Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes. You can use SmartThings on a supported iPhone or non-Samsung Android phone. A Samsung phone is not required for ordinary SmartThings app access. You do need a Samsung account, and some devices require a compatible SmartThings hub regardless of which phone runs the app.
Samsung’s published phone requirements vary by region and can change, so check the current SmartThings listing in your local Apple App Store or Google Play store before installing.
What you need to use SmartThings
SmartThings separates phone compatibility from smart-home hardware compatibility. The app is available for Android and iOS, so the phone brand does not by itself determine whether you can use the service. Samsung describes SmartThings as running on Android and iOS phones, including phones made by companies other than Samsung. See the Samsung SmartThings product page and the SmartThings app page for Samsung’s platform information.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThere are three practical requirements:
- A supported operating system: the exact minimum is version- and region-sensitive.
- A Samsung account: you sign in with one in the app, or create one during setup.
- Compatible smart-home devices: some devices connect directly, while others need a hub. This requirement is tied to the device and connection technology, not to whether your phone is a Galaxy.
Samsung’s US product listing currently states Android 9 or later with at least 3 GB of RAM, or iOS 14 or later. Samsung also warns that availability and requirements may vary and change. A Canadian support article for installing the app on an iPhone lists iOS 13 or later for that article’s region. Treat the app-store listing for your country as the final check rather than assuming that one regional requirement applies everywhere.
#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
How iPhone, non-Samsung Android, and Galaxy phones compare
| Phone type | App platform and published requirement | Samsung account | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iOS; Samsung’s US listing says iOS 14 or later. A Canadian support article lists iOS 13 or later for its region. | Required | Some functions may have different support from Galaxy phones. |
| Non-Samsung Android phone | Android; Samsung’s US listing says Android 9 or later and at least 3 GB of RAM. | Required | Confirm that the specific phone and Android version meet the current local listing. |
| Samsung Galaxy phone | Android; the same app requirements still apply to the installed version. | Required | Samsung says Galaxy phones may provide the best experience or support functions differently. |
This means buying or borrowing a Samsung phone is not a prerequisite for creating a SmartThings home. Galaxy ownership can matter for particular features, but Samsung does not state that a Galaxy is necessary for normal app access. If your main goal is turning devices on and off, viewing status, or managing supported automations, start by checking whether your existing iPhone or Android phone can install the app.
Set up SmartThings on an iPhone
Samsung’s Canadian support instructions provide the basic iPhone flow. The labels can change as the app is updated, but the account step remains essential.
- Open the Apple App Store and search for the SmartThings app.
- Install the app on an iPhone that meets the current iOS requirement shown in your regional store.
- Open SmartThings.
- Choose the sign-in option and enter your Samsung account details, or choose the option to create a Samsung account.
- After signing in, follow the app’s device-add process for the products you want to control.
Samsung’s step-by-step regional guidance is available at How to install and use the SmartThings app on my iPhone. Because that article lists a regional iOS requirement, compare it with the current listing in the country where the iPhone is being used.
Set up SmartThings on a non-Samsung Android phone
A non-Samsung Android phone follows the same basic account model. The phone does not need to be a Galaxy, but it must satisfy the current Android and hardware requirements shown by Samsung and the Google Play listing.
- Open Google Play on the Android phone.
- Search for SmartThings and review the app listing’s required Android version and any device-availability notice.
- Install the app if the phone is eligible.
- Launch SmartThings.
- Sign in with a Samsung account, or create one when prompted.
- Use the app’s add-device flow and follow the instructions for each device’s connection method.
Samsung’s US information currently identifies Android 9 or later and a minimum of 3 GB of RAM. That figure is not a universal promise for every country or future app release; Samsung publishes requirements that can differ by page and locale. If Google Play reports that the app is unavailable, first compare the phone’s Android version and RAM with the local listing before concluding that a Samsung phone is required.
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
Do you need a SmartThings Hub?
