Thread & Matter Guide

Thread Matter Home Assistant

Matter and Thread are the future of smart home standards. This guide helps you get started with the new technology in Home Assistant!

Beta Status

Matter in Home Assistant is still under active development. Expect some bugs and limitations. Recommended for technically experienced users.

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🔍 What are Thread and Matter?

Thread - The Network Protocol

Feature	Thread	Zigbee	WiFi
Type	Mesh network	Mesh network	Star network
Frequency	2.4 GHz (802.15.4)	2.4 GHz (802.15.4)	2.4/5 GHz
Power consumption	Ultra-low	Low	High
IP-based	✅ IPv6	❌	✅ IPv4/IPv6
Border Router	Required	Coordinator	Router
Multi-admin	✅	❌	✅

Thread is NOT a control protocol - it only defines how devices communicate. You need Matter or HomeKit on top of Thread to control devices.

Matter - The Control Protocol

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│            MATTER CONTROLLER            │
│         (Home Assistant, Google,        │
│          Apple, Amazon, etc.)           │
└─────────────┬───────────────┬───────────┘
              │               │
      ┌───────▼───────┐ ┌─────▼─────┐
      │  Thread       │ │   WiFi    │
      │  (via Border  │ │  (Direct) │
      │   Router)     │ │           │
      └───────┬───────┘ └─────┬─────┘
              │               │
      ┌───────▼───────┐ ┌─────▼─────┐
      │ Thread Devices│ │WiFi Matter│
      │ (Sensors,     │ │ Devices   │
      │  Switches)    │ │           │
      └───────────────┘ └───────────┘

Matter advantages:

• ✅ Multi-controller (use same device with HA + Google + Apple)
• ✅ Local communication (no cloud required)
• ✅ Industry standard (500+ companies)
• ✅ Certified interoperability

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🔌 Border Router Selection

Thread Border Routers

A Thread Border Router (TBR) connects the Thread mesh network to your IP network (WiFi/Ethernet).

Border Router	Platform	Price	Note
HomePod Mini	Apple	~$99	Best with iPhone
Apple TV 4K	Apple	~$129	With Ethernet
Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)	Google	~$99	Best with Android
Google Nest WiFi Pro	Google	~$199	Router + TBR
HA SkyConnect	Home Assistant	~$30	Requires OTBR add-on
HA Yellow	Home Assistant	~$125	Built-in radio
SONOFF ZBDongle-E	DIY	~$20	With Thread firmware
SMLIGHT SLZB-06	DIY	~$50	PoE + Thread

Recommendation

iPhone users: Use HomePod Mini/Apple TV as Thread Border Router.

Android users: Use Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) as Thread Border Router.

DIY/Advanced: Use HA SkyConnect + OpenThread Border Router add-on.

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📦 Installation in Home Assistant

Method 1: Existing Border Router (Easiest)

If you have HomePod Mini, Apple TV 4K, or Google Nest Hub:

1. Install Thread integration:

   • Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration
   • Search “Thread”

2. Install Matter integration:

   • Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration
   • Search “Matter”
   • Check “Use the official Matter Server Supervisor add-on”

3. Configure Thread credentials:

   • Go to Thread integration
   • Find your border router
   • Click “Add to preferred network”
   • Click “Use router for Android + iOS credentials”

4. Restart Home Assistant

Method 2: OpenThread Border Router (Advanced)

For HA SkyConnect, Yellow, or third-party dongles:

HA Add-on

1. Flash Thread firmware on your dongle:

   • Go to SkyConnect Web Flasher
   • Select “Thread” firmware

2. Install OpenThread Border Router add-on:

   • Settings → Add-ons → Add-on Store
   • Search “OpenThread Border Router”
   • Install

3. Configure add-on:

   device: /dev/serial/by-id/usb-Nabu_Casa_SkyConnect...
   baudrate: 460800
   flow_control: true
   autoflash_firmware: true

4. Start add-on and enable:

   • “Start on boot”
   • “Watchdog”

5. Install integrations:

   • Thread integration
   • OpenThread Border Router integration
   • Matter integration

6. Configure preferred network (see Method 1, step 3)

Network Dongle (SLZB-06)

# OpenThread Border Router add-on configuration
device: socket://192.168.1.100:6638
baudrate: 460800
flow_control: false
autoflash_firmware: false

