Home Assistant has taken a significant step towards enhancing smart home connectivity by adopting Matter, the latest attempt at a unified IoT standard. This development aligns Home Assistant with tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, who have also embraced Matter to improve interoperability between smart devices. This article explores what this means for you and how you can start using Matter with Home Assistant.
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What is Matter?
Matter is a new standard for smart home devices, designed to simplify and unify the way devices communicate. Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, it aims to make different brands and products work seamlessly together. With Matter, you no longer need to worry about whether your new smart light bulb will work with your existing smart home system.
Home Assistant's Integration with Matter
Following the finalization of Matter V1, Home Assistant has integrated this standard into its platform. The Home Assistant Core Version 2022.12, the last major update of the year, includes a developer preview of Matter. This means developers can start experimenting with Matter-enabled devices within the Home Assistant ecosystem.
The mobile companion apps for both iOS and Android devices are also receiving updates to support Matter. These updates will include a QR code scanner, allowing you to easily add Matter devices to your Home Assistant setup by scanning a QR code.
Industry Adoption of Matter
Home Assistant joins other tech leaders in adopting Matter. Here's how the industry is aligning with this new standard:
How to Get Started with Matter on Home Assistant
Step 1: Update Home Assistant
Ensure your Home Assistant is updated to Core Version 2022.12. You can update your Home Assistant through the Supervisor panel.
Step 2: Update Mobile Apps
Update your Home Assistant mobile apps on your iOS or Android device to the latest version. This will enable the QR code scanner feature necessary for adding Matter devices.
Step 3: Add Matter Devices
Use the QR code scanner within the mobile app to add Matter devices to your Home Assistant setup. This process simplifies device integration, making it easier to expand your smart home network.
Summary
Home Assistant's support for Matter marks a significant advancement in smart home technology. By adopting this new standard, Home Assistant ensures better device interoperability and a more seamless user experience. Update your Home Assistant and mobile apps to start integrating Matter devices today.
For further reading, check out the official announcements from Google, Apple, and Amazon.
