How to connect Samsung SmartThings with LG appliances

SmartThings can control certain LG appliances thanks to interoperability between platforms, but it is not enough to install the app and search for the appliance. Integration depends on the model, country, Wi-Fi connection, and compatibility with the Home Connectivity Alliance, known as HCA, the system that allows Samsung and LG cloud services to communicate.

In practice, a user can add an LG refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, oven, climate control system, or certain TVs to their Samsung smart home and manage compatible features from SmartThings. The range is not identical to what a native Samsung product offers: some advanced options, diagnostics, and routines may remain exclusive to LG ThinQ.

If you have a problem with your LG appliance, you can use our free error code finder. From there, you can identify and solve all errors easily and effectively.

What Samsung-LG integration actually allows

The connection does not turn SmartThings into a complete copy of ThinQ, nor does it allow you to control every LG product. Its purpose is to bring some basic controls for compatible equipment together in a single interface, so users do not have to continually switch between apps. Communication takes place through the cloud and, as a general rule, not through a direct connection between the phone and the appliance.

This distinction is important. HCA interoperability works as a bridge between both companies’ accounts and servers. SmartThings sends the command to its platform, which communicates with the LG cloud, and LG’s service transmits the action to the appliance. For this reason, the appliance must be connected to the Internet, and a Wi-Fi outage or interruption to cloud services may prevent remote control, even though the appliance continues to work manually.

Actions that may be available include checking the status, turning certain functions on or off, selecting modes, and receiving alerts. On a compatible washing machine, for example, SmartThings might display the active cycle or report that it has finished. On an air conditioner, the app may offer temperature or operating settings. The exact screen varies according to the model, software version, and region.

Requirements before trying to add an LG appliance

The first requirement is an active Samsung account and an active LG account. SmartThings organizes devices within a location, while LG ThinQ maintains the product registration and access authorization. Linking the two accounts is the step that enables commands to be exchanged; simply having both apps installed does not create this relationship on its own.

The appliance must be a compatible connected model and must already be registered in LG ThinQ. The product label, manual, or LG’s own app will usually indicate whether it has Wi-Fi and compatible services. An appliance with limited smart features, Bluetooth only, or an older generation may not appear in SmartThings even if it belongs to a product family with connectivity.

A stable wireless network is also required. Many appliances only accept 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks during setup, although the phone may later connect to a combined 2.4 and 5 GHz network. The password must be entered correctly, and the router should not block communication with external services through security filters, guest networks, or device-isolation controls.

The SmartThings app is available for Android and iPhone, and its system requirements may change with updates. LG ThinQ should also be up to date. Updating both apps before starting helps prevent issues caused by outdated menus, incomplete permissions, or changes to the HCA authorization system.

How to prepare the appliance in LG ThinQ

Setup begins in LG’s app, not in SmartThings. After signing in, add the appliance by following the relevant wizard and complete the connection to the home network. The process may ask you to temporarily activate a network created by the appliance itself, enter the router password, or hold down a Wi-Fi button for a few seconds.

When the product appears in ThinQ and responds to a command from the phone, it is a good idea to check that the latest firmware version is installed. Updates may take several minutes and, in some cases, require the appliance to remain switched on even if it is not running a program. Do not disconnect the appliance while it is updating its software, because an interruption may leave the installation incomplete.

The name assigned to the device also deserves attention. A name such as Bathroom Washing Machine or Living Room Air Conditioner makes it easier to identify when there are several appliances. The location and room selected in LG do not have to exactly match the SmartThings structure, but using clear names reduces confusion when creating automations or issuing voice commands.

Before leaving ThinQ, check that the appliance can be controlled remotely. Some models require you to enable a remote-access option or accept specific terms of use. If the product only allows information to be viewed in LG’s app, that limitation will probably remain when it is shared with SmartThings.

Linking LG with SmartThings from your phone

With the appliance working in ThinQ, open SmartThings and sign in with the Samsung account you will normally use. On the main screen, select the option to add a device and search for LG among the available manufacturers. The name of the integration may vary depending on the version, but it usually appears under brands or associated services, not as a nearby Bluetooth device.

SmartThings will display a request to sign in to LG ThinQ or authorize access to the account. Enter your LG credentials in the appropriate window and accept only the permissions necessary to discover and control devices. Authorization must be completed through the app’s official flow; entering credentials on unrecognized pages or tools creates an unnecessary risk to the account.

After permission is granted, SmartThings will search for eligible products and display those that can be shared. Select the appliance, assign it to a location, and choose the appropriate room. If there are several appliances, the process may take a few minutes because the platform queries the LG cloud and checks the status of each registration.

Once linking is complete, open the device card in SmartThings and check which controls it offers. The panel may include switches, modes, temperatures, cycles, or notifications. Do not assume that all ThinQ features will be available: the SmartThings interface only exposes the capabilities authorized by the model and the interoperability standard.

What to do when the device does not appear

The most common problem is that the product is not compatible with the integration in the region where it is being used. HCA has been rolled out progressively, and compatibility may vary between Spain, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Turkey. Even within the same country, two models sold in different years may offer different capabilities.

It may also be that the appliance is registered to a different LG account from the one you are trying to link. In that case, SmartThings will not find the product even though it works correctly in ThinQ. Signing out of LG, confirming the email address used, and checking that the appliance belongs to the owner’s account will usually clarify the source of the problem.

If the appliance appears but authorization remains stuck, close both apps and open them again. Temporarily disable a VPN, avoid public Wi-Fi networks, and check that the phone has permission to access the local network and notifications. A synchronization error does not always mean that the appliance is faulty; it is often caused by an expired session or incomplete authorization.

