Why migrate from SmartThings?
- SmartThings relies entirely on Samsung's cloud — routines and automations stop working during outages.
- The 2023 Edge Driver migration deprecated custom DTH code and broke many community integrations.
- Matter device support in SmartThings is limited: multi-admin sharing to other platforms is not fully supported.
- Home Assistant processes automations locally: no cloud dependency for timing, device state, or scripts.
- Home Assistant exposes significantly more device entities (sensors, diagnostics, sub-states) than SmartThings.
What carries over
Matter devices
Recommission directly to Home Assistant. No factory reset needed — Matter supports multi-fabric so the device can stay on SmartThings during the transition.
Zigbee devices
Pair them to a new Zigbee coordinator (ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT). The devices need to leave the SmartThings mesh first — hold the pairing button until the light blinks to reset.
Z-Wave devices
Exclude them from SmartThings first (Z-Wave exclusion mode), then include in HA via Z-Wave JS. Exclusion preserves device firmware and settings.
Wi-Fi devices with official HA integrations
Most major brands (Philips Hue, IKEA, TP-Link Kasa, etc.) have maintained HA integrations. Search the HA integration catalog before assuming you need a bridge.
Routines and automations
Cannot be imported directly. Rebuild in HA's automation editor. The logic is usually simpler to express in YAML or the visual editor.
What you will need
Home Assistant instance
Home Assistant Green (€99) or Yellow (€99), a Raspberry Pi 4/5, or a local VM. Avoid cloud-only installs for full local control.
Matter Server add-on
Required to commission and control Matter devices from Home Assistant. Install from the Add-on Store.
Zigbee USB coordinator
Required if you have Zigbee devices (SmartThings sensors, outlets, bulbs). Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (~€20) is well-supported. Home Assistant Yellow has one built in.
Z-Wave USB controller
Required if you have Z-Wave devices (door locks, dimmers, sensors). Zooz ZST39 LR or Aeotec Z-Stick 7 are popular picks.
Home Assistant Companion App
iOS/Android app for local and remote control. Required for mobile notifications, presence detection, and dashboards.
Migration steps
- 1
Set up Home Assistant and verify local access
Flash Home Assistant OS to your hardware. Complete the onboarding wizard. Confirm you can reach the HA web UI from inside your home network before proceeding. Do not remove anything from SmartThings yet.
- 2
Install the Matter Server add-on
In HA: Settings → Add-ons → Add-on Store → Matter Server. Install, start, and enable 'Start on boot'. Then go to Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration → Matter.
- 3
Migrate Matter devices (no factory reset required)
Open each Matter device's vendor app or SmartThings, find the 'Share to another platform' option, and generate a Matter pairing code. In HA: Settings → Devices & Services → Matter → Add Device → enter the pairing code. The device joins HA without leaving SmartThings.
- 4
Set up your Zigbee coordinator and re-pair Zigbee devices
Install ZHA (built-in) or Zigbee2MQTT (add-on). Plug in the USB Zigbee dongle. For each Zigbee device: hold its pairing button until it blinks (factory reset it from SmartThings mesh), then open ZHA → Add Device and pair it fresh. Note: the device will lose its SmartThings automations — add them to HA afterward.
- 5
Exclude and re-include Z-Wave devices
In SmartThings: run Z-Wave Exclusion mode and activate each Z-Wave device's exclusion mode (see device manual). Install Z-Wave JS UI add-on in HA. Then run Z-Wave JS → Inclusion mode and pair each device fresh. Exclusion preserves device configuration.
- 6
Add Wi-Fi device integrations
Go to Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration. Search for your brand (Philips Hue, TP-Link Kasa, IKEA Dirigera, Tuya, etc.). Most connect automatically via LAN discovery. Prefer local integrations over cloud-based ones when both are available.
- 7
Rebuild automations in Home Assistant
Open Settings → Automations. Use the visual editor or YAML. SmartThings Routines map roughly to HA automations with a trigger (device state, time, presence) and action (turn on/off, notify, scene). Rebuild one at a time and test before decommissioning SmartThings.
- 8
Run both in parallel for one week, then remove SmartThings
Keep SmartThings running until all automations have been verified in HA. Once confident, remove devices from SmartThings, sign out of the SmartThings app, and optionally factory reset the SmartThings hub.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not factory reset all devices at once. Migrate one protocol (Matter → Zigbee → Z-Wave → Wi-Fi) at a time to avoid losing track of which devices are on which platform.
- Zigbee devices must leave the SmartThings mesh before pairing to ZHA — they cannot be on two Zigbee coordinators simultaneously.
- Some SmartThings 'Works With SmartThings' cloud integrations (Google, Amazon, etc.) may not have HA equivalents. Check the HA integration catalog before assuming a device will work.
- SmartThings automations that run conditional logic (IF device A AND B THEN C) need to be rewritten as HA automations with conditions. The logic is equivalent but the syntax is different.
- Thread Border Router: if you have Thread devices, Home Assistant Yellow has a built-in Thread radio. For other HA hardware you need a separate border router (HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, or Aqara Hub M3).
FAQ
Do I need to factory reset my Matter devices to move them to Home Assistant?
No. Matter supports multi-fabric: a device can be joined to multiple platforms simultaneously. Use the 'Share to another platform' / 'Add to another ecosystem' flow in the vendor app or SmartThings to generate a pairing code, then add it to Home Assistant. You can remove it from SmartThings later.
Can I keep SmartThings running while I migrate?
Yes, and that is the recommended approach. Run both systems in parallel. Migrate devices and automations gradually. Only decommission SmartThings once you have verified that everything works in Home Assistant.
Will my Zigbee sensors and outlets work in Home Assistant?
Most Zigbee devices from major brands (Aqara, Sonoff, IKEA, Philips Hue, Tuya-based) are well-supported by ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT. A small number of SmartThings-exclusive Zigbee devices may have limited entity exposure. Check the Zigbee2MQTT device database before migrating a specific device.
What happens to my SmartThings door lock automations?
Door lock automations need to be rebuilt in Home Assistant. If your lock uses Z-Wave, exclude it from SmartThings and re-include it in Z-Wave JS. Z-Wave locks expose lock/unlock, battery, and access code entities in HA. Rebuild your access code automations using the HA Automation editor or YAML.
Do I need to buy new hardware if I already have a SmartThings hub?
SmartThings hubs are not compatible with Home Assistant. You need a dedicated HA host: Home Assistant Green, Home Assistant Yellow, a Raspberry Pi 4/5, or a NUC/mini PC. If you have Zigbee devices, you also need a USB Zigbee coordinator unless you use Home Assistant Yellow (which includes one).
Next step
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