Recent Articles

July 21, 2025

The Freezer Fiasco That Made Me Smarter (And Saved My Sanity)

A SmartThings user shares how one costly mistake led to a simple, smart solution There are moments in life that test your patience, your resilience, and your relationship with frozen pizza. For me, that moment came on a sleepy Saturday morning, when I entered my kitchen and discovered a scene that can only be described as devastatingly soggy. I had left the freezer door cracked open overnight after I’d grabbed a bedtime snack. Everything from ice cream to expensive cuts of meat was ruined. A full freezer, lost to forgetfulness. After cycling through the five stages of grief (and a deep clean), I realized this didn’t have to happen. I use SmartThings, the platform built to make life easier, not ruin my day with four pints of liquified ice cream. So I did what any tech-savvy, freshly humbled human would do: installed a SmartThings-compatible Aqara sensor, synced it to my SmartThings app on iOS ( the setup is just as easy as it is for Android), and created a routine to send me an alert if the freezer is open for more than a minute. Simple. Seamless. Sanity-saving. A $20 Sensor vs. a $300 Grocery Bill Smart home devices aren’t just for sci-fi enthusiasts or gadget geeks. They’re for everyday people who want to avoid real-world chaos. Whether it's a cracked freezer door, a garage left open, or lights on all night in your kid’s room, SmartThings can quietly step in to keep things running smoothly and dodge dishing out big bucks down the line.Here’s how my SmartThings setup will now save the day and how yours can, too: Custom Alerts: I created a rule in the SmartThings app that sends a push notification to my phone if the freezer door stays open too long.  I can extend this logic to my fridge, wine cooler, or cabinet where I hide my snacks. Peace of Mind on Autopilot: SmartThings doesn’t just tell you something’s wrong, it gives you the tools to fix it. I could’ve connected a smart light to blink red if the door was left ajar or used a voice assistant to chime in with a reminder. Drama avoided. One App, So Many Solutions: The beauty of SmartThings is that it plays nicely with thousands of devices. Aqara is just one of many partners whose devices work with SmartThings, and because it’s Matter-certified, all I had to do was open the box and scan the QR code for SmartThings to discover it and add it to my devices. Once the sensor was added, I created a routine, and was finally able to move on with my life — and onto my new ice cream. How to Set It Up in SmartThings Want to avoid your own frozen food fail? Here's how to create a simple routine in the SmartThings app using any Works with SmartThings sensor: Add the sensor to your SmartThings app by scanning the QR code or using “Add device” and selecting the brand/model. Tap + and select “Create routine” Tap “If” condition:Select DeviceSet Contact sensor = Open Then tap + Add condition → Add delay → set it to 1 minute(This gives you a grace period before triggering an alert in case you’re just grabbing a snack.) For the “Then” action:Select Send notificationCustomize your message (e.g., “Freezer door left open!!!) Tap Done to save.  Smarter Living Starts with Small Steps We don’t always think about tech until we need it.  The small, everyday decisions like setting up a routine or adding a sensor are what often save us the most time, money, and frustration. So if you’ve ever lost a freezer full of food, forgot to turn off the lights before a trip, or wondered if your front door was locked after you boarded a flight, SmartThings might just be your new best friend. If you want to go a step further, you can even choose a Samsung refrigerator with built-in sensors that connect directly to SmartThings, so you’ll know right away if the door’s been left open, no extra device required. Take it from me: the smartest home isn’t the one with the most devices. It’s the one that works for you, in the moments that matter most. Ready to prevent your next home fiasco? Explore Works with SmartThings sensors and build your own custom automations today.  A smarter (and less soggy) home is just a tap away.
July 14, 2025

Surprisingly Satisfying Laundry with SmartThings Real-Time Updates, Remote Control, and Smarter Cycles—All in the SmartThings App

