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What Is the Samsung SmartThings App? Setup, Features, and Compatibility

Samsung SmartThings controls and automates compatible smart devices. Learn how to set it up, add products, use Routines, and check whether a hub is required.

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Samsung SmartThings is an app for controlling compatible smart devices and appliances, organizing them by room, and automating actions with Routines. You need a Samsung account to use it. Compatibility depends on the exact device model and your country, and some devices require a hub while others do not.

What does the SmartThings app do?

SmartThings brings compatible connected products into one app. Samsung says it can connect and control devices such as TVs, refrigerators, sensors, and light bulbs. You can arrange devices into rooms, keep frequent controls in Favorites, review activity history, manage notifications, and share access with household members. The app also surfaces services such as SmartThings Find and SmartThings Monitor. Samsung’s setup guide describes these features.

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Think of SmartThings as a control and automation layer, not a guarantee that every smart product will connect. A product’s exact model and regional support matter.

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How do you set up SmartThings and add a device?

  1. Install and open the app. Sign in with a Samsung account; Samsung requires one to access SmartThings.
  2. Allow requested permissions. The app may ask for permissions as part of setup.
  3. Open the Devices tab and choose the add-device option. You can search by product name or model, select a supported brand, scan a QR code, or scan for nearby devices that are in pairing mode.
  4. Follow the app’s pairing prompts. Keep the device in pairing mode while the app searches for it.

Samsung’s compatibility and pairing instructions say that if a device does not appear in search, it is not compatible through that process. Check the model in the app or Samsung’s catalog for your country before purchasing or troubleshooting further.

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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

Do you need a SmartThings hub?

No—not for every setup. A SmartThings Hub can expand the kinds of devices you can connect and control, but Samsung’s compatibility listings indicate that hub requirements differ by product. Check the exact product record before buying: confirm both that the model is compatible in your country and whether it requires a hub. Samsung’s US device-support page and UK compatibility catalog provide regional checks.

What can SmartThings Routines automate?

Routines let you set devices to act automatically at a specified time. Samsung gives examples such as turning on bedroom lights in the morning and receiving alerts when severe weather is detected. The available actions depend on the compatible devices and services in your setup; the feature does not establish guaranteed energy savings or universal compatibility across platforms. See Samsung’s SmartThings setup guide for its routine examples.

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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

Which devices can you use with SmartThings?

Samsung lists hubs, smart lighting, sensors, and smart plugs among relevant connected-device categories. Its SmartThings page also describes Matter and Works with SmartThings badges. These categories are starting points, not proof that every product in a category—or every model from a given brand—will work.

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  • Search for the exact model, rather than relying only on a brand name or product category.
  • Use the compatibility catalog for your country; Samsung says supported products and brands can vary by country and change over time.
  • Check whether the listing says a hub is required.
  • For products already in your home, try adding them through the app’s device search before buying additional hardware.

Samsung’s SmartThings overview lists device categories and badge information, while its UK catalog explains regional compatibility and certification.

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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
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What to check before relying on the app

App screens, operating-system requirements, device support, and regional availability can change. Check Samsung’s current support page and the exact model listing for your country when setting up a device or planning a purchase. A compatible Samsung phone is not the only consideration: the individual product’s compatibility and any hub requirement determine whether it can be added to your SmartThings setup.

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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.

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.

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