What the latest Samsung SmartThings update actually does
Samsung’s latest SmartThings update removes one of the biggest pain points for mixing IKEA smart home devices with a Samsung ecosystem. Until now, you needed two separate hubs – an IKEA smart home hub plus a SmartThings hub – and had to juggle both apps to get everything working together. After the update, 25 of IKEA’s newest Matter-over-Thread devices can join SmartThings directly, no extra IKEA hub required. That means you can pair IKEA gadgets straight to a SmartThings Hub or any Samsung device acting as a SmartThings control center, then manage them in one place. The integration isn’t just about basic on/off controls, either: Samsung explicitly calls out support for controlling its TVs, air conditioners, washing machines and more with IKEA controllers and sensors. It’s a practical step toward the promise of Matter smart home support: simpler setup, less proprietary hardware, and real cross-brand interoperability.
The 25 IKEA devices now supported – and why they matter
The upgraded SmartThings IKEA integration covers 25 Matter-over-Thread products, focusing on core building blocks of whole-home automation. The lineup includes smart bulbs and plugs, ideal for energy-saving and basic lighting scenes. It also brings in temperature and humidity sensors, air quality sensors, motion sensors, door and window sensors, and water leak sensors – the essentials for monitoring comfort, safety, and security. A standout is IKEA’s scroll wheel remote, which can adjust brightness and color temperature of lights or even fine-tune smart blinds with a twist of the dial. Together, these devices give SmartThings users affordable ways to add room-by-room sensing and control without committing to more expensive, brand-locked accessories. Because they speak Matter-over-Thread, they plug into a low-power mesh network that’s designed to be robust and interoperable, making it easier to extend coverage across larger homes without overwhelming Wi‑Fi.
From dual hubs to one app: why this is a big usability win
Previously, connecting IKEA smart home devices to Samsung SmartThings was notoriously fiddly. You had to pair everything with IKEA’s hub first, then expose those devices to SmartThings, effectively managing two ecosystems just to run a single automation. With the new SmartThings update, that complexity disappears for the supported IKEA range. You only need a SmartThings hub, and all configuration and routines live in the SmartThings app. For Samsung TV owners, the experience improves further: the same SmartThings app that runs on compatible TVs now lets you control IKEA bulbs, plugs, and sensors from the big screen. The integration also ties into Samsung appliances such as air conditioners, air purifiers, and washing machines, enabling cross-brand routines that previously demanded far more tinkering. In practice, you spend less time troubleshooting bridges and more time actually using automations that feel coherent and responsive.
Matter in action: real-world automations that blend Samsung and IKEA
This upgrade turns IKEA hardware into powerful triggers and controllers inside a Samsung-based smart home setup. For example, an IKEA air quality sensor that tracks temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels and light can feed SmartThings an alert when humidity spikes, prompting a Samsung air conditioner to switch into dehumidification mode automatically. A water leak sensor under the sink could trigger SmartThings to notify your phone and flash IKEA smart bulbs in a specific color, making leaks hard to miss. Motion and door sensors can arm a simple home-security workflow: when a door opens unexpectedly, SmartThings can turn on IKEA lights and send an alert via your TV’s SmartThings app. The scroll wheel remote can dim IKEA bulbs while also adjusting Samsung smart blinds, giving you one physical controller for an entire scene. These scenarios show Matter smart home support moving from marketing buzzword to meaningful daily convenience.
Who benefits most, and what limitations still remain
The biggest winners are SmartThings users who want an affordable smart home setup without sacrificing flexibility. IKEA smart home devices are positioned as entry-level options, but with this update they become an easy way to expand coverage: add more sensors for climate insights, more plugs for legacy lamps, or a couple of remotes for tactile control, all while staying inside the SmartThings app. First-time smart home users gain a simpler path in, since they no longer need to invest in and manage two hubs. There are still caveats, though. Only the 25 specified Matter-over-Thread IKEA models are supported, so older or non-Matter products may still require IKEA’s own bridge. You’ll also need a Matter-capable SmartThings hub and up-to-date firmware on both sides for pairing to work smoothly. Even with those constraints, the move is a clear milestone for practical, cross-brand smart home interoperability.
