TL;DR - LG and Miele document 2.4 GHz only, and Home Connect says certain appliances are 2.4 GHz only, so the band is the first thing to check when pairing fails. Samsung needs SmartThings, LG needs ThinQ, Bosch needs Home Connect, Miele needs the Miele app. Confirm your router broadcasts a separate 2.4 GHz SSID and that your phone is on it during setup.
Updated October 2026: Pairing steps were checked against Samsung, LG, Home Connect and Miele support pages. Removed because they could not be sourced: model-year compatibility lists, the Miele button combination, the Miele module price and a personal energy figure that had no data behind it.
Before you start
Most smart washing machines connect only to 2.4 GHz WiFi. LG's ThinQ setup page says the app supports only 2.4 GHz, and Miele's system requirements list 2.4 GHz as the only band. Home Connect is more careful: it says certain appliances work only on 2.4 GHz, so check your model. Before opening any app, confirm that:
- Your router broadcasts a separate 2.4 GHz network (distinct SSID from the 5 GHz band)
- You have the 2.4 GHz network password ready
- Your phone is connected to that same 2.4 GHz network during pairing
If your router uses the same SSID for both bands (a common setting on newer routers), you may need to temporarily split them in your router settings. Consult your router manual or ISP support for instructions specific to your model.
Every brand's own setup guide starts from its own app, so plan on one app per brand. If this is your first connected appliance, our smart home starter guide covers the same band trap and what to buy first.
Samsung (SmartThings)
Samsung smart washers pair through the SmartThings platform, which also connects to Samsung TVs, fridges, and other compatible devices. You'll need a Samsung account and a compatible washer model.
Following Samsung's own steps:
- Open SmartThings and tap + at the top right, then Add device.
- Choose Add under Samsung devices, then Washer.
- Scan the QR code, or tap Add without QR code.
- Press and hold the Smart Control button on the washer for 3 seconds until AP appears on the display.
- Tap the detected machine, authorise the connection, then select the Wi-Fi network.
- Wait for the account registration, then name the machine and pick a room.
Samsung notes that features vary by country and model, so the options after pairing depend on what your washer supports. On models that allow it, you can follow the cycle, get end-of-cycle alerts and start a wash remotely.
Remote start is where a connected washer stops being a gimmick. Load it before leaving the house, start it half an hour before you get back, and the drum never sits damp for a working day. That one pattern is the connected-laundry feature worth having, in my view, and it only works if your model supports remote start.
LG (ThinQ)
LG's smart appliances use the LG ThinQ app. ThinQ also connects to LG fridges, dishwashers, and air conditioners.
- Download LG ThinQ from the App Store or Google Play and sign in.
- Hold the Wi-Fi button on the washer for more than 3 seconds until the Wi-Fi light blinks.
- In the app, tap Add a device, then scan the QR code, or add the washer manually if you have no code.
- Move close to the washer and follow the on-screen instructions, then pick your 2.4 GHz network.
LG's guide says to pick a network whose name doesn't contain 5G or 5GHz, to turn off mobile data on your phone while you pair, and to keep the router and appliance within about 10 metres of each other. If a wall sits between them, LG suggests adding a router or extender.
After pairing, ThinQ provides cycle notifications and status. Which extra features you see depends on the washer, so check your model's page on LG's site.
Bosch / Siemens (Home Connect)
Bosch and Siemens home appliances (both Bosch Group brands) use the Home Connect app. The same app works with dishwashers, ovens, and coffee machines.
- Download Home Connect from the App Store or Google Play and register with your name and email. A confirmation link finishes the registration.
- Tap Add appliance.
- Scan the QR code printed in the Quick Start Guide. If the guide is lost, Home Connect's pairing guide finds the code from the E-number on the rating plate.
- Connect the washer to your network. Depending on the model, Home Connect uses a temporary network the appliance creates (called HomeConnect), Bluetooth, or WPS if your router has it.
