The SmartThings Blog

This FAQ provides essential information about the SmartThings Hub Groups and Hub Backup features, including compatibility, functionality, and troubleshooting. For more detailed insights, visit our blog here. Which Samsung/SmartThings hubs support Hub Groups and Hub Backup? Aeotec Smart Home Hub, Samsung SmartThings Hub 2018 (Hub v3), SmartThings Station, Samsung Smart TVs*, Family Hub refrigerators*, Samsung Smart Monitors*, Samsung Soundbar * Hub Groups and Hub Backup currently only support models with Thread/Zigbee radios built-in. Models that require Zigbee/Thread radio dongles are not supported, even if a dongle is installed. What happens if a primary hub is more capable than the secondary hub, specifically if the primary hub supports Z-Wave devices and the secondary “backup” hub does not? If “Auto Hub Backup” is enabled in Hub Manager, and SmartThings determines that the best available secondary hub is one that is less capable than the primary hub, the devices and routines will still be automatically transferred to the secondary hub, and Z-Wave devices will be offline. If “Auto Hub Backup” is disabled when the primary hub goes offline, the user will be prompted and given a choice to change their primary hub selection to one of the secondary hubs. They will be told about the limitations of the candidate secondary hub before they confirm the change. If they choose to proceed, then the Z-Wave devices will be offline. If a less-capable secondary hub is made into a primary hub, and the original primary hub comes online (now secondary), will it automatically reclaim its primary status, and if not, will its capabilities enhance the Hub Group as a secondary hub? If "Auto Hub Backup" and "Preferred Hub" were both set prior to the original primary hub going offline, then it will reclaim primary status automatically when it comes back online, and all previous device connections will be restored. If "Preferred Hub" was not enabled, then the original primary hub will not automatically reclaim its primary status when it comes back online. The user would need to manually make the original primary hub the primary hub again using Hub Manager. Until the user makes the change manually, the hub will remain secondary. As a secondary hub, its advanced capabilities will not enhance the Hub Group, as connectivity and device capacity of a Hub Group are determined by the primary hub’s capabilities. To regain the original primary hub’s capabilities, the user would need to manually make their original primary hub the primary hub again, and their Z-Wave devices would be restored. The user always has control over which hub is their primary hub with Hub Manager. How soon after the primary hub goes offline will the transfer of devices and routines to the backup hub take place? At initial launch, the transfer will take place ten minutes after the primary hub goes offline. We may continue to optimize this number in future releases. Does this Hub Backup feature replace the “Hub Replace” feature, or affect it in any way? Hub Backup will not replace the Hub Replace feature or change it. Hub Replace is intended to help users permanently transfer their devices and routines to a new hub when the user wants to upgrade their hub or their hub no longer functions. Hub Backup is a feature that is limited to hubs in a Hub Group, while Hub Replace can be used with hubs that are not part of a Hub Group. If I have multiple secondary hubs, is there a way for me to choose the best hub that can be promoted as a primary? How can I make that determination? The user cannot choose which secondary hub will become primary if the primary hub goes offline. The best possible secondary hub is determined automatically based on device/protocol support and other technical considerations. Is there anything that is permanently changed when the user allows a hub change via Hub Backup? Nothing is permanently changed or lost. Records of hub state are preserved across primary hub transitions. How many Hub Groups can be in one location? A location can only have one Hub Group at a time.

