How to Connect Tapo and Kasa Devices to Samsung SmartThings

Tapo and Kasa devices can be controlled through Samsung SmartThings by linking your TP-Link account directly in the SmartThings app. This guide covers the Tapo SmartThings and Kasa SmartThings integration, including setup steps, supported device categories, and a Matter alternative for compatible devices.

Key Takeaways

• Tapo and Kasa devices connect to SmartThings by linking your TP-Link account inside the SmartThings app.
• Devices must be set up and working in the Tapo or Kasa app before you can link them to SmartThings.
• SmartThings supports basic controls like turning devices on and off. Advanced features, such as energy usage data and cloud recordings, are only available in the Tapo or Kasa app.
• Kasa devices that were added through the Tapo app will not appear in SmartThings unless you separately link your Kasa account in SmartThings.
• Matter-enabled Tapo and Kasa devices can also connect to SmartThings directly through the Matter protocol, without account linking.

Before You Start: Requirements

Make sure the following are in place before beginning setup:

• Your Tapo or Kasa devices are already set up and controllable in the Tapo or Kasa app.
• You have your TP-Link login credentials (email and password) on hand. You will need them to link your SmartThings account.
• Both the Tapo or Kasa app and the SmartThings app are updated to the latest version.
• The SmartThings app is installed on your phone. You will need a Samsung or SmartThings account to use it. If you do not have one, create an account before proceeding.

Supported Device Categories

The TP-Link SmartThings integration supports several Tapo and Kasa device types, including cameras, plugs, bulbs, switches, doorbells, and door locks. To confirm whether your specific model is compatible, check the support status of Tapo products and Kasa Smart products on the SmartThings compatibility pages.

Open SmartThings and Add a Partner Device

Open the SmartThings app and tap the + icon in the top right corner. Select Add Device, then tap Partner devices.

Search for Tapo or Kasa

Tap the search icon and type Tapo or Kasa. Select the matching brand from the list of results.

Select Your Device Category

Choose the device category that matches what you want to add, such as Camera, Door lock, Doorbell, Lighting, or Outlet. If your device type is not listed or you are unsure which category to choose, select Camera and proceed from there.

Tap Link Account to Connect Tapo or Kasa

On the next screen, tap Link account to begin connecting your TP-Link account to SmartThings.

Sign In with Your TP-Link ID

Enter your TP-Link ID (email address) and password, then tap Authorize. Make sure you are using the same credentials you use to sign in to the Tapo or Kasa app.

Finish Setup and Access Your Devices

When the success screen appears, tap Done to complete the connection. Your Tapo and Kasa devices will then be available on the Devices page in SmartThings.

Using Matter Instead of Account Linking

Some Tapo and Kasa devices support the Matter protocol, which lets them connect to SmartThings directly without linking a TP-Link account.

When to use Matter: If your device has the Matter logo and you prefer a direct, local connection that does not rely on cloud account linking, Matter is a good option. If your device does not support Matter, or if you want to add multiple devices at once using an existing TP-Link account, account linking is the simpler path.

To connect a Matter-enabled device to SmartThings, select Add Matter device on the device category screen and follow the in-app prompts. For full instructions, see how to set up a Matter device with SmartThings. For more information about Matter-enabled TP-Link devices, see the Q&A for TP-Link Matter-enabled devices.

How to Unlink Tapo or Kasa from SmartThings

To remove the connection between your TP-Link account and SmartThings, go to Menu > Settings > Linked services in the SmartThings app and select the Tapo or Kasa service to unlink.

Troubleshooting

Cannot connect your TP-Link account to SmartThings

Confirm that the email and password you are entering in SmartThings match the credentials you use in the Tapo or Kasa app. You can also verify that your device is listed as compatible on the SmartThings website for the Tapo products andthe Kasa Smart products.

Device appears as offline or unavailable in SmartThings

First, check whether the device works normally in the Tapo or Kasa app. If it does not, the issue is likely a network connectivity problem. Try checking the Wi-Fi signal strength near the device, restarting your router, and updating the device firmware through the Tapo or Kasa app.

Cannot access all device features from SmartThings

The SmartThings integration supports basic controls like turning devices on and off. For advanced features such as energy monitoring or cloud recordings, you will need to use the Tapo or Kasa app directly.

Kasa devices are not appearing in SmartThings after linking Tapo

If you added Kasa devices through the Tapo app, they will not show up in SmartThings when you link only your Tapo account. To see those devices, you also need to link your Kasa account in SmartThings. Your Kasa and Tapo accounts use the same email and password, so you can link both without creating a separate login. For more general information about Kasa Smart products, see the Kasa Smart general FAQ.