Quick Answer: Matter is an IP-based smart home standard that lets devices from different brands work together over Wi-Fi or Thread. To use it in Home Assistant you run the Matter Server app on Home Assistant OS, which the documentation calls the only supported option. You also need IPv6 multicast traffic reaching the Home Assistant host, a phone with Bluetooth to add devices, and a Thread border router for any Thread devices.
Matter promises one way to add a device whatever the brand. In practice it depends on your network and your install type. This guide covers what Home Assistant needs, how to add a device, and who should wait. If Home Assistant is new to you, read what it is first, and set it up with our Raspberry Pi install guide.
What is Matter in a smart home?
Matter is a connectivity standard for home automation products. The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which publishes it, describes Matter as an IP-based protocol, says the first specification runs on Wi-Fi and Thread network layers, and says devices from multiple brands work natively together. Home Assistant's own page adds that Matter has no radio of its own. It runs over existing networks: Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Thread.
Thread is a network layer some Matter devices use, and Home Assistant's page says Thread devices need at least one Thread border router nearby. Z-Wave is a different system with its own adapter, covered in our Raspberry Pi Z-Wave guide.
What does Home Assistant need for Matter?
It needs the right install type, a suitable network and a phone. The table collects the requirements from the Home Assistant Matter page, checked in October 2026.
| Requirement | What the documentation says |
|---|---|
| Install type | Run the Matter app on Home Assistant OS, "the only supported option". A standalone Docker container is unsupported |
| Network | IPv6 multicast traffic must travel freely to the Home Assistant host, and IPv6 must be enabled in Settings, System, Network |
| Wi-Fi devices | Wi-Fi Matter devices, including Thread border routers, should be on the same VLAN as Home Assistant |
| Thread devices | A Thread network with at least one border router nearby |
| Android phone | Android 8.1 at a minimum, 12 or higher recommended, with the full Companion app |
| iPhone | iOS 16 or higher (the page also says 16.4 in its troubleshooting section) |
Phone Bluetooth is used to commission the device. Home Assistant does not use its own server's Bluetooth adapter for this. Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 with the OpenThread Border Router app is the page's example of a Thread border router. A Pi can run all of this on Home Assistant OS, as in our install steps, but the Pi is only the host.
How do you add a Matter device to Home Assistant?
You scan its code with the Companion app on your phone. The steps from the Matter page are short.
- In the Companion app, go to Settings, Connectivity, Matter, then select Add device.
- Choose "No. It's new."
- Scan the device's QR code, or enter the setup code by hand.
- Wait. The page says this may take a few minutes.
Wi-Fi devices often need the 2.4 GHz network, so put the phone on it. If the Pi seems unreachable, find its IP address. Home Assistant's Pi steps use an Ethernet cable. Our Wi-Fi setup guide covers the Pi's wireless settings, but test Matter after any network change.
What are the network traps?
Most failures are network problems. The Matter page says Matter is designed for regular residential network setups and may not work well with VLANs, multicast filtering or IGMP snooping. If your router splits devices onto separate networks, expect trouble until Home Assistant and the devices can reach each other.
Two more traps from the same page. A Thread logo does not mean Matter support, so check the box before you buy. And on networks with Apple border routers, Matter updates currently do not work for Thread devices.
Who should skip Matter for now?
Skip it if your devices already work well through a native integration. The page notes that Matter is a universal standard, so it may lack features native integrations offer; its example is that Matter provides only basic Philips Hue light controls. It also describes users as early adopters who may meet compatibility gaps.
Home Assistant controls Matter devices. The page says it cannot turn existing devices inside Home Assistant into Matter devices. A community project, Home Assistant Matter Hub, aims to publish Home Assistant entities to other Matter controllers. Its README says the project reached End of Maintenance in January 2026 and points to a fork. Check the current state before you rely on it.
You can also add one device to more than one controller. The page says devices can join multiple controllers, for example Google Home, Apple Home and Home Assistant.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Matter smart home?
It is a home where devices use the Matter standard, so products from different brands can work together over your Wi-Fi or Thread network.
Does Home Assistant support Matter?
Yes, through the Matter integration and the Matter Server app. The documentation says running the app on Home Assistant OS is the only supported option.
Do I need a Thread border router for Matter?
Only for Thread devices. Home Assistant's page says a Thread network needs at least one border router nearby, such as a Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 running the OpenThread Border Router app.
What is Home Assistant Matter Hub?
It is a community project that publishes Home Assistant entities to other Matter controllers. Its README says it is at End of Maintenance as of January 2026, so check for a maintained alternative first.
Can I run the Matter server in Docker?
Home Assistant says running the Matter Server as a standalone Docker container is unsupported. Use Home Assistant OS if you want the supported route.
Which phone do I need to add a Matter device?
An Android phone on 8.1 or later (12 or higher recommended), or an iPhone on iOS 16 or later, with the Companion app. The phone's Bluetooth does the commissioning.
Can one Matter device work with Home Assistant and Apple Home?
Yes. Matter lets a device join multiple controllers, and Home Assistant can share a device from its own Matter screen.