How to Set Up SmartThings Routines on Android

This guide walks you through creating SmartThings Routines on the Android app, letting you automate your smart home devices based on schedules, sensor triggers, or button presses. You’ll learn how to build both simple and advanced automations, avoid common pitfalls, and troubleshoot issues when a routine doesn’t fire. All you need is the SmartThings app installed and at least one compatible device added to your account.

What You’ll Need

• An Android phone or tablet with the latest SmartThings app installed (from the Google Play Store).
• A Samsung account and the SmartThings app logged in.
• At least one SmartThings-compatible device (e.g., smart plug, light bulb, sensor, or switch) added to the app and online.
• Optional: A SmartThings Hub (like the SmartThings Hub v2 or Aeotec Smart Home Hub) if you want to use Zigbee or Z-Wave devices, or if you need local execution for faster responses.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the SmartThings app on your Android device. Make sure you’re signed in and your devices show as “Online� on the Home screen.
2. Tap the “Automations� tab at the bottom of the screen. If you don’t see it, tap the “More� (three-dot) menu and select “Automations.�
3. Tap the “+� icon (usually in the top-right corner) to create a new routine. You’ll see two options: “Add Routine� and “Add Scene.� Choose “Add Routine� for an automation that runs based on a trigger.
4. Name your routine (e.g., “Good Morning�) and optionally choose an icon. This helps you identify it later.
5. Set the “If� (trigger) condition – tap “If� or “Add Condition.� You can choose from:
   • Time: Set a specific time of day, or sunrise/sunset (with an offset). You can also choose days of the week.
   • Device status: Trigger when a device changes state (e.g., a motion sensor detects motion, a door opens, or a plug turns on).
   • Button press: If you have a SmartThings Button, you can trigger on a single press, double press, or press-and-hold.
6. Add additional conditions (optional) – tap “Add Condition� again to add a second trigger. Choose “All conditions� (AND) or “Any condition� (OR) to control how they combine. For example, only run at sunset AND when motion is detected.
7. Set the “Then� (action) part – tap “Then� or “Add Action.� You can:
   • Control devices: turn on/off, dim, change color, lock/unlock, etc.
   • Play a sound or speak a phrase (if you have a speaker).
   • Wait for a delay (e.g., wait 5 minutes, then turn off).
   • Execute another routine or scene.
8. Add multiple actions – tap “Add Action� again to add more steps. They will run in the order you list them. You can reorder by dragging the handle.
9. Set an “Else� action (optional) – tap “Else� to define what happens when the trigger condition is not met. This is useful for toggling behavior (e.g., if motion detected, turn on light; else turn off).
10. Review your routine – tap “Next� or “Save� after checking the summary. Make sure the trigger and actions look correct.
11. Test the routine – tap “Save� first, then go back to the Automations list and tap the routine. Use the “Run� button (if available) to test it manually. Then, trigger it naturally (e.g., open the door) to verify it works.
12. Edit or delete – To change a routine later, tap it in the Automations list, make changes, and save. To delete, tap the routine, then the trash icon or “Delete� at the bottom.

Common Mistakes

• Using “Andâ€� vs. “Orâ€� incorrectly – When you add multiple conditions, the default is “All conditionsâ€� (AND). If you want the routine to trigger on EITHER condition, switch to “Any conditionâ€� (OR). Many users accidentally set AND and wonder why the routine doesn’t run.
• Not checking device availability – If a device is offline or battery dead, the routine may fail silently. Always check that all devices involved are online.
• Setting a time without days – If you pick a time but don’t select days, the routine will run every day. If you only want weekdays, remember to check the boxes.
• Forgetting the “Elseâ€� action – If you only set a “Thenâ€� action, the routine only does something when the trigger is true. It won’t turn things off when the condition is false unless you add an “Else.â€�
• Overcomplicating with too many conditions – Start simple. A routine with three conditions and five actions is harder to debug. Build one step at a time.

Tips

• Use sunrise/sunset instead of fixed times – This keeps your lights synced with the seasons without manual updates.
• Add a delay before turning off – For example, a motion light can stay on for 5 minutes after the last motion, using a “Waitâ€� action before turning off.
• Name routines clearly – Use names like “Movie Nightâ€� or “Leave Homeâ€� so you can recognize them quickly.
• Use scenes for multiple device states – If you want to set several devices to specific states at once (e.g., living room dim, TV on, lights off), create a scene first, then call that scene from a routine.
• Test with the “Runâ€� button – Before relying on a trigger, manually run the routine to ensure the actions work correctly.
• Keep firmware updated – Update the SmartThings app and your device firmware regularly to avoid bugs.

Troubleshooting

Routine doesn’t run at all: Check that the routine is enabled (not toggled off). Verify the trigger condition is correctly set – e.g., if using a time, confirm the time zone is correct. Also, ensure the device that triggers the routine is online and reporting status changes.

Routine runs but doesn’t do the action: Check if the action device is online and not in a “blocked� state. Some devices (like certain plugs) have a manual override – if the plug was turned on manually, the routine may not turn it off. Try turning the device off and on again in the app.

Routine runs at the wrong time: If using sunrise/sunset, make sure your location is set correctly in the app (Settings > Location). If using a fixed time, check that the time zone on your phone matches your actual location.

Routine runs multiple times: If you have multiple conditions set to “Any,� and two happen at once, the routine may fire twice. To avoid this, use “All� conditions or add a “Wait� action to debounce.

“Could not run� error: This usually means a device is unreachable. Go to the Devices tab, tap the device, and check its status. If it’s offline, try power-cycling it or re-adding it to the hub.

SmartThings Hub is offline: Routines that involve Zigbee/Z-Wave devices require the hub. Restart the hub by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the LED to turn solid green.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I create a routine that runs only when I’m home?
A: Yes, you can add a condition based on your phone’s location (e.g., “When I arrive home�). This uses the SmartThings app’s location services. You need to grant location permission to the app.

Q: Can I control SmartThings routines with Google Assistant?
A: Yes, you can link SmartThings with Google Home and then trigger routines by voice (e.g., “Hey Google, turn on movie night�). However, you must first create the routine in SmartThings, then sync it to Google Home.

Q: Do routines work when my phone is off or away from home?
A: Yes, routines are executed in the cloud (or locally on the hub if you have one). Your phone does not need to be on or nearby for time-based or device-triggered routines to run. However, location-based triggers require your phone to be with you and have location services enabled.

Q: Can I use a routine to turn on a light at sunset and off at sunrise?
A: Absolutely. Create two routines: one with a sunset trigger to turn on the light, and another with a sunrise trigger to turn it off. Or, use a single routine with an “Else� action to turn off at sunrise.

Q: Why is my routine not showing up in the “Routines� tab?
A: Make sure you saved it correctly. After editing, tap “Save� (not “Cancel�). If it still doesn’t appear, force-close the app and reopen it. Also, check that you are on the correct Samsung account.

Q: Can I share a routine with a family member?
A: Yes, if you have a shared home in SmartThings, routines are visible to all members with permission. However, only the owner can edit or delete them unless you grant editing rights.

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