I wanted a physical clicker for a Moes finger switch bot, without pulling my phone out every time. The snag is that the Fingerbot talks Bluetooth, usually through the Tuya or Smart Life stack. In normal conditions, direct control is short range, about 10 metres. A true Bluetooth universal remote that pairs straight to the Fingerbot is hit and miss. The reliable route is a Tuya/Moes Bluetooth gateway or a local controller such as Home Assistant with a Bluetooth adapter. Both let you use cheap remotes or build proper automation scenes with workable range and remote access.
Start with the Fingerbot itself. Fit fresh batteries and mount the actuator so it hits the switch cleanly. Pair it in Smart Life or Tuya first. Check that the app can toggle the finger and that the device shows as online. If it only responds through the app, it is probably using Tuya Bluetooth low energy profiles rather than a generic HID profile. That means most third-party universal Bluetooth remotes will not pair directly. If you still want to try one, check the remote spec for BLE GATT control or Tuya compatibility before buying. The more practical route is a Bluetooth gateway. Pair the Fingerbot to a Tuya/Moes Bluetooth gateway or hub, then pair your remote to that hub if it uses standard RF or Zigbee, or use the hub to expose the Fingerbot over Wi-Fi so other remotes and voice assistants can control it.
If you want a remote control setup that actually works, use this:
- Pair the Fingerbot to Smart Life or Tuya and confirm local control within 10 metres.
- Add a Moes or Tuya Bluetooth gateway and pair it with the same account, or install a local hub like Home Assistant with a Bluetooth dongle.
- In the app or Home Assistant, create an automation scene that triggers the Fingerbot action you want. Name the scene clearly.
- Pair the physical remote to the gateway or configure the remote as a trigger in Home Assistant, then map its button to the scene.
Automation scenes are where this becomes useful. In Smart Life or Tuya, you can make a scene that presses the Fingerbot for a set duration or sequence. In Home Assistant, you can build scripts with exact timing, repeat counts and conditions like time of day or presence on your network. If you have more than one Fingerbot, group them into a single scene for one button press. Use clear names for scenes and buttons so you do not hit the wrong device by mistake.
For voice control or remote access, a Bluetooth gateway that bridges to Wi-Fi is the simplest option. Home Assistant gives more control and local automations, but it does need some setup and a Bluetooth adapter. Watch the range; metal, walls and other radios will drag it down below 10 metres. If the Fingerbot misses presses, fix the alignment, increase the press distance within the Fingerbot’s 12 mm travel, or move the gateway closer. Keep firmware updated on the Fingerbot and any gateway. If a device goes offline, remove it and pair it again in the app rather than faffing with settings.
Troubleshooting is mostly dull, which is usually a good sign. Replace the batteries first. Check alignment and travel again. Confirm the app can run the Fingerbot before adding remotes or hubs. If pairing fails, reboot the hub and toggle Bluetooth on your phone. If a third-party remote will not pair, expect to need a gateway or local controller as the protocol translator. Direct Bluetooth universal remotes rarely work reliably with Moes Fingerbot. A Tuya or Moes gateway, or a Home Assistant hub, is the dependable setup for remote control and for automation scenes that behave properly.