When SmartThings displays a duplicate or outdated device, delete the entry you no longer use and synchronize the service again. Do not delete the appliance registration in ThinQ unless necessary, because you may have to repeat the entire network setup. If the product has changed owners, the previous account must unlink it before the new user can register it.

Available controls and everyday limitations

The specific usefulness depends on the category. On a washing machine or dryer, the app may report the cycle, display alerts, and allow certain remote actions. On a connected refrigerator, the panel may focus on alerts or the appliance’s status. For climate control, the controls are usually more prominent because users need to adjust the temperature, mode, and ventilation from another room.

Ovens and cooktops may impose additional safety restrictions. A system may allow you to check the status or prepare a program, but it may not necessarily allow the heating elements to be turned on without local confirmation. Similarly, a robot vacuum may accept basic commands, while maps, restricted areas, and detailed settings remain in ThinQ.

Notifications may also behave differently. SmartThings may receive an alert for the end of a cycle, an open door, or an anomaly if HCA supports it, but not all technical alerts are shared. For diagnostics, maintenance, and error codes, ThinQ is usually still the reference app, because it retains manufacturer-specific information.

Remote control also does not eliminate physical safety conditions. A washing machine will not start a program if it detects that the door is not properly closed; an air conditioner may restrict certain commands for protection; and an oven may require confirmations that do not appear in a generic control. The platform coordinates the command, but the appliance maintains its own operating rules.

Creating routines with devices from both brands

When the LG device appears in SmartThings, it can be integrated into scenes and routines alongside Samsung products and compatible accessories. A routine could turn off Samsung lights when the TV is switched off, notify you when a laundry cycle ends, or adjust a room’s environment when a specific condition is detected. Availability depends on the states and commands that the LG appliance shares with SmartThings.

Automations work best with simple, verifiable actions. A cycle-completion notification is usually more reliable than a complex chain that depends on several clouds, sensors, and time conditions. If a routine does not run, first check whether SmartThings is receiving the appliance’s correct status; an automation cannot respond to data that LG’s service has not published.

Latency is another factor. A command sent from the phone may take longer than direct control within ThinQ because it passes through two cloud services. The delay may be a few seconds, but it can increase during a network incident or maintenance. This type of routine should not be used for critical functions or as a replacement for certified safety systems.

SmartThings allows devices to be organized by locations and rooms. Samsung indicates that an account can manage up to 10 locations, with up to 20 rooms per location and a theoretical maximum of 300 devices per location, although the actual limit may depend on the network and product type. In a typical home, the challenge is usually not the quantity, but keeping names, permissions, and routines easy to understand.

Privacy, accounts, and cloud-based operation

The integration involves sharing information about the device and its status with the associated service. Depending on the product, data such as whether it is switched on, whether a cycle has finished, the configured temperature, or whether an open door has been detected may be transmitted. Review the permissions granted and remove access when you stop using the connection between the accounts.

Accounts should be protected with unique passwords and two-step verification whenever available. It is also wise to limit the invited members of the SmartThings location. An authorized guest may be able to view or control certain devices, so review their permissions when the household’s members change.

Cloud dependence has one clear advantage: you normally do not need to purchase a physical hub or install additional hardware. The disadvantage is that control may be interrupted even when the home network is working if one of the external services does not respond. Interoperability reduces the number of apps, but it does not eliminate technological dependence on manufacturers.

HCA, Matter, and compatibility that should not be confused

HCA and Matter aim for a more open connected home, but they are not equivalent. Matter is designed to facilitate local communication between numerous categories of compatible devices, while HCA focuses especially on appliances and uses cloud-to-cloud integration to share controls and data. A Matter-compatible appliance does not necessarily offer the same functions in SmartThings as one integrated through HCA.

Cloud technology allows some products already on the market to receive interoperability through a software update, without installing a new chip or purchasing a hub. However, this advantage depends on the manufacturer maintaining the servers and enabling the specific model. A logo from an open platform does not, by itself, guarantee that all features will be available.

The difference is especially noticeable with large appliances. A light bulb can respond to on, off, and brightness commands relatively easily, but a washing machine needs to communicate programs, locks, statuses, and safety conditions. That is why integration between brands usually begins with basic controls and expands gradually.

The most sensible way to use both apps

SmartThings is useful as a general home hub, especially when TVs, sensors, lights, and Samsung products coexist with LG appliances. ThinQ remains valuable as a specialized tool for configuring the appliance, installing firmware, checking diagnostics, and accessing features that have not been exposed to the external ecosystem.

Keeping both apps does not mean that the integration has failed. Each can serve a different purpose: SmartThings provides a combined view and cross-brand routines, while ThinQ acts as the technical control panel for the LG product. The best experience is not about choosing a single platform at all costs, but about knowing which task each one handles best.

It is also a good idea to periodically check that the accounts remain linked and that the device is still visible after an update. If you change the router, network name, or Wi-Fi password, the appliance may become disconnected even though it continues to appear in both apps. In that situation, the solution begins by restoring the appliance’s network connection, not by deleting all the routines.

Integration between Samsung and LG is moving toward a less fragmented home, but it still requires checking the exact model and actual features before setting up automations. SmartThings can serve as the shared interface for much of the home; ThinQ remains the key to accessing the appliance’s details. This combination, more practical than perfect, makes it possible to take advantage of devices from both brands without forcing users to replace the ones that already work.