Undoubtedly, home automation is becoming increasingly popular in the population, people seek to optimize their homes to a greater or lesser extent with new technology. Android takes an important position in this field, because it is a very widespread system that can be adapted to many areas; the best apps for a smart home they are on mobile.
The integration that these free applications can have with our home reaches excellence, allowing us to control lights, security cameras, plugs, washing machines and any other gadget that is configured for the home.
In this article we bring a list of the best applications to automate a home, taking into account different products and the ways of interacting with them. These apps are officially available on the Play Store for Android phones or tablets.
Google Home
Known worldwide for home automation connoisseurs and individuals alike, this is a fairly complete application that integrates perfectly with the entire Google ecosystem. It is available from Android 6.0 and is free.
With this app we can control lights, cameras, outlets, gates and many other compatible devices. It fits well with Google's virtual assistant, making it possible to control the house by voice commandsinside or outside of it.
TP-Link Tapo by TP-Link Corporation Limited
It is also among top rated apps for home automation on the play store. It offers voice control through Alexa and the Google Assistant, on any of the smart devices where they can be invoked.
It has the possibility of share access to your home devices to other app users, plus a control panel where you can quickly control each device separately. Among its advantages is that you can program the on/off of lights and other functions that you want to execute at a certain time.
SmartThings by Samsung
Similar to the previous applications but focused above all on Samsung brand devices, such as washing machines, fans, televisions, lights and other products from the Korean manufacturer.
Among its functions, it allows us to automate the behavior of our appliances according to conditions that we can control from the application. There is a good morning and good night mode, to repeat patterns in those hours.
To download this application we need a device with Android 8.0 or higher. It is found on Google Play.
Tuya Smart by Tuya Inc.
Developed for devices with an Android version higher than 5.0, it has all the functions of the previous applications: allowing it to be linked with lights, plugs, Wi-Fi, cameras and other gadgets. In the opinion of its users, there is a lot of variety for the devices that can be managed from the application.
The control panel divides the devices by category, very useful when you have many different gadgets and you are looking for a specific one to control.
When we add a new one to the list, the process is usually faster than in the same Google Home application. It also allows sharing access to other users who have the application.
Smart Life – Smart Living by Volcano
This application handles a different level of security than Google Home, it can only work when connected to the same home network. It is also useful for turning on lights and appliances, accepting voice commands from the Google assistant or Alexa, in the case of having an Amazon Echo device.
It is available from Android 5.0 and has millions of downloads with good reviews that support its quality. It can be used from older devices that are relegated solely to a remote control function for home automation.
Home Connect
It is an application more open to devices from different manufacturers. It is focused on fans, washing machines and the intelligent use of the kitchen. Within the same application you can have a list of recipes to make for each occasion.
It includes a virtual assistant that can help you answer questions about the devices you have added to the app.
Nest by Nest Labs Inc.
It's also an app that's optimized for controlling Nest-branded products like cameras, alarms, and other home security products. With it you can control temperatures, four security cameras at the same time and smoke and movement sensors. It is ideal for manage home security.
You can install this app starting from Android 4.0, which makes it one of the most backwards compatible apps on the list, and it also works outside of the same Wi-Fi network.
Conclusion
These were the best apps that can be downloaded from the Play Store, as assessed by thousands of people in different parts of the world. Some of a general nature and others more focused on a specific manufacturer or niche. You have to look at the brand of the devices you want to connect and analyze which application is best suited to control it.