Samsung Just Made SmartThings a Lot Smarter: Everything New in the SmartThings Now Update

For years, smart home platforms have largely functioned as glorified digital remote controls. You open an app, hunt for a light switch, adjust a thermostat, or tap a shortcut button. However, Samsung is taking a massive leap toward true ambient intelligence.

Rolling out alongside the One UI 9 release on flagship hardware like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the latest SmartThings update transitions the platform from simply executing commands to proactively anticipating what you need next.

Here is a deep dive into the flagship features, technical speed upgrades, and standard additions packed into the all-new SmartThings Now experience.

SmartThings Now: Context-Aware Intelligence on Your Home Screen

The highlight of this overhaul is SmartThings Now, a new intelligence layer positioned right at the top of your redesigned Home tab. Instead of requiring you to scroll through endless device lists, SmartThings Now dynamically surfaces contextual information, controls, and recommendations based on your real-time location, activity, and usage patterns.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   SmartThings Now                        │
│  [ Location ]  ➔  Approaching home? Turn on Purifier     │
│  [ Activity ]  ➔  Inactivity detected? Check Family Care │
│  [ Routine  ]  ➔  Remove unused automated triggers      │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key features driving this smart experience include:

• Location & Activity Triggers: Approaching your driveway after work? SmartThings Now can automatically surface controls to open the garage, turn on entryway lights, or kick start the air purifier.

• Family Care Cards: Safety and peace of mind get a meaningful boost. Family Care cards can surface direct prompts if a linked family member’s registered device shows no activity for an extended period, allowing you to check in quickly.

• Routine Insight: Automation clutter is a real problem for mature smart homes. Routine Insight evaluates your automated routines over time and suggests deleting triggers you no longer use.

• Adaptive Favorites: The app analyzes your weekly usage habits and proactively recommends updating your Favorites grid to keep your most-used appliances front and center.

Local Control: Up to ~30% Faster Response Times

Beyond intelligent UI tweaks, Samsung has completely reworked the underlying architecture powering device communication across its ecosystem.

When your smartphone and SmartThings Hub share the same Wi-Fi network, commands are routed locally rather than hopping through external cloud servers.

Cloud Control:   Phone ──➔ Internet Cloud ──➔ Hub ──➔ Device  (Slower / Internet-dependent)
Local Control:   Phone ───────────────────➔ Hub ──➔ Device  (~30% Faster / Works Offline)

Why Local Control Matters:

1. Lightning-Fast Speed: According to Samsung, local execution delivers up to ~30% faster response times compared to traditional cloud-based commands.

2. Offline Reliability: If your internet connection drops, you can still control your local Wi-Fi and Thread devices seamlessly from your phone.

3. Seamless Switching: The app automatically switches between local execution (when you’re connected to home Wi-Fi) and cloud control (when away from home) without requiring manual adjustments.

4. Offline Device Diagnostics: Network management is simplified with updated diagnostic tools that let you update Wi-Fi information across registered devices simultaneously.

Interface Refresh: Built for Modern Galaxy Devices

Designed to match the fluid design language of One UI 9, the refreshed interface makes navigating large device ecosystems significantly easier. If you are wondering whether your current device will receive these software enhancements, check out the complete list of One UI 9 eligible devices.

As Samsung continues pushing these software builds globally, users can track regional availability using the One UI 9 global update tracker, especially as Samsung expands the One UI 9 rollout to Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7 devices.

Next-Gen Interoperability: Matter 1.6 Support

Samsung continues its commitment to open smart home ecosystems by adopting Matter 1.6 support. This standard expansion allows SmartThings to natively pair with, monitor, and automate several brand-new hardware categories:

• Energy Meters: Track real-time power consumption directly within your SmartThings energy dashboard.

• Closures: Native control support for motorized gates, specialized doors, and window coverings.

• Irrigation Devices: Smart lawn sprinklers and automated watering systems.

• Soil Sensors: Ground temperature and soil moisture monitoring for smart gardens.

Check for the Update

The SmartThings Now rollout is actively underway for Android and iOS users, with tailored optimizations for Galaxy devices running One UI 9.

1. Open the Galaxy Store (or Google Play Store).

2. Search for SmartThings and select Update if a new build is available.

3. Launch the app and check the top of your Home tab to explore your personalized SmartThings Now cards.

Check for the update on your Galaxy device and share a screenshot in the comments section as soon as it arrives! Which local control improvements or context suggestions are you finding most useful? Let us know below!