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🔎 How to pair with eWelink-Remote Gateway

 

Introduction

eWeLink-Remote Control is an exclusive remote control solution for SONOFF devices, designed as an enhanced version of traditional 433MHz RF control. It offers a more convenient, reliable, and long-range way to control your smart home devices. The eWeLink-Remote network is made up of a central gateway and multiple sub-devices. Each gateway can connect with up to 8 eWeLink-Remote sub-devices.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to take advantage of the eWeLink-Remote Gateway and how to add a device to it.

What You´ll need?

  • 1x eWelink-Remote Gateway (i.e NS Panel Pro)
  • 1x eWelink-Remote device (i.e SONOFF R5)

 

Device Type eWeLink-Remote Gateway eWeLink-Remote Sub-device
DIY Smart Switches BASICR4, MINI-RBSMINIR4MINIR3DUALR3, DULAR3 Lite S-MATES-MATE2
Central Control Panel NSPanel Pro  
Gateway and Sensors iHost  
Smart Wall Switches M5TX Ultimate  
Smart Plugs S40/S40 Lite  
Smart Lighting B05-BL  
Accessories   R5/R5W

 

To control our sub-device — in this case, the SONOFF R5 wireless scene button — we first need to pair it with a compatible eWeLink-Remote Gateway. You can use any of the gateways listed in the table above. This gateway will act as the controller for the R5 button.
Note: Each sub-device can only be connected to one gateway at a time.

To proceed with the pairing, we’ll follow these steps:

  1. Open eWelink app and select a eWelink-Remote gateway. In this case will be the NS Panel Pro.



  2. Select, in this case, the NS Panel Pro and open the definition option (3 dots). Find the option "eWelink Remote-Gateway" and click to add a new sub-device. You can add up to 8 sub-devices here.



  3. Now that the eWeLink-Remote Gateway is in pairing mode, press any button on the SONOFF R5.
    Within a few seconds, the device will be detected and linked to the eWeLink-Remote Gateway.

 

 

Automation: Turn ON/OFF Light

Now that the wireless button R5 is integrated via eWeLink-Remote, we can use it as a regular device, including in automations.
Let's go through the steps needed to create an automation to turn a light on/off.

  1. Select the menu "Scene" on botton bar and then click on the plus (+) button to add new automation.



  2. In the "If" trigger section select "Smart Device" and then the wireless button R5.





  3. Choose the desired channel. In this case "Channel 1"



  4. Select "Clicked" option and save.


  5. For the "Then" action section, select "Smart Device" and select the light. In this case "Studio light".





  6. Select the option "Reverse". This option will make the light toggle its state each time.



  7. Save the automation

And the result is as follows: Whenever the user clicks on channel 1, the light will toggle its state: ON-OFF-ON-OFF.

FAQ

1. How many sub-devices can be added to a gateway?

Up to 8 “eWeLink-Remote” sub-devices.

2. Can I add one “eWeLink-Remote” sub-device to multiple “eWeLink-Remote” gateways?

No, one “eWeLink-Remote” sub-device can only be added to one “eWeLink-Remote” gateway. 

3. I have a SONOFF BASICR2, can I buy an R5 scene controller to control it?

No, R5 is an eWeLink-Remote sub-device, and BASICR2 doesn’t support eWeLink-Remote, you still need to buy a device featuring the“eWeLink-Remote” gateway to control it.

4. I have installed MINIR3 and it is online, why can't I control it with R5?

There are three reasons:
1. The scene has not been set.
2. Distance is too far.
3. R5 Insulation sheet is not removed.

5. Can the “eWeLink-Remote” sub-device control all SONOFF devices in the scene?

To control other SONOFF devices, you need an “eWeLink-Remote” gateway, SONOFF devices that can be set as “actions” can be controlled. ( such as SNZB01-SNZB04, Dongle plus…can’t be controlled )

6. What's the maximum distance between eWeLink-Remote gateway and eWeLink-Remote sub-device?

The distance between eWeLink-Remote gateway and eWeLink-Remote sub-device should not be too far, otherwise they’re disconnected. The current maximum distance for an open field is:
S-MATE: 150m
R5: 90m

In the case of a wall occlusion, the maximum distance is:
S-MATE/R5: 45m

Conclusion

The eWeLink-Remote system offers a simple and efficient way to expand your smart home setup with reliable wireless control. By pairing sub-devices like the SONOFF R5 with a compatible eWeLink-Remote Gateway, you can easily trigger customized scenes and automate your devices with a single press.

 

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Last modified: 2025-07-09