Matter and Thread solve different smart home problems. Matter lets compatible devices work across apps such as Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings. Thread is a low-power mesh network that some of those devices use. A Matter logo helps when choosing a device, but you still need to check that your app supports its device type and features.
Before buying a bulb, sensor or lock, check three things: whether it uses Wi-Fi or Thread, whether your home has the required controller or border router, and which controls your preferred app supports. Those checks prevent most compatibility surprises.
What Matter is and who runs it
Matter is an open, royalty-free application standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the group formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance. Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung are among its members, along with hundreds of device makers. The first version, Matter 1.0, shipped in late 2022. Since then the CSA has released a new version roughly twice a year, and certified products have reached millions of homes.
Matter defines three things that used to be different for every brand:
- A data model. A light, a lock or a thermostat describes itself the same way to every controller, using standard device types and clusters, which are groups of commands and attributes such as on/off, brightness or temperature setpoint.
- Setup. Every certified device uses the same commissioning process, started from a QR code or a numeric setup code.
- Security. Each device gets a certificate that proves it is genuine and certified, and every message between devices and controllers is encrypted and authenticated.
Crucially, Matter runs on your local network. A compatible controller can send commands to a Matter device locally, without routing device control through the manufacturer’s cloud. Voice recognition and some app functions can still depend on internet access. Remote control from outside the house still goes through the platform’s cloud, but it ends in a local command from your hub. That is why Matter devices generally keep working when the internet drops, a topic covered in our guide to keeping SmartThings working during an internet outage.
The networks Matter runs on: Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Thread
Matter sits above the network. It uses IPv6 to talk to devices, and the CSA certifies it on three transports:
| Transport | Best for | Power use | Needs a special hub? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Plugs, bulbs, cameras, appliances, air purifiers | High (mains-powered devices) | No, but you still need a Matter controller for most platforms |
| Ethernet | Hubs, bridges, TVs, routers | Mains only | No |
| Thread | Sensors, locks, buttons, blinds, battery devices | Very low; suits small batteries | Yes, a Thread border router |
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) appears in the setup process too, but only during commissioning. Your phone uses BLE to find a new device and hand it the network credentials. After that, the device talks over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Thread. Matter 1.4.1 added NFC tags as a way to read the setup code, and Matter 1.6 lets the whole commissioning exchange happen over NFC, which is useful for in-wall switches that cannot be powered up at setup time.
How Thread works
Thread is a low-power wireless mesh network managed by the Thread Group. It uses IEEE 802.15.4 radios, the same low-power radio standard Zigbee uses, but unlike Zigbee it carries IPv6. Every Thread device has its own IP address, so there is no proprietary translation layer between your sensors and the rest of your network.
Thread is also self-healing. Mains-powered Thread devices such as plugs, bulbs and hubs relay traffic for others, so the network gets stronger as you add them. If one relay goes offline, traffic routes around it. Battery devices such as door sensors spend most of their time asleep and wake briefly to check in, which is why a Thread sensor can run for a long time on a small battery.
Thread roles in plain English
The OpenThread project, which maintains the open-source Thread stack used by many products, describes these roles:
- Mesh Extender (formerly called a Router). A mains-powered device that forwards packets for other devices. A Thread network can have up to 32.
- End Device. A device that talks only to its parent Mesh Extender. Battery devices are usually Sleepy End Devices that switch their radio off between check-ins.
- Leader. One Mesh Extender is automatically elected to manage the network, for example by assigning router roles. If it disappears, another one takes over.
- Border Router. A device that connects the Thread mesh to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. A home can have several, and they share the load.
You do not configure any of these roles yourself. Devices pick them automatically. What you control is the number and placement of mains-powered Thread devices and border routers, which determines how far and how reliably the mesh reaches.
