Factually, it was how you described. Poetically, it was making my life as a customer unnecessarily difficult to the point where the word "impossible" is a valid form of artistic expression. I didn't want to have to beg anybody to please unlock the device I paid for.

https://community.home-assistant.io/t/tp-link-offers-way-to-add-local-api-back

We are hoping for a better solution, but for now this is what you should do: Submit a ticket to technical support 27. Make sure to include the MAC address of your plug. Go to the forums and send this user 24 a message with your ticket ID and MAC address (just to be sure).

https://community.home-assistant.io/t/tp-link-offers-way-to-add-local-api-back/248333/107

Please be advised that I intentionally cherry-picked the comments that support my point, as I was just skimming the thread.