Latest SmartThings Hub updates include a new hub manager, backup capabilities, and hub group support As the smart home becomes an integral part of modern living – just as essential as utilities like power and water – its reliability must be equally paramount. At SmartThings, we’ve always believed local connectivity is the key to reliability in connected living. Our hub-based platform was designed so users could connect, control, and automate devices locally, reliably, and securely. Our Hub Everywhere strategy has empowered more users to establish and expand their local smart home infrastructure. Now, we’re excited to introduce new ways for users to harness these hubs to further enhance the performance and reliability of their smart devices. Expanding Smart Living with New SmartThings Hub Features Last year, we introduced two significant features: Hub Groups and Hub Replace. Hub Groups enable users to extend their Thread and Zigbee networks across multiple SmartThings hubs, creating a more robust mesh network. Hub Replace allows users to upgrade their hubs seamlessly without the need to individually add each device again, ensuring their smart living infrastructure can evolve with their needs. Now, we’re thrilled to announce the extension and enhancement of our smart living capabilities with two new features in the SmartThings app - Hub Manager and Hub Backup.  Introducing Hub Manager, Hub Backup, and Expanded Hub Group Support The new Hub Manager is a central management interface designed to streamline the configuration of smart home infrastructures. Users can now create, edit, and delete Hub Groups to better organize their network. This enhances the ability to manage multiple hubs, including the SmartThings 2018 (V3) hub, Aeotec Smart Home Hub (V3), SmartThings Station, Samsung Smart TV, Smart Monitor, Family Hub refrigerator, and Samsung soundbar hubs. They can also easily manage their Hub Groups by editing existing ones or deleting them as needed.  Hub Backup increases resiliency by allowing secondary hubs to act as backups if the primary hub goes offline. In such cases, users receive a notification about the disconnection and assistance with diagnosing the issue. If reconnection is not possible, users can select another hub within their Hub Group to become the new primary hub. The Hub Manager then guides users through the process of transferring all devices and routines to the new primary hub, ensuring seamless continuity. If a user does not take action within ten minutes of the primary hub going offline, transfer to an available secondary hub will happen automatically.  How to Create a SmartThings Hub Group A Hub Group is made up of a primary hub and one or more secondary hubs working together to extend the range of Zigbee and Thread networks. If you have a Hub Group, devices that are far away from the primary hub can still connect to its network via a nearby secondary hub.  Routines will also work faster without needing an internet connection when devices are connected to the same Hub Group. When you add a new eligible hub to a location with one or more existing eligible hub(s), a new Hub Group will be automatically created if none exist. If a Hub Group already exists, the new hub will be automatically added to the Hub Group as a secondary hub1.  You can also manually create and manage a Hub Group. When you create a new Hub Group, there must be at least one hub that has no devices connected to it. There are two ways to create a new Hub Group:  Starting in the “Favorites” page, select (⋮) More Options and tap “Manage Hubs”. If a Hub Group is eligible to be formed, there will be a button titled “Create a Hub Group”.  You can also click on one of your hub icons from the favorites screen or the devices screen where the hub is located. The hub’s device card will open, and if a Hub Group is eligible to be formed, there will be a “Hub Group” section with a button titled “Create a Hub Group”.  Note: If you have a hub that supports Z-Wave devices (such as the SmartThings V3 hub), it's recommended that you set it as the primary hub in your Hub Group. Z-Wave devices cannot connect to a Hub Group if the primary hub doesn't support Z-Wave. How to Edit SmartThings Hub Groups In Hub Manager you can also change the primary hub for a Hub Group, and add or remove secondary hubs from a Hub Group. There are several ways to access the Hub Manager when a Hub Group already exists:  Select (⋮) More Options in the “Favorites” page and select “Manage Hubs”. Then select (⋮) More Options again and tap “Edit a Hub Group”.  