Samsung SmartThings Hub is the control center for your connected home devices

The SmartThings Hub is a small device that connects to your Samsung TV and lets you control other smart home devices—lights, locks, thermostats, cameras, and more—from one place. It acts as a bridge between your TV and those devices, so commands travel through the hub instead of directly from your phone or remote. The hub stays plugged in and connected to your home network, which means your devices keep working even if your phone loses connection.

Samsung TVs with SmartThings built in don't require a separate hub device. If your TV has the SmartThings app already installed, you can control compatible devices directly from your TV's remote or screen. Older Samsung TVs or non-Samsung devices may need a standalone SmartThings Hub to work reliably, especially if they use Zigbee or Z-Wave wireless standards instead of Wi-Fi.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartThings Hub connects your TV to other smart home devices so you can control them all from one remote or app.
  • Newer Samsung TVs have SmartThings built in and do not need a separate hub device to control compatible smart home products.
  • A standalone hub improves reliability for devices that use Zigbee or Z-Wave, because it creates a stronger local network that does not depend on your internet connection.
  • You can control lights, locks, cameras, thermostats, and other devices from your TV screen, phone, or voice assistant if they are connected to the same SmartThings network.

How SmartThings Hub connects devices to your TV

When you add a device to SmartThings, the hub learns its location and what it does. You then create routines—automated actions that happen when you do something, like turning on lights when you unlock the front door, or dimming the TV room lights when you start a movie. The hub remembers these routines and runs them locally, meaning they work even if your internet goes down.

The hub communicates with devices using different wireless standards. Wi-Fi devices connect directly to your home network. Zigbee and Z-Wave devices form a mesh network through the hub, where each device can relay signals to others, extending the range across your home. This mesh approach is more reliable than Wi-Fi for battery-powered devices like door sensors and smart buttons, because it uses less power and creates multiple paths for signals to travel.

Built-in SmartThings versus a standalone hub

Samsung TVs made in 2021 and later typically have SmartThings built into the TV itself. You do not need to buy a separate hub. You open the SmartThings app on your TV, add devices, and control them from your remote. This works well if all your devices use Wi-Fi or if you have only a few Zigbee or Z-Wave products close to the TV.

A standalone SmartThings Hub is a small box you plug in elsewhere in your home—often in a central location or near devices that are far from the TV. It strengthens the Zigbee and Z-Wave network, especially in larger homes or homes with thick walls. If you have many battery-powered devices or devices in distant rooms, a standalone hub makes them more responsive and reliable. Older Samsung TVs without built-in SmartThings also need a standalone hub to control smart home devices at all.

What devices work with SmartThings

SmartThings works with thousands of devices, but not all of them. Samsung-branded products like SmartThings cameras, door locks, and motion sensors are may provide to work. Other brands that work include Philips Hue lights, Yale locks, Arlo cameras, and many others, but you should check the SmartThings app or Samsung's compatibility list before buying.

Devices must support one of the wireless standards SmartThings uses: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Matter. Matter is a newer standard that Samsung is adding to SmartThings, and it promises to make devices from different brands work together more smoothly. If a device uses only Bluetooth or its own proprietary app, SmartThings cannot control it.

Setting up SmartThings on your TV

If your TV has SmartThings built in, open the SmartThings app from your TV's home screen. Sign in with your Samsung account. The app will search for nearby devices and show you a list. Select each device, enter its Wi-Fi password or pairing code if needed, and assign it to a room. Once added, you can control it from the app or create routines.

If you are using a standalone hub, plug it into power and connect it to your home network using the SmartThings app on your phone. Then add devices the same way. The hub and TV should be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Samsung account so they work together. The TV will see devices added to the hub and let you control them from the TV screen.

Troubleshooting common SmartThings problems

If a device stops responding, check that it is still powered on and within range of the hub or TV. Restart the hub by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If the device still does not work, remove it from SmartThings and add it again. Sometimes a device loses its connection and needs to be re-paired.

If routines are not running, make sure the hub is online—check the SmartThings app to see the hub's status. Routines that depend on location or time need your phone's location services turned on and your TV's time set correctly. If a device works from the app but not from your TV remote, make sure both are signed into the same Samsung account and connected to the same home network.

When you might not need SmartThings Hub

If you only have a few Wi-Fi devices and they are all close to your TV, you may not need a hub at all. Wi-Fi devices can connect directly to your home network without a hub. However, if you have battery-powered devices like door sensors, motion detectors, or wireless buttons, a hub makes them much more reliable because Zigbee and Z-Wave use less power than Wi-Fi.

If you do not own other smart home devices and do not plan to, SmartThings is not useful. It is designed for people who want to control multiple devices from one place. If you prefer to control each device with its own app, you do not need SmartThings at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a SmartThings Hub if my TV has it built in?

No, not unless you have many Zigbee or Z-Wave devices spread across a large home. Built-in SmartThings works fine for Wi-Fi devices and a small number of battery-powered devices near the TV. A standalone hub helps if devices are far away or if the TV's built-in hub does not reach them reliably.

Can I use SmartThings with non-Samsung devices?

Yes. SmartThings works with thousands of devices from other brands, including Philips Hue, Yale, Arlo, and many others. Check the SmartThings app or Samsung's compatibility list before buying a device to make sure it is supported.

What happens if my internet goes down?

Routines and automations still work because the hub runs them locally on your home network. You can control devices from your TV or a phone on the same Wi-Fi. You cannot control devices from outside your home or use voice assistants that depend on the internet.

Can I control SmartThings devices from my phone?

Yes. read the SmartThings app on your phone, sign in with the same Samsung account, and you can control devices from anywhere. The app also lets you create routines, check device status, and manage automations.

Is SmartThings find?

SmartThings uses encryption to protect communication between devices and the hub. Your Samsung account password protects access to the app. Like any connected device, it is safer if you use a strong password and keep your TV's software updated.