Does Samsung SmartThings Work with Apple HomeKit?
If you're building a smart home, you've likely come across the two major players: Samsung's SmartThings and Apple's HomeKit. If you own Samsung devices but use an iPhone and want to control everything from Apple's Home app, you've probably asked a simple question: can you connect them?
The short answer is no, not natively. Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit are direct competitors and are designed as separate, self-contained ecosystems. There is no built-in way to add your SmartThings devices to the Apple Home app. However, the story doesn't end there. For tech-savvy users, there are powerful workarounds.
Why There's No Native Support
Smart home ecosystems are like walled gardens. Each company (Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon) wants you to use their platform and their certified partner devices. They use different communication protocols and security standards, making direct integration difficult. You won't find the "Works with Apple HomeKit" logo on a SmartThings Hub because they haven't gone through Apple's certification process, and vice-versa.
The Unofficial Solution: Homebridge
For users who are comfortable with some DIY tech projects, there is a very popular and robust solution called Homebridge.
### What is Homebridge?
Homebridge is a lightweight server you can run on a device in your home that essentially tricks HomeKit into thinking your non-supported devices are actually HomeKit-certified. It acts as a "bridge" between the two ecosystems.
- How it Works: You install the Homebridge software on an always-on computer, like a Raspberry Pi (a small, low-cost computer) or an old laptop. Then, you install a "plugin" for the platform you want to connect—in this case, the 'Homebridge-SmartThings' plugin.
- The Result: This plugin communicates with your SmartThings Hub over your local network, pulls in your list of devices (lights, switches, sensors, and even cameras), and then presents them to Apple's Home app as if they were native HomeKit devices. You can then add them to your Home app, control them with Siri, and include them in your HomeKit automations.
### Is Homebridge Right for You?
While incredibly powerful, Homebridge is not a simple "plug-and-play" solution.
- You'll Need: Some dedicated hardware (a Raspberry Pi is the most common choice) and the patience to follow command-line installation guides.
- The Trade-off: It requires a bit of initial setup and occasional maintenance (updating plugins). However, it opens up a huge world of possibilities, allowing you to connect hundreds of otherwise incompatible devices to your Apple Home.
The Future: The 'Matter' Standard
There is a new, universal smart home standard on the horizon called Matter. It is backed by Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and hundreds of other companies. The goal of Matter is to make all smart home devices work together, regardless of the manufacturer.
- How Matter will help: Samsung has updated its SmartThings Hubs to be Matter controllers. In the future, if you buy a new device that is Matter-certified (e.g., a lightbulb), it should work with both SmartThings and HomeKit simultaneously without the need for complex workarounds.
- Limitations: While Matter will be great for new devices like lights, plugs, and sensors, its support for more complex devices like security cameras is still in its early stages. It may be some time before you can seamlessly stream your Samsung camera feed in the Apple Home app via Matter.
For now, if you want to integrate your existing Samsung SmartThings devices into Apple HomeKit, Homebridge remains the most powerful and flexible solution available.