SmartThings frequently asked questions

SmartThings is the easy way to transform your home into a smart home. Simple and easy to use, the SmartThings Hub acts as the brain of your smart home. It connects wirelessly with a wide range of smart devices such as lights, locks and sensors, and makes them work together.

SmartThings allows you to effortlessly monitor, control, and automate a wide range of connected devices in your home. SmartThings can turn lights on and off, lock doors, turn on music and can even send you video alerts when there’s unexpected activity in your home. You can use the SmartThings app to put your connected devices to work, or you can use voice assistants like Google Home to manage everyday tasks with simple commands.

Learn more about Uses for SmartThings in your home.

To make the most out of SmartThings, some minimum requirements must be met:

• A high-speed Internet connection – minimum 1Mbps upstream recommended
• An available port on your router
• Compatible smartphone or tablet:
  • Apple devices: iOS version 10.0 or later
  • Android devices: Android 6.0 or later
• You'll need to download the SmartThings app to your compatible device
• Some compatible SmartThings devices may require a wall power source or battery. Please see the individual device specifications for more details.

Device batteries are expected to last 4 - 6 months with average usage. 

To get started, you’ll need:

1. A SmartThings Hub or a compatible device with SmartThings Hub functionality
2. Some connected devices
3. The free SmartThings App downloaded to your Android or iPhone
   

Learn more about Getting Started with SmartThings.

No. SmartThings is free to use. Additional premium services may be available through the SmartThings app, but these are completely optional.

Call us on 13 27 56 or purchase via our RACV online shop.

No, there are currently no Member discounts for SmartThings.

Please choose carefully as there are no returns for change of mind. However, for faulty devices, please refer to the SmartThings Warranty Card.

Z-Wave and ZigBee are wireless radio frequency communication protocols designed for control, monitoring, and status-reading of connected devices. In other words, Z-Wave and ZigBee are the different languages your SmartThings Hub and devices use to talk to one another.

For more detailed explanations of these protocols, visit:

• Z-Wave Alliance
• ZigBee Alliance

The Samsung SmartThings WiFi Hub and any other devices using Z-Wave protocol and sold via RACV use the the Australian frequency and are legally compliant:

• Z-Wave: 921.4MHz, 919.8MHz
• ZigBee: 2.4GHz

Yes, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa can be used to control a wide range of connected devices in your home with voice commands.

You can connect hundreds of individual devices at any one time to a SmartThings Hub (or a compatible device with SmartThings Hub functionality), so you never need to worry about having too many smart devices in your home.

SmartThings works with a wide range of connected devices, including lights, speakers, locks, thermostats, sensors, and more. Look for the Works with SmartThings label next time you’re buying a connected device for your home.

Please ensure that you are connecting devices that are SmartThings certified for Australia, in particular, Z-Wave devices. 

Learn more about Products that work with SmartThings.

No. Apple HomeKit and Wink does not work with SmartThings, they only work with their own apps. However, many smart devices that are compatible with Apple HomeKit and Wink are also compatible with SmartThings.

Yes, we ship to any Australian address so just mention you'd like to self-install when you speak with our Smart Home specialists after calling 13 27 56.

If you live in the Melbourne metropolitan area (premises in postcodes 3000 – 3210), you can choose to take the hassle out of the installation process and have a Smart Home specialist deliver your Smart Home Starter Kit, set it up it in your home and even show you how to use it.

Installation by our RACV SmartThings specialst typically occurs within a week of you placing your order.

If you’d prefer to install it yourself, we’ll let you know the expected shipping timeframes over the phone.

Approximately an hour, depending on the number of kits being installed.

Check out smartthings.com/au for troubleshooting and support material. There are some great tips and tricks on your SmartThings app as well. Alternatively, you can email smartthings@racv.com.au