Quick take: Samsung has started pushing a redesigned SmartThings app (version 1.8.51.30) to select Galaxy phones and tablets. It brings a floating bottom tab bar, compact device cards and a room-by-room Devices tab with a 2D and 3D layout editor. The rollout is gradual, so it may not show up on your phone yet.
If you use SmartThings to control your lights, TV, washer or AC, the app on your Galaxy phone is about to look very different.
Samsung redesigned SmartThings for iPhone first a few weeks ago. Now the same new look is reaching Galaxy phones and tablets, as SamMobile reported on October 2. Let me walk you through what changed and how to get it.
What’s new in the SmartThings redesign
The first thing you’ll notice is the color. The app now uses lighter colors, so it feels cleaner and less heavy than before.
The bottom tab bar is also new. Instead of a full-width bar stuck to the bottom of the screen, you get a compact floating bar. It takes up less space and leaves more room for your devices.
Up top, there’s a row of buttons for the things you’d reach for most:
- A QR code for your location, so you can invite family members quickly.
- Location selection, if you manage more than one home.
- Map view.
- Add devices.
- More options.
Below that, a large card shows suggestions and updates. This is where SmartThings surfaces things like new routines or devices that need your attention.
Home tab: smaller cards that grow when you need them
The device cards on the Home tab are now compact by default. That means you can see more devices on one screen without scrolling.
Need more controls? Long press a card and it gets bigger. And if you just want to turn something on or off, tap the device icon. That’s it.
I like this change. Most of the time you only want to toggle a light or a plug, and now that takes one tap.
Devices tab: organized by room, with a 3D view
The Devices tab now groups everything by room. If you have a lot of smart devices, this makes finding the right one much faster.
There’s more. You also get a layout editor where you can map out your home in 2D or 3D. You can place your devices in each room and even add furniture to make the map look like your real space.
What’s missing
The iPhone version of the new app uses Apple’s Liquid Glass design. The Galaxy version doesn’t have that look, which makes sense since Liquid Glass is an iOS design language. Everything else lines up closely between the two.
Which Galaxy devices are getting it?
According to SamMobile, the update is reaching “select” Galaxy phones and tablets right now. Samsung hasn’t published a device list for the redesign, so I can’t give you an exact one.
SmartThings is a regular app update, not a firmware update. It doesn’t depend on your One UI version the way a system update does. So whether you’re already on One UI 9 or still waiting for it, you should get the new SmartThings design once the rollout reaches your account and region.
If you’re curious where your phone stands on the system side, our One UI 9 update tracker shows the latest builds by model and country.
How to update SmartThings on your Galaxy phone
You don’t need to do anything special. But if you want to check for the new version right now, here’s how.
- Open the Galaxy Store app.
- Tap Menu at the bottom right, then tap Updates.
- If SmartThings is listed, tap the update button next to it.
- If it’s not there, open the Google Play Store, search for SmartThings and check for an update there too.
To check which version you have, go to Settings > Apps > SmartThings and scroll down to the bottom. You’re looking for version 1.8.51.30 or higher.
Don’t see the update yet? That’s normal. Samsung rolls out app redesigns in stages, just like it does with firmware. Give it a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What version of SmartThings has the new design?
The redesign arrived with SmartThings version 1.8.51.30 on Galaxy devices, based on SamMobile’s report.
Do I need One UI 9 to get the new SmartThings app?
No. SmartThings updates through the Galaxy Store and Play Store, so it isn’t tied to a One UI version. Want to know which phones get One UI 9 anyway? See our One UI 9 device list.
Does the Galaxy version look the same as the iPhone version?
Mostly, yes. The layout and features match, but the Galaxy app doesn’t use the Liquid Glass style from iOS.
Why don’t I see the new design after updating?
App redesigns can be switched on from the server side in waves. Force stop the app from Settings > Apps > SmartThings, open it again, and if nothing changes, wait a few days.
Final Words
The new SmartThings design is a nice cleanup. Smaller cards, one-tap toggles and a room-based Devices tab make daily use quicker, and the 3D home map is a fun extra.
Have you got the new SmartThings app on your Galaxy yet? Let me know in the comments, and mention your phone model and country so other readers know where it’s rolling out.
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