How to use Matter on Hubitat Elevation

How to integrate Matter devices with Hubitat Elevation, including tips for best results

How to Use Matter on Hubitat Elevation

Hubitat Elevation offers support for Matter devices. This feature is available on hub model C-5 and newer only and requires platform 2.3.8 (model C-5/C-7) or 2.3.7 (model C-8/C-8 Pro) or later. Note that as with any device, an appropriate driver is required; see List of Compatible Devices for built-in options.

Hubitat Elevation is a Matter controller. This means you can pair devices that support Matter to your hub. This is similar to how you can pair/include Zigbee or Z-Wave devices. Hubitat is not a Matter bridge (see below for more) — it will not create Matter-compatible devices out of non-Matter devices you have added to your hub.

What is Matter?

Matter is a relatively new smart home standard backed by several major manufacturers and supported by many more. It defines a standard interface for local control of devices, a sort of common "language" they can speak and understand. Matter per se does not define how the devices get on your network in the first place. To do this, Matter relies on additional technologies for connectivity, including:

  • Wi-Fi: a common protocol that you are probably already familiar with, likely used by many existing devices on your home network. (Some devices may also use Ethernet; the idea is similar, that these are regular IP-accessible devices on your home network.)
    • Not all Wi-Fi devices support Matter. Look for the Matter logo or the term "Matter over Wi-Fi."
  • Thread: a low-power mesh network protocol. Most battery-powered devices will use this protocol since it consumes less power than Wi-Fi; some mains-powered devices also use Thread.
    • Not all Thread products support Matter; look for the Matter logo or the term "Matter over Thread." (The most common Thread devices you are likely to find that are not compatible are "HomeKit over Thread" rather than Matter over Thread. Some vendors may have firmware upgrades available if the hardware is capable, though not all will or can. Apple Home compatibility per se is not a disqualification, as Matter devices are also compatible with Apple Home.)

Your hub does not have to be connected using Wi-Fi (as configured in Network Setup) in order to use Matter over Wi-Fi devices. In fact, we recommend a wired connection whenever possible for best reliability. In a typical home network, your Wi-Fi and Ethernet/wired devices form a single network, and this is all that is necessary.

You may also see another protocol related to Matter:

  • Bluetooth: Most Matter devices devices use Bluetooth Low Energy for initial setup; however, it is not used by Matter as a means to communicate with devices after this (and the use of Bluetooth during setup is generally not apparent to the user — you likely won't even know!).

Another type of Matter device you may find is a:

  • Matter bridge: "Translates" Matter to/from devices that communicate with the bridge using some other protocol (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, etc.). The Philips Hue Bridge is an example of a Matter bridge: it exposes a Matter interface for devices on the Hue system, though the underlying devices still use Zigbee.

Your hub creates a Matter Fabric, where "Fabric" is, more or less, the technical term for a particular "network" of Matter devices (regardless of lower level protocols). Your hub is a separate Fabric from other Matter Fabrics you may be using, such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, etc. Matter devices support being paired to multiple Fabrics at the same time (at least 3-5 but possibly more, depending on the device). This feature is sometimes referred to as "Multi-Admin" or "Multi-Fabric."

Adding Matter Devices to Hubitat

For any Matter device, we suggest the device first be commissioned with another Matter controller (Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, or similar). This controller can then put the device in "pairing mode" to use with another system, such as Hubitat.

Matter devices are typically added via the Add Device page, similar to most other devices.

As stated previously, Matter devices allow pairing with multiple controllers. This also means that if you commission a Matter device using Apple Home above, then also pair the device with Hubitat after using Apple Home to put it in pairing mode, it will be usable in both systems (no need to use the HomeKit Integration to make it usable in HomeKit from Hubitat, in this example).

Adding Matter Devices using the Mobile App

Matter devices can also be added using the mobile app (but note that Matter over Thread devices still require a Thread Border Router, or TBR). If possible, we still suggest adding the Matter device as above, as Hubitat cannot put the device in pairing mode, which you may need if you wish to pair the devices to multiple Matter Fabrics in the future (see above). However, Matter over Wi-Fi and similar devices can be commissioned and paired directly with the Hubitat Elevation mobile app (mobile app version 2.1.0 and hub platform 2.4.1 and newer only) if you prefer.

To add a Matter device using the mobile app, select the Devices (or light bulb icon) tab. Then, select Add Matter Device and select Continue after reading the advice and instructions. Scan the Matter setup code when prompted, and follow the instructions.

More Thread Tips

Want to learn more about Thread? It is designed to be generally self-maintaining, but some terms and tips may be helpful to know.

  • Mains-powered Thread devices may act as routers that can pass messages to and from other Thread devices, effectively extending the range of the network. (This is similar to Zigbee routers, sometimes informally called repeaters, if you are familiar with that protocol, although not all router-eligible devices in Thread will necessarily be "promoted" to act as a router.)
  • A Thread border router is a specific kind of router that essentially bridges your Thread network to your regular LAN.
  • You will need a Thread border router to use Thread devices with Hubitat Elevation. The hub itself does not contain a Thread radio and thus cannot function as a border router — but you may already have one (or more) in your home!
    • Examples of Thread Border Routers include:
      • Apple TV 4K (3rd generation with Wi-Fi and Ethernet; or 2nd generation)
      • Apple HomePod (2nd generation) or HomePod Mini
      • Amazon Echo (4th generation)
      • Google Nest Hub (2nd generation), Next Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro (6E), or Nest Wifi
      • SmartThings Station
    • A Thread network can have multiple border routers.
    • While recent revisions to Matter provide a way to make this possible, not all Thread border routers from different vendors (Apple, Amazon, Google, Samsung, etc.) will necessarily work together (technically, share keys) to form a single Thread network.
      • You may operate multiple Thread networks.
      • However, it may be best to pick the one that gives you the most possible border routers for best resilience (e.g., if you have an Apple TV and HomePod that both support Thread but only a single Thread-capable Echo device, using Apple Home may make the most sense).
  • Like Zigbee (and Wi-Fi), Thread uses the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Keeping Thread devices, especially routers and border routers, away from strong 2.4 GHz signals may help create a better Thread network. For example, do not set one of these devices directly on top of your Wi-Fi router/access point or a Zigbee hub.