“Can I use Google Assistant to activate my SmartThings devices?”
You can do that and even use it to set your “scenes.”
With Google Home, you can automate your smart home more conveniently.
All you have to do is to link your accounts.
So, ready to dig in?
Read on to learn:
- How to control SmartThings using Google Home.
- 9 easy steps to connect Google Home with SmartThings.
- Whether you need a SmartThings Hub to use Google Home.
- And many more…
Does SmartThings work with Google Home?
SmartThings works with Google Home as long as both your accounts are linked together. You can use voice commands to activate your SmartThings devices once you’ve synced your automations to Google Home. Once linked, you can manage and control your devices on both the SmartThings and Google Home app.
How to connect Google Home with SmartThings – 9 steps
#1: Set up Google Home
As a general rule, you always have to set up your devices before linking them to ones.
That said, the first thing you have to do is to set up your Google Home.
To do that:
Step 1: Plug in your Google Home speaker to a power socket.
Step 2: Download the Google Home app.
Step 3: Log in to your Google account. Or sign up to create a new one.
Step 4: Click “Get Started.”
Step 5:Then, follow the on-screen instructions to begin the Google Home setup process.
Once done, keep your Google Home speaker plugged in and on.
#2: Set up your SmartThings devices
Next, set up your SmartThings devices.
Note: For non-Samsung devices, you have to set up your devices one by one. You may also need to download their companion app.
Once all your smart devices have been set up, launch your SmartThings app to add your devices.
Make sure that you log in to the same Samsung account that you’ve registered with your devices.
As SmartThings can’t discover devices not connected to the same Samsung account.
To add devices to SmartThings:
- Launch the SmartThings app.
- Select “Devices.”
- Click the “Home” icon.
- Press the plus (+) icon.
- Tap “Add Device.”
- Scan or search your smart device.
- Then, follow the on-screen instructions.
Take note that you have to repeat the same process to connect every device you have to SmartThings.
Important note: Make sure your smart devices and phone are connected to the same WiFi network.
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#3: Return to the SmartThings home page
This is where the actual linking of Google Home to SmartThings truly begins.
Once you’ve set up your devices and Google Home speaker, return to the homepage of your SmartThings app.
You can also do the linking from the Google Home app.
But nothing would really matter as they follow the same process.
Since you already have your SmartThings app open, perform the linking process on it.
However, if you want to link accounts from the Google Home app, watch this instructional video:
#4: Tap the plus (+) icon
Next, tap the plus icon located slightly at the top-right corner.
A setting page will show up after pressing it once.
Tip: Make sure to be physically close to the Google Home speaker to prevent any connection error.
#5: Select “Voice Assistant”
From the selections, tap “Voice Assistant.”
The page will show all possible voice assistants that you can link with SmartThings.
Do you see a “Connected to SmartThings” label under a different voice assistant?
Well, it means that your SmartThings is already connected to it.
You can keep it if you want to use several voice assistants.
But if you want to focus on Google Home, make sure to disconnect it.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Return to the SmartThings home page.
- Click the three-line icon.
- Select “Settings.”
- Click “Linked Services.”
- Tap the voice assistant you want to remove.
- Click “Uninstall.”
- Press “Delete.”
- Then, tap “Confirm” to remove.
After that, the label under the voice assistant’s name should turn blue.
Note: Factoring resetting a voice assistant removes pairing with other devices.
#6: Click “Google Assistant”
To connect with Google Home, choose “Google Assistant” from the selection.
Doing this will lead you to the Google Home app.
Note: If you have the “in-app website” enabled, the page will remain in the SmartThings app.
Sometimes it can take a while for the page to load, so just have enough patience to wait.
If the page freezes, just restart your SmartThings app, then return to this exact page.
#7: Log in to your Samsung account
The log-in page will appear, and it will ask you to input your account details.
You can either sign in with your Samsung account.
Or sign in directly with your SmartThings account. But it’s only applicable to users who still use the SmartThings Classic app.
Important note: If logging in with a Samsung account, use the same account you’ve used before.
#8: Click “Authorize” to allow authorization
Once you’ve entered your account information, an authorization page will appear.
Just click “Authorize” to continue the account linking process.
“Why do I have to do this?”
Basically, giving “authorization” is permitting Google Home to access your SmartThings data.
This gives Google Home power to control and automate your SmartThings devices.
If you click “Deny,” the linking process will end.
And you won’t be able to use Google Home to activate your smart devices.
#9: Assign devices to specific rooms
Technically, clicking “Authorize” ends and completes the account linking process.
But if you want to control your SmartThings devices right away, assign your devices to “rooms.”
Well, you can control a single device even without adding it to a room.
But didn’t you connect your Google Home to SmartThings to automate your home better?
To use Google Home more efficiently, assign and organize your devices.
Here’s how you can do it:
- From the same page, select the devices you want to group.
- Click the “Add To A Room” on the bottom page.
- Select the room where you want to add the devices. Or create a new one.
Repeat this same process to organize and automate your devices better.
By doing this, you can control your smart devices by just mentioning the “room.”
For example, you can say, “Hey Google, turn the lights off in the kitchen.”
And Google will turn off every light in that room.
You can also say, “Hey Google, turn on all devices in the living room.”
This will activate all possible gadgets and appliances in that room.
Read also: 7 Ways To Stop Google Home From Repeating Commands (How-To)
People also ask:
How do I control SmartThings with Google Assistant?
You can control SmartThings with Google Assistant by connecting SmartThings to Google Home. And by enabling “voice assistant” in your SmartThings setting.
With Google Home, you can now control your smart devices quicker.
You can automate your smart devices even when you’re running multiple errands at home.
Just make sure that your Google Home speaker and devices are connected to the same WiFi network.
For better automation, create SmartThings scenes and assign smart devices to Google rooms.
For example, group your LED light, air humidifier, and blinds to “bedroom.”
And create a “Good Night” scene to automate these devices.
So when you’re about to sleep, you can just say, “Hey Google, run Good NIght.”
Or “Hey Google, turn off the blinds in the bedroom.”
And all your devices will activate or turn off as instructed.
Warning: Any changes in your smart device can affect your automations. So when changing sometimes, make sure to review or re-do your automation settings.
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Do I need a SmartThings hub with Google Home?
You don’t necessarily need a SmartThings hub to activate devices using Google Home.
You’ll only need a hub if you’re using several sensors and lights, and you want to control them using voice commands.
Google Home controls your smart devices through SmartThings.
Meaning, Google Home has no direct connection with your devices.
And so, every system concern should be directed to SmartThings.
If you’re using a Samsung or SmartThings device, you don’t need a hub to automate it.
You also won’t need a hub if the device you’re using is WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled.
“So, when would I need to install a SmartThings hub?”
Non-Samsung devices can’t work with SmartThings.
But you can still automate them by connecting your devices to a hub.
You should use a SmartThings hub if you want to:
- Create heavy automations or scenes.
- Automate several sensors or lights at once.
- Use Zigbee, Z-wave, or LAN-dependent smart devices.
If you want to control these devices with voice commands, connect your hub to SmartThings.
Then, add your SmartThings Hub to your Google Home.
Don’t forget to assign your devices to specific rooms as well.
After that, you should be able to use Google Assistant to automate your home however you want.