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WiFi and Bluetooth

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Video Tutorial

Bluetooth (Optional)

If you have multiple SugarPixels, you can rename each one to make it easier to identify.

  • Default names look like SugarPixel-04C7

  • Example custom names: Kitchen, Bedroom, Joseph

Name rules:

  • 4–12 characters

  • Letters and numbers only

  • No spaces or special characters

Because phones cache Bluetooth device names, the updated name may not appear immediately. If needed, restart your phone and/or SugarPixel.

WiFi Setup (2.4Ghz)

Expand the instruction section below that matches your network.

Standard Home WiFi (Most Users)

SugarPixel connects to 2.4 GHz home WiFi networks.

To connect:

  1. Select your WiFi network from the list

  2. Enter your WiFi password

When you exit the password field, SugarPixel will immediately attempt to connect.

  • If successful, SugarPixel will prompt you to Add CGM (first-time setup) or begin downloading readings.

  • If unsuccessful, SugarPixel will display “Check WiFi.” Please expand the Home WiFi Advanced/Troubleshooting section below.

Notes:

  • If your network is not listed, tap Rescan. If it is still not listed, it may be set as 5Ghz only.

  • If your network has no password, enable No WiFi Password.

Home WiFi Advanced/Troubleshooting

If SugarPixel doesn't connect to your home WiFi, start with the basics. Most connection issues are caused by simple setup problems.

First: Check the Basics

Before trying advanced steps:

  • Reboot your WiFi router

  • Wait 5 minutes

  • Restart SugarPixel

Then double-check your WiFi details in the app:

  • Passwords are case-sensitive

  • Make sure there are no extra spaces at the beginning or end

  • Check for auto-capitalization of the first character

  • Watch for common look-alikes:

    O (oh) vs 0 (zero), l (el) vs 1 (one)

If SugarPixel still shows “Check WiFi”, continue below.

Guest Network Setup (Recommended Solution)

If the basics are correct, the issue is usually a router compatibility conflict. This is common with:

  • Dual-band (2.4 / 5 GHz combined) networks

  • Mesh routers

  • WiFi extenders

  • Router firmware updates (even if SugarPixel worked previously)

The simplest and most reliable solution is to use your router’s Guest Network.

How to Set Up a Guest Network

  1. Log in to your WiFi router’s settings

    (usually via a mobile app or a web address printed on the router)

  2. Find Guest Network under WiFi settings and enable it

  3. If available, set the Guest Network to 2.4 GHz only

  4. Give it a unique name and password

    • Avoid spaces and special characters

  5. In the SugarPixel app, select this new WiFi network and connect

For most users with mesh or extender setups, this resolves the issue immediately.

University

University networks often use special authentication methods. Most students connect using device registration, not a standard WiFi password.

If you’re still unable to connect after following the steps below, contact us with the name of your school.

Option 1: Device Registration (Most Common)

Most universities allow devices like smart TVs or gaming systems to connect by registering the device.

To find your school’s instructions, search google for:
​“<school name> register device WiFi”

Once you find the registration page, follow these steps:

  1. In the SugarPixel app, open WiFi & Bluetooth and write down the MAC address shown at the bottom of the screen.

  2. Register SugarPixel on the university website using that MAC address.

    (Some schools now provide a personal WiFi password instead of using MAC addresses.)

  3. In the SugarPixel app, enter the WiFi network name provided by the university.

    • If it’s not listed, toggle Type Name and enter it manually.

  4. If a password is provided, enter it.

    • If no password is required, enable No WiFi Password.

  5. Continue with the rest of the SugarPixel setup.

Option 2: Standard WiFi Password (Less Common)

Some universities offer a traditional WiFi network that uses only a password.

If available, SugarPixel can connect as long as:

  • The network supports 2.4 GHz WiFi

  • No web login page is required

Option 3: Contact University IT

If you’re unsure which option applies, contact your university’s IT department.

They may:

  • Assist with device registration

  • Allow a small personal router in your room

  • Provide an alternate network for medical or accessibility devices

If needed, ask them to contact us at [email protected].

