Ever feel like your smartphone is a massive barrier between you and just getting stuff done? You want to turn off the lights, but first, you have to find your phone. Then you unlock it. Then you find the app. Then you wait for the app to load. By the time the "Smart Home" actually does its job, you could have just walked across the room and flipped a manual switch. That’s exactly where the Flic button comes in. It’s a tiny, physical shortcut for a digital world that has become way too cluttered.
Basically, a Flic is a wireless smart button. It’s small—about the size of a quarter—and it sticks to almost any surface. You press it, and something happens. It’s that simple. But behind that simplicity is a surprisingly deep ecosystem of integrations that makes it way more than just a toy for tech geeks.
✨ Don't miss: Mach 5 Explained: Why the Hypersonic Barrier Changes Everything
The Anatomy of a Flic Button
The hardware itself is pretty unassuming. It’s a soft-touch silicon button that communicates via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The latest version, the Flic 2, was designed by the Swedish company Shortcut Labs after a massively successful crowdfunding run. They didn't just want to make a clicker; they wanted to make a tactile interface for the "Internet of Things."
Inside that little plastic shell is a battery that lasts about three years. Honestly, that’s the biggest selling point for me. You don't want another device you have to charge every night. You just stick it on your nightstand or your car dashboard and forget about it until you need it.
It handles three distinct triggers:
- A single click.
- A double click.
- A long hold.
Think about the math there. One button can do three different things. You could have a single click turn on your morning coffee, a double click start your "Work From Home" playlist on Spotify, and a long press trigger a "Find My Phone" alert for when you've inevitably buried your iPhone in the couch cushions again.
Why Do People Actually Use a Flic?
It’s about friction. Or rather, the removal of it. We’ve reached a point where "smart" often means "more complicated." If I want to log my water intake in a fitness app, I have to navigate menus. With a Flic button stuck to my water bottle, I just tap it. Done.
Business owners are using them too. I've seen small cafes use them as "order ready" pagers. A barista hits a Flic button under the counter, and it sends a Slack message or a push notification to a screen in the pick-up area. It’s faster than shouting names over a noisy espresso machine and way more professional.
💡 You might also like: How to Delete Playlist on YouTube: Why the Settings Keep Moving
Breaking Down the Hub vs. Standalone Setup
You can use a Flic button in two ways. First, you can connect it directly to your smartphone. This is the cheapest way to get started. The button talks to the Flic app on your phone, and your phone executes the command. The downside? If you leave the room with your phone, the button stops working for everyone else.
That’s why the Flic Hub exists.
The Hub is a dedicated bridge. It stays plugged into your router and keeps all your buttons online 24/7. If you’re building a serious smart home, the Hub is non-negotiable. It supports Apple HomeKit, which is a huge deal for privacy-conscious users. When you integrate with HomeKit, your Flic button shows up as a native controller in the Home app. You can then use it to trigger complex scenes that involve lights from Philips Hue, plugs from Wemo, and thermostats from Ecobee all at once.
Real World Examples of Flic in Action
Let’s get specific. Most people buy these for smart lights, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
- The Safety Trigger: Many elderly users or people living alone use a Flic as a discreet panic button. You can configure it so that a long press sends a text message with your GPS coordinates to three emergency contacts. It’s much less stigmatized than those bulky "I've fallen and I can't get up" necklaces.
- The Focus Timer: Productivity nerds love using these with apps like Toggl or Forest. You sit down at your desk, hit the button, and your time tracking starts immediately. No distractions, no opening a browser tab that leads to Reddit.
- The Car Shortcut: This is a big one. It's actually dangerous to fiddle with a touchscreen while driving. Stick a Flic to your steering wheel. Single click to skip a song, double click to send a "I'm on my way" text to your spouse via IFTTT (If This Then That). It keeps your eyes on the road.
Is it Worth the Price?
Look, Flic buttons aren't exactly "cheap" when you compare them to generic Zigbee buttons from China. A single Flic 2 usually retails around $30, and the Hub kits can go for well over $100. You’re paying for the software. The Flic app is incredibly polished. It integrates natively with hundreds of services—Spotify, Sonos, LIFX, Strava, and even Zapier for the hardcore automation crowd.
If you’re the type of person who loves tinkering with workflows, the cost is easy to justify. If you just want to turn on one lamp, it might be overkill. But once you have one, you start seeing "button-shaped holes" everywhere in your life.
The Matter Movement and the Future of Buttons
The smart home world is currently undergoing a massive shift called Matter. It’s a new universal standard that’s supposed to make everything work together regardless of the brand. Shortcut Labs has been vocal about supporting these shifts. They’ve already moved toward making their ecosystem more open.
One thing to keep in mind: Bluetooth has its limits. While the range on the Flic 2 is significantly better than the original—reaching up to 50 meters in open air—walls are the enemy. If you live in an old house with thick plaster or brick walls, you’re going to want that Hub placed centrally.
Technical Hurdles to Consider
It isn't all sunshine and easy clicks. Since Flic relies on Bluetooth, there can occasionally be a slight lag. We’re talking milliseconds, but if you’re used to the instant "click-on" of a wired wall switch, you might notice it.
Also, the battery is a coin cell (CR2032). While they last forever, changing them requires popping the back off with a small tool. It's not hard, but it’s a thing you’ll have to do every few years.
Then there’s the "Sticky" factor. The adhesive on the back of a Flic is reusable—you can wash it with water to make it tacky again—but it can lose its grip over time if you’re constantly moving it from surface to surface. Most pros eventually just use a tiny piece of Command strip if they want a permanent mount.
How to Get Started with Flic Today
If you’re ready to stop menu-diving and start clicking, here is how you actually implement this without losing your mind.
Start small with a single button. Don't buy the 10-pack immediately. Buy one button and use it for your most annoying daily task. For most people, that’s either toggling the bedside lamp or starting a specific playlist.
Download the Flic App. Before the button even arrives, check their "Providers" list in the app. See if the services you use (like Hue, Sonos, or Google Home) are natively supported. If they aren't, check if they work with IFTTT. If a device works with IFTTT, it works with Flic.
💡 You might also like: Why You Probably Need a Schedule 1 Strain Calculator for Your Next Project
Map your triggers logically. Don't overcomplicate it.
- Single Click: The most frequent action (Light On/Off).
- Double Click: The secondary action (Change Light Color/Brightness).
- Hold: The "Off" or "Emergency" action (Turn everything in the house off).
Consider the Hub for household use. If you want your partner or kids to be able to use the buttons when you aren't home, the Hub is mandatory. It turns the Flic from a personal phone accessory into a piece of home infrastructure.
Explore the "Universal Remote" mode. You can actually set up Flic to act as a keyboard for your computer. This is incredible for presentations. You can hold the button in your hand and click to advance slides while walking around the room. It’s way more natural than hovering over a laptop.
The beauty of the Flic is that it doesn't demand your attention. It doesn't have a screen. It doesn't send you notifications. It just sits there, waiting to be useful. In an era of "attention economy" tech, there's something deeply refreshing about a device that only speaks when it's spoken to.