LTS, and completed certification for the specific device type.
- The customer's network credentials (Wi-Fi, Thread, etc.) are already saved with Amazon.
Additional possible requirements that vary between protocols (refer to protocol-specific documentation):
- The customer has your Alexa Skill linked to their Amazon account.
- You have implemented Login with Amazon.
- You have provided control logs to Amazon containing required device information.
Barcode Setup
Barcode Setup (BCS) uses a supported app on the customer’s mobile device (such as the Alexa app) to scan a barcode printed on the device to associate the device with the customer’s Amazon account and allow the setup to continue much like a ZTS. This is only available for ACK and AVS devices and serves similar use cases to LTS. Since BCS requires additional manufacturing changes and customer interaction, LTS is preferred when available. Note: This is conceptually similar to QR codes used as part of Matter setup, but an unrelated technology developed as part of FFS before Matter was developed. Matter QR codes are still supported for setup.
Requirements
- The customer's network credentials (Wi-Fi, Thread, etc.) are already saved with Amazon.
- The product barcode is visible on the device.
- You have implemented Login with Amazon.
- You have completed certification for the specific device type.
Fallback Scenarios
In some cases FFS may be able to recover from a failed setup, but the final fallback in all cases should be the manufacturer-specific setup flow.
Last updated: Apr 08, 2024