Option 4: Mobile Hotspot (Fallback)

If none of the above options work, a mobile hotspot can be used.

See the Mobile Hotspot section below for setup details and considerations.

School/Work

If SugarPixel will be used at a school or workplace, setup usually requires assistance from the IT department. Before attempting setup yourself, provide IT with the information below.

If they have questions or need assistance, ask them to contact us at:

[email protected]

Network Requirements

  • 2.4 GHz WiFi only

  • WPA2 (password-based) WiFi supported

  • Enterprise WiFi (username/password) is not supported

  • Captive portals are not supported

  • SugarPixel does not need to be on the same WiFi as the phone running the CGM app

Firewall / Network Access Requirements

  • All connections use HTTPS, except time synchronization

  • NTP uses port 123
    ​

CGM Data Endpoints

(Only the CGM in use needs to be allowed)

  • Dexcom: *.dexcom.com

  • Libre: *.libreview.io

  • Gluroo: *.gluroo.com

  • Nightscout: patient-specific

    • The Nightscout URL may need to be provided to IT

Time Synchronization

  • *.ntp.org

    • Used to determine the closest time servers

    • Additional returned NTP servers must also be reachable

    • A custom time server can be used if required. See expandable instructions below.

SugarPixel Software Updates

  • cdn.shopify.com

Important Notes for IT

  • This list may change as features are added or modified.

  • Whitelisting by SugarPixel MAC address is the most reliable long-term solution.

  • The MAC address is shown in the WiFi settings screen of the SugarPixel app.

Mobile Hotspot/Public WiFi

Public WiFi networks often require a popup screen to accept terms, enter an email, or log in. SugarPixel cannot connect directly to these networks because it does not have a screen to complete that step.

To use SugarPixel on public WiFi (hotels, cafes, travel, etc.), you must connect it through a mobile hotspot.

💡 Tip: If you set your hotspot name and password the same as your home WiFi, SugarPixel will connect automatically when the hotspot is enabled—no reconfiguration needed. Be sure to enable Compatibility Mode (2.4 GHz).

Hotspot Requirements

  • Hotspot name must contain only letters and numbers (no spaces or special characters)

    • iPhone: Settings → General → About → Name

    • Android: usually found in hotspot settings

  • Hotspot password must also avoid spaces and special characters

  • Enable Compatibility Mode (or similar) so the hotspot uses 2.4 GHz WiFi

    (This is unrelated to 5G cellular service.)

Connect SugarPixel to Your Hotspot

If you have a second phone or tablet (Recommended)

Most phones disable hotspots while actively using Bluetooth.

  1. Enable the hotspot on your phone

  2. Restart SugarPixel by unplugging power

  3. Open the SugarPixel app on a second device and connect

  4. Select the hotspot WiFi name and enter the password

  5. SugarPixel should connect immediately

If you only have one phone

  1. Open the SugarPixel app and connect to SugarPixel

  2. Toggle WiFi to Type Name

  3. Manually enter the hotspot name and password (case-sensitive)

  4. Tap Disconnect in the app and unplug SugarPixel

  5. Enable the hotspot on your phone

  6. Plug in SugarPixel

Custom Time Server (Advanced)

SugarPixel must synchronize its internal clock to ensure CGM readings are downloaded with the correct timestamps.

By default, SugarPixel uses public NTP servers. See School / Work IT Firewall Requirements above for details on the default configuration. If your network requires an internal or alternate time server, you can configure one using the steps below.

What You’ll Need

  • A micro SD card (16 GB or smaller)

Setup

  1. Create a text file on the SD card named config.txt

  2. Add one line to the file: ntpserver=YourServer

    1. Replace YourServer with an IP address, fully qualified domain name, or hostname.local

  3. With SugarPixel unplugged, insert the SD card fully into the slot on the back of the device

  4. Plug in power to start SugarPixel

Notes

  • If the custom time server is unavailable, SugarPixel will automatically fall back to the default public time servers.

  • To revert to the default configuration, reboot SugarPixel without the SD card inserted.

Next: CGM Connection

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