Frequently asked questions

• How does this Wi-Fi model differ from the M5 Matter version?

  The hardware is the same — keys, 10 A relay, 86×86 format. The Matter version (M5-1C-86W, white) charges extra for direct onboarding into Apple Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant. A household running on eWeLink gets identical scenes and schedules from this Wi-Fi model.
• What wiring does the back box need — will it run without a neutral?

  No — the N terminal powers the electronics, so a neutral is mandatory; in older buildings an electrician jumpers it over from the junction box. Besides line and load wires, Sonoff requires a 10 A MCB or RCBO ahead of the switch.
• What does '86 type' mean — do I need the Switch Frame?

  86 type is the square 86×86 mm format that fits the common round back boxes used across Moldova; it needs no extra frame. The separately sold Switch Frame belongs only to the narrower 80 type (86×71 mm); the 120 type is the elongated US format.
• Can I switch the same light from two spots, like both ends of a hallway?

  Yes, with no extra wiring: the M5 has a built-in eWeLink-Remote gateway, so an R5 remote or S-MATE button binds straight to the switch and acts as a second control point over a local 2.4 GHz link.
• Which voice assistants does it work with?

  Sonoff officially lists Alexa, Google Home, Yandex Alice and Siri Shortcuts, all linked through your eWeLink account in the assistant's own app.
• Will it show up in Apple Home?

  Not directly — without Matter the Home app cannot see it. Sonoff documents a workaround via the eWeLink CUBE software Matter bridge, and basic commands work through Siri Shortcuts. If Apple Home is the priority, the M5-86W Matter version is the straightforward choice.
• How dark is the gray, and what does it pair with?

  Dim Gray is a matte graphite — the same shade as the NSPanel, so the two read as one set on a wall. Against white paint it is a deliberate accent; next to black sockets and handles it simply disappears into the palette. The Wi-Fi series ships only in this colour; white is reserved for the Matter version.
• What can it automate on its own, with no sensors or hubs?

  From eWeLink alone: weekday schedules, countdown timers, a cyclic loop timer and inching — automatic switch-off after a set interval, handy for a pantry light or an extractor fan. LAN mode keeps on/off commands flowing over the local network when the internet drops.