# \[APP\]\[Pro\] Rain Bird - Professional smart irrigation control for Rain Bird WiFi controllers
**URL:** https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470
**Category:** Apps
**Tags:** homey-pro
**Created:** [February 20, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470 "2024-02-20T13:23:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@Rudi\_Tholen](https://community.homey.app/u/Rudi_Tholen)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/103 "2026-05-28T16:48:52Z")
It looks like there has been a change in Policy by Rainbird after 4.36.0. I do see some messages that rainbird change the access does go via cload authentication with the new firmware, and that local access is then blocked. If I do understand it well!
The hints and tips I can find (e.g ChatGPT) is not to update to prevent loosing local access.
1. I think we do have to contact Rainbird and ask them to create a solution for owners of a home automation system (like homey).
2. Pehaps the staff of the Homey organisation can help us with that , and for sure you should write a Complain / Problem Report
I will try to keep my system on the old firmware . . .
If other people have some Id what to do next they are welkome!
Rudi Tholen
---
### Author:  [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/104 "2026-05-29T17:50:34Z")
> [@aronszekely](#):
>
> pairsession\_not\_found
Did you leave the Homey mobile app while setting up the device? In that case, the “pairing session” expires and this error appears when you perform an action. You should not leave the Homey app during pairing
---
### Author:  [@aronszekely](https://community.homey.app/u/aronszekely)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2026, 9:36am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/105 "2026-06-01T09:36:18Z")
No, I didn’t leave it, but for now i also had a conversation with the US Rain Bird and they told me that they’re not interested in this problem. Also they went to cloud, not local anymore and because of this it won’t work.
---
### Author:  [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2026, 10:06am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/106 "2026-06-01T10:06:50Z")
But the error you mentioned is a Homey error. Those are usually triggered on timeouts (f.e. if Homey hasn’t received any response from your phone during the pairing). It’s likely unrelated to Rainbird
---
### Author:  [@sorted.bits](https://community.homey.app/u/sorted.bits)
#### Post date: [June 18, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/107 "2026-06-18T13:45:54Z")
Hey, I would suggest not using the official app for now, until we do some more digging in this cloud solution they are pushing.
if they don’t open up their cloud access to external developers, that would be bad for this integration.
What I did for now is disable internet access for my rainbird controller so it won’t update.
---
### Author:  [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)
#### Post date: [June 18, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/108 "2026-06-18T16:35:30Z")
It might be possible to reverse engineer the mobile app though, depending on how hard they’re trying to block it. If they use a CAPTCHA, then it’s almost impossible (you’d have to use a paid captcha solver service, which is usually also against the ToS of the manufacturer). But in most cases it’s just a simple API/WebSocket, which can be easily reverse engineered
---
### Author:  [@Tim\_Marinus](https://community.homey.app/u/Tim_Marinus)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/109 "2026-06-24T18:06:23Z")
Hello,
I don’t know if this helps but I just installed a rain bird today. I looked for he best soloution and I thought this was it. But I now see the connection issues on the 2.0 platform. I found this on the home assistant forum maybe this helps?
> **[Rain Bird IQ4 – New Custom Integration for Cloud-Connected Controllers](https://community.home-assistant.io/t/rain-bird-iq4-new-custom-integration-for-cloud-connected-controllers/1013746/2)**
>
> I would think that if the LNK2-WIFI module works then the controller behind it shouldn't matter since all Rainbird controller share general settings anyways. I'll likely have the opportunity next week to test this out and let you know. I had...
Integration based on the cloud.
I’m new to the rainbird but I can help test something’s if you need any help
---
### Author:  [@sorted.bits](https://community.homey.app/u/sorted.bits)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2026, 4:43am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/110 "2026-06-27T04:43:20Z")
I updated the test version of the app, which MIGHT be able to fix the issue.
My controller hasn’t been updated to v2 yet, and I dont get a notification about it either. But there are hints in both that Home Assistant topic, but also the Homebridge version which I incorporated in the Homey version.
> **[Rain Bird | Homey](https://homey.app/en-us/app/com.sortedbits.rainbird/Rain-Bird/test/)**
>
> Control the rain
You might need to pair again, using the PIN you set up, as a password. The IP address should still be fetched from your router if needed.
Edit: Oh, my controller doesn’t get the update 😃
---
### Author:  [@Tim\_Marinus](https://community.homey.app/u/Tim_Marinus)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2026, 6:41am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/111 "2026-06-27T06:41:09Z")
Thanks for the update. I have tried but the same occourd.
It was connecting but no error just waiting.
I have made a diagnostics report
7f3c2382-f869-486d-87cf-13fca3d7e783
Hopefully you can get the error there.
Is a connection the the cloud platform also possible you think or not?
---
### Author:  [@pazzah](https://community.homey.app/u/pazzah)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/112 "2026-07-09T22:52:46Z")
Just installed this. I have a 16 zone controller with 13 zones in use, but it only offers me the option to name 8 of them. Is there a way to fix this?
Is this app still being maintained?
---
### Author:  [@Brian\_Monninkhof](https://community.homey.app/u/Brian_Monninkhof)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/113 "2026-07-15T18:17:43Z")
It’s been a while that I was active with my version of Rain Bird. I have a new test version with tons of new features. Not perfect yet, but getting there.
> **[Rain Bird | Homey](https://homey.app/en-gb/app/nl.nobrainerhomey.rainbird/Rain-Bird/test/)**
>
> Professional smart irrigation control for Rain Bird WiFi controllers
---
### Author:  [@Luca\_Lorenzi](https://community.homey.app/u/Luca_Lorenzi)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/114 "2026-07-15T20:14:20Z")
If you need something to test the ESP-TM2 let me know 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Brian\_Monninkhof](https://community.homey.app/u/Brian_Monninkhof)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2026, 10:30am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/115 "2026-07-16T10:30:34Z")
Is the interface / connection for the ESP-TM2 different of ESP-RZXe Series? @Luca_Lorenzi I updated the app with some extra options. Can you test it? Can you also test the app of Sorted.bits. If his app does the job I will delete mine.