You can also click on one of the hub icons from the favorites screen or the devices screen where the hub is located. The hub’s device card will open, and there will be a “Hub Group” section showing all of the hubs in the current Hub Group. Click the Settings wheel in the upper right corner of this section to open the Hub Manager. In the Hub Manager, you can change a secondary hub to a primary hub, remove a selected secondary hub from a Hub Group, or add another secondary hub.  How to Enable Hub Backup and Set Preferred Hub The Hub Backup feature is enabled by default when a Hub Group is created, in “Auto Hub Backup” mode, and does not need to be enabled by the user: When a primary hub goes offline, the user will receive a notification that the hub is offline, and will be able to perform diagnostics.  If the primary hub is still offline after ten minutes, and a secondary “backup” hub is online, devices and automations will automatically move to a “backup” hub with no intervention needed from the user.  A user can disable Auto Hub Backup if they do not want devices and automations to automatically move to a backup hub when their primary hub is offline for more than ten minutes. If Auto Hub Backup is disabled, Hub Backup becomes “user-guided”, and the user has the ability to accept or reject the transfer to the secondary hub when they are notified. Users can do this from the Hub Manager:  Select (⋮) More Options from the “Manage Hubs” screen. Then select “Auto Hub Backup” and toggle to “Off”. This will make Hub Backup user-guided.  The “preferred hub” is the hub that will become the primary hub anytime it comes online and “Auto Hub Backup” is enabled, such as after a secondary hub has taken over primary hub duty. A user can change their preferred hub by first manually changing their primary hub, and making sure that “Preferred hub” is enabled in Hub Manager. To select “Preferred Hub”:   Select (⋮) More Options from the “Manage Hubs” screen. Then select “Preferred hub”.  Note: the Hub Backup feature refers to transferring devices and routines to backup hubs and does not refer to the process of periodically backing up hub and device data to the SmartThings Cloud. Periodically backing up hub and device data to the SmartThings cloud occurs automatically and does not require that a hub be part of a Hub Group.  How to Permanently Replace A Hub Announced in 2023, the Hub Replace feature allows you to replace or upgrade your existing hub with another hub. When you replace a hub, all devices and routines on your original hub will be transferred to the replacement hub. The Hub Replace feature is similar to changing primary and secondary hubs with the Hub Backup feature, but there are some differences. Hub Replace removes the original hub from the location after replacement, and if possible, factory resets the original hub.  Hub Replace is separate from Hub Groups and Hub Backup and cannot be used with hubs that are part of a Hub Group. To replace a hub that is in a Hub Group, the original and destination hubs should be removed from the Hub Group.  Hub Replace provides an upgrade path for some older hubs that are not supported by Hub Groups, such as Samsung Connect Home, SmartThings Wi-Fi, and Samsung SmartThings Hub 2015 (Hub v2).  Hub Replace can be initiated a couple of ways. To replace a hub, you need another hub in the same location that has no devices connected to it and is not part of a Hub Group. From the Manage Hubs screen, select (⋮) More Options and tap “Replace Hub”.  You can also click on one of the hub icons from the favorites screen or the devices screen where the hub is located. The hub’s device card will open. select (⋮) More Options and tap “Replace Hub”.  Building for the Future At SmartThings, we are committed to continually enhancing our platform’s key features, providing users with greater reliability, performance, and confidence in their smart home systems. Our goal is to support users in starting, growing, and enjoying their smart homes from day one and well into the future. Ready to take your smart home to the next level and unlock the full potential of your SmartThings ecosystem? Thanks to Hub Everywhere, you can start creating your Hub Group today.  For more information, read SmartThings Hub Groups and Hub Backup FAQs here. 

