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Link sets up an Alfen charger from the flyer that came in its box. The phone finds the charger on the home Wi-Fi, or connects to its setup hotspot, signs in to it over Alfen’s own HTTPS, and points it at Plugchoice. Link reads the Chargepoint ID from the charger itself and checks it against the flyer.

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Adding a charger

1

The flyer

The flyer has a QR code next to the charger’s ID, its default password and its password recovery code. Your user scans the QR code, or types the details.
2

Finding the charger

Link looks for the charger on the Wi-Fi network the phone is on. When it isn’t there, your user restarts the charger with its breaker, and the phone joins the setup network the charger opens for 15 minutes after it starts.
3

The setup

Link signs in to the charger with the flyer’s password and adds it to Plugchoice. It reads the charger’s settings, cards and charging history, checks how the charger reaches the internet, points it at Plugchoice, and restarts it.
4

Electrical setup

Once the charger is online, Link asks about its electrical setup and applies it.
What to know:
  • Cards, history and the current operator come along. Plugchoice imports the charger’s cards and charging history. When the charger used another OCPP backoffice, Plugchoice keeps it connected alongside.
  • A changed password. When the charger doesn’t accept the flyer’s password, Link offers to reset it with the recovery code. A password an installer set then stops working.
  • One app at a time. The charger allows one connection. If Eve Connect or ACE Service Installer is connected, your user closes it and tries again.
  • Another charger’s flyer. When the charger it reaches isn’t the one on the flyer, Link stops and asks for the right flyer.

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What your app needs

  • iOS: _alfen._tcp in NSBonjourServices, and NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription. iOS only looks for the service types your app declares; without _alfen._tcp, Link can’t find the charger on the home network. If your user denies Local Network access, Link asks them to allow it in Settings. Joining the setup hotspot uses the Hotspot Configuration entitlement, and on iOS 18 and later AccessorySetupKit when you declare it. See iOS.
  • Android: nothing to add. See Android.
  • React Native: the config plugin declares _alfen._tcp for you. See React Native.
In a browser, Link can’t reach the charger, so it offers only setting the charger up by hand.