To create a SmartThings automation, open Favorites or Routines in the SmartThings app, tap Add (+), and choose Routine. Set an IF condition, add the THEN actions, and save. For a routine you want to start yourself, use Manually run as the IF condition. The available choices depend on your devices, services, location setup, and region.
How SmartThings routines and automations work
SmartThings Support describes a routine as an IF condition followed by a THEN action. The IF part determines when the routine can run—for example, at a chosen time, on a particular day, when a device changes state, or when you start it manually. THEN actions tell SmartThings what to do, such as control a device, run a scene, use a service, or change a location setting. The specific options shown depend on your setup. SmartThings’ Routines in SmartThings guide explains the structure.
Create an automatic routine in the SmartThings app
- Select a Location. Open SmartThings and choose the relevant Location if you manage more than one.
- Start a routine. From Favorites or Routines, tap Add (+), then select Routine.
- Choose an IF condition. Tap Add (+) beside IF and select an available trigger or condition. Examples include a time and day or a device becoming active, such as a motion sensor.
- Set the condition logic. If you add multiple conditions, choose All conditions when every condition must be true, or Any condition when one condition is enough.
- Add THEN actions. Tap Add (+) beside THEN and choose an available device, scene, service, or location action.
- Save it. Save the routine, enter a name, and confirm.
SmartThings’ official instructions describe this workflow, but app labels and available options can change. A device or action listed in the guide may not appear for every product, service, or region. See the routine guide and SmartThings app guide.
Choose between All and Any conditions
- All conditions: The routine waits until every condition you added is met. Use this when the automation should require a combination of circumstances.
- Any condition: The routine can run when any one of the conditions is met. Use this when each condition should be sufficient on its own.
Check the selected logic before saving: choosing All instead of Any, or vice versa, changes when the routine is eligible to run.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Create a routine you run on demand
- Open the Routines tab and tap Add (+).
- Name the routine and, if you want, add it to Favorites.
- Add an IF condition and select Manually run.
- Add the THEN actions you want to perform and save.
A manual routine groups actions into one on-demand control. SmartThings says these routines may also be available through Favorites, a mobile widget, or a supported voice assistant, depending on the relevant setup. The routine guide describes the options.
Set up location and presence conditions
For phone presence, SmartThings needs permission to use the phone’s location. Its app guide describes enabling Get your location from this phone under Menu > Settings. For arrival and departure routines, configure the Location’s geolocation; its geofence determines when you or shared members count as having arrived or left. Location modes such as Home, Away, or Night can also be used to constrain routines. The available controls may vary with the app and setup. See the app guide and Locations in the SmartThings App.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
SmartThings’ Locations guide also describes linked places for member-location routines on Galaxy devices and says up to three places can be linked. Check the current app instructions to confirm whether that feature applies to your device and configuration.
Use a voice assistant or SmartThings service
SmartThings documents integrations with Bixby, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Its voice-services guide says Google Assistant can work with certified devices and control lighting, plugs, thermostats in the US, and manually configured SmartThings routines. It lists Alexa support for lights, switches, dimmers, thermostats, locks, and manual routines. Set up the assistant in its own app first. These are the categories described by SmartThings Support, not a guarantee for every device model or region; check compatibility for your specific setup. See Voice Services in SmartThings.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Services are preconfigured controls or integrations, and some are region-limited or require a suitable device. Removing a service also removes it from routines that used it. If an action has disappeared or stopped working, check whether the routine depends on a service that is no longer available. SmartThings explains this in its Services in SmartThings guide.
Understand where a routine runs
SmartThings’ Platform Transition FAQ describes Edge as moving supported hub-connected device commands and automations from the cloud to the hub for local processing. That does not mean every routine or connected device runs locally: some behavior can depend on cloud services or integrations. The FAQ says most supported devices migrated without routine changes, while some devices whose capabilities changed could be removed from routines or scenes. It is transition guidance, not a current compatibility list for each product. Check the device and routine behavior for your own setup in the Platform Transition FAQ.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Edit, disable, or remove a routine
SmartThings’ routine guide describes an Enabled/Disabled control for disabling a routine and an in-app option to remove routines. To change a manually run routine, open it, select Edit, add or remove actions, and save. Navigation can vary with app releases; consult the official routine instructions if the controls have moved.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
If a routine is unavailable or stops working
- A condition or action is missing: Confirm that the device or service is connected and that the option is supported for your region and setup.
- A location routine does not trigger: Check the phone’s SmartThings location permission, the Location’s geolocation, and the geofence configuration.
- A service action no longer works: Check whether the service is still available; removing a service removes it from routines that use it.
- A device change affected an existing routine: Review the routine’s actions and device compatibility. SmartThings’ transition FAQ notes that capability changes could remove some devices from routines or scenes.
- A voice command is not recognized: Verify that the assistant is set up in its own app and that your device category, model, and region are supported.
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.
