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How to add a Matter device to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant

Every platform starts the same way: put the device in pairing mode, open the platform's app, choose to add a device, then scan the Matter QR code or type the numeric setup code. The CSA's Matter FAQ says Matter uses numeric and QR setup codes and Bluetooth Low Energy for setup, and that you can start from the device maker's app or your smart home platform. You'll need the platform's hub or controller (Apple's newer pages say an iPhone on iOS 18 or later can add Matter accessories without one), plus a Thread border router if the device uses Thread. If the device is already set up in another app, you share it with a fresh code instead of pairing it again.

The steps at a glance

Here's the short version for each platform, including what MatterCheck's checks found across 24 Matter device types.

The last column reflects MatterCheck's own checks of 24 Matter device types: 16 pair on all five platforms, and SmartThings and Home Assistant pair all 24. Pairing isn't the same as full feature support, so open MatterCheck's device type pages for your device type before you buy or pair.

What you need before you start

• The platform's app on a phone or tablet. Apple says you add accessories with an iPhone or iPad, not a Mac. Google lists Android 8.1 or later with Google Play services 22.48.14 or later, or an iPhone or iPad on iOS 16.5 or later, plus the latest Google Home app. SmartThings lists Android app version 1.7.91 or higher, or iOS 16.2 or higher with app version 1.6.94 or higher. Home Assistant uses the Companion app.
• Bluetooth turned on. Apple's support page 126198 says to turn on Bluetooth in Settings. Google requires a phone that supports Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 or higher. Home Assistant's docs explain Bluetooth is used to pair a device, not to control it.
• The platform's hub or controller. Google says you need a Matter-enabled hub for Google Home. SmartThings calls this a Matter Controller. Apple's newer pages say an iPhone on iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories without a home hub, with a hub recommended — though Apple's older home hub page and its iPad User Guide still say Matter accessories require a home hub. See Matter hubs and Thread border routers for the full list.
• A Thread border router for Thread devices. Home Assistant's docs say to check the packaging for both the Matter logo and either the Wi-Fi or Thread logo. If it's Thread, you need a border router on your network. See Thread vs Wi-Fi for Matter for what that means.
• A 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network for Wi-Fi devices. Amazon's troubleshooting page says to connect smart home Wi-Fi devices on a 2.4 GHz band. Home Assistant says Matter devices often use 2.4 GHz, so your phone should be on the same network. Apple's page notes some accessories aren't compatible with 5.0 GHz networks.
• IPv6 enabled on your router. Google's page 12391458 warns that without IPv6, setup may appear to succeed but control eventually fails.

The hub, the border router and the network settings are part of your home setup rather than the device, so you sort them out once and they apply to every device you add later. The device-specific parts are the setup code and pairing mode, covered next.

Find the Matter setup code

The QR code is on the device itself or on its packaging. SmartThings says the QR code includes an 11 or 21-digit setup code you can use if the code can't be scanned. Apple's iPad guide says something similar: you may need to scan a QR code or enter an 11 or 21-digit code for Matter-enabled accessories. Home Assistant's docs recommend photographing the QR code or numeric setup code and storing it somewhere safe, because you'll need it again if you reset the device.

Amazon's sharing page says the Matter QR or pairing code on the device or packaging is only for initial setup or after a factory reset — not for adding the device to a second app later. For multipacks, Apple Home supports scanning a multi-device QR code to pair all accessories in the pack, and the CSA describes the Multi-Device Setup QR code in Matter 1.4.1 for compatible commissioners. The CSA also describes Onboarding Info in an NFC tag, and its FAQ says some makers support tapping an NFC icon with your phone.

Put the device in pairing mode

Google, Amazon, SmartThings, and Home Assistant all say to follow the device maker's instructions for pairing mode. Home Assistant's docs say most devices go into pairing mode when powered up, while some need a pairing mode enabled, like you'd do with a Z-Wave or Zigbee device. Amazon's developer documentation describes three commissioning flows: standard (the device advertises automatically when powered on in a factory-new state), user-intent (a button press or menu action is required), and custom (setup in a manufacturer app comes first).

