How do I connect my Samsung to iHome?

ByJael Lawler

Connecting Samsung devices to iHome speakers allows you to stream audio from your Samsung phone, tablet, or other device directly to your iHome wireless speaker system. This lets you play music, podcasts, videos, and more from your Samsung device on your iHome speakers for whole-home audio.

Samsung and iHome have integrated to enable easy wireless connectivity between the two brands. By using either Bluetooth or WiFi connections, you can sync your Samsung device to your iHome speakers and access your audio content seamlessly throughout your home.

In this guide, we’ll cover the necessary equipment to connect your Samsung device to iHome speakers. We’ll go through the steps to connect via Bluetooth, aux cable, or WiFi. We’ll also discuss multi-room streaming and cover some troubleshooting tips.

Compatibility

The key to connecting a Samsung device to an iHome speaker is compatibility. Not all Samsung devices will be able to pair with an iHome speaker system. According to Apple (https://www.apple.com/home-app/accessories/), Samsung devices that are compatible with Apple HomeKit include select Samsung TVs, the HW-S61A soundbar, and Samsung SmartThings products like lightbulbs and sensors. Additional Samsung audio devices may also be compatible if they support Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

So in summary, newer SmartThings-enabled Samsung products as well as recent Samsung TVs and soundbars that specifically advertise Apple HomeKit compatibility will be able to connect to an iHome speaker via WiFi and Apple’s Home app. For other Samsung devices like smartphones and tablets, you may still be able to connect via Bluetooth as long as the iHome speaker supports it.

Necessary Equipment

To connect a Samsung phone to an iHome speaker system, there are a few key pieces of equipment you’ll need:

  • A Micro USB to USB cable for Android devices (https://www.amazon.com/iHome-Micro-USB-Cable-Android/dp/B01HDY2XE6) or Lightning to USB cable for iPhones
  • An AUX cable (3.5 mm stereo mini male to male cable)

Having either the Micro USB/Lightning to USB cable or the AUX cable will allow you to connect your Samsung device to the iHome. The Micro USB/Lightning cable connects the phone via the USB port on the back of the iHome, while the AUX cable connects into the AUX or headphone port.

It’s also worth noting that newer Samsung phones with USB-C charging support will require a USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect to the iHome’s USB port. So having an adapter on hand is recommended if your Samsung device features USB-C.

But with either the appropriate USB charging cable for your Samsung, or a standard 3.5 mm AUX cable, you’ll have everything you need to hook up your device and start streaming audio.

Connecting via Bluetooth

The easiest way to connect your Samsung device to an iHome speaker is via Bluetooth. Both Samsung and iHome support Bluetooth connectivity which allows you to stream audio wirelessly.

Here are the steps to connect via Bluetooth:

  1. Put your iHome speaker into pairing mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth or “Play/Pause/Pairing” button for 2-3 seconds until you hear a tone or voice prompt indicating it is in pairing mode. Refer to your specific iHome model’s manual if unsure where this button is located (https://theproductanalyst.com/how-to-pair-ihome-bluetooth-speakers/).
  2. Open Bluetooth settings on your Samsung device.
  3. Select your iHome speaker from the list of available Bluetooth devices to initiate pairing.
  4. Confirm pairing on both devices if prompted.
  5. Once successfully paired, you will be able to stream audio from your Samsung device to the iHome speaker.

Some iHome models feature additional connectivity options like WiFi or Aux input which are covered in the following sections.

Connecting via Aux Cable

An auxiliary cable (also called an aux cable, auxiliary audio cable, headset cable, or jack plug) provides a simple wired connection for audio. Using an aux cable is one of the easiest ways to connect your Samsung device to your iHome speaker.

To connect your Samsung to your iHome speaker via aux cable:

  1. First, ensure both your Samsung device and your iHome speaker have a 3.5 mm aux port. Most modern mobile devices and speakers still include this standard port.[1]
  2. Obtain a 3.5 mm male to male auxiliary cable. This type of cable has the 3.5 mm jack connector on both ends.
  3. Connect one end of the aux cable to the headphone jack on your Samsung device.
  4. Connect the other end of the cable to the aux input port on your iHome speaker.
  5. Activate Bluetooth on your mobile device and pair it with your iHome speaker via Bluetooth. The aux connection will transmit the audio but Bluetooth pairing allows you to control playback and volume from your phone.[2]
  6. Open a music app or video on your Samsung phone and the audio should now play through your iHome speaker via the wired auxiliary connection.

Using an aux cable provides pure wired analog audio quality. Just be sure your Samsung device and iHome speaker both include the standard 3.5 mm aux port required for connectivity.