New enhancements powered by AI offer users a more personalized experiencethrough Home Insight SmartThings has introduced a new app home page, formerly known as Favorites, that is designed to adapt to users’ lifestyle, offering tailored features that simplify home management and improve automation. Whether controlling lights, managing appliances, or creating custom routines, these AI-driven enhancements will help families make the most of their smart home. “As Samsung continues to innovate, SmartThings will remain at the forefront of smart home technology, offering users the best in connected home management,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings at Samsung Electronics. "These latest updates do more than signify our steadfast commitment to that goal — they represent the first step towards a new, AI-enabled smart home era.”  Personalized Home Insights for Better Living One of the most significant changes is the transformation of the Favorites tab into a Home tab, which now provides personalized Insight messages. Through the AI-enabled ‘Home Insight[1]’, powered by SmartThings, users can receive real-time summaries of their home’s status and suggestions for necessary actions. This is achieved by analyzing various data sources — such as user lifestyle patterns, device usage history, home and device status, daily weather, indoor temperature and more — to provide tailored insights. For instance, if a device is left on while no one is home, SmartThings will recommend turning it off to conserve energy. Another notification could include changes in indoor temperature or humidity that deviate from the usual levels, which will prompt suggestions to adjust devices for optimal comfort. By offering immediate and relevant information, these insights enable users to more efficiently manage their homes. (Image) SmartThings Home Insight Consistent Experiences and Seamless Connectivity Over Various Samsung Devices The SmartThings app on Samsung Galaxy devices, Smart TV, Family Hub™ and Galaxy Book has been enhanced to provide a consistent experience to users. For example, the expanded device card allows users to access key functions without navigating to the devices' detail page. This expanded functionality is available via the Device Control panel on Galaxy devices — as well as from the new Map View and the new SmartThings app on the Galaxy Tab S10— greatly enhancing usability. Additionally, for users building a multi-hub network containing SmartThings Hub-embedded Samsung products, such as a Samsung Smart TV, Smart Monitor, Sound Bar, Family Hub™ Refrigerator or SmartThings Station, the auto-hub backup feature ensures stable and uninterrupted connectivity by automatically switching to a secondary hub if the primary one goes offline. (Image) Consistent SmartThings Experiences and Seamless Connectivity Over Various Samsung Devices (Image) Expanded device control panel in SmartThings Map View Galaxy Tab S10 Transforms Into a Home Dashboard The Galaxy Tab S10 comes with immediate access to SmartThings via the Home Insight Widget. This will transform the tablet into a personalized home dashboard by giving users the ability to view real-time summaries of their home’s status along with suggestions for necessary actions, as well as a Map View that allows for easier device control. Enhanced SmartThings Experience on the New Galaxy Book5 Series With the newly launched Galaxy Book5 series, users can control their devices more quickly, without interrupting key tasks being handled on their PCs. Additionally, a significant update to the SmartThings UX on Windows brings a panel-style interface that enhances both accessibility and convenience. Key features include support for camera streaming and phone-finding functionality, and users can instantly control important functions such as temperature while receiving doorbell notifications with a live streaming view that allows them to see who's at the door. These features are supported on PCs running Windows OS 10 20 H1 and more recent models. Expanded Family Care for All-in-One Home Management Family Care has been expanded to support a wider range of devices that can sense activity, allowing users to monitor their loved ones’ daily routines through the usage history of various appliances, including TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens and induction cooktops. Now, simple actions such as opening the refrigerator door or taking clothes out of the dryer can work alongside phone usage to notify users that their loved ones may be active on various devices. These enhancements enable users to seamlessly manage family care needs. The update also introduces child account support, enabling parents to monitor their children and ensure their well-being, creating safer, more customized smart home environments for kids and extending SmartThings’ services to all family members. In addition, the update integrates with events and location notifications to further streamline family management and daily routines.[2] Simplified Device Transfers With QR Codes Device access has also been made easier as users can simply scan a QR code to easily transfer device access to others. This is particularly useful for users who might find manual registration of a device challenging. Therefore, all household members can conveniently enjoy the benefits of smart home technology. [1] Supported devices are Galaxy Smartphones, tablets and Samsung Smart TVs, with plans for further expansion. As of October 2024, summary and suggestion features are currently available only in the U.S and South Korea but will gradually expand to other regions. [2] Currently available only in the U.S and South Korea, but will gradually expand to other regions by end of this year.

