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How to use an Ecovacs Deebot: setup, programs and schedules

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In short

Place the station against a wall with clear space in front, fill the clean-water tank, switch the robot on and let it charge. Add it in the Ecovacs Home app over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, run a mapping pass, then pick rooms, suction and water levels. To program it, open Scheduled Cleaning in the app and set days, times and rooms. You can also start a clean with the button on the robot.

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Ecovacs Deebot robots range from simple N series models with a basic base to T and X series robots with full Omni stations. They all run through the same Ecovacs Home app, so once you know the basics, setting up any Deebot is similar. This guide walks through first setup, the cleaning modes you will see, programming schedules and voice control, and how to start a clean without your phone. Menu names can change between app versions, so treat them as a guide and check your manual.

Placing the station and first charge

Choose a spot on hard, level floor against a wall, near a socket, with clear space in front and to each side; your manual gives exact distances, often around half a metre either side and more in front. Avoid direct sunlight and the top of stairs. Omni stations are heavy and tall, so check the height under worktops or shelves first.

Remove all packing foam and tape, including any protective film on the bumper and sensors. Fit the side brushes and mop pads or roller, fill the clean-water tank with cold tap water, and fit the dust bag if your station uses one. Switch the robot on with the power switch, usually under the top cover, and place it on the station to charge fully before the first run.

Clean-water tankDirty-water tankDust bag, about 3 LDetergent cartridgeHot-air drying ductMop washing trayCharging contactsLayouts differ by maker. Tank sizes are typical values.
Inside an all-in-one dock: it empties the bin, washes and dries the mops and charges the robot.

Connecting to the Ecovacs Home app

If pairing fails, our Wi-Fi fixes cover the usual causes, such as combined 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.

  1. 1

    Install the Ecovacs Home app and create an account or sign in.

  2. 2

    Make sure your phone is on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; most Deebot listings say 5 GHz is not supported.

  3. 3

    Tap add robot and choose your model, or scan the QR code under the robot's cover.

  4. 4

    Follow the prompts to put the robot into pairing mode, usually by holding a button until it speaks or the light flashes.

  5. 5

    Enter your Wi-Fi password and wait for the robot to connect and update its firmware.

The first mapping run

Open doors, pick up cables, socks and toys, and tuck in chair legs. Then start a full clean or the quick mapping option if your model offers one; Ecovacs lists fast laser mapping on many models, such as the N20e Plus's 8-minute TrueMapping. Once the map appears, check that rooms are split correctly and rename them.

Next, set no-go and no-mop zones for cable areas and rugs. Our guide to no-go zones and virtual walls explains which to use where.

Cleaning modes and settings

Deebot apps usually offer vacuum only, mop only, vacuum and mop together, and on many Omni models a vacuum-then-mop option. You can clean the whole home, selected rooms or a drawn area. For each room you can normally set suction level, water flow, the number of passes and, on some models, a deep or quick mode.

Carpet settings matter on mopping models. Turn on carpet detection and suction boost, and check what the robot does with mops on carpet: avoid, lift or, on roller models such as the T80S, lift up to 1.5 cm. Many models also offer an automatic mode that picks settings by room type. Start simple and adjust after a few runs.

SettingWhat it changesStarting point
SuctionFan powerStandard; boost on carpet
Water flowHow wet the mop isLow on wood and laminate
PassesOne or two passesOne, two for kitchens
Cleaning sequenceVacuum and mop orderVacuum then mop if offered
Do Not DisturbQuiet hours for cleaning and emptyingOvernight
Typical Deebot app settings

Programming schedules and voice control

To program a Deebot, open the robot in the app and find Scheduled Cleaning or a similar menu. Add a schedule, pick the days and time, choose all rooms or specific ones, and set the mode. Many people run a quick vacuum on weekdays and a vacuum and mop at the weekend. Make sure the robot's time zone matches the UK in the app settings.

Deebots work with Alexa and Google Assistant through their skills, and newer models such as the X12 OmniCyclone also list Ecovacs' own YIKO voice assistant. See using a robot vacuum with Alexa or Google Home.

Starting a Deebot without the app

Most Deebots have a button on top of the robot. A short press usually starts an automatic clean and another press pauses it; some models also have buttons on the station. Holding the button often sends the robot back to charge. The exact behaviour varies by model, so check the quick start guide.

Without the app you lose maps, zones and schedules, but the robot will still clean. If the robot stops responding, our Deebot troubleshooting guide and reset guide can help.

Frequently asked questions

How do I program my Ecovacs Deebot to clean at a set time? Use Scheduled Cleaning in the Ecovacs Home app. Choose days, time, rooms and mode, then save.

Can I use a Deebot with 5 GHz Wi-Fi? Most listings say 2.4 GHz only. Give the 2.4 GHz band its own name on your router if pairing fails.

What cleaning solution can I use? Use Ecovacs' own solution or plain water. Other products can foam or damage the pumps.

Which Deebot should I buy? See our Deebot models compared and the Deebot series explainer.

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