Setup and Wi-Fi

Does SkyBuds work with 5 GHz Wi-Fi or a phone hotspot?

By Frederik Feldt, founder of SkyBuds. Updated October 30, 2026.

The short answer: almost always, though not over 5 GHz itself. SkyBuds connect on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and almost every home router that broadcasts 5 GHz also broadcasts 2.4 GHz, so SkyBuds work on nearly all home networks. Away from home, or if your network will not connect, a phone hotspot works too.

This page explains what that means in practice: why a SkyBud needs Wi-Fi at all, which network to pick in the app, and when a phone hotspot is the easier choice.

A boy at a kitchen table holding Ash, the orange SkyBuds talking dragon plush, while his dad smiles at him — Ash at home. A SkyBud talks over Wi-Fi and has no screen.

Why a SkyBud needs Wi-Fi

A SkyBud needs Wi-Fi to talk. The AI your child talks to is SkyBuds’ own model, running on our own servers, so the toy needs a connection to hold a conversation. Without Wi-Fi it is still a soft plush to cuddle.

5 GHz and 2.4 GHz: what to pick

Many parents see “5 GHz” on their router and worry the toy will not work. In almost every home it will, because the same router almost always broadcasts 2.4 GHz too, and 2.4 GHz is what a SkyBud connects on.

Your router has a separate 5 GHz network. Pick its 2.4 GHz network in the app, not the 5 GHz one.
Your network does not appear in the list. In the app, choose Type a network name instead, or use a phone hotspot.
It still will not connect. Try a phone hotspot, or contact us (below) and a person will help.

Does SkyBuds work on a phone hotspot?

Yes. SkyBuds also work on a phone hotspot. That is useful when your home network will not connect, or when the SkyBud travels: to a grandparent’s house, a friend’s home or a trip. Turn on your phone’s hotspot, then choose it as the Wi-Fi network during setup in the app, the same way you would choose a home network. A SkyBud needs Wi-Fi to talk, so keep the hotspot on while your child plays.

Setting up Wi-Fi takes about 2 minutes

Have your Wi-Fi network name and password ready, and keep your SkyBud nearby.
Open the free SkyBuds parent app and sign in, or follow the on-screen steps to create your parent account.
Follow the pairing prompts. Keep your SkyBud nearby and in pairing mode, then select it when it appears.
Choose your Wi-Fi network (the 2.4 GHz one, or your hotspot), enter its password and tap Pair. Wait for the app to confirm the connection, then tap Continue.

The full steps are in Set up your SkyBud. If it still will not connect, email hello@getskybuds.com or call (978) 541-3603, every day, 8am to 8pm ET, and a person will help.

Which SkyBud?

All three SkyBuds connect the same way: Ash the dragon, Pearl the unicorn and Sprout the bear. Each one is $139, and talking and stories stay free for life, with no subscription needed.

In short.