At SmartThings, our mission is to enhance smart home experiences for users around the globe. Recently, we’ve zeroed in on smart door locks, developing innovative solutions that offer users simplicity and security for what matters most. Did you know the smart door lock industry is a booming $2.9 billion market, growing at 19.2% per year? With over 500,000 door locks already connected to SmartThings, including from partners like Yale, Schlage, U-tec, Aqara, and Nuki, we’re committed to expanding this growth by providing enhanced tools and resources for our partners to better serve you. Read on to learn what’s new.   SmartThings supports  Matter and Aliro standards for door locks SmartThings is an active supporter of the Matter standard, and has been certified for the door lock specifications from Matter 1.2 up to the latest version 1.3—with plans for future certification of version 1.4 when it releases.  Nuki, one of our door lock partners, shares more on SmartThings and the Matter standard:  "Nuki was among the pioneers in launching a Smart Lock with Matter-over-Thread fully integrated into the product… We recognized the importance of adding SmartThings to our portfolio. The Matter integration with WWST proved to be the perfect opportunity to enhance our offerings.” –Nuki We are also adopting the Aliro standard for Samsung Wallet’s Digital Home Key—coming in 2025. This means you can use your smartphone or smartwatch to effortlessly access your home, office, or any location with compatible locks. Guided by global technology standards, we enable quick integration of devices with our door lock partners, ensuring users get the best experience possible. SmartThings supports Integration for Any Type of Door Lock  We’re continuing to enhance our platform to support multiple connection types including: Matter connected devices Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Cloud-connected locks For our door lock partners, our SmartThings Developer Center offers a Device SDK, Test Suite, and Specification Document to simplify the integration process. Nuki shares how easy it was to integrate with SmartThings and the additional markets it opens up for customers to buy their products.  We were genuinely impressed with how seamlessly we obtained the Works with SmartThings (WWST) certification. The support from our Samsung partner was outstanding, making the entire process incredibly smooth. This certification not only boosts our credibility within the smart home ecosystem but also positions us strongly as we expand into new markets like the USA." – Nuki  Additionally, you can easily find and purchase compatible products through the SmartThings platform, making the smart home journey even smoother. Our supported devices list provides users with the most up-to-date Works with SmartThings (WWST) certified products. SmartThings Prioritizes Security  User safety and privacy are our top priorities. Ensuring user safety, the Digital Home Key operates based on embedded Secure Element (eSE) to keep sensitive user data secure. Plus users’ digital PIN is neither stored nor managed on the SmartThings platform. To prevent security threats, we have collaborated with our partners to enhance the security features of door locks.  SmartThings Calm Onboarding with Door Locks  SmartThings aims to provide a seamless user experience from start to finish by automatically enabling a door lock’s key features. With the SmartThings Calm Onboarding experience, the Digital Home Key is activated automatically during setup, so users can begin using it without extra configuration.  Smart door locks bring unparalleled convenience and peace of mind to users. Beyond traditional PIN codes, you can unlock doors using fingerprint recognition, or easily enter via smartphone or smartwatch. If you own a Galaxy device with Ultra-Wide Band(UWB) technology, the door will open automatically as you approach. During the onboarding process, a default notification is enabled to inform you who opened the door. This ensures you receive the most relevant alerts tailored to your needs while maintaining control over your smart home experience. Personalize Your Smart Home with Routines With SmartThings routines, you can create a tailored experience based on who arrives at your door. Imagine coming home to soft lighting and your favorite music playing, all triggered by your arrival. You can automate interactions between your smart door lock and any other compatible SmartThings devices. Explore our smart door lock partners at Partners.SmartThings.com and discover integration tools at Developer.SmartThings.com.

