End of the app jungle! Samsung has just solved smart home's biggest nightmare

The smart home has one fundamental problem: every manufacturer wants their own app, their own ecosystem, and their own rules of the game. Do you have a smart bulb from one brand, a thermostat from another, and sensors from a third? Congratulations, you need three apps. However, the Thread Group realized this and in version 1.4 of the Thread protocol, introduced the ability to connect devices from different manufacturers into a single network. And Samsung SmartThings is one of the first platforms to fully support this new feature.

What is Thread and why is it important?

Thread is a low-power protocol designed specifically for the smart home. Unlike Wi-Fi, it doesn’t require as much energy, so devices like sensors or smart locks can run on battery for years. At the same time, it creates a mesh network – meaning devices communicate with each other, and if one drops out, messages are rerouted in a different direction.

It’s important to distinguish three types of devices in a Thread network:

• End Device – a terminal device that you control (e.g., a smart bulb)
• Router – a device that also forwards messages and extends the network’s range
• Border Router – a bridge between the Thread network and Wi-Fi or Ethernet, which enables remote control

SmartThings Hubs are Border Routers – i.e., devices that connect the Thread network to your home internet and enable control via an app or cloud services.

How to connect SmartThings with another Thread network?

Samsung offers two ways to connect, depending on whether you already have a Thread network or are just building one. This all works via the new “Manage Thread Network” option in the SmartThings Hub settings.

First option: Connect a SmartThings Hub to an existing Thread network

Do you already have a Thread network set up, for example with Google Home or Apple HomeKit? In the SmartThings app, select “Join another network” and then use either a QR code or a One-Time Password (OTP) generated by the other ecosystem’s app. The SmartThings Hub will then connect to the existing network, and all devices will start working together.

Second option: Add a third-party Border Router to the SmartThings network

Conversely, if you’ve had SmartThings for years and have now bought a device from another manufacturer, you can do the opposite. In the app, select “Share SmartThings network”, which will generate a QR code and OTP. You then enter these details into the other manufacturer’s app, and their Border Router will connect to the SmartThings network.

What are the advantages?

The unification of Thread networks brings three main benefits, which make sense not only technically but, more importantly, practically:

1. Better range and reliability

When you have multiple Border Routers in one network, they function as one large mesh. This means better coverage throughout the house, automatic connection recovery if one device fails, and faster data transfer because the network chooses the shortest path.

2. Simpler setup

Instead of having three Thread networks side-by-side (SmartThings, Google Home, Apple HomeKit) and having to move devices between them, everything works in one network right from the start. This saves time and, most importantly, eliminates fragmentation issues.

3. Flexible management

You can add or remove Border Routers at any time, without having to re-pair all devices. Furthermore, in the app, you can see an overview of all connected Border Routers, even if they are from other ecosystems.

Which hubs support this?

At the launch of the feature, which took place during the third quarter of 2025, Thread network unification is available on selected SmartThings Hubs. Specifically, these are:

• Aeotec Smart Home Hub
• Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2

Samsung promises that support will also arrive for other models, but a specific list has not yet been published. What you definitely need, however, is the latest firmware version 0.58.x on the hub and an updated SmartThings app – iOS version 1.7.37.x or Android 1.8.37.x.

And here’s the catch: The feature only works with Thread 1.4 compatible Border Routers. If you have an older device from another manufacturer, you’ll have to wait until the manufacturer releases an update. And as we know the pace of smart home updates, it could take months.

Is this the beginning of the end of the app jungle?

Thread 1.4 and network unification is a big step in the right direction. Manufacturers have finally agreed on a standard that allows devices to connect without the need for an intermediary. And Samsung is among the first to implement it – which is quite a pleasant surprise, as SmartThings is otherwise not among the fastest in adopting new features.

However, the reality is that Thread is just one of many protocols. You still have Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and proprietary solutions from individual manufacturers. And while Thread is technically excellent, its adoption among manufacturers is far from 100%.

So yes, if you’re building a smart home today and betting on Thread-compatible devices, you have a chance that it will work across ecosystems. But if you have a mix of older devices with different protocols, the app jungle won’t leave you for a few more years, unless you want to delve into Home Assistant.

In any case, SmartThings with Thread 1.4 support is a step in the right direction – and if you plan to invest in a smart home, it’s definitely worth looking for devices with Thread support. At least you’ll be sure that in a few years, you won’t have a phone full of apps, each with a different design and functioning slightly differently.

Do you use SmartThings? Do you plan to utilize the connection with another Thread network?

Source: Samsung SmartThings, GSMArena