For adopting a new UniFi Switch into the UniFi Controller, we would recommend using our Device Discovery Tool, however there are times when using SSH is required.

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How to adopt a UniFi Switch via SSH

First of all, make sure the device is in a factory default state. For information on how to do this, see our guide here.

NOTE: Some UniFi Switch models do not support SSH, such as the USW Flex Mini, Flex PoE and the USW-Ultra switches. For these devices, we would recommend using our Device Discovery Tool.

Next, SSH into the device. This can be via the Terminal application on macOS or via PuTTY on Windows. For more detailed information about how to SSH into a UniFi AP, see our guide here.

Once logged into the UniFi Switch, run the set-inform command. Replacing YOURURL with your HostiFi server URL, which can be found in your account, at app.hostifi.com. The format will be mxxxxxx.hostifi.com.

set-inform http://YOURURL:8080/inform

Next, the UniFi Switch should show up in your UniFi Controller where you can adopt it. If required, it might automatically upgrade its firmware, so make sure not to remove power to it until it has completed this process.

Troubleshooting

If the UniFi Switch hasn't showed up in the UniFi Controller, make sure to check the following:

• Check that you have entered http:// and not https://
• Check that port :8080 has been used and not :8443
• Check all sites on the controller
• The UniFi Switch might need a firmware upgrade, as it might be too old. See our guide here for more information on how to do this.