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To add your first device to Samsung SmartThings, install and open the app, sign in with a Samsung account, choose the right location, then tap Devices → Add. Select the device if it appears nearby, or find it by type, brand, or search and follow its on-screen pairing steps. The exact prompts depend on the device and app version.
Before you start
- Install SmartThings from your phone’s app store and open it. Samsung’s US setup guide says you need a Samsung account to use the app on a Galaxy phone; create one if you do not already have one, then sign in. Samsung’s Galaxy-phone setup guide describes the account requirement.
- Review the app’s initial prompts and allow the permissions it requests. The labels and screens can vary by phone, region, and app version.
- Check that your exact device model is compatible with SmartThings before pairing. Samsung’s device and appliance guide directs users to check compatibility; it does not provide a complete compatibility matrix for every model.
Add your first device
- Choose its location. In SmartThings, open Devices and select the home or other location where the device belongs. If you have not set up a location, follow the app’s prompts.
- Start adding. Tap Add. Samsung Canada’s guide, updated March 6, 2026, documents this flow for Galaxy phones and iPhones. The precise app labels may differ by region or version.
- Try nearby discovery. If the device uses Bluetooth and appears in the scan results, select it. Keep the device ready for pairing and follow the prompts shown in SmartThings.
- Select it manually if it does not appear. Choose by device type for a Samsung product or by brand for another product, or search by name. Then follow the device-specific instructions in the app.
- Finish any steps on the device itself. Some Samsung appliances may ask you to press a button to enable smart features. Do only the action requested for your model; the steps are not the same for every device.
Which setup path should you use?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A Bluetooth device appears in the nearby scan | Select it, then complete the on-screen pairing steps. |
| The device is not listed nearby | Add it by device type, brand, or search, then follow its model-specific prompts. |
| You are adding a Samsung product | Choose its device type. A Samsung appliance may require an additional action on the appliance. |
| You are adding a third-party product | Choose its brand or search for it, and verify compatibility for the exact model. |
| The device or setup requires a hub | Set up the required compatible hub as directed for that product. Do not assume every SmartThings device needs a separate hub. |
When the device is a Samsung appliance
Appliance setup can include instructions that do not apply to other SmartThings devices. For example, Samsung’s Family Hub guidance describes QR scanning or nearby scanning, followed by assigning the appliance a name, location, and room. Use that flow only when it matches your appliance and what the app displays. See Samsung’s Family Hub and SmartThings compatibility guidance.
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Do you need a SmartThings hub?
Not necessarily. Whether you need a separate hub depends on the device and the setup you are building; the general device-add instructions do not establish a hub as a requirement for every first device. Check the requirements for your exact product before buying or setting up a hub. Samsung’s separate hub setup guide covers particular hub products, including the SmartThings Hub (IM6001-V3P), and was last updated August 14, 2021. Its model list and screens should not be treated as a current universal guide.
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Rank #4
Aqara Smart Hub M100 for Home Automation, Matter Controller, Wi-Fi
- Multi-Protocol Smart Hub with Matter Bridge – The M100 is a versatile smart hub compatible with Thread devices and Aqara Zigbee (** Not third-party Zigbee devices), supporting up to 20 Aqara Zigbee devices and 20 Thread devices. As a Matter Bridge, it connects Aqara Zigbee products to other smart home ecosystems, compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant, etc. Note: Use a 5V⎓0.5A power adapter (not included) and keep the product continuously powered during use.
- Advanced Matter Bridging for Seamless Smart Home Integration – The M100 enables Aqara’s unique features, such as facial recognition and complex automation, to work across Home Assistant and other Matter ecosystems. Expand your smart home with Aqara or third-party Matter devices (requires a Matter-enabled hub). Currently supports lights, thermostats, plugs, switches, buttons, and various sensors (motion, light, door/window, temperature/humidity), with more devices to be added in the future.
- Local Automation for Reliable Performance – Supports local execution of automations for Zigbee and Matter devices, ensuring smooth operation even without Wi-Fi or cloud access. Enjoy millisecond-level response times for a more stable and reliable smart home experience. (Some automation, such as cloud push notification, will still require the cloud connection to be executed.)
- Flexible Power & Small Size – Features a universal USB-A port for power and data, allowing connection to power banks, wall outlets, PCs, or routers for a simple and quick setup. The Hub M100's shaft can be adjusted within a 210-degree range, making its placement extremely flexible.
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 for Faster & Security—This product supports a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 wireless network connection, which enables more efficient connections with advanced WPA3 security. Wi-Fi 6 ensures smoother performance even in high-traffic environments, allowing multiple devices to connect without compromising speed or reliability. Note: To ensure a stable connection, place the Hub M100 between 6 to 19 feet from the router.