Thread border routers, and why you need one
A Thread device cannot reach your phone or your Wi-Fi network on its own. The border router bridges the two. Most home setups need a border router for a Thread accessory to stay reachable by their controllers. Some Thread-equipped phones can control accessories directly, with fewer home automation features. Border routers are built into many smart speakers, streaming boxes, hubs and some mesh Wi-Fi systems, and you may already own one.
One common misunderstanding is that the border router controls your devices. It does not. It is network plumbing, much like a Wi-Fi access point. The Matter controller, usually the same speaker or hub, does the controlling. A Thread device paired through Google Home can use an Apple border router to reach the network, provided both share the same Thread network credentials.
Thread 1.4 and credential sharing
Early Thread setups had a messy flaw. Each ecosystem created its own Thread network, so a home with a HomePod mini and a Nest Hub could end up with two separate meshes that did not help each other. Thread 1.4, released in September 2024, addresses this. Its border routers are required to support credential sharing, so a Thread 1.4 device can join any existing Thread network connected by a Thread 1.4 border router, regardless of brand. It also improves network diagnostics, range and reliability.
Thread 1.4 support is rolling out through firmware updates, and older border routers may never get it. Until your hardware supports it, the practical advice is simple: try to keep your Thread devices on one ecosystem’s border routers, or use tools like Home Assistant’s Thread settings to see and merge networks.
Matter controllers and Thread border routers by platform
To use Matter, you need a controller, usually called a hub. To use Thread devices, that hub, or another device on the same network, must also be a Thread border router. Here is what each major platform supports, based on each company’s own documentation at the time of writing:
| Platform | Matter hubs | Thread border routers |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Home | HomePod (2nd gen), HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K | HomePod mini, HomePod (2nd gen), Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) Wi-Fi + Ethernet; Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) also has Thread |
| Google Home | Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro, Google TV Streamer, Google Home Speaker and other Nest speakers and displays | Google Home Speaker (2026), Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro, Google TV Streamer |
| Amazon Alexa | Most Echo speakers and displays, including Echo Dot (2nd gen and newer) | Echo (4th gen), Echo Dot (2026), Echo Dot Max, Echo Hub, Echo Show 8 (2025), Echo Show 11, Echo Studio (2025) and other newer Echo models; many eero routers |
| Samsung SmartThings | SmartThings Hub (2018), Aeotec Smart Home Hub and newer SmartThings hubs | SmartThings Hub (2018) and Aeotec Smart Home Hub; check Samsung’s list for newer hubs |
| Home Assistant | Home Assistant with the Matter Server app | Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 or ZBT-2, or Home Assistant Yellow, running the OpenThread Border Router app; can also use other brands’ border routers |
Amazon’s list is the longest and changes most often, so check its Matter developer page before buying an Echo specifically for Thread. Older Echo Dot models, such as the 5th gen, work as Matter controllers for Wi-Fi devices, but Amazon’s Thread border router list includes only the 2026 Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Max.
On the Apple side, the home hub is required for the best experience. iPhones on iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories without one, and the iPhone 15 Pro and later can control Thread accessories directly, but automations, remote access and reliable shared control need a hub. Our look at the Apple TV 4K covers its role as a home hub. If you are shopping for a new router, the CSA’s Matter 1.4 standard added certification for home routers and access points with a built-in Thread border router; our Wi-Fi 7 router guide covers the wider router choice.
The Google requirements are worth knowing before you start: the router must have IPv6 enabled, Android needs version 8.1 or later with Google Play services 22.48.14 or later, iPhones need iOS 16.5 or later, and the phone needs Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 or later. SmartThings needs Android app version 1.7.91 or later, or iOS 16.2 or later with app version 1.6.94, and hub firmware 45.9 or later.
Setup codes: what the QR code and numbers mean
Every Matter device ships with an onboarding payload, printed as a QR code and usually also as a numeric manual pairing code. It might be on the device, the packaging, a card in the box or all three. The code contains a passcode that proves you physically own the device, a discriminator that helps your phone find the right one when several are in pairing mode, and identifiers for the vendor and product. The manual code is 11 digits, or 21 digits in a longer format, which Samsung describes in its SmartThings guide.
