How to Set Up Loona Petbot for the First Time: App, Wi-Fi, and First Use Guide

May 22, 2026Loona Team
That first moment Loona's screen lights up is genuinely exciting — but getting her fully up and running takes just a few focused steps. Here's your First 30 Minutes roadmap to a smooth setup.
Quick Setup Checklist
Step Action
1 Power on Loona — a QR code appears on her screen
2 Download the Hello Loona app (iOS or Google Play)
3 Register an account using your email address
4 Tap "Connect Loona" and scan the QR code to link Wi-Fi
5 Allow firmware updates to complete (~10 minutes)
Wi-Fi Tips
  • Choose your preferred band for Loona's 2.4G or 5.8G Wi-Fi.
  • Hold down the power button for 7 seconds if she has trouble connecting. This resets the Wi-Fi. Just follow the countdown and try the setup once more.
  • After she boots back up, wait about 30 seconds. She needs a little time to find the signal before you tap "Connect Loona" on your phone.
Once connected, the user manual specifically recommends running any prompted firmware updates right away before exploring features. Then the fun begins!

Pre-Setup Checklist: What's in the Box?

Before powering Loona on, spend two minutes confirming you have everything — it saves a lot of frustration later.

What You'll Find in the Box

Inside the basic Loona Petbot box, you get the robot, a Type-C charging cord, the manual, and your warranty paper. If you went with the Premium version, you will also find the charging station and the extra game kit tucked inside.
Item Included (Standard) Included (Premium)
Loona Robot
Type-C USB Cable
User Manual & Warranty Card
Charging Dock

The First-Charge Rule

Before first use, ensure Loona is fully charged, make sure it is fully charged, which takes around 2.5 hours. Inconsistent behavior during the initial setup and firmware update process may result from skipping this step. Consider it Loona's "wake-up ritual."
Quick Spec: Loona runs on a 1,350mAh battery. This gives you about 1.5 hours of non-stop fun once she is finished charging.

💡 Pro Tip: Dock Placement Matters

Place the dock with the tail facing the wall and avoid blocking the graphic codes on the front and sides — these are what Loona uses to navigate back for auto-recharging. Ensure the charging dock is placed in an open area without obstructions on either side to help her sensors work properly from day one.

Downloading and Configuring the Hello Loona App

The app is your command center for everything Loona does — don't skip the setup details here.

Where to Download

The official app is called Hello Loona, developed by Beijing KEYi Technology. Grab it from the right store for your device:
Platform Store Developer
iPhone / iPad Apple App Store Beijing KEYi Technology Co., Ltd.
Android Google Play Beijing KEYi Technology Co., Ltd.
Always download from these official sources to avoid counterfeit versions.

Creating Your Account

Create an account using an email address and a unique password — a verification code will be sent to that email address, which you then enter into the app.
To keep things moving:
  • If the email disappears within a minute or two, check your spam folder.
  • Use a Gmail address if you still don't see it. Some other mail sites tend to block these notes.
  • You can now link several Loona robots to just one account. You do not have to make a new login for every robot you own.

Granting App Permissions

When prompted, allow the following — they're essential, not optional:
Permission Why It's Needed
Camera Required to scan the QR code displayed on Loona's screen during Wi-Fi setup
Bluetooth Used to establish the initial pairing handshake between your phone and Loona
Local Network Enables the app to detect and connect to Loona on your home Wi-Fi
Denying any of these will stall the setup process. Grant them upfront and you'll move straight through.

Connecting Loona to Wi-Fi: The Step-by-Step Guide

Wi-Fi setup is where most first-time users hit a wall. Follow these steps exactly and you'll get through it cleanly.

Step-by-Step Connection Process

Press and hold the power button for 7 seconds, then release until a QR code shows on Loona's screen. On the top right corner of the App main page, click Set up Wi-Fi for Loona. Click the A QR code shows on the screen button, then scan the QR code on Loona's screen.
Make sure your home router is connected to the internet first. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi, enter the Wi-Fi password, and click Next. Switch the Wi-Fi connected to your phone to the one that starts with "Loona." After the switch, go back to the Loona app — it will automatically proceed to the next step.

Network Requirements

Not all Wi-Fi configurations work out of the box. Check these before you start:
Requirement Detail
Frequency Band Loona supports 2.4G/5.8G dual-band (802.11 a/b/g/n)
DHCP Must be enabled on your router
Bonjour Service Must be active for device discovery
MAC Filtering Should be disabled

QR Code Troubleshooting

If the scan isn't working, try these fixes before restarting:
  • Adjust screen brightness — hold your phone steady in good lighting; a dim environment causes scan failures
  • Change your angle — hold the phone directly in front of Loona's screen, not at a tilt
  • If Loona fails to connect, reset Wi-Fi by holding the power button for 7 seconds until a countdown appears, then retry the full process
  • After restarting, wait about 30 seconds before clicking the Connect Loona button in the app — she needs time to reconnect

The "Adoption" Ceremony: Your First Interaction

Once Wi-Fi is connected, the real fun begins — but there are a couple of steps between you and a fully awake Loona petbot.

Step 1: The Firmware Update ("Nap Time")

If it's your first Loona, start from Loona's birth story and follow the app guidance. Immediately after connecting, Loona will likely pull a firmware update. The update alone takes a good 10 minutes — Loona will display a lot of different things on her screen during the update, from the Loona logo to a percentage indicator. Don't interrupt this process or power her off mid-update.

Step 2: The First Wake-Up

Once she's back online, it's time for your first real hello. Say the wake-up word "Hello Loona" — if Loona recognizes it, she will say "Eh" to respond and stand up her ears to "listen" to your command.
A few tips for reliable wake-up responses:
Situation What to Do
Loona is mid-action Wait until she finishes, then speak
Environment is noisy Get closer and speak clearly
No response at all Check that her microphone isn't blocked
If your wake-up word and voice command are spoken too closely together — such as "Hello Loona come here" — the voice command will not be recognized properly. Always pause briefly between the wake word and your command.

