What is Matter?

Matter is a new universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and over 550 other companies. Launched in late 2022 and maturing rapidly through 2024–2026, it’s designed to do one thing: make smart home devices work with every platform, reliably, without cloud dependency.

Before Matter, buying a smart bulb meant checking compatibility: “Works with Google Home? Works with Alexa? Works with HomeKit?” With Matter, the answer is simply yes, all of them.

What it means for your existing devices

Some older devices can be updated to support Matter via firmware. Check your device manufacturer’s website. If not, they’ll keep working as before — Matter is additive, not a replacement.

“Matter doesn’t make your old devices obsolete. It just means every new device you buy from now on will work with everything.”

For new purchases from 2024 onwards, we recommend looking for the Matter logo on packaging. It’s the simplest future-proofing decision you can make.