Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To share SmartThings devices, invite each family member to the SmartThings location that contains the home’s devices. The owner can invite someone using the email address for their Samsung account or a QR code. The invitee must have SmartThings installed, be signed in to a Samsung account, and accept the invitation. Access applies to the whole location—not a room chosen by the owner.
Before you invite a family member
- Select the right location. A SmartThings location groups devices, services, and routines. If your account has more than one location, choose the home you intend to share before inviting anyone. Samsung’s Canada guide to inviting members notes that screens and settings can vary by country.
- Make sure the invitee can use SmartThings. They need the app, a Samsung account signed in to the app, and must accept your invitation before becoming a member.
- Know what membership covers. SmartThings sharing is location-wide. Samsung says a member cannot be added directly to a room, so room organization does not create room-level access restrictions.
Invite someone with their Samsung account email
Samsung Canada’s instructions, updated September 1, 2026, use the following route. Labels and navigation may differ by app version or region; Samsung’s US instructions describe a different menu path.
- Open SmartThings and select the location containing the devices you want to share.
- Open More options, then Manage My Home.
- Open Members or choose Invite member, then select Send an invitation.
- Enter the email address associated with the invitee’s Samsung account and send the invitation.
- Ask the invitee to open the SmartThings invitation notification and accept it.
Once the person accepts, they can access the shared location. If the invitation does not appear, first confirm they are signed in to the Samsung account associated with the email address you entered.
Invite someone with a QR code
A QR code is an alternative if you do not want to enter the invitee’s Samsung account email. The owner starts the invitation from the selected location’s member-management area; the invitee scans the code with their phone and follows the app prompts.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
- In SmartThings, select the intended location and open its member-management screen.
- Choose Invite member, then Use a QR code.
- Have the invitee scan the displayed code and follow the instructions in SmartThings.
The invitee still needs SmartThings installed, must be signed in to a Samsung account, and must complete the invitation flow. SmartThings’ official guidance does not specify a QR-code reuse policy or expiry period.
Choose the invitation method that fits
| Method | What the owner needs | What the invitee does | Access granted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung account email | The email address associated with the invitee’s Samsung account | Accepts the SmartThings invitation notification | Access to the selected location |
| QR code | Access to the selected location’s member-management screen so they can display the code | Scans the code and follows the app prompts | Access to the selected location |
Both methods require the invitee to use SmartThings and a Samsung account. Neither narrows access to a room.
Rank #2
![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](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21hChu0ounL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
What family members can control
Members can view and control devices in the shared location. SmartThings’ sharing guidance also describes access to the location’s routines and scenes. The controls available for an individual device depend on that device and its manufacturer, so do not assume every member will see identical controls for every product.
SmartThings Support describes member permissions as almost the same as the owner’s, with important exceptions: members cannot add or remove other members or delete the location. Members can leave the location themselves. This describes the permissions listed in SmartThings Support and should not be read as a statement about undocumented account, billing, or security settings.
Rank #3
- 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
Remove a member or leave a shared location
Only the location owner can remove another member. To revoke someone’s access, the owner can use this route in Samsung Canada’s guide:
- Open SmartThings and select the location.
- Open More options and Manage My Home, then choose Members.
- Open More options, choose Remove members, select the person, and confirm.
A member who wants to end their own access can choose Leave Location. Menu labels may vary by region or app version.
Rank #4
- 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.
Rooms, locations, routines, and presence
Locations are the main context for SmartThings devices, services, and routines. Rooms group devices for organization, and you can switch between locations in the app. These features help people navigate and automate a home; they do not provide separate room-level membership permissions. SmartThings Support’s overview of locations describes location modes such as Away, Home, and Night, which can limit when routines run.
If your household wants routines based on someone’s arrival, SmartThings mobile presence uses that person’s phone location services. The app requests permission, and presence can be enabled or disabled for that phone. This is an optional automation feature, separate from inviting someone to share devices; the person’s phone and location settings affect whether it works. See SmartThings Support’s SmartThings app overview.
When a device needs a hub
A hub is not a general requirement for inviting a family member to a location that already contains connected devices. SmartThings Support says certain connection types—Zigbee, Z-Wave, and LAN-connected devices—require a SmartThings-enabled hub. That is a device-connection requirement, not a sharing requirement. For a particular model, check the app under Menu → Supported devices; compatibility and connection methods can change. SmartThings Support covers device connections and compatibility.
Quick Recap
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.