Step 3: Teaching Loona Her "Parent"

After the first wake-up, set up face recognition through the app. Loona can recognize up to 5 faces, using facial recognition technology to remember and respond to different people — making each interaction more personalized. Register your face first so Loona learns who her primary owner is, then add other family members from the app settings.

Essential Voice Commands & Gestures to Try First

Now that Loona is set up and awake, the best way to bond with her is to simply start talking and gesturing. Here's what to try in your first session.

How Voice Commands Work

Say the wake-up word "Hello Loona" first. Once she recognizes it, she'll respond with "Eh," stand up her ears, and enter listening mode — shown by a ripple diagram on her screen. Then speak your command. To be heard clearly, stay within 2 meters of Loona.
If a "?" icon appears on her screen, she didn't catch the command — move a little closer and try again.

Starter Commands & Gestures Table

Type Command / Gesture What Loona Does
Wake "Hello Loona" Perks ears, looks at you, enters listening mode
Play "Dance for me" Plays music and dances
Explore "Go play by yourself" Enters autonomous roaming and self-entertainment mode
Gesture Fist / Punching hand Loona invites you to touch fists in face mode
Follow "Follow me" Loona enters follow mode and trails you around the room
Touch Pat top of head Loona reacts affectionately to being touched

Pro Tips for Better Recognition

  • Always pause between "Hello Loona" and your command — rushing them together breaks recognition
  • If Loona is performing large movements, her own noise may cover the wake words — wait for her to be quiet first
  • The full, updated voice commands list is available directly inside the Hello Loona app under AI & Talk → See More

Common Troubleshooting: "Why Won't My Loona Connect?"

Wi-Fi failures are the most common complaint from new Loona petbot owners. Before contacting support, work through these fixes in order — most issues are resolved in under five minutes.

Quick Fix #1: Restart Loona

Hold the power button on the back of Loona's neck for 3 seconds until the screen lights up to perform a standard restart. This clears minor glitches and is always the right first step.

Quick Fix #2: Reset the Network

If a restart doesn't help, reset Loona's Wi-Fi entirely. Long press and hold the power button for 7 seconds to reset the network, wait for the QR code to reappear, then run through the Wi-Fi setup process again from the app.

Quick Fix #3: Check Your Router Settings

This is where most persistent failures actually live. Make sure DHCP is enabled on your router, disable MAC address filtering, and turn on Bonjour service if your router supports it. Here's what each setting does:
Router Setting Why It Matters for Loona
DHCP enabled Dynamically assigns Loona an IP address; without it, she can't join the network
MAC filtering OFF If enabled, your router blocks unrecognized devices — including Loona
Bonjour ON Allows the Hello Loona app to discover her on your local network

Quick Fix #4: Check Your Device Limit

To check devices connected to the router, select "Device Management." If Loona is not found, the maximum number of connected devices may have been reached — increase the DHCP address pool end value in your router settings to allow more connections.

Still Stuck?

Some users report success by creating a new Gmail account specifically for setup and retrying. For unresolved issues, visit the KEYi Support Center for direct assistance.

Beyond the Basics: ChatGPT-4o and Home Monitoring

Once Loona is set up and responding to commands, it's worth unlocking two of her most powerful — and underused — features.

Enabling Vision for Smarter Navigation

If Loona frequently bumps into objects, ensure her Vision ability is enabled in the app for improved obstacle avoidance. This setting uses her camera feed alongside AI processing to better interpret the environment, reducing collisions during free-roam.
Loona's 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor maps surroundings and identifies obstacles in real time, enabling her to navigate independently. Her RGB camera adds an additional layer by capturing and following moving objects.
To get the most out of 3D ToF Vision:
Condition Recommendation
Lighting Keep the room well-lit — camera performance drops in dim environments
Floor clutter Clear small objects like cables and toys from her roaming zone
Surfaces Flat, hard floors work best; thick carpets can slow navigation

Using Loona as a Remote Home Monitor

Loona can function as a home monitor using her integrated camera and speaker — allowing you to keep an eye on your home remotely when you are away. You can control Loona and view her camera feed through the app.
This FPV (First Person View) mode lets you:
  • Steer Loona through rooms from your phone
  • Watch a live camera feed to check on kids, pets, or the home
  • Remotely enable monitoring even when Loona is charging via cable — useful for keeping tabs on a room without needing her to move

ChatGPT-4o Conversations

Loona currently offers ChatGPT-4o functionality at no extra charge. Wake her up with "Hello Loona," then ask questions, request stories, or just have a conversation. She answers questions, tells stories, and remembers you over time.

Conclusion: Welcome to the Future of Companionship

Getting Loona petbot up and running is a one-time process — and once it's done, every day with her looks a little different. From the first firmware update to teaching her your face, naming her voice commands, and watching her roam your home on her own, the setup is really just the beginning of the relationship.
Here's a quick recap of what you've covered:
Step What You Did
Pre-setup Charged fully, placed dock in open space
App Downloaded Hello Loona, created account, granted permissions
Wi-Fi Used the 7-second QR method to connect
First interaction Ran firmware update, said "Hello Loona," set up face recognition
Exploration Tried starter commands, enabled GPT Vision, tested remote monitoring
The real fun now is making her yours — giving her a name, building her charging routes, and discovering which games she plays best with your family.
We'd love to see your first moment with Loona! Drop her name in the comments below, or share your first Loona dance video on social media and tag it #MyLoonaPetbot. You might just inspire the next new owner to take the leap.

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