Keep that code safe. Photograph it, or stick the spare card somewhere sensible. You need it again if you ever factory reset the device. Apple stores Matter setup codes in iCloud Keychain, end to end encrypted, which helps if you lose the card, and you can view and remove stored accessories under Settings > General > Matter Accessories on an iPhone.
One more point that saves frustration: the printed code only works while the device is in pairing mode, which is usually for a limited time after first power-up or after a reset. Once a device has joined one platform, adding it to another needs a new temporary code generated by the first platform, explained in the multi-admin section below.
How to add a Matter device in each app
Before you start on any platform, do three things. Update your phone, smart home app and hub. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone. And for Wi-Fi Matter devices, connect your phone to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network if your router separates the bands, because many devices only support 2.4 GHz.
Apple Home (iPhone and iPad)
- Set up a home hub (HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K) in the Home app, and power on the Matter device.
- Open the Home app, tap the Add button, then tap Add Accessory.
- Scan the Matter QR code, or hold your iPhone near the accessory if it supports NFC.
- If the accessory was previously paired to another app, tap More options and select it instead.
- Follow the prompts to name it and assign a room.
If you want to see which other apps an accessory is connected to, open Settings > General > Matter Accessories and tap the accessory.
Google Home
- Make sure a Google Matter hub is set up in the same home, and a Thread border router if the device uses Thread.
- Power on the device. On Android, a pop-up may offer to set it up. Tap it and choose Scan QR code.
- Or open the Google Home app, tap Add device, and scan the QR code.
- If the code will not scan, choose Add a different way and search for the brand, then follow its steps.
- Choose a room and a name for the device, then finish.
Google’s support pages note that remote commands travel from Google’s cloud to your hub and then locally to the device, so the hub has to stay powered and online.
Amazon Alexa
- Place the device within about 9 metres (30 feet) of your Alexa hub, and make sure a Thread-enabled Echo or eero is online if the device uses Thread.
- Open the Alexa app and go to Devices.
- Tap the plus (+) button, then Add Device.
- Tap the Matter icon in the Shortcuts bar, and confirm that the device has a Matter logo.
- Scan the Matter QR code or enter the pairing code, then follow the prompts.
Amazon lists a broad range of supported Matter device types, including lights, plugs, switches, sensors, locks, blinds, thermostats, fans, air purifiers, room air conditioners, dishwashers and robot vacuums. Support for each type can vary by Echo model, so check the app if a device pairs but shows limited controls.
Samsung SmartThings
In SmartThings, the phone is the commissioner that adds the device, and the hub is the controller that runs it. Thread devices need a hub with a Thread border router.
- Open the SmartThings app and tap Add (+), then Add Device.
- Tap Scan and scan the Matter QR code, or choose Enter setup code to type the numbers.
- Select the hub and the room.
- When asked, choose the Wi-Fi or Thread network for the device.
- Rename the device if you like, and tap Save.
The older 2015 SmartThings Hub cannot act as a Thread border router. Samsung’s guide explains that it can work with a third-party border router if you enter that network’s 32-character network key, which is more work than most people want.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is the most flexible option and the one that rewards some technical comfort. It needs the Matter Server app, formerly called an add-on, which runs on Home Assistant OS but not on 32-bit systems. You also need the Home Assistant Companion app on your phone, because the phone does the Bluetooth part of commissioning. If you are new to running Home Assistant, our beginner’s guide to home servers covers the hardware side.
- On Android 8.1 or later (12 or later recommended), give the Companion app the Location permission set to Allow all the time, and connect the phone to the same network as Home Assistant.
- On iPhone, use iOS 16 or later. In the Companion app, go to Settings > Connectivity > Matter and tap Add device.
- Choose No, it is new when asked whether the device is already set up elsewhere.
- Scan the QR code, or tap More options to type the numeric code.