We are one week away from the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) and would love for you to join us! Taking place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the San Jose Convention Center,  SDC will showcase the latest from Samsung and SmartThings, and will provide a variety of networking and learning opportunities.  In case you missed it, we’ve included all the details in our “Samsung Developer Conference 2024: AI for All” blog post.  Still deciding? We’ve shared all the benefits of attending in our short SDC webinar. Watch this 13 minute webinar to hear about: Why you should attend SDC 2024 Developer Center Updates SmartThings Innovation Challenge Once you’re ready to register, visit the conference page here.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Whether you’re a SmartThings enthusiast, a longtime IKEA customer, or just starting your smart living, users are now able to simply connect everything together. The average household in America now has several smart devices ranging from light bulbs to cameras, door locks to speakers, and almost any other thing you can think of. We are even seeing smart bird feeders! The Matter standard was created so that smart devices in our homes will easily connect, and work well together for even greater benefit and value. SmartThings has introduced a new Matter Bridge integration, improving connectivity between its platform and IKEA’s smart home devices. This new feature simplifies the smart home experience by enabling seamless connectivity between SmartThings' extensive ecosystem and IKEA’s Home smart devices.    What is the Matter Bridge Integration? IKEA shoppers can now effortlessly connect their IKEA smart devices to the SmartThings platform using the Matter Bridge integration. This feature allows users to import their existing IKEA smart home setups into SmartThings with just a few clicks. Existing SmartThings and IKEA users can now enjoy the benefits of both platforms simultaneously. Why Is This a Game Changer? IKEA Devices on SmartThings Map View: A Matter bridge integration enables users to view their IKEA smart devices on Map View available on Samsung TVs, Family Hub, tablets, and smartphones. A full view of your smart home in just one glance – no more scrolling through lists to find the right light. Broader Ecosystem: This integration expands possibilities for users, particularly those with a mix of smart devices from different ecosystems. By connecting IKEA devices with SmartThings, users can create additional automations and control a broader range of smart devices from a single platform. Seamless Transition: A major advantage of the Matter Bridge is the ease of transition between multiple ecosystems. Instead of adding and configuring each device one by one for both ecosystems, users can import their existing IKEA setup into SmartThings. Greater Choice and Flexibility: The integration allows users to connect their devices to multiple ecosystems simultaneously, ensuring they can maintain their preferred setups without being locked into one system. New Possibilities for Samsung and IKEA Shoppers This integration enhances control and automation options while preserving the unique features of the IKEA DIRIGERA hub, such as the ability to bind a remote directly to a light or shade, which improves responsiveness and user experience. Users can also enjoy dynamic control, such as pressing and holding a dimmer button to gradually increase light levels until released. Additionally, Samsung users who shop at IKEA can now incorporate IKEA’s affordable and stylish smart devices into their SmartThings ecosystem. This opens up new possibilities for expanding their smart home setup with IKEA’s products while benefiting from SmartThings' advanced features and integrations. Enjoy a More Connected and Automated Home Today The IKEA and SmartThings Matter Bridge integration marks a significant advancement in smart home technology, offering users greater flexibility, ease of use, and expanded capabilities. By bridging the gap between IKEA’s smart devices and SmartThings’ robust platform, it is now easier than ever for users to enjoy a connected and automated home.

Curious about all the ways you can integrate with SmartThings? Or looking to connect with other developers in the Samsung and SmartThings ecosystem? We can help with that! We are thrilled to announce the 10th Annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC), taking place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the San Jose Convention Center. This year's conference promises to be an incredible event filled with SmartThings latest technology, networking, and learning opportunities. Join us, be inspired, and get excited—register here today!  What You Can Expect at SDC24 An exciting Keynote with announcements from Samsung & SmartThings Technical sessions diving deeper into main developer topics Interactive exhibits to try out new technology Networking opportunities with other developers and the SmartThings team Code Labs  …all across the platforms of SmartThings, Bixby, Knox, and Tizen.   Why should you attend SDC24? Learn How to Get the Most out of SmartThings Developer Center – We’ll announce the latest updates to our Developer Center and other areas of the SmartThings platform. Plus, dive deeper into developer topics at our informative tech sessions.  Engage in Powerful Networking – Connect with colleagues and industry leaders during meetups and networking events to foster collaboration.  Discover What’s Ahead – Indulge in a variety of impactful topics, including Samsung’s latest advancements in AI and cutting-edge technology. Delve into interactive exhibits and innovative keynotes that highlight the future of tech and how it shapes our world. Want to know more? Click here to view highlights from last year’s SDC.    Important Dates to Remember  Innovation Challenge Submissions Deadline: Friday, August 30 (More details to come on Thursday, August 9.) - Challenge 1 | Challenge 2 Pre-SDC24 Webinar: Thursday, September 12  Samsung Developer Conference 2024: Thursday, October 3 Registration is Now Open Lock in your spot for SDC24 by registering here! After registering, please remember to book a hotel room if needed. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we get closer to the event. We look forward to seeing you there! Have questions? We’ve got answers. Send your SDC24 inquiries to marketing@smartthings.com. 

