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Samsung’s SmartThings for iOS just got more useful for mixed-device homes: you can now trigger your SmartThings routines with Siri. That means the automations you already set up in the SmartThings app are just a voice command away — even if you live in an Apple-first household.
Turn routines into voice commands — the practical details
The feature works through Apple’s native Siri Shortcuts system. You can drag and drop SmartThings actions into Shortcuts, or expose full routines you created inside SmartThings so Siri can trigger them directly. Want a single phrase that turns on the lights, starts a coffee maker and sets the thermostat? Make it a routine in SmartThings and teach Siri the phrase.
Why this matters: it’s a straightforward win for interoperability. Samsung says the update helps “bridge the gap between Galaxy and Apple devices,” making it simpler for everyone in a household to stay connected regardless of phone brand. For households with mixed ecosystems, that kind of compatibility can remove friction and make smart home automation feel seamless.
Control from your wrist and see Live Activities
The update doesn’t stop at Siri. SmartThings items and device groups now appear on Apple Watch, letting you tap to control devices or run automations without pulling out your phone. You can run routines and control individual devices right from the watch face.
On iOS, your five most recently used SmartThings devices are surfaced inside Live Activities, giving fast access to the things you interact with most. It’s a small but handy convenience: quick toggles for commonly used lights, locks or plugs, surfaced precisely when you need them.
Examples of how you might use it
- Morning routine: “Hey Siri, good morning” turns on lights, raises blinds and starts the coffee maker.
- Leaving home: a single voice command can lock doors, switch off lights and lower the thermostat.
- On the wrist: pause a connected speaker or switch off last-night’s bedside lamp right from your Apple Watch.
Getting started is quick: update SmartThings on iOS, check the Shortcuts integration, and assign a phrase to any routine you want to control by voice. After that, Siri becomes another convenient way to run the automations you already rely on.
For smart-home users who juggle Android and Apple devices, the update is a thoughtful step toward smoother cross-platform control — and an example of how ecosystems can cooperate to make everyday tech a bit easier.
Source: gsmarena
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