Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Samsung announced SmartThings Now on October 5, 2026, as part of a redesigned SmartThings Home tab. The new card-based experience puts contextual information and suggested actions at the top of Home, while the update also adds Matter 1.6 support and expands local-control capabilities. Samsung has not published a complete device-by-device compatibility list or regional rollout schedule.
What is SmartThings Now?
SmartThings Now is a card-based feature built on Home Insight. It combines information about activity in and around a connected home with actions users may want to take. Samsung describes the cards as suggestions; their appearance and usefulness can depend on the account, devices, activity and setup.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Examples of suggested cards
- Family Care: If a family member has had no device activity for an extended period, a card may prompt a caregiver to check in or call.
- Arrival suggestions: As someone approaches a home location registered in the app, SmartThings may suggest turning on lights and air purifiers.
- Routine creation: After a user takes an action, the app may prompt them to create a routine around it.
- Favorites recommendations: SmartThings can use the previous week’s activity to suggest changes to Home tab Favorites, such as removing a less-used seasonal device card or adding one used more often.
Routine Insight
Routine Insight shows routine activity from the past week and lets users review or delete routines. It is available through SmartThings Now and through Automations > Suggestions in the SmartThings app.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What changed in the SmartThings Home tab?
The redesigned Home tab places SmartThings Now at the top and reorganizes dashboards, device cards and service cards into formats Samsung says are optimized for browsing. The idea is to surface relevant information and possible actions without requiring users to search through the app for each feature.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Samsung says the updated Home tab is available across SmartThings-supported devices, including mobile devices, Samsung Smart TVs, Family Hub refrigerators, Samsung appliances with 7-inch or 9-inch screens, and Windows devices. The announcement does not provide a full model list or country-by-country rollout schedule, so support for a particular product or account should be checked as the update becomes available.
How local control works—and what it does not mean
Samsung says local control is available on Android and iOS devices with the SmartThings app installed when paired with a SmartThings Station, SmartThings V2, V3 or V4 Hub, or a hub-enabled Samsung Smart TV or Family Hub device. SmartThings switches between local control and cloud-based remote control depending on whether the phone or tablet is at home or away.
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)
- 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
This is not a claim that every SmartThings device or feature works offline. Local control depends on eligible hub or hub-enabled equipment, and device support can vary. Samsung also describes an Offline Device Diagnostics page that can update network information across registered devices to help restore devices that have gone offline.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSamsung reports that local control produced approximately 30% faster response times than cloud-based control in its own tests under controlled conditions. The company cautions that actual performance may vary by environment; the figure is Samsung-reported, not an independent benchmark.
Rank #3
- 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
What does Matter 1.6 add to SmartThings?
Samsung says this update adds support for four Matter 1.6 device categories:
- Energy meters for real-time power monitoring.
- Closures for specialized doors and gates.
- Irrigation devices such as sprinklers.
- Soil sensors for measuring ground conditions.
Samsung also characterizes the Matter 1.6 support as improving stability and Group Control performance. The announcement does not establish that every product in these categories will work with SmartThings. Check support for the exact device and hub before buying or configuring a product.
Rank #4
- 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.
What to check before relying on the update
- Confirm that your device appears within Samsung’s stated SmartThings support scope; the announcement does not name every model or region.
- For local control, check whether your setup includes a listed SmartThings hub or hub-enabled Samsung device.
- For Matter 1.6, verify support for both the desired device category and the exact product.
Samsung’s October 2026 announcement reports 470 million registered SmartThings users and more than 430 Works with SmartThings-certified brands worldwide. Those are company-reported figures, not independently verified counts.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