Let’s face it, laundry isn’t exactly thrilling. What if it could be easier, faster, and actually kind of satisfying?  With SmartThings, your Samsung washer and dryer get a serious upgrade. From real-time updates to remote control and energy savings, SmartThings makes laundry day feel less like a chore and more like a life hack. Stay Connected to Every Load SmartThings has your back (and basket), whether you're on the couch or running errands, SmartThings keeps you in the loop. Get real-time notifications when a cycle starts, pauses, or finishes, so you're never left wondering if the laundry’s done. If a load needs attention (like when it's been sitting too long after drying), SmartThings will send you a gentle nudge before your clothes go from fresh to funky. It’s like having a laundry buddy who never forgets! Customize Cycles to Fit Your Needs Forget digging through manuals or pressing buttons at random. SmartThings makes it easy to tailor your washer and dryer settings, helping you choose the perfect cycle based on your load type, size, and fabric. Beyond choosing the temperature and spin intensity, select optimized cycles directly in the app based on your fabric type, load size, or soil level. Here are just a few examples of features and cycles: Activewear: Designed for jersey and moisture-wicking gym clothes Bedding: Designed for bulky sheets and comforters Baby Care: Gently sanitize clothes at a high temperature Fabric Specific Cycles: Wool, Denim, Delicates, a custom cycle based on the fabrics within Wrinkle Prevent: Optional setting to keep clothes wrinkle-free for up to three hours Damp Alert: Be notified for the optimal time to iron clothes right out of the dryer Eco-modes: Energy-saving mode that balances performance and efficiency Unemptied Laundry Alerts: We all forget clothes sometimes, but now you can be reminded up to 24 hours to remove your clothes from the washer or take them out for folding Sensor Dry: Automatically adjusts time based on moisture levels You can even save your combinations, so your go-to routines are ready with one tap. Prevent and Diagnose Issues Before They Disrupt Your Day Your washer and dryer are smart, and with SmartThings, they practically think for themselves.  SmartThings makes troubleshooting easy, becoming a proactive experience. Not only can you select maintenance modes to help keep your washer and dryer clean, but SmartThings can also alert you to performance issues and guide you through self-diagnosis steps, often before you even realize there’s a problem. This helps prevent breakdowns and saves you time (and service calls). Control Laundry From Anywhere, Anytime Running late? Mid-binge watch on your favorite show? Cozy in bed? No problem.  Start, stop, or monitor your washer and dryer directly from your phone, and even schedule cycles to run when energy rates are lower or it’s simply more convenient. It’s smarter laundry on your terms, saving time, energy, and hassle. Built-In Intelligence SmartThings doesn’t just connect your appliances, it helps them work smarter together. For example, it can recommend optimal drying settings based on the type of wash cycle you just completed. Washed a load with Heavy Duty mode? SmartThings will recommend the best dryer settings to match. The result? Better fabric care and less guesswork. It’s time to bring smarter care to your clothes—and a little more free time back in your day. Download the SmartThings app and connect your Samsung washer and dryer to unlock the full potential of your laundry room.
October 11, 2023

Samsung Introduces Revolutionary Tools for SmartThings Ecosystem Developers, Paving the Way for Innovation

At the 2023 Samsung Developer Conference, Samsung unveiled a suite of cutting-edge tools and features for SmartThings, Samsung’s global connected living platform. Designed to reimagine the experience for SmartThings Ecosystem Developers, these advancements not only create new opportunities for innovation and growth, but also seamlessly integrate Samsung's Technology experiences across its diverse portfolio of products. Building on the success of the 2022 Matter launch, SmartThings is poised to usher in a new era of possibilities as the market prepares to welcome millions of new smart home devices. As a pioneer in the smart home industry and one of the first to receive Matter certification, Samsung is proud to introduce a range of user-centric solutions designed to streamline device registration, expedite Works With SmartThings (WWST) Certification, and elevate the integration experience within the Samsung ecosystem. The enhancements will include an all-new Developer Center, a one-stop shop with resources and education for device integration. As part of this, Samsung is introducing a ‘No Code Wizard’ for Edge Drivers - including Matter devices - that helps match devices with the correct device UI in under 15 minutes, creating a more seamless process. Navigating the developer landscape is further simplified through the new Certification Console, which is tailored for Hub and Cloud-Connected devices. “Samsung has always valued input from its developer ecosystem and as a result, SmartThings has invested heavily in enhancements for device creators seeking Works with SmartThings Certification,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics and Head of SmartThings. "These innovative tools underscore our commitment to providing developers with a dynamic platform that encourages creativity, fosters business growth, and ultimately enhances user experiences.” In addition to technical and certification benefits, the Certification Console will allow device makers to easily submit product images, descriptions, information, and preferred retail links. These assets will both help users set up their devices in Quick Pair on Galaxy phones, and populate the device Catalog on both SmartThings.com and in the app, where consumers can seamlessly browse for and purchase certified devices. Additionally, developers can update retail links and access an analytics dashboard to gain insights into customer engagement. For more information on these dynamic developer tools, visit developer.smartthings.com.
October 5, 2023

Expanding the Smart Home Universe With ‘Hub Everywhere’ 

