Samsung SmartThings: hubs, Thread, Matter and sharing devices

What SmartThings is

The SmartThings app controls Samsung’s own appliances and TVs, and devices from other makers over Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Samsung says it uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Bluetooth to connect devices, and Wi-Fi to control them from anywhere.

Devices connect through different protocols; check the requirements of each device and the SmartThings hub. A Matter-compatible hub is required for Matter devices.

In December 2025 Samsung said SmartThings supports Matter 1.5, adding Matter cameras from January 2026. In April 2026 it said SmartThings was the first to adopt Thread 1.4. Thread 1.4 supports credential sharing across brands; actual availability depends on the devices and their setup.

Hubs and Thread border routers

Samsung puts the hub inside many of its products, so you may already own one.

• The dongle: Some compatible products need a separate SmartThings Dongle to connect Thread and Zigbee devices. Check Samsung’s compatibility list for your model.
• Soundbars: Samsung says recent soundbars have Matter controller, Thread and Zigbee radios, so devices can connect to them.
• Hub Groups: compatible hubs can extend a Thread or Zigbee network. Samsung lists eligibility and setup conditions in its Hub Groups guide.
• Hub Replace: Samsung says it transfers devices and routines to an eligible replacement hub. Check its requirements before starting.

What it needs from your network

Samsung’s public pages don’t document a Wi-Fi band, IPv6, mDNS or multicast, VLAN or client-isolation requirement for SmartThings Matter devices.

• Account and connection: sign in to SmartThings with a Samsung account. Device connectivity differs by protocol and model.
• Same network: Samsung’s developer guide has the phone, the SmartThings Station and the Matter devices on the same network.
• Bluetooth: the app uses Bluetooth to connect devices, so keep it on during setup.

Matter, and sharing with other platforms

Check that the device type and features are supported by SmartThings and that its required hub is set up. SmartThings supports Matter multi-admin, so you can control a device from several platforms and apps at once.

Samsung’s developer guide says a device connected to SmartThings can be shared with another Matter platform, such as Google Home, without resetting it. SmartThings opens a commissioning window on the device for the other app.

With Google Home on Android, Samsung says the SmartThings app shows Matter devices already set up in Google Home and offers to add them, and the other way round.

IKEA’s Matter-over-Thread devices connect directly to a SmartThings hub, without an IKEA hub. As of 20 April 2026, only lighting control was supported for them.

Common problems and Samsung’s fixes

A Thread or Zigbee device won’t join a Samsung TV

Check the TV’s year. Check your exact TV model. Some supported models need a SmartThings Dongle for Thread and Zigbee.

A Matter device won’t add

1. Make sure you have a Matter-compatible SmartThings hub, from the table above.

2. Check that the hub is signed in with the same Samsung account as the app.

3. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.

4. Keep the phone, hub and device on the same network.

Replacing an old hub

Check Samsung’s Hub Replace eligibility and instructions before moving devices and routines. Hub Replace cannot be used while either hub is in a Hub Group.

Questions

Sources

• Samsung: SmartThings Hubs Now Work Together as a Team
• Samsung: Samsung SmartThings
• SmartThings: Connect Matter Devices with SmartThings
• SmartThings: Smart Home Hub, Hub Everywhere
• Samsung Newsroom: Samsung SmartThings Expands Seamless Integration With IKEA Matter Devices
• Samsung Newsroom: Samsung SmartThings Becomes the Industry’s First to Support Matter Cameras
• Samsung Newsroom UK: Samsung Launches New Proposition ‘SmartThings Meets AI Home’
• Samsung Newsroom: Samsung Electronics Launches Matter Functionality
• Samsung Developers: Build a Matter IoT app with SmartThings Home API

Checked on 1 November 2026.

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