The adoption of the smart home standard known as Matter may not have met all the expectations thus far, but it is steadily expanding its reach to more devices. The latest development is the introduction of Matter support in the Google Home app for iOS.
Support for Matter was initially launched towards the end of last year and quickly became available on the Google Home app for Android. By the end of January, devices compatible with Matter were finally released, providing a glimpse into how the Home app would integrate with this standard.
Unfortunately, iOS users were left without access to Matter support for quite some time.
I finally got the Matter update to the Google Home app on iOS. This lets you set up Matter devices in Google Home using an iPhone. Prior you had to use an Android phone to onboard (but devices would then show in the iOS app). Google says it started rolling out May 26th. pic.twitter.com/f1Jte1FSxl
— Jennifer Pattison Tuohy (@jp2e) June 5, 2023
However, at the recent Google I/O event, it was announced that Matter support would be gradually rolled out to the Google Home app for iOS in the near future. As of this week, it appears that the update is widely available. Our team has confirmed the availability of the Matter update on an iPhone test unit, which allows users to set up Matter devices using either a QR code or a written code. The iOS support largely mirrors that of Android, although the Home app lacks the Fast Pair feature for Matter devices seen on Android.
According to Jennifer Pattison Tuhy from The Verge, the rollout of Matter support began on May 26, just over a week ago.
While it remains unclear whether this change is related to a specific app version or a server-side update, we can confirm that Matter support became immediately accessible upon updating the Google Home app on iOS to version 3.1.
One significant benefit of this update is the simplified pairing of the Nest Thermostat with the Apple Home app via Matter. Previously, this process required an Android phone, but with the inclusion of Matter support, iOS users can now enjoy a smoother setup experience.
The addition of Matter support to the Google Home app for iOS marks a step forward in expanding the compatibility and functionality of smart home devices. As more manufacturers and platforms embrace this standard, it is expected to enhance the interoperability and convenience of connected devices within the home.