Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
The past few years have seen an explosion in smart home technologies that allow homeowners to control various devices and aspects of their living space from their mobile devices. From dimming lights and adjusting thermostats to locking doors and monitoring security cameras, smartphone apps have become the central hub for smart home control. This has helped drive convenience and simplify home automation. However, with dozens of apps vying for attention, it can be difficult to determine which are truly worth using. This article highlights 10 of the best Android apps for smart home control based on features, compatibility, customization options, and reviews. Read on to find out which apps made the cut and what capabilities they offer for putting your home’s connected devices at your fingertips.
SmartThings from Samsung
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One of the most full-featured and widely compatible smart home platforms is SmartThings from Samsung. The SmartThings app works with thousands of devices from various manufacturers, covering lighting, locks, thermostats, cameras, and more. Setup is straightforward, involving linking your account and scanning device codes. Devices are organized intuitively into rooms and zones on a virtual map of your home. Scenes, routines, and automations can be created to trigger common actions or respond to various triggers. The app provides remote access and control when away. It also has robust presence detection using your phone’s location services. Perhaps the biggest advantage is integrations with other major ecosystems like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. Advanced users may find the app’s complexity a bit much, but for most it offers extensive control over a sprawling smart home in an elegant interface.
HomeKit
For Apple device users seeking tight iOS/macOS integration, HomeKit is the obvious choice. However, even Android owners can get in on the HomeKit experience with the Home app. After setting up HomeKit with an Apple TV, iPad, or HomePod as the hub, the app authenticates your HomeKit setup on Android. From there, it provides live streaming from HomeKit-compatible security cameras as well as remote access and control over lights, locks, thermostats, sensors, and more. Voice control via Siri is not supported, but tapping and swiping to operate devices works well. Scenes, automations, and access control are also core features. The Home app interface is clean and visually appealing like other Apple software. However, it lacks some of the advanced options found in dedicated cross-platform apps. Still, for those invested in the Apple/HomeKit ecosystem who also use Android phones, it ensures full compatibility and remote home control on the go.
Google Home app
Google’s in-house smart home platform Chromecast built-in and Google Assistant provides tight integration across Android. The Google Home app provides centralized control and remote access to compatible lights, switches, thermostats, locks, and other devices with Chromecast built-in or Google Assistant support. Setup is straightforward using your Google account. Lights, switches, and other controllable devices show up as tiles that can be tapped to operate. Scenes, routines, and zones are core features for automating common actions. Voice commands for Google Assistant are supported for hands-free operation. Live video streams from Google Nest Cam and other security cameras can also be viewed. Advanced users may find it limited in customization compared to some dedicated apps. However, for simplicity and ease of use across Android/Google ecosystems, it offers single sign-on control of a growing number of Chromecast built-in smart devices.
Swiss Army knife smart home app
For Apple, Google, and Alexa device owners seeking a Swiss Army knife smart home app, LookLook stands out. It supports major protocols and bridges including Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for connecting an expansive range of smart home devices. Setup tours guide users through device pairing and configuration. Once linked, they are organized by room and function on customizable dashboard views for one-tap control. Advanced options include automations based on time, location, sensors, and more for streamlining tasks. Users can also create and share configuration blueprints to easily reproduce their smart home setup elsewhere. Live audio/video streaming and remote access are provided as well. A customizable widget brings glanceable controls to the home screen. For power users seeking greater customization, control, and protocol support than mainstream apps, LookLook remains one of the most capable options on Android.
August
August is known best for its smart locks but also offers a robust smart home platform through the August app. It works with a wide range of third-party smart home gadgets in addition to August locks and connectivity bundles like Doorbell Cam Pro. Devices can be added through the Alexa, SmartThings, or Wink integrations for broader compatibility. Dedicated tiles provide at-a-glance access to controllable lights, locks, thermostats and more. Scenes, routines, and geo-fencing automations are supported. Advanced features include home/away modes and activity zones to automatically arm security based on phone location. Live video from August cameras can be viewed alongside playback of motion-triggered recordings. For users seeking an all-in-one smart lock and home control solution, August’s app offers versatile integration and a modern interface for iOS and Android devices.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, whether you have a modest smart home setup or a sprawling automated abode, there is an excellent Android app suited to help centralized control. Larger platforms like SmartThings and Google Home deliver compatibility and simplicity for most users. However, power users seeking advanced options will appreciate apps like LookLook and August offering greater customization and protocol support. And HomeKit fans have remote access through the official Home app. Whichever you choose based on your specific needs and compatible devices, these top Android smart home control apps deliver easy ways to monitor and operate your connected gadgets on the go for added convenience and peace of mind.