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Adding Matter compatible equipment to your SmartThings Hub made easy
Teaming up Matter and Samsung SmartThings should help to (hopefully) herald a new era of simplicity and convenience for smart home enthusiasts.
That parenthesised “hopefully” is because Matter has been somewhat of a muddle so far, but there are some signs of real progress now and it’s pretty simple to get your Matter smart home devices synced with your SmartThings Hub.
SmartThings seems to be the major ecosystem that rolls out updates the quickest too; it beat the likes of Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple to the Matter 1.2 punch, for example.
Seamlessly weaving together the very best in smart home connectivity standards, Matter and SmartThings can help you to create a dynamic synergy, enhanced functionality and harmonious control of your smart home system.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through the process of integrating Matter devices into your SmartThings-powered smart home, using the SmartThings app to easily add Matter tech to your SmartThings system.
What you’ll need
- Your smartphone, tablet or TV with the SmartThings app
- A Matter controller such as an SmartThings hub or a recent Samsung smart TV, monitor or fridge
- The Matter device you want to add
- The Matter QR code or pin
Matter and SmartThings checklist
The first requirement of Matter is a Matter commissioner and, in the case of adding Matter devices to a SmartThings system, will simply be the SmartThings app, whether that be iOS or Android – or even the one on certain modern Samsung TVs with SmartThings hubs built in.
The next thing you’ll need is a Matter controller and, if you’re already using a SmartThings system, the good news is that you’ve already got one (probably… unless you’re running a really old system).
The v2 and v3 SmartThings Hubs and the Aeotec Smart Home Hub are all Matter controllers, but the v2 lacks Matter over Thread, so is a Wi-Fi only option.
There’s also the option of the Samsung SmartThings Station and some recent Samsung smart fridges and TVs can also act as Matter controllers (no Thread though).
Technically, you can add Matter devices to your SmartThings system that were originally added using a different, non-SmartThings, controller (such as an Apple HomePod) but that’s another guide for another day.
The short version
- Open the SmartThings app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Hit the plus icon (top right corner) and choose Add Device.
- Tap the QR code.
- Choose what hub to sync to.
- Give the device a name.
That’s it, all done – you are now all set to get your new Matter device involved in your SmartThings automations, groups and so on.
FAQs
SmartThings Hub v2, v3 and the Aeotec SmartThings Hub. The latest Samsung TVs, Smart Monitors, Family Hub refrigerators, SmartThings Station, the latest Samsung soundbars.
However, be aware that only the v3 and the Aeotec hub can also act as Thread border routers.
In theory, all Matter certified devices should work with SmartThings, but certain device types – including all of those introduced with Matter 1.3, aren’t yet supported.
No directly no, but if you have a bunch of Zigbee or Z-Wave devices synced to your SmartThings system and you add Matter devices to the mix, you will be able to create routines and automations that combine both, as well as creating groups that contain devices using a mix of all the protocols.
See also…
How to add Matter devices to Alexa
How to add Matter devices to your Apple Home app
How to add Matter devices to Google Home