At SmartThings, we believe your smart home should work effortlessly for you. Our innovative "Hub Everywhere" strategy ensures Matter Controllers are more accessible than ever, making it easier for everyone to start and grow their smart home with SmartThings. We take immense pride in offering an extensive range of devices that seamlessly function as Matter Controllers, from our Samsung TVs and Family Hub Refrigerators to Smart Monitors, SmartThings Stations, and our original SmartThings Hubs. This year, we’ve added Samsung Soundbars and Harman speakers to the Hub Everywhere family. Greater Hub Versatility   Our Hub, available in various forms, operates on Hub-Core technology. It serves as the Matter Controller, an OTA-Provider, and the central hub for Edge Drivers that streamline the management of Matter devices. The "Hub Everywhere" approach allows users to incorporate multiple hubs into their home setup, enriching the overall smart home experience.  Creating a Multi-Hub Network  Starting with the SmartThings Station, users can now create a multi-hub network in their home, adding additional hubs to their primary one, which becomes part of the Thread mesh. Doing so allows Matter devices to connect to the most optimal or closest hub, extending the range and reliability of their network. This will allow users to put more devices in more places around their homes while experiencing the reliability and responsiveness of local connectivity.  Introducing Hub Replace  We’re also excited to announce one of our most requested and highly anticipated features, Hub Replace. With SmartThings Hub functionality built into more devices, users may want to upgrade their SmartThings setup to a new hub. Hub Replace enables users to transfer everything from their current hub to a new one while keeping their existing setup intact. With Hub Replace, all devices, the Hub's Matter fabric, Edge Drivers Data, Routines, and other Hub Settings, along with their Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Thread networks if supported by the receiving hub, will be seamlessly transferred and applied to the new hub with just a few quick taps.  With these innovations, SmartThings is simplifying hub upgrades and enabling users to seamlessly continue growing and evolving their smart homes. 
September 7, 2023

SmartThings Energy: New Partnerships and Enhanced User Experience Features 

In today's fast-paced world, where energy consumption is a pressing concern, we’re leading the charge in revolutionizing energy management—and are excited to introduce a range of new features for our SmartThings Energy service. These enhancements are designed to give you greater control over your energy usage and redefine the way you interact with your smart home, all while ensuring convenience and efficiency. Read on to learn what’s new with SmartThings Energy. Electricity Maps Partnership We’ve teamed up with Electricity Maps, a renowned service that provides visual representations of electricity sources and associated carbon dioxide emissions. Through the integration of Electricity Maps within the SmartThings app, you can learn about your electricity’s origin and carbon footprint with ease, and use this data to make informed decisions about your energy usage. Start taking the next step towards more eco-conscious living. Expansion of Supported Devices In addition to supporting connected Samsung appliances, TVs, and third-party devices, SmartThings Energy is now also compatible with most smart plugs, thermostats, and lights. With this expansion, we’ve made it easy for users to connect a broader range of energy-consuming devices with their "Away" mode. Rest assured that your devices are automatically turned off when not in use, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Enhanced Automatic Demand Response (DR) Functionality Our SmartThings Energy update comes with advanced automatic Demand Response (DR) features, allowing users enrolled in energy savings programs to manage their devices more intelligently. Before, users would receive notifications of a DR event and manually adjust their devices or set up automations.  Now, with the latest update, you can set up your smart devices and SmartThings Energy will automatically adjust them, turning off lights or plugs, and activating more economical modes for thermostats or Samsung appliances that feature AI Energy Mode. Partnership with Resideo to Unlock Energy Savings If you live in California, you’re in luck. SmartThings Energy users in The Golden State can now enroll their homes with Resideo's energy program to enjoy cash rewards. By participating in the program, you can receive up to $100 via gift card when you're approved for the program. Energy costs are at their highest, however, our partnership with Resideo lets you earn rewards for reducing energy use when the grid needs it most, helping your community's grid reliability. Enhanced User Experience and Energy Savings With a dedication to innovation and a greener future, we’re taking energy management to the next level. Our SmartThings Energy updates and partnerships were designed to give you greater flexibility and convenience when it comes to managing your smart home devices, ultimately leading to significant energy (and financial) savings. And this is just the beginning. To unlock the full suite of energy management capabilities, activate SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings App, or visit https://www.smartthings.com/smartthings-energy to learn more.
July 15, 2021