Rank #3
Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro Smart Home Hub - Z-Wave Zigbee Matter
- LOCAL PROCESSING FOR INSTANT RESPONSE: The Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro runs automations directly on the hub, not on remote servers, so lights, locks, thermostats, and routines keep working even when your internet goes down; this local-first architecture delivers near-instant response to every trigger without relying on remote servers to process commands; compatible with 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands, and device data stays at home for enhanced privacy
- WORKS WITH ALEXA, GOOGLE HOME, AND APPLE HOMEKIT: Connect your preferred voice assistant and start controlling your smart home from day 1; the C-8 Pro is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, so your existing ecosystem works alongside the hub without compromise; Ring camera integration adds a concrete layer of security awareness; approachable setup is supported by step-by-step documentation and an active online community ready to guide you through every stage
- MULTI-PROTOCOL SUPPORT WITH EXTENDED RANGE: A single hub covers Matter 1.5, Z-Wave 800 Series with Long Range, Zigbee 3.0, and Bluetooth, so existing devices stay compatible without extra bridges or adapters; 800 Series Z-Wave and Zigbee 3.0 deliver improved reliability and mesh stability, backed by Z-Wave Alliance membership; 2 dedicated external antennas, one for Z-Wave and one for Zigbee, extend wireless reach in larger homes and device-dense environments where signal consistency is critical
- AI-ASSISTED AUTOMATION AND ADVANCED RULE ENGINE: The AI-assisted routine builder suggests and builds automations based on your connected devices, no programming required; Rule Machine enables multi-condition logic across lighting scenes, geofenced arrivals, layered security responses, and whole-home scheduling; when your family arrives after dark, the hub can unlock the door, activate pathway lights, and adjust the thermostat, turning complex sequences into reliable hands-free routines
- NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED AND CONTINUOUS UPDATES: Full platform functionality needs no recurring subscription; every automation, integration, and advanced feature is available from setup; continuous platform updates since 2018 have expanded compatibility without requiring new hardware; an active community of tech-savvy homeowners and DIY smart home builders shares custom apps, drivers, and automation blueprints for ongoing value; compact at 3.23 x 2.95 x 0.67 in and just 0.16 lb, it fits anywhere
Rank #2
![SmartThings Hub 3rd Generation [GP-U999SJVLGDA] Smart Home Automation Hub Home Monitoring Smart Devices - Alexa Google Home Compatible - Zigbee, Z-Wave, Cloud to Cloud Protocols – White](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21hChu0ounL._SL160_.jpg)
SmartThings Hub 3rd Generation [GP-U999SJVLGDA] Smart Home Automation Hub Home Monitoring Smart Devices - Alexa Google Home Compatible - Zigbee, Z-Wave, Cloud to Cloud Protocols – White
- Monitor and control compatible devices in your home using a single smartphone app for your phone
- Automate connected devices in your home and set them to turn on or off when doors are opened, people come and go, and much more
- Works with a wide range of smartphone compatible products
#1 Best Overall
Aeotec Smart Home Hub2 - V4, Works as a SmartThings Hub, Zigbee, Matter Gateway, Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, WiFi (No Z-Wave)
- Powered by SmartThings: Connect, monitor, and automate your home through the SmartThings app. Build a reliable, unified smart home using Samsung's proven ecosystem
- Matter + Zigbee Smart Home Hub: Supports the newest Matter standard plus Zigbee for lighting, sensors, plugs, switches, thermostats, and more - thousands of compatible devices. PLEASE NOTE: Z-Wave not supported
- Easy Setup with Wi-Fi or Ethernet: Get started in minutes using Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection for apartments, houses, and expanding smart home systems - Z-Wave not supported
- Automations That Work for You: Create custom routines for security, lighting, comfort, and energy savings. Many local automations continue working even if your internet goes offline
- Wide Device Compatibility: Connect compatible smart devices from Aeotec and many other brands to build a unified system for lighting, voice control, energy management, and climate settings
If pairing does not work
- Nothing appears in the scan: Use manual selection by type, brand, or search, and confirm the exact model is compatible.
- The device was paired with another hub: Samsung says a Z-Wave device previously paired elsewhere should be excluded before adding it to a new hub. Follow the device or hub’s exclusion procedure, then try setup again.
- You are registering a TV: Samsung’s TV-specific UK troubleshooting guidance recommends staying close to the TV during registration. The same page gives Android 8.0+ and iOS 12.0+ as compatibility thresholds in that TV context; those figures should not be assumed to be the current minimum for all SmartThings use. Check the app store listing or current Samsung support for your phone’s requirements. See Samsung’s TV registration troubleshooting page.
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