Confirm a couple things for me, before I dive into Hubitat

So for Christmas, I got a half a dozen wifi plugs and a WiFi relay:

smile.amazon. com/dp/B077YBRN6X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_K3tnCbDEWJ6D0

smile.amazon. com/dp/B07BPYT2Y7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_24tnCbE2N16S4

This is the FIRST "new generation" home automation stuff I've ever had. Used to make my own back in the day with x10 equipment but it's been 10+ years.

Anyway, I'm already bored with the Google Home options for "automation" and recipes. I came across Hubitat and am wondering if it will work with the smart devices I was gifted during Christmas.

From research under Compatible Devices list, it looks like my answer is no. Unless cheap WIFI Cloud devices fall under some other category that i am not aware of.

And from the other angle I am reading, it may be that the devices will have to linked through my Google account to get to Hubitat; not really making Hubitat my "own cloud". Correct?

You'll have to remove the spaces between the amazon and the . com. Wouldn't let me post a link. Im to new, but in need of some answers before I buy.

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The honest answer is that these are not the best devices to use with Hubitat. Hubitat does well with devices that communicate over Z-Wave, ZigBee, or the few Wi-Fi or LAN (or cloud) devices that have documented, reverse-engineered, or otherwise accessible APIs. Both of these are Wi-Fi and appear to require a vendor's custom app, which is rarely a good sign for this.

However, the first (Etekcity Wi-Fi plugs) do support IFTTT. This can be used to "link" them to Hubitat, though it will require a bit more work on your end than just adding the device to Hubitat. Specifically, you'll have to create what's called a "virtual device" in Hubitat, then an automation in IFTTT that will turn the virtual device from Hubtat on or off when the Etekcity switch is turned on or off and vice versa. (Neither is isn't quite as hard as it sounds, but it's certainly more involved than typical device setup in Hubitat.) I'm not sure about your second product, but the Amazon description says it uses the Smart Life app. My understanding is that this app also has an IFTTT channel, so it should work similarly to the first product.

There is a glimmer of hope with the first product, where the description says it "does not currently support SmartThings," suggesting that they may consider doing so in the future. If it's via a custom device type handler (and not official integration with ST purely via Samsung where we can't see the code), it would be highly probable that this would be easy to also make work on Hubitat.

A note on IFTTT: it (of course) necessarily uses the cloud and will likely introduce a bit of delay (probably at least a few seconds), plus obvious issues should your Internet go down. A lot of people use Hubitat because it's local, fast, and still works when your Internet is down (except things that necessarily require it), so you won't exactly get that experience here. :slight_smile: These aren't devices I'd recommend you buy if you want something fast, reliable, and minimal-effort in Hubitat, but it should be possible to at least integrate them into Hubitat. Just keep in mind that natively-supported devices, particularly ones that work over a home-automation protocol like ZigBee or Z-Wave, will likely work much faster and more reliably.

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Ya know what? Just jump. You'll love it. I understand that you want compatibility. I get it. But IT'S SO FUN! Making stuff work. Make your stuff work. IFTTT maybe? research it. So your handfull of stuff isn't quite HE compatible, but may be integrated for now through google home. So what. Like most of us. You'll start adding things that DO work. And you'll find a way to make things happen. And you'll love every moment of it. And you're proud when people react to your automations when they come to your house. It's bragging rights. You'll learn so much here. You'll get ideas. Don't stop where you are. The platform is so fast and local. The community is indescribable. Just a bunch of people. Some with super powers, some not. But they all help and make a great community. If you're looking to get into home automation, there'll be a learning curve with whatever you choose. If you need a starter hub, you can go to "that other platform", but you'll end up here. Because it's reliable and robust, and local, and growing every day because HE has something amazing. And is doing amazing things. If you don't come now, you'll be back. Oh yes. You'll be back.

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I agree with @bertabcd1234 those are not the way to go with Hubitat or SmartThings.
I know you got them for Christmas, maybe did they come with a gift receipt?
What you need is Zigbee or Z-Wave devices primarily.

Etekcity is actually a good brand, I use them for my 433Mhz switches and doorbell.
Looks like somebody over on SmartThings is working on harnessing the API which could one day be converted to Hubitat, but that could cause issues of its' own.

Best bet is to return them if you can.

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@dpslusser. I bought the same or similar items. Etekcity outlets and wall switches that run through "Smart Life" app. Both work great in my Google Home setup, but I cannot set triggers on that platform, such as motion detected, turn on the light 5 minutes, then turn it off without IFTTT. I think the IFTTT is a reasonable approach as described in this post. I just got my Hubitat today and a Z-wave motion detector is coming tomorrow.

Please keep this thread posted on your progress and I will do the same.