The rise of “Smart” technology across the world makes it truly feel like we’ve entered the future. Now, not only are our phones smart, but so too are our fridges, TVs, and even our light bulbs!
With all of this new smart technology, creating the home of the future has become a very real possibility. Smart home platforms like Samsung’s SmartThings let us automate various processes around the home, and connect all of our smart devices together. While voice assistants like Amazon Alexa allow us to control our homes using just our voices!
If smart home platforms and voice assistants could work together, you could truly create a seamless home experience! But can this actually be done? Would it be possible to connect Alexa to the SmartThings platform?
Our Reliant tech experts have played around with SmartThings, to see if it’s possible to connect your handy Alexa to the SmartThings network. Let’s see what they found out!
Is SmartThings Compatible With Alexa?
If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a smart home that you can control entirely with your voice, then you’ll be pleased to know that SmartThings is compatible with Alexa! In fact, SmartThings can be connected to a few other voice assistants, such as Google Assistant!
Alexa can easily be integrated with your existing SmartThings network. This allows you to control all of your devices with just your voice. You’ll soon feel like you’ve stepped right into the home of the future!
When connected to SmartThings, you can use Alexa to interface with all of your SmartThings-connected devices. All without having to press a single button. This is incredibly handy, and can vastly improve your SmartThings user experience.
How Do You Connect Alexa To SmartThings?
Luckily, connecting Alexa to SmartThings is incredibly easy. In no time, you’ll be controlling your smart home totally hands-free!
To start off, you’ll need to make sure you have the latest version of the SmartThings app installed on your smartphone. It’s through this app that the connection will be established! You should also make sure you have access to the Amazon app. This is where all information pertaining to your Alexa device will be kept!
Once you have opened the SmartThings app, look for the button marked “Menu”. From there, choose “Voice Assistant”, and then tap “Amazon Alexa”. This will then take you to the Amazon app. Here, you will be prompted to enable SmartThings connectivity. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to authorise the connection.
After a few seconds, your Alexa device should be fully connected to SmartThings. Simply head back to the SmartThings app.
Is It Worth Connecting Alexa To SmartThings?
Absolutely! Being able to use voice commands to interact with your SmartThings devices improves the sense of “Flow” within the home. With a few simple commands, you can control all of your most used devices and appliances.
You can also create your very own custom commands, to achieve different results. For instance, if you have a Samsung TV, and SmartThings-compatible light bulbs, you can create a custom command that optimises the viewing experience for movie night. Just say “Alexa, movie night”, and the lights will adjust, and your TV will turn on!
It’s especially worth using Alexa to control your SmartThings-connected TV. Just about anything you can do with the standard remote controller, you can do with voice commands. You can have Alexa adjust the volume, or even adjust the screen brightness in the darker hours of the night.
Alexa can also be used to change the on-screen content or to hop between streaming services. This means you don’t have to comb through the extensive catalogues of content available on major streamers. Just ask Alexa to find a specific film or show, and you’ll be taken right there!
Do You Need Internet To Connect Alexa To SmartThings?
You don’t need much to connect Alexa to SmartThings. However, one thing that is essential is a consistent and stable WiFi connection. The internet is used to access both Alexa services and the SmartThings platform. This is because both are Cloud-based and thus require the internet to function.
If your internet is often overloaded, then it might be worth investing in a SmartThings Hub. Essentially, the hub is used as an anchor point for all of your SmartThings devices. They all connect to the hub, and then the hub connects to your WiFi. This is beneficial, as it lowers the strain placed on your router. Instead of having each SmartThings device individually connected to the WiFi, you can route each connection through one single connection.
In order to use Alexa or SmartThings, you will need a stable and consistent internet connection. This is because both are cloud-based and require the internet in order to provide an inter-connected service.
Your Alexa can then interact with your SmartThings hub, so you can control all of your connected devices!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SmartThings Compatible With Alexa?
Yes. SmartThings is fully compatible with major Alexa devices. This allows you to interface with your connected devices using just your voice. It’s also incredibly easy to connect Alexa to the platform. Just head to the SmartThings app, via the menu marked “Voice Assistant”. Follow the on-screen instructions, and your Alexa device will soon be connected.
Can Google Assistant Work With Alexa?
Yes! Much like Alexa, Google Assistant can easily be connected to the SmartThings platform, to allow you to control your devices using your voice. To do this, you simply need to head to the SmartThings app and follow the on-screen instructions on the “Voice Assistant” menu. Once connected, you can use Google Assistant to interact with your SmartThings devices. This allows for total hands-free automation of your home!
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