- On Android, when asked to choose an app, pick Home Assistant. On iPhone, confirm Add to Home Assistant.
For Thread devices, Home Assistant can use its own border router (the OpenThread Border Router app with a Connect ZBT-1, ZBT-2 or Yellow) or an existing Apple, Google or Amazon border router. Its documentation points out that the Connect sticks ship running Zigbee firmware, so you must switch them to Thread first. You can then check which Thread network is preferred under Settings > Connectivity > Thread, and share credentials with your phone: on Android via the Companion app’s Troubleshooting menu and Sync Thread credentials, and on iPhone via Send credentials to phone.
Multi-admin: using one device in several apps
Multi-admin is one of Matter’s best features. Each platform that controls a device joins it as a separate fabric, which is Matter’s term for a secure controller network. The specification requires devices to support at least five fabrics, so one Matter plug can be in Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and Home Assistant at the same time, each with its own automations. SmartThings documents a limit of five services per device on its side too.
To add a device that is already paired, generate a temporary pairing code in the app where it currently lives, then enter or scan that code in the second app:
- Google Home: open the device’s settings, then Linked Matter apps & services, and tap Link apps & services. Google can show a pairing code or a QR code to share.
- SmartThings: open the device, tap More (the three dots), then Share with other services, then Share device. SmartThings generates a fresh code.
- Apple Home: open the accessory’s settings and use the option to turn on pairing mode, which produces a setup code for another app. In the second app, add the device as normal and choose to use a code rather than the printed one.
- Home Assistant: open the device page and use the option to share the device, which opens commissioning for another controller.
Each platform needs its own hub. To use a device in both Google Home and Alexa, you need a Google Matter hub and an Alexa Matter hub. For Thread devices, a single Thread network can serve both if the border routers share credentials.
What changed in Matter 1.4 and 1.6
Matter 1.4, released in November 2024, added Enhanced Multi-Admin, which lets ecosystems automate sharing across platforms with a single consent rather than a code per device. Matter 1.6, released in June 2026, adds Joint Fabric, a different approach in which several authorised controllers co-administer one shared Matter network using a central datastore. A device in a Joint Fabric counts as only one fabric toward its limit. Both features depend on platforms adopting them, so for now most people will still share devices one at a time with pairing codes.
Matter versions and supported device types
Matter grows through numbered releases. Each adds device types and features, and platforms adopt them on their own schedules, so a new device type can be in the specification well before your app supports it.
| Version | Released | Main additions |
|---|---|---|
| Matter 1.0 | 2022 | Lights, plugs, switches, sensors, locks, thermostats, blinds, TVs, bridges |
| Matter 1.2 | October 2023 | Nine new types, including robot vacuums, fridges, room air conditioners, dishwashers, washers, air purifiers and smoke and CO alarms |
| Matter 1.4 | November 2024 | Enhanced Multi-Admin, home routers and access points, solar, batteries, heat pumps, water heaters, EV charging improvements |
| Matter 1.5 | November 2025 | Cameras with WebRTC streaming, closures such as gates and garage doors, soil sensors, energy tariffs |
| Matter 1.6 | June 2026 | NFC-based commissioning, Joint Fabric, thermostat suggestions, richer device status |
Matter 1.6 is the latest major version at the time of writing. Rather than adding new device categories, it focuses on easier setup, multi-ecosystem management and better information from devices. Maintenance releases such as 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 tidy up testing and certification between major versions.
Bridges are worth a special mention. A Matter bridge is a hub that exposes devices from another system, for example Zigbee bulbs or older Philips Hue lights, as Matter devices. That is how many existing smart home setups get into Matter without replacing every device.
Troubleshooting Matter and Thread
The device is not found
- Check the device is in pairing mode. Many only stay in pairing mode for a few minutes after power-up. Power cycle it or follow the manufacturer’s reset steps.
- Keep your phone close, within a few metres, because commissioning starts over Bluetooth.
