# Samsung SmartThings update adds SmartThings Now, hub local control and Matter 1.6

> The update redesigns the Home tab, sends commands directly between phone and hub on the same Wi-Fi network, and adds four Matter 1.6 device categories.

- Canonical page: https://smarthomecanon.com/news/samsung-smartthings-update-adds-smartthings-now-local-control-and-matter-1-6
- Last checked: 2026-10-14

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Published | 2026-10-12 |
| Updated | 2026-10-14 |
| Author | Smart Home Canon |
| Tags | samsung, smartthings, matter, local-control |

## What was announced

- Samsung announced a SmartThings platform update on October 12 through its UK newsroom. It adds SmartThings Now, a redesigned Home tab and expanded local control.[^1]
- Samsung states the platform has 470 million registered users and more than 430 Works with SmartThings certified brands.[^1]

## SmartThings Now

- SmartThings Now appears as cards at the top of the Home tab. It builds on Home Insight and shows information and controls based on the user's situation.[^1]
- A Family Care card goes to a caregiver when a family member's devices show no activity for an extended period. It offers check-in and call options.[^1]
- Near a registered home location, the app suggests turning on lights and air purifiers and prompts the user to create a routine. A Routine Insight card shows the past week's routine activity so unused routines can be deleted.[^1]

## Home tab

- The redesigned Home tab has smaller service cards that show device status and numeric readings. It adds a Live Wallpaper that changes through the day and a Floating Bar for frequently used features.[^1]
- The updated Home tab and SmartThings Now come to mobile devices, Samsung Smart TVs, Family Hub refrigerators, Samsung appliances with 7-inch or 9-inch screens and Windows devices.[^1]

## Local control

- When a phone and a SmartThings Hub are on the same Wi-Fi network, they communicate directly instead of through the cloud. SmartThings switches between local and cloud control depending on whether the user is home or away.[^1]
- Samsung states response times improve by about 30 percent compared with cloud control, based on its controlled tests. It notes that actual performance may vary.[^1]
- Local control works with the SmartThings app on Android and iOS, SmartThings Station, SmartThings V2, V3 and V4 Hubs, and hub-enabled Samsung Smart TVs and Family Hub refrigerators.[^1]
- A new Offline Device Diagnostics page updates network information for all registered devices at once.[^1]

## Matter 1.6

SmartThings now supports Matter 1.6. Samsung states it improves stability and Group Control performance.[^1]

Four device categories are new: Energy Meters, Closures such as doors and gates, Irrigation devices such as sprinkler systems, and Soil Sensors.[^1]

## Related pages

- [Samsung SmartThings Station](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/smartthings-hubs#samsung-smartthings-station) (device)
- [Samsung SmartThings Hub (v3)](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/smartthings-hubs#samsung-smartthings-hub-v3) (device)
- [Samsung SmartThings Hub (v2)](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/smartthings-hubs#samsung-smartthings-hub-v2) (device)

## Sources

[^1]: Samsung Introduces 'SmartThings Now' in New Platform Update (Samsung Newsroom UK, 12 Oct 2026). https://news.samsung.com/uk/samsung-introduces-smartthings-now-in-new-platform-update-that-brings-more-intuitive-user-experiences (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-14)