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➕ Add Matter Devices

Via Home Assistant App (Recommended)

1. Open Home Assistant app on phone

2. Go to Settings → Devices & Services

3. Select Devices tab → Add device

4. Select Add Matter device

5. Select “No, it’s new” (for new device)

6. Scan QR code on the device

   • Or enter manual pairing code

7. Wait for commissioning (can take 1-5 minutes)

8. Name the device

Commissioning Requirements

For Thread devices:

• Border router must be on the same network
• Phone must be close to border router AND the device

For WiFi Matter devices:

• Phone must be on 2.4 GHz WiFi
• Same network as Home Assistant

Via Share Sheet (Multi-admin)

If the device is already added to Google/Apple:

1. In Google Home/Apple Home, find the device

2. Select “Share device” or “Turn on pairing mode”

3. Share with Home Assistant app

4. Device is added as additional controller

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🔧 Supported Devices

Matter Device Types

Type	Status in HA	Examples
Lights (on/off)	✅ Full support	Nanoleaf, IKEA
Dimmable lights	✅ Full support	Philips Hue Matter
Color lights	✅ Full support	Nanoleaf Essentials
Switches	✅ Full support	Eve Energy, TP-Link
Thermostats	✅ Full support	Ecobee, Tado
Door locks	✅ Full support	Yale, Schlage
Blinds	✅ Full support	IKEA FYRTUR
Sensors	🔄 Partial	Eve Door, Eve Motion
Cameras	❌ Not yet	Coming
Robots	❌ Not yet	Coming

Recommended Matter Products

Product	Type	Protocol	Price
Eve Energy	Smart plug	Thread	~$40
Nanoleaf Essentials	Bulbs	Thread	~$20
IKEA DIRIGERA	Hub/Bridge	WiFi	~$60
TP-Link Tapo P125M	Smart plug	WiFi	~$20
Aqara Door Sensor P2	Sensor	Thread	~$25

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🔍 Troubleshooting

Device Cannot Pair

1. Check border router is online:

   • Thread integration → Check status

2. Factory reset the device:

   • See device manual
   • Typically: Hold button 10+ seconds

3. Move closer:

   • Phone close to border router
   • Device close to border router

4. Check WiFi (for WiFi Matter):

   • Must be 2.4 GHz
   • Same network as HA

5. Restart:

   • Home Assistant
   • Border router
   • Matter Server add-on

Device Offline

# Typical causes:
1. Thread network not available
2. Border router offline
3. Device too far from mesh

# Solutions:
- Add more Thread routers (any powered Thread device)
- Move border router centrally
- Check Thread network map in HA

Matter Server Logs

# In Home Assistant:
# Settings → System → Logs → Select "Matter Server"

# Or via terminal:
ha addons logs core_matter_server

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📊 Thread vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave

Feature	Thread/Matter	Zigbee	Z-Wave
IP-native	✅	❌	❌
Multi-controller	✅	❌	❌
Standard	Open	Open	Closed
Battery life	Excellent	Good	Good
Mesh routing	✅	✅	✅
Maturity	New (2022+)	Mature	Mature
Device count	Many	Most	Moderate
Price	Moderate	Low	High

When to Choose What?

Choose Matter/Thread if:

• You want to use devices with multiple systems
• You’re starting from scratch
• You prioritize future-proofing

Stay with Zigbee/Z-Wave if:

• You have existing setup
• You need specific devices
• You want most choice now

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

Can I use Matter without Thread?

Yes! Matter also works over WiFi. You only need a Thread border router for Thread-based Matter devices (typically battery-powered sensors).

Can I use the same device with Google, Apple AND Home Assistant?

Yes, that's Matter's big advantage! You can add up to 5 controllers to the same device. The device is controlled locally by all controllers independently.

Should I switch from Zigbee to Matter?

No, not necessarily. Zigbee is mature and has more devices. Matter is the future but still under development. You can easily run both in parallel.

Why doesn't my iPhone work with HA as border router?

There's a known bug. iOS requires Apple border router (HomePod/Apple TV) for Thread commissioning. Android works with HA's OpenThread Border Router.

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📚 Next Steps

Zigbee2MQTT

Alternative mature protocol.

See guide →

Z-Wave

Reliable smart home protocol.

See guide →

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Last updated: December 2025