Recent Articles

November 12, 2024

FAQ: SmartThings Hub Groups and Hub Backup Features

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.
January 8, 2024

SmartThings Creates TV-Centered Smart Home Experiences for Users

During CES 2024, SmartThings unveiled innovative features aimed at creating a more immersive TV experience, allowing for enhanced convenience without interrupting content viewing. The living room serves at the center of many households for families to come together, and SmartThings’ latest enhancements create a more connected living room experience, enabling users to effortlessly monitor and manage all of their smart devices conveniently from their TVs. Unlocking Greater Smart Home Control with TV as a Hub With the TV functioning as a SmartThings Hub, your television turns into a seamless control center for all your connected devices. Your TV can now effortlessly detect your smartphone, turning it into an instant remote, eliminating the hassle of searching for multiple controllers. The SmartThings TV Quick Panel is a non-intrusive interface for quick access to core functions via a remote control, bridging the gap between Samsung TV features and comprehensive connectivity, without compromising content viewing. The TV Quick Panel allows users to manage devices, view cameras, and even ring their phone to locate it within their home. Users will be empowered to oversee their entire smart home without diverting attention from their screens. For instance, as you approach your television, it intuitively turns on, presenting not only your home's entertainment, but also critical information about your devices and appliances. From your television, you can view your home’s camera feed, temperature, and remaining time in your laundry cycle, all at a single glance. Creating Next-Level Entertainment Experiences  Now, users can step into their living room and experience seamless connectivity with the cutting-edge Now+ display – automatically syncing with TVs to effortlessly guide users through switching music sources from their Buds to the TV, speaker, or Sound Bar. Moreover, Now+ offers a comprehensive summary of the home, including insights into security cameras and energy consumption. With TV Hue Sync, users can create an immersive viewing experience through the TV by syncing TV content and ambient lighting – bringing movies, TV shows, and games to life Picture yourself watching a thriller where the room comes alive with vibrant colors matching the on-screen animation, or relaxing at the end of your day in a space filled with calming hues. As technology continues to evolve, televisions will become more than a household device - they will serve as a gateway to more connected, immersive, and dynamic experiences for the whole family. From staying informed about your home’s status to enjoying more captivating movie and TV sessions, SmartThings is introducing users to a lifestyle where entertainment and home efficiency easily coexist.     Learn more at partners.smartthings.com.
December 26, 2023

Video: SmartThings Together Share House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2FkPCSLwDc
December 26, 2023

Video: SmartThings Together Pet Walker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXD4vOcWpcg
December 26, 2023

Video: SmartThings Together Children

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq0GEhgXKZ0
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. 
October 26, 2021

SmartThings Edge Provides Reliable, Faster Smart Home Experiences

In August, we shared the beta release of SmartThings Edge – a new hub architecture that allows hub connected devices to execute locally. SmartThings Edge creates smart home experiences that are more reliable and faster. Now, developers and hobbyists can build and consume custom device drivers in a much easier way. Since the beta launch, SmartThings has partnered with Aeotec, Leviton, Kwikset, Somfy North America, Yale, and August to transform connectivity and the smart home experience in a noticeable way. SmartThings Edge’s advanced technology increases the speed of automation for consumers by eliminating the need for cloud-based processing, bringing all the information directly to the Hub. This not only streamlines events and commands but also allows for local device support on a home network. This local device support decreases latency and increases reliability. All Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices can run locally on the Hub, with the ability to connect more protocols and standards, including Matter, in the future. Previously, our developers were required to copy and paste code into their Samsung IDE accounts to distribute and leverage custom device type handlers for hub connected devices. With SmartThings Edge comes the introduction of the new driver sharing feature, an easy-to-use and time efficient alternative for community distribution and consumption. SmartThings users can now share custom device drivers with a simple web link – eliminating the need to copy and paste code. While device manufacturers are still encouraged to submit their drivers to SmartThings for WWST certification and distribution via the SmartThings catalog, the Driver Sharing feature can also be used to distribute custom drivers that partners may want to test before officially releasing integrations.  New drivers are regularly being added. Our latest release includes Zigbee range extenders, Z-Wave buttons, water leak sensors, contact sensors, smoke detectors, and humidity sensors.  SmartThings Edge is the latest innovation in SmartThings technology, representing the company’s commitment to developing solutions for global developer networks – thereby improving the next generation of smart home experiences.
August 19, 2021

SmartThings Introduces “SmartThings Edge”, allowing for Faster and Easier Home Automations

SmartThings is excited to announce SmartThings Edge, a new hub architecture that allows core functionality to execute locally, leading to smart home experiences that are more reliable, faster, and more secure. While users will not see a change within the SmartThings app, on the backend, SmartThings Edge is transforming connectivity and the experience in a noticeable way. SmartThings Edge’s advanced technology increases the speed of automations for consumers by eliminating the need for cloud-based processing, bringing all the information directly to the Hub. This not only streamlines events and commands, but also allows for local device support on a home network, allowing users to run their Automations locally. This local device support decreases latency and increases reliability. SmartThings users will also be able to connect Zigbee, Z-Wave, and LAN-based integrations, with the ability to connect more protocols in the future, including Matter. As part of SmartThings’ evolution to modernize and move away from the legacy Groovy platform, SmartThings developed a solution that would be able to deliver the developer experience to meet the current times. Developers are now able to code and build Device Drivers with Lua©, offering a more robust and simpler way for device manufacturers to integrate with the SmartThings platform. This new platform architecture is an example of SmartThing’s commitment to investing in technologies that make it easier for our global developer network to build the next generation of smart home experiences that inspire meaningful moments.
October 15, 2015

Introducing the Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit

We’re excited to announce the release of the Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit. Starting today, the kit will be available in-store at retailers nationwide and online. (more…)