Here are the three flows as Amazon's developer documentation describes them, with its examples:

Amazon's developer docs say the commissioning window closes after several minutes, and a common cause of failure is the device not being in pairing mode when discovery happens. TP-Link says its own Matter devices leave pairing mode after 15 minutes and then need a power cycle; other makers may differ, and no platform page gives one time limit for every device. If a used device was set up before, you may need to remove or reset it first — see how to remove or factory reset a Matter device.

Add the device, platform by platform

Pick your platform. The steps below follow each platform's own support page.

Apple Home

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the Add button.
2. Tap Add Accessory.
3. If the accessory was previously paired to another app, tap More options, then select your accessory. Otherwise, scan the code or hold your device near the accessory.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions. If asked to Add Accessory to Network, tap Allow.
5. Assign the accessory to a room and name it, then tap Continue and Done.

Apple's page 102135 says an iPhone on iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories without a home hub, and an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or later can control Thread-based accessories without a hub; Apple adds that Thread-enabled iPhones on iOS 18 can pair Thread accessories locally, which may need an update from the accessory maker. Apple still recommends setting up a home hub, and Thread accessories otherwise need a Thread-enabled hub such as an Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, or a compatible third-party border router. Apple Home supports multipack pairing with a multi-device QR code. See Matter on Apple Home for what Apple Home supports.

Google Home

1. Make sure the device is plugged in or fully charged, powered on, and in pairing mode.
2. Check for a pop-up notification on your phone — you may need to open the Google Home app first. If you see it, tap Scan QR code.
3. If there's no pop-up, open the Google Home app and tap Add Device at the top right.
4. Scan the QR code. If you can't scan it, tap Add a different way, enter your device's brand in the search bar, then select your device.
5. Follow the in-app steps, then choose a room and name your device.

Google's page 13127223 says these steps don't apply to Google Nest devices. You can also set up the device in the maker's app first and share it to Google Home, or set it up directly in Google Home and control it with either app. Google's page doesn't mention entering the 11-digit numeric code by name; it points you to Add a different way and a brand search if the QR code can't be scanned. See Matter on Google Home for what Google Home supports.

Alexa

1. Install the device within 30 ft (9 m) of a compatible Alexa hub or device.
2. Open the Alexa app and open Devices.
3. Select the plus, then Add Device.
4. Select the Matter icon from the Shortcuts bar.
5. Select Yes to confirm you have a Matter device.
6. Scan the Matter QR code or enter the pairing code, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Amazon's setup page says the pairing code is on the device instructions or the device itself. If you're connecting a Thread-based Matter device, confirm you have a Thread-enabled device online. If you don't have a Thread-enabled Alexa hub, Amazon suggests setting up the device with another Thread-enabled voice assistant first, then connecting it to Alexa. And if the app says "No new devices found", Amazon's troubleshooting page says the device may have connected automatically through Frustration-Free Setup, so check under Devices. See Matter on Alexa for what Alexa supports.

SmartThings

1. Open the SmartThings app.
2. Select Add (+) and choose Add Device.
3. Tap Scan to scan the barcode, or select the brand and device.
4. Scan the QR code on the device. Select Enter under Enter setup code if using the setup code instead.
5. Select the Hub and Room for the device.
6. Wait for the device to connect with the app.
7. Select the Wi-Fi or Thread network if necessary. For Thread devices with a SmartThings 2015 Hub, you'll need to select an existing Thread border router and enter its Thread Network Key.
8. Rename the device and tap Save.

SmartThings says you may get a notification pop-up in the app when a Matter device is in pairing mode, which starts the onboarding at step 4. The Matter badge on the packaging indicates whether the device needs a Matter controller with a Thread border router. See Matter on SmartThings for what SmartThings supports.

Home Assistant

1. Install the Matter integration first: go to Settings > Devices & services and add the Matter integration.
2. Open the Home Assistant Companion app on your phone.
3. Go to Settings > Connectivity > Matter.
4. Select Add device.
5. In the dialog, select No. It's new.
6. Scan the QR code with your phone camera, or select More options… to manually enter the commission code.
7. Select Add to Home Assistant. Commissioning may take a few minutes.

