Use SmartThings Find with the SmartThings App
With all the devices we own these days, it’s easy to accidentally misplace one or two. Luckily, SmartThings Find in the SmartThings app will help you locate your precious devices, like your phone, tablet, earbuds, and watch. SmartThings Find will scan for your devices and even show you a map with detailed information, including addresses and timestamps. You can also share device information with other Galaxy users so a friend can locate a device for you. If you need additional tracking options, you can connect to Find My Mobile within the app or use the Samsung SmartTag as well.
Note: You must sign into your Samsung account to use SmartThings Find and you must enable the 'Offline find' option to find your lost devices.
If you’ve lost track of a device, just open the SmartThings app to use SmartThings Find. The devices you have registered will appear on a map so you can easily find anything that you have misplaced.
Step 1. Navigate to and open the SmartThings app. Then, tap the Life tab and tap the new SmartThings Find card. If prompted, tap Download to download the necessary add-ons. If needed, tap Agree.
Step 2. Next, select the devices you’d like to see on the location map, then tap Done.
Step 3. You'll see a map containing the devices you selected. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to view detailed information about your devices, such as their approximate locations.
Step 4. Select a specific device by tapping it on the map.
Note:
- You may be prompted to allow location permission when opening the SmartThings app.
If you ever need to remove the SmartThings Find card from SmartThings, first navigate to the location where the SmartThings Find card is installed. Tap the Life tab, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then tap Delete. Tap the minus sign next to SmartThings Find, then tap Delete. You can add it back at any time by selecting it again. Keep in mind that removing the SmartThings Find card from the SmartThings app will not uninstall the SmartThings Find feature.
- If Galaxy Buds are lost while inside the case, the location cannot be confirmed.
- When there is no Galaxy device that helps lost devices nearby, the location cannot be confirmed.
- SmartThings Find is available globally, except for in China Mainland.
- SmartThings Find is available in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Note:
- If the lost device fully loses power or is unable to send Bluetooth signals, it cannot be found using the Offline Finding feature.
You can narrow down locations and view navigation directions for your misplaced devices using the SmartThings Find card. Or, if you know a device is nearby, you can make it ring loudly so you can find it faster.
Step 1. Navigate to and open the SmartThings app, then tap the Life tab to view SmartThings Find.
Step 2. The SmartThings Find card will display your currently added Galaxy devices along the bottom panel; tap each one to view its name and location on the map. Tap the Refresh icon under your device's name to reload the location tracking.
Step 3. Tap the map to open SmartThings Find and see more options.
Step 4. Tap the Menu icon (it has three dots with three lines) in the bottom right to view your devices. Tap a device to view it on the map, then zoom in on the map by pinching the screen with your fingers.
Step 5. If you need to search your surrounding area for a device or want your device to make a sound, you can use the options at the bottom of the screen:
- Search nearby: Begin scanning the immediate area for your device. You’ll receive a notification when the device is detected. You can quit scanning at any time by tapping Stop.
- Navigate: Open Google Maps Navigation to generate the fastest route to your device. This option may not be available if the device cannot be located.
- Ring: Make your device ring at its maximum volume for one minute. Your device will ring even if it’s set to mute or vibrate.
Step 6. You can also connect to Find My Mobile. You’ll need to agree to the terms and conditions and then select a device to locate.
Caution:
- If you believe your device has been stolen, do not go to the location on the map. Contact the authorities instead.
SmartThings Find includes extra options to make it easier to find your devices. For instance, you can add or remove devices that SmartThings will be able to locate, and also share location information with other Galaxy users.
To begin, navigate to and open the SmartThings app, then tap the Life tab. Tap the SmartThings Find card, then tap More options (the three vertical dots) to use the following options:
- Add to Home screen: Add a SmartThings Find shortcut to your Home screen. You can tap the shortcut on your Home screen to go directly to the location map.
- Settings: Tap Allow devices to be found to choose which devices can be found on the map by other Galaxy users. You can also use the Offline finding feature. See the Offline finding section for more information.
- How to use: View a tutorial that outlines the basic steps for using SmartThings Find.
- Information: View the software version and other information about SmartThings Find.
You can also select or deselect devices that appear on the map. On the map, tap the Menu icon (it has three dots with three lines), then tap More options (the three vertical dots). Tap Set Favourite. Tap All at the top to choose all of your devices or select a few by tapping individual devices.
Note:
- Up to twenty devices can be selected at a time.
If you have the Samsung SmartTag, you can attach it to your keys, your purse, your backpack, or anything that you can’t afford to misplace. Once the SmartTag has been connected with the SmartThings app on your device, you can use it to track and find your items whenever you need to. You won’t need to pay for the basic tracking service, either!
The Offline finding feature in SmartThings Find works in conjunction with Find My Mobile to help you locate your missing device, even when it's turned off or not online. Once your device has been offline for 30 minutes, it will produce a signal that can be received by other devices. A nearby Galaxy device user can then assist you with finding your lost device by sending that information to Samsung’s server. On the other hand, the feature also allows you to encrypt your device's offline location so only you can access it.
However, you'll first need to turn on the Offline finding feature for the service or offline encryption to work.
Step 1. Navigate to and open the SmartThings app, then tap the Life tab. Tap the SmartThings Find card.
Step 2. Tap More options (the three vertical dots), then tap Settings.
Step 3. Tap Allow devices to be found, then tap the switch next to Offline finding. This feature works with Find My Mobile to locate your device, even if it's offline.
Note:
- You could enable the Offline finding when Galaxy Watch is on connected status by Bluetooth and both right and left Galaxy Buds are on connected status by Bluetooth.
Step 4. If you have compatible paired devices, such as a Samsung smart watch, you can turn on Offline finding for them as well by tapping their switches.
Step 5. Tap Back, then tap Encrypt offline location.
Step 6. Tap the switch next to your device’s name. This will encrypt your device’s location so only you will be able to find your device.
Step 7. Next, enter a 6-digit PIN. This PIN will be used to decrypt your device's offline location. Tap Continue, then enter the PIN again to confirm. Tap OK.
Step 8. To encrypt additional devices after setting your PIN, tap the switches next to your preferred devices that appear.
Step 9. If you ever need to change your PIN, tap Reset PIN, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note:
- You can also turn on the Offline finding feature through your phone's or tablet's regular settings. Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Biometrics and security. Tap Find My Mobile, then tap the switch next to Offline finding.
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