- Turn Bluetooth on, and on Android, grant the app Location and Nearby devices permissions.
- If the device was paired before, it will not accept the printed code. Remove it from the old app or factory reset it.
Pairing fails partway through
- For Wi-Fi devices, check the supported band. Many accessories need 2.4 GHz, though a phone on the same LAN can often remain on 5 GHz. Use a temporary 2.4 GHz setup network if the manufacturer recommends it.
- Check that IPv6 is enabled on your router. Google lists it as a requirement, and Home Assistant needs IPv6 multicast to reach its host, though an IPv6 internet connection is not required.
- Disable VPNs and private relay features on the phone during setup.
- Restart the hub, clear the app cache (Android) and restart the phone, which is what Google’s own troubleshooting steps suggest.
Thread devices drop off or respond slowly
- Add a mains-powered Thread device, such as a smart plug, between the border router and distant sensors. Mesh Extenders strengthen the network.
- Check you do not have multiple separate Thread networks. Home Assistant’s Thread page shows them, and later Thread 1.4 border routers can share one network.
- Keep border routers away from metal cabinets and dense walls, just as you would a Wi-Fi access point.
- Make sure firmware is current on border routers and devices. Thread reliability has improved a lot through updates.
The device works in one app but not another
- Each platform needs its own Matter hub in the same home.
- Some platforms support only some device types. A robot vacuum or air purifier may show basic controls or none, depending on the app.
- Check the number of fabrics. If a device is already shared with several apps, remove an unused one.
Matter hubs worth considering
If you need a Thread border router and a Matter controller in one device, these are options on Amazon India that appear on their makers’ Thread lists or product listings. Prices and stock change often, so check the listing before buying.
- Amazon Echo Dot Max: a compact smart speaker that Amazon lists as a Matter controller and Thread border router for Alexa.
- Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025): a smart display with a screen for camera feeds and controls, also on Amazon’s Thread border router list.
- Amazon Echo Studio (2025): a larger speaker for people who want better sound with the same smart home hub features.
- Aqara Hub M3: a brand-neutral Matter controller and Thread border router that can also bridge Aqara Zigbee devices into Matter, useful in homes with more than one ecosystem.
Disclosure: Techzei earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect which products we list.
How to choose a setup that will last
For most homes, the best plan is to pick one main ecosystem based on your phones and speakers, buy Matter devices rather than single-brand ones where you can, and use multi-admin to add a second app only where it helps. Choose Thread for battery devices and Wi-Fi for power-hungry ones. And keep the setup codes. Matter has made smart home buying much easier, but those small printed codes are still the key to every device you own.
FAQ
Is Matter the same as Thread?
No. Matter is the application standard that defines how devices describe themselves and are controlled. Thread is a low-power mesh network that some Matter devices use. Matter also runs on Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
Do I need a hub for Matter?
For most platforms, yes. Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings require a Matter hub, and Apple Home needs one for automations and remote control, although iPhones on iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories without one. Thread devices also need a Thread border router.
Can I use Zigbee devices with Matter?
Not directly, but a Matter bridge can expose Zigbee devices to Matter apps. Philips Hue and Aqara hubs are common examples, and Home Assistant’s Matter integration is a controller; it does not itself turn Zigbee devices into a Matter bridge.
Will Matter work without internet?
Local control usually keeps working, because commands travel over your home network. Remote control, voice assistants that rely on cloud processing and some app features need internet.
What happens if I lose the setup code?
If the device is already paired, you can generate a new sharing code from the app it is paired to. If not, check iCloud Keychain on an iPhone that set it up, the box and manual, or contact the maker. Without a code, a factory-reset device generally cannot be added.
Can one Thread network serve Apple, Google and Amazon devices?
Yes, if the border routers share credentials. Thread 1.4 makes this a requirement for border routers. Older hardware may still create separate networks, which work but do not strengthen each other.
- SourceThread Group: Thread 1.4
