Connect Your Samsung Devices to Your Computer
You can control many Samsung devices from your PC using Samsung SmartThings, the company's app for managing connected home devices. SmartThings runs on Windows and Mac computers through a web browser, and it lets you monitor and adjust Samsung appliances, TVs, and smart home equipment from your desk or anywhere with internet access.
The simplest way to start is to visit smartthings.samsung.com in any web browser on your PC, then sign in with your Samsung account. If you don't have one, you'll need to create it first—this is the same account you use on Samsung phones or tablets. Once you're logged in, SmartThings will show you every Samsung device connected to your home network.
Not all Samsung devices work with SmartThings. Newer Samsung refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, TVs, and vacuum cleaners typically connect. Older models may not. Check your device's manual or the product page on Samsung's website to confirm it supports SmartThings before you spend time setting it up.
Key Takeaways
- SmartThings on PC works through your web browser at smartthings.samsung.com and requires a Samsung account to sign in.
- Your Samsung devices must be connected to your home Wi-Fi network and added to SmartThings before you can control them from your computer.
- You can read the SmartThings app from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store if you prefer a desktop process instead of using the website.
- Some Samsung TVs and monitors let you mirror or extend your PC screen directly, which is different from SmartThings and uses Samsung's wireless display feature instead.
Add Your Samsung Devices to SmartThings
Before you can control a device from your PC, it must be added to your SmartThings account. Start by making sure the device is turned on and connected to your home Wi-Fi network—this is the same network your PC uses. Then open SmartThings on your phone or tablet (the mobile app is easier for this step) and tap the plus icon to add a new device.
SmartThings will search for nearby devices. When it finds your Samsung appliance or TV, select it from the list and follow the on-screen steps to connect it. You'll usually need to confirm the device name and choose which room it's in. Once it's added on your phone, it will automatically appear in SmartThings on your PC the next time you sign in.
If SmartThings doesn't find your device, check that it's powered on and within range of your Wi-Fi router. Some devices require you to press a button or hold down a key during setup to enter pairing mode—check your device's manual for the exact steps. Older Samsung devices may need a different setup process or may not support SmartThings at all.
Control Your Devices from the SmartThings Website
Once your devices are added, sign in to smartthings.samsung.com on your PC to see them all in one place. The dashboard shows the status of each device—whether your TV is on, your washing machine is running, or your refrigerator is at the right temperature. Click on any device to open its controls.
What you can do depends on the device type. For a Samsung TV, you can turn it on or off, change the volume, and switch inputs. For a washing machine, you can start or stop a cycle and see how much time is left. For a refrigerator, you can check the temperature and get alerts if the door is left open. Not every device supports every action—the app will only show you the controls that work for that specific model.
The website version of SmartThings works on any PC with a modern web browser. You don't need to install anything, and you can sign in from any computer. If you prefer a desktop process, you can read the SmartThings app from the Microsoft Store (for Windows) or the Mac App Store (for macOS), though the website version has all the same features.
Use the SmartThings Desktop App Instead of the Website
If you want SmartThings as a standalone process on your PC rather than opening it in a browser, read it from the Microsoft Store on Windows or the Mac App Store on macOS. Search for "SmartThings" in either store, select the official Samsung app, and click Install. The app will appear in your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).
The desktop app works exactly like the website—you sign in with your Samsung account, see all your devices, and control them the same way. The main difference is that the app stays open on your taskbar and can send you notifications when something happens, like when a washing machine cycle finishes or a door sensor detects motion. Some people find this more convenient than checking the website.
Both the website and the app stay in sync, so if you control a device from your phone, you'll see the change on your PC when ready. You don't need to use both—pick whichever feels more natural to you.
Mirror Your PC Screen to a Samsung TV
If you have a Samsung TV, you can send your PC's display to it wirelessly without using SmartThings. This is called screen mirroring or casting, and it lets you watch videos, give presentations, or play games on a larger screen. The process is different from controlling the TV through SmartThings—you're not controlling the TV, you're sending your PC's picture to it.
On Windows, right-click on your desktop and look for "Display settings" or open Settings and go to System > Display. Scroll down to "Multiple displays" and click "Connect to a wireless display." Your TV should appear in the list if it's on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Click it to start mirroring. On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, select "Screen Mirroring," and choose your Samsung TV from the list.
Not all Samsung TVs support wireless mirroring—it's more common on newer models. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to confirm the feature is available. Some older TVs require a separate device like a Chromecast or Roku to receive a wireless signal from your PC.
Troubleshoot When Devices Don't Show Up or Won't Connect
If a device isn't appearing in SmartThings on your PC, start by checking that it's connected to your home Wi-Fi network. Many Samsung devices have a settings menu where you can see which network they're on. Make sure it's the same network your PC uses—if your router has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band, some devices only work on one of them.
Sign out of SmartThings on your PC and sign back in. Sometimes the app doesn't refresh automatically when a new device is added. If the device still doesn't appear, try removing it from SmartThings on your phone and adding it again, then check your PC. If you're still stuck, restart your device, your router, and your PC, then try once more.
If you can't sign in to SmartThings at all, make sure you're using the correct Samsung account email and password. If you've forgotten your password, go to account.samsung.com and use the "Forgot password" link. You may also need to check that your internet connection is working and that your firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking SmartThings.
Understand What SmartThings Can and Cannot Do
SmartThings is designed to monitor and control devices remotely, but it has limits. You can turn devices on or off, adjust settings, and see their status, but you can't do everything you can do with the device's own app or physical controls. For example, you can start a Samsung washing machine from your PC, but you may not be able to select every wash cycle option—some settings only work on the machine itself or through the dedicated washing machine app.
SmartThings also requires an internet connection on your PC to work. If your internet goes down, you won't be able to control devices remotely, though they'll still work normally with their physical buttons. Some advanced features, like automating devices to turn on at a specific time, may require a separate SmartThings hub device, which is a small box you plug into your home network.
If you need more control than SmartThings offers, check whether your specific device has its own app for PC. Many Samsung TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines have dedicated apps in the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store that give you deeper control than SmartThings does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to use SmartThings on my PC?
Yes, you need a Samsung account to sign in to SmartThings. If you don't have one, you can create it for free at account.samsung.com. Use the same account on all your devices so SmartThings can find and control them.
Can I control my Samsung TV from my PC without SmartThings?
Yes. If you want to mirror your PC screen to the TV, use Windows' wireless display feature or Mac's screen mirroring. If you want to control the TV itself, SmartThings is the main option, though some Samsung TVs have their own dedicated app in the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store.
What if my Samsung device is too old for SmartThings?
Older Samsung devices may not support SmartThings. Check your device's manual or the product page on Samsung's website to confirm. If it doesn't support SmartThings, you may be able to control it through a dedicated app for that specific device, if one exists.
Will SmartThings work if my PC and Samsung device are on different Wi-Fi networks?
No. Your PC and your Samsung devices must be on the same home Wi-Fi network for SmartThings to work. If you're away from home, you can still control devices remotely through SmartThings as long as both your PC and the devices have internet access.
Can I use SmartThings on a work computer or shared PC?
Yes, but you'll be signing in with your personal Samsung account. Anyone who uses that computer while you're signed in can control your devices. If you want to keep your devices private, sign out of SmartThings when you're done, or use a separate user account on your PC.