New features, same innovative SmartThings. Recently, SmartThings announced a suite of updates and exciting partner announcements, including: Shareable routines Enhanced hub functionality Matter 1.2 support New Device Control  SmartThings Energy enhancements These new advancements will make managing smart devices and routines even easier, reflecting SmartThings’ dedication to streamlining the connected home experience and removing the obstacles associated with smart home living.  Here’s a closer look at what’s new with SmartThings.   Unlock Smart Home Sharing with Shareable Routines Another leap forward in connecting your devices and the people you love, Shareable Routines is a new feature within the SmartThings platform that allows you to share your daily routines with others. This means you can easily pass on your automated sequences of tasks or actions to guests or friends, enhancing the overall usability and accessibility of these routines.  For instance, you may have a wake-up routine where your lights gradually turn on, your coffee maker starts brewing, and your favorite morning playlist starts playing. With Shareable Routines, you can easily share this routine with your friends or family who want to set up the same routine at their house. They can activate (and customize) the shared routine by simply scanning a QR code of the routine, and SmartThings will take care of the rest.    Enhanced Smart Home Reliability with New Hub Features Building on advancements like Hub Groups and Hub Replace, SmartThings has introduced the new Hub Manager in the SmartThings app. With this app, you can configure your smart home using a central hub management interface. Create Hub Groups with various types of SmartThings Hubs and enable Hub Backup. To make your smart home more reliable and resilient. Hub Backup prevents disruptions to daily routines by swiftly switching to a secondary hub if the primary hub fails. All device configurations, network settings, and routines transfer easily.   Matter 1.2 Certification and Support The SmartThings platform has been updated and certified to the Matter 1.2 SDK, bringing a host of enhancements to the SmartThings ecosystem. SmartThings seamlessly integrates with partner devices that support Matter 1.2*, including refrigerators, room air conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washing machines, robotic vacuums, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, air quality sensors, air purifiers, and fans. Updates to Matter support streamline developer integration, ensuring a smoother experience in line with core spec updates. Follow the SmartThings blog to stay updated on the latest around Matter support.      Device Control Plus Galaxy users will appreciate the convenience of the new Device Control feature, which allows easier access, navigation, and control of their smart home devices without interrupting their lives.  Here’s why. Device cards are bigger to show you more controls for home devices, and you can select devices to create your own home control page. Then, you will have greater ability to control the smart home device, including adjusting TV volume or light brightness. On phones and tablets, Device Control can be used right through the quick panel, similar to how users access controls for Bluetooth, WiFi, airplane mode, etc.    SmartThings Energy Enhancements Saving energy is fun with SmartThings Energy’s new features. With the latest update, you can now experience gamified elements including Energy Level and Activity badges. When saving energy effectively through AI Energy Mode, you will receive Samsung Rewards Points that can be used to purchase products on Samsung.com. Earn one Energy Stamp per day for every 400Wh of electricity saved with AI Energy Mode, and each Energy Stamp can be converted to 20 Samsung Rewards Points.   SmartThings UX Enhancements One important change in this update is that you can more easily find and quickly control your smart device. We’ve restructured the device tab to display rooms as top-level tabs, so you can effortlessly navigate and efficiently manage devices within each room. Furthermore, an enhanced device search not only helps you find your devices more quickly but also offers search suggestions based on the types of devices you own. In addition, each device plugin provides visualizations that highlight the key features and states of each device. For example, in the case of the smart door lock, a highlighted color indicates whether it is locked or unlocked. Also, if the device’s battery level drops below 15%, an alert appears at the top of the screen, ensuring that essential information is effectively communicated. These updates simplify and improve the management of smart home devices. Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings U.S., said, “This expansion of platform offerings is another step toward creating more seamless routines and providing greater accessibility for smart home device users.We take immense pride in this update and are excited to see how families will use it to enhance their everyday lives.” Enhance your everyday life and download the SmartThings app and activate SmartThings Energy today!   Read more about our new updates HERE.   *Support for Matter 1.2 indicates that SmartThings can manage and operate new device types that are part of the Matter 1.2 standard. It also means that all devices supporting control through Matter 1.2 can be linked together. 