No—not for every SmartThings setup. A hub is a device-level requirement. Samsung says certain connected devices need a compatible hub, while some Samsung products include a hub in the product itself. Therefore, the decision about buying separate hardware should come after you identify the exact devices you intend to connect.
Devices that connect without a separate hub
Some products can be added using their supported connection path without requiring you to purchase a standalone SmartThings Hub. The phone still needs the SmartThings app and a Samsung account, but the hardware may provide the necessary connectivity itself.
Devices that require a hub
Other products depend on hub-based communication. For those products, installing SmartThings on an iPhone or non-Samsung Android phone does not remove the hub requirement. Samsung’s SmartThings information also identifies products with built-in hubs, so check whether the device you are considering already includes that capability.
Matter devices
Samsung states that Matter devices require a Matter-compatible hub to connect to SmartThings. This is a compatibility requirement for the Matter connection, not a requirement to own a Samsung-branded phone. Confirm both the device’s Matter support and the hub requirement before purchase.
The safest preparation is to make a list of the exact lights, sensors, appliances, or other products you want to use, then check each product’s SmartThings requirements. Do not infer that all devices work directly just because the app installs successfully.
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
What Galaxy phones may do differently
Samsung describes broad Android and iOS support while also noting that Galaxy phones may provide the best experience or have different support for some functions. The company does not identify a Galaxy phone as a prerequisite for ordinary SmartThings access in the cited product information.
Recommended Free Tools
For a phone-selection decision, separate essential control from feature-specific behavior:
- Essential access: installing the app, signing in to a Samsung account, and managing supported devices are available across supported Android and iOS phones.
- Feature parity: Samsung cautions that some functions can differ between Galaxy, other Android, and iPhone devices.
- Device compatibility: a hub or Matter-compatible hub requirement remains in force regardless of phone brand.
If one particular SmartThings function is the reason you are choosing a phone, verify that function in Samsung’s current documentation or the app listing rather than assuming that all platforms expose identical controls.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common compatibility problems and what they mean
The app is not available in your store
Check the phone’s operating-system version against the current local listing. Samsung’s published minimums vary between regional pages, and availability can change. An unsupported iOS or Android version is a more likely explanation than the absence of a Samsung phone.
You can install the app but cannot finish setup
SmartThings requires a Samsung account. Use the in-app sign-in flow to enter an existing account or create one. Installing the app alone does not replace that account requirement.
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.
A device will not add
Review that device’s SmartThings requirements. It may need a compatible hub, or, if it is a Matter device, a Matter-compatible hub. Also check whether the product includes a built-in hub before purchasing separate hardware.
A feature appears different on an iPhone or non-Samsung Android phone
Samsung notes that Galaxy phones can offer the best experience or different support for certain functions. Confirm whether the function is supported on your phone platform; do not treat a platform-specific difference as proof that the entire SmartThings app is incompatible.
The requirements you found conflict
Use the current app-store listing for your location as the operational reference. Samsung’s US page lists Android 9 or later with 3 GB of RAM and iOS 14 or later, while the Canadian iPhone article lists iOS 13 or later for its regional instructions. Those differences show why a requirement copied from another country or an older support page may not match your device.
A practical decision checklist
- Identify whether your phone is an iPhone or Android device and note its operating-system version.
- Open your local Apple App Store or Google Play listing for SmartThings and confirm eligibility.
- Prepare a Samsung account or plan to create one in the app.
- List every smart-home device you want to connect.
- For each device, check whether it connects directly, needs a hub, includes a built-in hub, or is a Matter device requiring a Matter-compatible hub.
- If a specific feature matters, verify its support on iOS, non-Samsung Android, or Galaxy before changing phones.
Bottom line
SmartThings works without a Samsung phone. A supported iPhone or non-Samsung Android phone can run the app, but you need a Samsung account and a phone that meets the current regional requirements. A separate SmartThings hub is needed only for devices whose connection method requires one, with Matter devices specifically requiring a Matter-compatible hub.
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.
