Hi SAM.
Glad that you ask if your refrigerator works without Wi-Fi.
Yes, your refrigerator works fine without connecting to Wi-Fi, and since we don't offer a manual controller, you can manage or navigate, like changing the temperature inside your fridge.
Connecting your refrigerator to SmartThings app via Wi-Fi has numerous benefits, such as letting you view the inside of the fridge, receiving notifications about your fridge's status, or getting updates to your fridge.
Refer to the user manual about the benefits of using the SmartThings App on your refrigerator on pages 47-49: https://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/202205/20220525154141895/RF9000A_DA68-04023H-04_EN_MES_CFR.pdf.
Have a great day.
Melardo