Connecting via WiFi

Samsung and iHome devices can connect via WiFi and communicate through your home wireless network. To connect a Samsung product such as a Smart TV or smartphone to an iHome smart device like the iHome SmartPlug, follow these steps:

1. Ensure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Connect the iHome SmartPlug or other device to your home WiFi using the iHome Control app as shown in the product setup instructions.

2. Open the SmartThings app on your Samsung device and tap “Add Device.” Select the iHome device model from the list if shown. If not listed, you may be able to add it by scanning the QR code found in the iHome app or on the device itself.

3. Follow the in-app prompts to complete the pairing process. Both the iHome and Samsung devices should now recognize one another for features like remote control and automation through the SmartThings ecosystem.

The key for connectivity over WiFi is having both devices signed into the same wireless network. WiFi allows for reliable communication without the need to have the devices within close Bluetooth range. This allows for whole home control and automation. If issues pairing arise, consult device support documentation or contact customer assistance.

Multi-room Streaming

With multi-room streaming, you can play the same music simultaneously across multiple speaker devices in different rooms using the Samsung Multiroom App. To do this with iHome speakers, you need to have:

  • iHome speakers that support AirPlay or Bluetooth streaming
  • A Samsung Galaxy or Samsung TV that supports multi-room streaming

Once you have the required equipment, you can:

  1. Connect each iHome speaker device via Bluetooth or AirPlay in the Samsung Multiroom app. Provide a name for each connected speaker. For Bluetooth, you will need to pair each speaker with the Samsung device.
  2. In the Multiroom app, select the desired songs or audio source to stream.
  3. Choose the connected speakers you want the audio to play from simultaneously. The same audio will now play across the selected speakers.

The maximum number of speakers you can stream to depends on the capability of your Samsung device. Check your user manual for more details.

This allows you to enjoy music streaming conveniently across any combination of rooms of your home. You can control playback and volume for each room individually from your Samsung device.

Troubleshooting

Several common issues can occur when trying to connect a Samsung device to iHome speakers via Bluetooth, WiFi or a wired connection. If you are experiencing difficulty connecting your Samsung phone or tablet to an iHome speaker, try some of the troubleshooting tips below:

Bluetooth Connectivity Issues

If your Samsung and iHome speaker won’t pair over Bluetooth or the connection drops frequently, try these steps:

  • Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and they are within 30 feet of each other. Sources indicate the maximum Bluetooth range is approximately 30 feet (Samsung).
  • Check the battery level on the iHome speaker. A flashing red light indicates low battery, which can disrupt connectivity (iHome).
  • Restart both the Samsung device and the iHome speaker.
  • On the Samsung, clear cached Bluetooth data by going to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and selecting the settings icon in the upper right corner.

If issues persist, reset the iHome speaker to factory settings and retry pairing.

FAQs

Here are some common questions readers have on connecting a Samsung device to an iHome accessory:

Can I connect my Samsung Galaxy to an iHome Bluetooth speaker?

Yes. Most iHome Bluetooth speakers allow you to pair with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. You’ll need to put your speaker into pairing mode and then scan for devices in your phone’s Bluetooth settings menu.

Can I stream music from my Samsung phone to my iHome system?

If your iHome system is connected to WiFi and has an app like iHome Connect, AirPlay or Spotify Connect, you can stream music directly from your Samsung phone or tablet using these applications over the WiFi network. This allows wireless streaming without having to directly pair via Bluetooth.

Can SmartThings control my iHome smart plug?

As of right now, the iHome iSP6X smart plug has limited compatibility with Samsung SmartThings and Connect app integrations. You may be able to get basic on/off control, but full compatibility is still in progress.

Why can’t I connect my Samsung phone to an iHome clock radio?

Most iHome clock radios do not have Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity. They play audio from AM/FM radio tuning or from devices connected via an aux cable. So you won’t be able to directly connect or stream from a Samsung phone without a physical aux cable connection.

Conclusion

In summary, connecting a Samsung TV to an iHome speaker via Bluetooth, aux cable, or WiFi streaming allows you to wirelessly play audio from your Samsung device through the iHome speaker. Follow the step-by-step pairing instructions for either Bluetooth or WiFi to establish a connection. If experiencing any issues with getting the devices to connect or play audio, check for compatibility problems, ensure the speaker is powered on and in pairing mode, relocate devices closer together, or reset and try pairing again from scratch.

With some handy tips and guides from Samsung and iHome, connecting these devices can be quick and seamless. You’ll then be able to enjoy your favorite shows, movies, playlists, and more with expanded, room-filling sound.

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