Summer is heating up on both coasts and when the temperature rises, so does energy consumption across the US. Flex Connect, a demand response program powered by SmartThings Energy, can help ease the load. California and New York residents can now enroll in the program through SmartThings Energy and leverage their connected devices to participate. The program enhances our smart home solutions by giving users more options to conserve energy and promote eco-friendly living in their communities. Let’s take a closer look at what’s possible with SmartThings Energy Flex Connect.  Expanded Energy Management Solutions - If you live in New York and California you can now leverage your supported devices (e.g., thermostats, washer and dryers, refrigerators, etc.) in SmartThings Energy, a comprehensive energy management solution in the SmartThings app, to optimize your energy usage at times of peak energy demand. This automates your devices to participate in an event when a Demand Response (DR) signal is received, for example, when electricity demand surges due to extreme weather. Reduced demand on the energy grid helps balance the supply and demand of energy and stabilize the grid. Flexibility, Choice, and Control - With the flexibility to automate a large variety of loads such as plugs, AC, lights, TVs, and appliances in Flex Connect, you have even greater choice and control over your energy management. Plus, you can adjust your participation selections at any time. For example, you can schedule your dishwasher or washing machine to operate only during periods of lower demand. With these automation capabilities, you can effortlessly support the grid, without lifting a finger or sacrificing your comfort.. Save Energy and Earn Rewards - By taking advantage of the Flex Connect program, your devices will automatically participate in energy events, modestly adjusting your energy usage when it matters most. You’ll get energy usage data and alerts to help you scout out potential areas to save energy, and can earn Samsung Rewards for your participation.  Check Your Eligibility for Flex Connect and Enroll If you haven’t already, download the SmartThings app and activate SmartThings Energy in the Life tab to explore all that it offers! When you navigate to SmartThings Energy and click on Activity, you will see Flex Connect listed on the screen. Click on Flex Connect and scroll down to click Sign Up. If you have not provided your zip code in Settings, you’ll be prompted to provide it. If your address is eligible for Flex Connect, follow the prompt to get connected to the service. Once you have signed up, you can select the devices you want to participate. It’s quick and easy! More About SmartThings Energy SmartThings Energy boasts features that allow you to check your home energy use from anywhere and reduce your carbon footprint (and energy bills(!). You can check the energy usage of your paired devices and learn how to optimize their usage with automation features and energy-saving tips. If you forget to turn off a light when you leave for work, for example, you’ll be notified and can turn it off right from the app. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Energy Mode is an innovative feature within SmartThings Energy that can save you up to 70% on energy consumption for top Samsung products (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) and cycles by learning your routines and adjusting your devices accordingly. AI Energy Mode also uses machine learning to recognize when your energy use exceeds the targets you've set in SmartThings Energy, notifying you and explaining why that happened. “At Samsung, we are all about helping users obtain greater flexibility and convenience with their smart home devices,” said Chanwoo Park, EVP, Samsung Electronics. “SmartThings Energy empowers our users with tools and information to monitor their energy consumption and save money, and launching Flex Connect is a crucial step in creating a greener and smarter world. Customers can not only conserve energy with Flex Connect, but also earn Samsung Rewards for participating.”   Are you ready to join us in building a more sustainable future right from your smart home? Click on the link to see if you’re eligible and Enroll in Flex Connect today.  Android and iOS users click here You can read more about the Flex Connect program here.