How to connect IKEA TRÅDFRI smart controls to a Philips Hue bridge?

Just paid for premium and I’m giving up for the night after at least 15 attempts, following the video exactly. Like others, I don’t think the remote is pairing with the Hue bridge at all, then the bulb pairs with the remote and disappears from the Hue bridge and app. Wife is ready to ban all home automation at this point.

Can we get some confirmation that this process using Essentials still works? If not, I’d like a refund please. I already have the Hue app plus a different 3rd party app whose Touchlink doesn’t work; I don’t need yet another one.