---
### Author:  [@Luca\_Lorenzi](https://community.homey.app/u/Luca_Lorenzi)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/116 "2026-07-21T18:40:55Z")
Both are not working.
This is the diagnostic report for your version: b7e121d3-8945-40f4-a0ef-3198384059fb
It seems like it is not able to connect to it. It goes on time out.
I don’t know if this is because the ESP-TM2 is on a different SSID (the 2.4 ghz only). Homey connects via ethernet.
---
### Author:  [@Brian\_Monninkhof](https://community.homey.app/u/Brian_Monninkhof)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/117 "2026-07-22T16:13:08Z")
Here are a few checks to determine whether your ESP-TM2 is still available through the local Rain Bird LNK/LNK2 API or whether it has been migrated to the newer Rain Bird 2.0 / IQ4 cloud firmware.
1. Which Rain Bird app are you using?
- If you use the **Rain Bird 2.0** app and log in with a **Rain Bird IQ4 account** , your controller may be using the new cloud-based connection.
- If you use the older **Rain Bird / Rain Bird Mobile** app, local LNK/LNK2 access is more likely.
2. Check the controller firmware
In the Rain Bird 2.0 app:
- Open the controller
- Tap the settings/gear icon
- Go to **Controller Info**
- Note the controller firmware version and the LNK2 firmware version, if shown
3. Check whether the local API port is reachable
From a computer on the same network as the Rain Bird controller, run:
```auto
nc -vz 10.0.0.54 80
```
Please replace `10.0.0.54` with the IP address of your controller if different.
Result meaning:
- `succeeded` / `open`: the local API port is reachable
- `connection refused`: the device is reachable, but the local Rain Bird API is not listening on port 80
- `timed out`: network, firewall, VLAN, Wi-Fi isolation, or wrong IP issue
1. Also try opening this in a browser on the same network:
```auto
http://10.0.0.54
```
A blank/error page is not always a problem, but if the browser immediately says the connection was refused, that confirms the local HTTP port is closed.
1. Please share the following information:
- Controller model: ESP-TM2, and number of zones
- Which app you use: Rain Bird or Rain Bird 2.0
- Whether IQ4 is mentioned in the app/account
- Controller firmware version
- LNK2 firmware version
- Result of `nc -vz 80`
The Homey app currently uses the local Rain Bird LNK/LNK2 API at:
```auto
http:///stick
```
This uses HTTP port 80. If the controller has been migrated to Rain Bird 2.0 / IQ4 cloud firmware, this local API may no longer be available, and the Homey app cannot connect to it yet.
---
### Author:  [@Brian\_Monninkhof](https://community.homey.app/u/Brian_Monninkhof)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2026, 8:55am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/118 "2026-07-23T08:55:47Z")
hey Luca, I made a new version with a cloud option in it. Can you test this one if you have the cloud version?
---
### Author:  [@Luca\_Lorenzi](https://community.homey.app/u/Luca_Lorenzi)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2026, 8:52am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/119 "2026-07-24T08:52:18Z")
Hi Brian, sorry I did not understand the question about the interface! Yes the controller is on the new cloud interface and I am using the Rain Bird 2.0 app. I downloaded the latest version of your work.
I am able to connect the ESP-TM2 to Homey. I’ll check in the next 48 hours if it updates correctly!
Thanks for your work!
---
### Author:  [@Paolo\_Menin1](https://community.homey.app/u/Paolo_Menin1)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/120 "2026-07-25T12:36:46Z")
Hello, I installed the app and everything worked locally, magically nothing goes and if I enter the IP address of the control unit in homey, the latter works vice versa. I also downloaded the test version but you have no solutions?
Thank you.
---
### Author:  [@Luca\_Lorenzi](https://community.homey.app/u/Luca_Lorenzi)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/121 "2026-07-27T08:31:37Z")
@Brian_Monninkhof in the last 3 days the app is able to detect if the ESP-TM2 is online.
The other parameters (like active zone, time left, ecc) do not update.
I did not tried to activate zone manually from homey.
---
### Author:  [@Brian\_Monninkhof](https://community.homey.app/u/Brian_Monninkhof)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-rain-bird-professional-smart-irrigation-control-for-rain-bird-wifi-controllers/104470/122 "2026-08-01T19:34:23Z")
Thanks both for testing.
@Luca_Lorenzi Great, that confirms the new IQ4/cloud pairing path can connect to an ESP-TM2 on Rain Bird 2.0. The next thing I need to improve is status synchronisation: active zone, remaining time and other live values. I will work on that next. If you can test manual zone activation from Homey, that would also help a lot.
Could you also share which values do update correctly and which stay empty or unchanged? For example:
- controller online
- active zone
- remaining time
- rain sensor / rain status
- water usage values
@Paolo_Menin1 Could you confirm which Rain Bird app you are using: the older Rain Bird app or the new Rain Bird 2.0 app? If you are using Rain Bird 2.0/IQ4, please add the controller with the new IQ4 Cloud driver instead of the local IP driver.
If you are using the local driver, please check whether port 80 is still reachable from the same network:
```auto
nc -vz 80
```
If port 80 is refused or timed out, the local API is probably no longer available or the controller/network is blocking Homey.
Please also share:
- controller model and number of zones
- which Rain Bird app you use
- whether IQ4 is mentioned in the account/app
- controller firmware version
- LNK/LNK2 firmware version, if shown
- the result of the port 80 test
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