Samsung’s October 2026 SmartThings update brings context-aware SmartThings Now cards to the Home tab, a redesigned interface with a bottom Floating Bar, enhanced local control for supported hub setups, and Matter 1.6 support for four more device categories. The refreshed Android and iOS apps are available, but Samsung has not announced a country-by-country rollout schedule or an app version number.
What SmartThings Now adds
SmartThings Now puts context-aware cards at the top of the Home tab. They can surface care prompts, suggest actions based on location, and recommend changes to Home Favorites using activity from the past week.
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For example, a card may prompt a user to check in on a Family Care member whose devices have shown no activity for an extended period. When the user is near home, SmartThings may suggest turning on lights and air purifiers; after the user takes that action, it can suggest saving it as a routine.
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How the Home tab and navigation have changed
Samsung has reorganized the Home tab’s dashboards and device and service cards, made service cards more compact, and added a Live Wallpaper that changes during the day. A bottom Floating Bar gives frequently used functions a more accessible position. Samsung says the design follows the latest One UI direction and is intended to make one-handed use easier on larger phones.
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- 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
When local control works—and what Samsung’s speed claim means
When a phone and a supported SmartThings Hub are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the phone can communicate directly with the hub instead of routing controls through the cloud. SmartThings switches between local control at home and cloud-based remote control when the user is away.
Samsung says controlled tests showed approximately 30% better response times with local control than with cloud-based control. That is Samsung’s test result, not an independently verified benchmark, and the company notes that actual performance can vary by environment.
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- Monitor and control compatible devices in your home using a single smartphone app for your phone
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- Works with a wide range of smartphone compatible products
Samsung lists these supported local-control options:
- SmartThings Station
- SmartThings V2, V3, and V4 Hubs
- Hub-enabled Samsung Smart TVs and Family Hub refrigerators
The phone and hub must share the same Wi-Fi network for the described direct connection. Samsung does not say that buying a hub is required to get the redesigned app or SmartThings Now.
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- 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
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Offline-device diagnostics and Matter 1.6
Update network information across devices
The updated Offline Device Diagnostics page can update network information for registered devices at once, helping users troubleshoot devices that have gone offline.
Four additional Matter device categories
Samsung says the update adds Matter 1.6 support for energy meters, specialized closures such as doors and gates, irrigation devices such as sprinklers, and soil sensors. Samsung also describes improvements to stability and Group Control performance; it does not promise that every compatible setup will achieve a particular result.
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.
Where the updated experience is available
Samsung says the updated Home tab and SmartThings Now are available on SmartThings-supported mobile devices, Samsung Smart TVs, Family Hub refrigerators, Samsung appliances with 7-inch or 9-inch screens, and Windows devices. PhoneArena reported on October 6, 2026, that the refreshed Android and iOS apps are available. Samsung’s October 7 announcement does not specify an app version or a country-by-country rollout schedule, so availability may depend on device and region.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Samsung said SmartThings had 470 million registered users and more than 430 Works with SmartThings-certified brands worldwide in its October 7, 2026 announcement. Those are Samsung’s figures, not independently audited measurements.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Samsung Newsroom India: SmartThings update announcement, October 7, 2026
- PhoneArena: report on the update, October 6, 2026
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