A Reddit user has used Anthropic’s Claude to rebuild the software link between a more than decade-old Samsung washer and SmartThings, restoring remote controls and automatic dryer settings.
A Reddit user has found a way to restore internet-connected functions on a Samsung washing machine that had long since lost official support, using Anthropic’s Claude to help rebuild the missing links to Samsung’s SmartThings platform. According to SammyGuru, the appliance is more than 10 years old and was originally sold as a premium model with a touchscreen, automatic detergent dispensing and remote control features that Samsung later discontinued.
The user said the repair project took about two hours, although it consumed the full five-hour usage limit for Claude. SamMobile reported that the revived machine can once again appear in SmartThings, where the owner can select wash programmes, change temperature and adjust spin speed. The same setup also restores communication with a Samsung dryer, allowing it to choose the correct drying setting automatically when a cycle finishes.
That matters because, as Samsung’s own support guidance makes clear, connected washers are designed to rely on ongoing software maintenance and SmartThings for updates. The company says Wi-Fi-enabled models can receive software updates automatically through the SmartThings app, underscoring how dependent some smart appliance features are on continued platform support. Separate guidance on AI-powered laundry systems from SamMobile also shows that Samsung’s newer appliances use onboard sensing to optimise cycles, but the older machine in this case was being kept alive through a user-created workaround rather than an official feature set.
The owner told Reddit that some hardware has already been replaced and that the automatic dispenser no longer works, yet they believe the software fix could extend the washer’s life by roughly five years. The same account also noted a brief test with Apple Home through Homebridge, which was abandoned because the interface was not preferred. The code has been shared on GitHub, which may make the approach easier for others to copy, but the episode also illustrates the trade-off in DIY smart-home repairs: preserving useful hardware may be possible, yet bypassing official support can create security and maintenance risks, as both SamMobile and iTechGuides note when describing the limits of unsupported or offline smart appliances.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