Home Connect says the network must be encrypted with WPA2 and that certain appliances support only the 2.4 GHz band. Open networks and networks that need a browser login won't work. Once the washer is online it adds itself to your account. If you have other Bosch appliances or are thinking about expanding the ecosystem, see our Bosch Home Connect devices overview for what works together.
The QR code is the neat part: it identifies the exact model, so you skip manual model selection and go straight to the network step. If the QR code route fails, the E-number lookup does the same job.
Miele (Miele app)
Miele smart washers use the Miele app. Depending on the model, WiFi is built in or comes from the XKM 3100 W communication module, which supports 2.4 GHz networks.
- Download the Miele app from the App Store or Google Play and create a Miele account. The app needs iOS 15 or Android 10 or newer.
- Start the appliance registration and tap Add.
- Scan the QR code or enter the code from the type plate on the inside of the door.
- Put the washer on the setting the app asks for, until the washer shows the connect with app step.
- Select your 2.4 GHz network in the app and enter the password.
Miele's system requirements are stricter than the other three brands. Its router checklist lists WPA or WPA2 encryption, DHCP switched on, IPv4 addresses only, ports 443, 80, 53 and 5353, and channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4 GHz. The app supports up to 12 appliances per account, and Miele lists Alexa and Google Assistant voice control.
Miele is honest about something other brands aren't: not every machine has WiFi built in. If you buy a Miele washer second-hand, check whether it has WiFi built in or the XKM 3100 W module fitted before assuming connectivity is possible. I couldn't find a current Miele price for the module, so ask a dealer.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| App can't find appliance | Phone on 5 GHz band | Switch phone to 2.4 GHz, turn off mobile data, restart pairing |
| Pairing times out | Weak signal or phone too far away | Move close to the washer; LG advises router and appliance within about 10 m |
| WiFi drops after a day | Address changes on renewal | Reserve a fixed IP for the washer in the router (DHCP reservation) |
| Washer found but connection fails | Router firewall blocking device | Disable AP isolation in router settings |
| App shows "offline" after moving router | Cached network settings | Delete and re-add the appliance in the app |
AP isolation is worth knowing about. Many mesh routers and some ISP-supplied routers enable it by default, which prevents devices on the same network from talking to each other. Your phone sees the WiFi but can't complete the appliance handshake. Disabling it fixes the problem instantly, but it's buried in advanced router settings - usually under Wireless or Security.
What you can do after connecting
Once connected, most smart washing machines offer:
- Remote monitoring: check cycle progress while you're out
- End-of-cycle alerts: push notifications so laundry does not sit damp in the drum
- Energy reporting: some brands show per-wash energy use, which varies by model
- Delayed start: schedule a wash to finish when you get home, or to run on cheaper off-peak electricity if your tariff has one
How much electricity does your washing machine actually use per cycle? Most people have no idea. If your app shows energy per wash, compare your usual programme with a lower-temperature eco cycle for a month. Heating the water is the biggest share of a cycle's energy, so the gap is usually worth seeing. I'd rather you test it on your own clothes than trust a number from me.
Which brand's app is actually good?
I haven't run all four apps side by side, so this is a judgement from how the setup flows read, not a test. SmartThings has the broadest reach beyond laundry, because it also covers Samsung smart TVs and fridges. Home Connect makes the most sense if you already own other Bosch or Siemens appliances. ThinQ and the Miele app each do the job for their own brand. Don't make buying decisions based on the app alone, but know that you'll be living in it.
Is it worth connecting?
Once you've got the washer online, you might want to do the same for other kitchen appliances. Our smart dishwasher guide and smart fridge buying guide cover similar setup steps for those products.
For most households, the main benefits are end-of-cycle notifications and energy monitoring. Remote start is useful if you leave wet laundry in the drum regularly. If you only run the machine while at home, the connected features add limited practical value - but setup takes under 10 minutes and costs nothing beyond the app download.
If pairing still fails after the band and router checks, Miele's router checklist is a good reference even for other brands: WPA2, DHCP on, and a quiet 2.4 GHz channel.