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Developer Documentation

What You Can Build

This section looks at the types of integrations you can build with the SmartThings platform, and how to select the best fit for your development goals. Choosing the appropriate type of integration to build is the first step in the development process.

Devices​

Device integrations provide a method for quickly connecting your hardware products to the SmartThings platform.

There are four types of devices, or physical products, that connect to SmartThings:

  • Hub Connected - Including Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LAN, and some Bluetooth products.
  • Cloud Connected - Devices that communicate with the SmartThings platform through your existing cloud.
  • Direct Connected - Devices that connect directly to the SmartThings Cloud via WiFi, including Samsung Appliances and products using protocols such as OCF and MQTT.
  • Mobile Connected - Devices that communicate with the SmartThings platform via a mobile device. This typically includes Bluetooth products that connect via your mobile device, such as wearables and headphones.

A device integration enables you to connect hardware to the SmartThings platform without the need for a standalone app or a custom experience that integrates with SmartThings. If you’re looking to quickly bring your hardware to the SmartThings platform, a Device integration is the recommended approach.

For an in-depth look at the device development process, see Device Basics.

Automations​

Automations allow you to create powerful routines, incorporating Devices and Connected Services already on the SmartThings platform. There are two types of Automations on the SmartThings platform:

  • Rules enable you to automate the Devices and services that connect to the SmartThings platform.
  • Scenes enable you to simultaneously set a group of devices to a particular state.

Service Integrations​

Service Integrations, powered by API Access Apps, let you connect to a user’s SmartThings account through OAuth 2.0. After a user grants scoped permissions, your server can use the SmartThings APIs to discover devices, read device and location data, send device commands, and receive real-time webhook events from the SmartThings platform.

Use API Access Apps when you want to:

  • Build a custom dashboard, client, or service that displays and controls SmartThings devices.
  • Integrate SmartThings device data and events into your own platform.
  • React to device state changes or lifecycle events through webhooks.
  • Maintain secure, user-authorized API access with access and refresh tokens.

Visit API Access Apps to get started.

Looking to integrate with Samsung Wallet?

Some devices can be integrated with Samsung Wallet to enable additional features, such as using the Wallet to unlock connected door locks. For information on integrating with Samsung wallet, visit the Partner Onboarding section of the Samsung Developer site.

Next Steps​

Now that you know the development process, sign up for a Samsung account and register as a SmartThings Developer to start building!