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To add a device in Samsung SmartThings, first confirm it is compatible, choose the correct home location in the app, then use nearby discovery or select it manually by device type or brand. After setup, you can edit supported details such as its name and room, or remove it when it is no longer needed. The exact prompts and available options depend on the device, phone, app version, and region.

Check compatibility before you start

Not every smart-home product works with SmartThings. Check the specific device against Samsung’s compatibility guidance or look for it in the app’s Add flow. Samsung’s US guidance gives TVs, refrigerators, sensors, and light bulbs as examples of compatible categories. A SmartThings Hub can connect and control a wider variety of devices, but whether a particular product works—and whether it requires a hub—depends on that product and setup.

Have the device powered on and nearby, and be ready to follow any manufacturer-specific setup instructions. Samsung’s detailed setup guidance is from Canada and notes that screens and settings may differ for devices sold in other countries.

Add a device to SmartThings

  1. Choose its location: Open SmartThings and go to Devices. Tap the Home or location control and select the home where you want the device to appear.
  2. Open Add: Tap Add (the plus sign).
  3. Try discovery or select it manually: If it is a Bluetooth device and a nearby-device scan is offered, try that first. If the scan does not find it—or the device is not offered there—choose the manual option, then select its type or brand, or search for it.
  4. Complete the prompts: Follow the instructions shown in SmartThings and any instructions from the device maker. Some Samsung appliances require you to press a button on the appliance to enable smart features and finish connecting.

Labels and available routes can vary by device and phone, so use the options shown in your app rather than assuming every device has the same pairing flow.

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#1 Best Overall
Aeotec Smart Home Hub2 - V4, Works as a SmartThings Hub, Zigbee, Matter Gateway, Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, WiFi (No Z-Wave)
  • 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

If SmartThings cannot find or connect the device

Check the basics before removing anything: confirm the product is compatible, powered on, and in the correct setup mode, then try the device’s available manual selection route. For connection problems, Samsung’s US troubleshooting guidance recommends checking the network and the device’s prior pairing state.

  • Wi-Fi devices: Samsung says a Wi-Fi device may need to be on the same network as the hub. If you changed the Wi-Fi network name or password, update the network information for the hub and connected devices. Follow the product maker’s instructions as well.
  • Z-Wave devices paired to another hub: Exclude or remove the device from its previous setup before adding it to a new hub. Samsung Canada’s guide says: “If you are adding Z-Wave devices that have been connected previously, make sure they have been removed or excluded before adding them to the new hub.”
  • Re-adding a device: If the connection still fails, Samsung advises removing and adding the device again; a reset may be necessary if re-adding does not work. Reset steps vary, so use the instructions for the exact device.

Rename a device or change its room

To organize a supported device, select its device card and choose Edit. Samsung lists the device name, location, room, favorite status, and a phone home-screen shortcut among the details that may be available to change. The available controls depend on the device; Samsung says this editing workflow does not let you edit Bluetooth-device details.

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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
  • 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
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Remove a device from SmartThings

Select the device and choose Remove or Remove device, then confirm. The wording and gesture can differ by platform and app version.

Removing a touchscreen appliance from the app may not sign the Samsung account out of the appliance itself. Samsung notes this can apply to appliances such as some Family Hub refrigerators, ranges, or ovens; a factory reset clears the account information stored on the appliance. Check the appliance’s own instructions before resetting it, since a reset affects its stored settings.

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Rank #4
Aqara Smart Hub M100 for Home Automation, Matter Controller, Wi-Fi
  • 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.
Rank #3
Sale
Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro Smart Home Hub - Z-Wave Zigbee Matter
  • 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

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