Go Green and Save Money with SmartThings Energy

Looking for new ways to take control of your energy consumption? SmartThings Energy, a new service within the SmartThings app, allows consumers to make greener decisions with monitoring, target-setting, and notifications of Samsung appliances and HVAC systems.  The new, first-of-its-kind solution provides another reason to invest in IoT. With more people staying at home during the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in home energy usage. Now, one of the most sought after smart home features is available. SmartThings Energy delivers a real-time view of energy consumption, analysis and cost estimates – putting control into the hands of its users.  SmartThings Energy is the most comprehensive real-time energy consumption data on the market and addresses challenges related to major energy consuming appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and laundry machines, head-on.   Through SmartThings Energy, users can: Monitor the energy usage of home appliances. Users can check their electricity and water usage from a single device or aggregated usage from multiple compatible devices. They can also view their consumption data in comparison to target goals and see how much energy they are using compared to the previous month.  Discover consumption data. User-friendly charts allow users to understand how much energy each of their devices is consuming. In addition, users will receive energy saving tips based on the devices that are connected. For example, switch to eco-wash mode to run laundry. Save energy through notifications that alert users when they’re using too much energy at a given time. For instance, the interface sends alerts when a device is left on while users are away from the home and when they are using more energy than their monthly target. SmartThings Energy, which will support most of the Samsung Home Appliances and HVAC products, is the latest innovation that represents the company’s commitment to sustainable living. In the future, SmartThings will expand the service to WWST partners and bring in new partners that specialize in energy management.
June 8, 2021

Introducing the New SmartThings Experience

We are pleased to unveil the next generation of our SmartThings connected home experience. Featuring a new look and feel, the new SmartThings interface offers users a simpler, more robust user journey, and faster load times.  Smart homes continue to surge in popularity, with the number of smart homes expected surpass the 350 million mark by 2023. The new SmartThings interface delivers on the needs of both future and existing customers by creating a more seamless application experience. With an enhanced user journey, SmartThings makes life easier to discover and experience IoT services, while ensuring a seamless transition from SmartThings’ previous version.   The updated app, which will be available on desktop and mobile devices, is the latest example of our ongoing commitment to bringing smart functionality and capabilities to consumers. The revamped layout will include five different sections: Favorites, Devices, Automations, Life, and More: Favorites is the new home screen within SmartThings and gathers the devices, scenes, and services used most for quicker access. Devices lets users view and control all devices, connecting TVs, light bulbs, appliances, and more. Life is a place to explore the growing world of connected living where users can discover new SmartThings services that transform physical products into meaningful user experiences. Automations connects devices and allows them to work together and respond to specific conditions in the home, such as a door opening and a light turning on.  Menu will house additional SmartThings features including SmartThings Labs, Notifications, History, and Settings.     This update comes on the heels of recent news about SmartThings’ new Windows application, which offers a similar user experience right from a Galaxy Notebook and any other Windows PC. 
June 3, 2021

Galaxy Upcycle – Setup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Zw_7PtLLw
May 12, 2021

‘Matter’ Joins SmartThings Ecosystem, Paves Way for Expanded Connected Home Possibilities

We’re pleased to announce that a new protocol, Matter, will soon be integrated into the SmartThings ecosystem, marking a critical step in advancing smart home solutions and creating new opportunities for consumers and developers. Powered by market-proven technologies, Matter devices will interact with thousands of products and brands already within the SmartThings platform, allowing for even more versatility and flexibility.     Unveiled earlier this week, Matter is a royalty-free, open-source connectivity standard that will enable communication among a wide range of smart devices. SmartThings will fully integrate Matter into its powerful ecosystem, while continuing to support existing protocols including Zigbee, Z-Wave and more, ensuring no disruption to current connected homes. New and existing customers will still be able to leverage the powerful SmartThings automations to create rich smart home experiences.  For our developers, Matter opens the door of innovation, allowing more time to focus on creativity while reducing time spent of recreating efforts across various ecosystems. For our builder and real estate partners, Matter is the future of reliable connectivity, ensuring the widest choice in smart device compatibility at scale. The protocol allows them to unlock additional revenue, streamline installation and training, and ensure lasting quality for their customers. Matter bridges the gaps between the past, present, and future connected devices by simplifying connected experiences and ensuring new devices can seamlessly be integrated into existing smart homes. As pioneers in the smart home industry from the very beginning, we believe this will become the de facto standard in every smart home in the world, and seamlessly be controlled by the SmartThings app.  SmartThings continues to be the glue that connects devices together across brands and platforms. With the addition of Matter, SmartThings maintains its stronghold position as a powerful and comprehensive ecosystem offering users more choices for their everyday lives. This collaboration represents the next step in SmartThings’ commitment to providing an open environment and consumer-driven experiences. With an expansive ecosystem, SmartThings prides itself with its dedication to consumer choice. In the months ahead, SmartThings will continue to collaborate with other members of Connectivity Standards Alliance to shape the future of IoT and give customers a greater peace of mind.  Do you have Matter products? Fill out this form to learn more about certifying them with SmartThings and getting in front of our millions of users.