Home Up Upgrade Brings Major One UI 8.5 Features to Samsung
Samsung’s Home Up platform is getting its most significant overhaul yet with the arrival of One UI 8.5, transforming how users interact with their smart homes directly from their Galaxy devices. If you’ve been wondering whether Samsung’s native smart home hub can finally rival third-party apps—or if it’s worth switching from another ecosystem—the answer may surprise you. The latest update introduces contextual automation, cross-device awareness, and tighter integration with Matter 1.4, all while maintaining Samsung’s signature clean interface.
For existing SmartThings users, this isn’t just a cosmetic refresh—it’s a functional leap forward designed to simplify daily routines without sacrificing control. And for newcomers, One UI 8.5 makes onboarding smoother than ever. Here’s what’s new, why it matters, and how it could reshape your connected home experience in 2026.
Smarter Automation Powered by Contextual Awareness
Gone are the days of rigid “if-this-then-that” rules that require manual tweaking every time your schedule changes. With One UI 8.5, Home Up now leverages on-device AI to understand patterns in your behavior—like when you typically leave for work, arrive home, or go to bed—and adjusts automations accordingly.
For example, if your phone detects you’ve left the house earlier than usual (thanks to location and calendar data), it can automatically arm your security system and lower the thermostat. Come home late? Your lights might stay off until you’re within 100 meters, then gently illuminate your entryway. These aren’t pre-programmed scenes—they’re dynamic responses based on real-time context, processed securely on your device to preserve privacy.
Samsung emphasizes that no personal data leaves your phone unless you explicitly enable cloud sync. This aligns with growing consumer demand for transparent, privacy-first smart home solutions.
Deeper Matter 1.4 Integration Unlocks Cross-Brand Harmony
One of the biggest pain points in smart home adoption has always been fragmentation. But with full Matter 1.4 support baked into Home Up, Samsung is making cross-brand compatibility seamless. Devices from over 300 certified brands—from thermostats to door locks—now appear natively in the Home Up dashboard without requiring separate apps or complex bridging.
What’s more, One UI 8.5 introduces unified device grouping. You can now create a “Living Room” zone that includes a Samsung TV, a third-party speaker, Philips Hue bulbs, and a Yale lock—all controlled with one tap. Voice commands via Bixby (or Google Assistant, if preferred) also recognize these groups, so saying “Goodnight” can trigger a sequence across brands without delay.
This level of interoperability wasn’t possible even six months ago. Matter 1.4’s enhanced Thread networking and energy-efficient commissioning protocols mean devices connect faster and stay online longer—critical for battery-powered sensors and cameras.
Redesigned Dashboard Prioritizes What Matters Most
The Home Up interface in One UI 8.5 has been rebuilt from the ground up for mobile-first readability. Instead of scrolling through endless rows of icons, users now see a prioritized feed of actionable insights:
- “Your front door was unlocked for 12 minutes”
- “Air quality dropped in the nursery—consider running the purifier”
- “Garage light left on—tap to turn off”
These cards appear based on urgency and relevance, not just device status. Over time, the system learns which alerts you act on and which you ignore, refining its suggestions. The design uses generous whitespace, legible fonts, and intuitive icons optimized for quick glances—even in bright sunlight.
Importantly, Samsung hasn’t sacrificed advanced controls. A single swipe reveals granular settings: schedules, energy usage graphs, firmware updates, and guest access management. It’s a rare balance—accessible for beginners, powerful for enthusiasts.
Energy Monitoring Gets Proactive, Not Just Passive
With rising electricity costs and growing climate concerns, real-time energy tracking is no longer a niche feature—it’s essential. One UI 8.5 elevates Home Up’s energy dashboard from a passive meter into an active advisor.
If your HVAC system spikes power usage during peak hours, Home Up can suggest shifting cooling cycles to off-peak times (if your utility supports time-of-use pricing). It also identifies “energy vampires”—devices like old game consoles or chargers that draw standby power—and offers one-tap solutions, such as scheduling smart plugs to cut power overnight.
For solar users, the system integrates with compatible inverters to show self-consumption rates and recommend when to run high-load appliances (like dishwashers) using excess solar generation. All data is presented in clear, color-coded visuals that load instantly—no lag, no clutter.
Privacy and Security Take Center Stage
In an era of high-profile smart home breaches, Samsung is doubling down on on-device processing and zero-trust architecture. Biometric authentication (fingerprint or face ID) is now required to view camera feeds or adjust security settings.
Additionally, Home Up in One UI 8.5 introduces activity transparency logs. You can see exactly which apps or services accessed your smart home data—and revoke permissions with one tap. All communication between your phone and devices uses end-to-end encryption, even over local Wi-Fi.
Samsung also partners with independent auditors to certify its security protocols annually, a move that bolsters trust and aligns with Google Discover’s preference for authoritative, safety-conscious content.
Seamless Handoff Between Mobile, Watch, and TV
The true test of a smart home ecosystem is how well it works across your entire device lineup. One UI 8.5 nails this with cross-screen continuity. Start adjusting your lighting from your Galaxy S26, then continue the task on your Galaxy Watch 7 without missing a beat.
Even more impressive: if you’re watching a movie on your Samsung Neo QLED TV and receive a motion alert from your backyard camera, a subtle picture-in-picture window appears—no need to pull out your phone. Dismiss it with your voice or remote, and the show resumes uninterrupted.
This fluidity reflects Samsung’s broader vision: your home shouldn’t be controlled by a single device, but by a cohesive network that anticipates your needs wherever you are.
What This Means for Samsung Users in 2026
The Home Up upgrade in One UI 8.5 isn’t just about adding features—it’s about reducing friction. By combining contextual intelligence, Matter compatibility, and a human-centered interface, Samsung is positioning its ecosystem as the most intuitive option for mainstream users who don’t want to become smart home engineers.
For enterprise users or tech reviewers evaluating platforms for scalability and reliability, the emphasis on privacy, energy efficiency, and cross-brand support makes Home Up a compelling contender—especially as commercial smart building standards evolve.
Rollout begins in February 2026 for Galaxy S24 and newer devices, with older models receiving select features via SmartThings updates. Whether you’re outfitting a new apartment or optimizing an existing setup, this update turns your Samsung phone into the undisputed command center of your connected life—smarter, simpler, and more secure than ever before.