On Android, Home Assistant's docs say to set the Companion app's Location permission to Allow all the time — Android restricts Wi-Fi SSID access for background apps otherwise, which can cause commissioning to fail. On Android you may see a pop-up prompting you to scan the QR code; when prompted to choose an app, select Home Assistant. If there's no pop-up, go through Settings > Connectivity > Matter as above. Keep the phone close to the device and the border router. See Matter on Home Assistant for what Home Assistant supports.

Already set up in another app? Share it instead

A device that's already set up stays in the first app. To add it to a second platform, you generate a new code in the app that already controls it. Amazon's sharing page says to generate an 11-digit pairing code from the app you already set the device up with, then in Alexa select Try Numeric Code Instead? and enter it. Amazon's developer docs call this secondary commissioning and say the current administrator presents a new, temporary 11-digit code.

Apple and Home Assistant both offer a path for previously paired devices: Apple's Home app has More options to select a previously paired accessory, and Home Assistant's dialog has Yes. It's already in use. Home Assistant's docs explain that each controller has its own fabric, and that the standard describes each device supporting at least 5 fabrics at once. For the full walkthrough, see how to share a Matter device between apps.

After it pairs: check what your platform supports

Pairing doesn't mean every feature is available. Google's page says all Matter-certified platforms update to support different device types and categories at different times. Apple's page lists the Matter accessory types the Home app currently supports: air conditioners, bridges, lights, locks, outlets, switches, thermostats, blinds and shades, and sensors. MatterCheck's checks found 16 of 24 device types pair on all five platforms, with SmartThings and Home Assistant pairing all 24.

Before you buy, check MatterCheck's device type pages for your device type and the device checker to filter by platform. If you want to verify a device is actually Matter-certified, see Is it Matter-certified?.

If it doesn't pair

Start with the two quick checks the sources repeat most often: make sure the device is in pairing mode and in range of both your phone and your hub. SmartThings lists both among its onboarding checks, after making sure a Matter controller is added, and Google's setup page suggests restarting the device, clearing the Google Home app's cache, restarting your phone and trying again if setup freezes. For the full set of fixes per platform, see Matter device not pairing.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a Matter device to Home Assistant?

Install the Matter integration in Home Assistant first, then open the Companion app on your phone and go to Settings > Connectivity > Matter. Select Add device, choose No. It's new., and scan the QR code or enter the commission code manually. Home Assistant's docs say commissioning may take a few minutes, and Bluetooth is used to pair but not to control.

How do I add a Matter device to Google Home?

Make sure the device is powered on and in pairing mode, then check for a pop-up notification on your phone. If you don't see one, open the Google Home app and tap Add Device at the top right. Scan the QR code, or tap Add a different way and search for your device's brand if you can't scan it.

How do I add a Matter device to Apple Home (HomeKit)?

Apple Home is the app people search for as HomeKit. Open the Home app on an iPhone or iPad, tap the Add button, then Add Accessory. Scan the code or hold your phone near the accessory. Apple's newer pages say an iPhone on iOS 18 or later can add Matter accessories without a home hub, though a hub is recommended.

Where is the Matter setup code?

The QR code is on the device itself or on its packaging. SmartThings says the QR code includes an 11 or 21-digit setup code for when it can't be scanned, and Apple's iPad guide says you may need to enter an 11 or 21-digit code for Matter-enabled accessories. Home Assistant recommends photographing the code and storing it somewhere safe, since you'll need it again after a factory reset.

Can I add a Matter device without the QR code?

Usually, yes: most of the platform pages describe typing the numeric setup code instead of scanning. Amazon's setup page says to scan the Matter QR code or enter the pairing code. SmartThings has an Enter option under Enter setup code, Home Assistant has More options… to manually enter the commission code, and Amazon's sharing flow uses Try Numeric Code Instead? for an 11-digit pairing code. Google's page points you to Add a different way and a brand search.

How do I put a Matter device in pairing mode?

Follow the device maker's instructions — there's no universal button sequence. Home Assistant says most devices go into pairing mode when powered up, while some need a pairing mode enabled. Amazon's developer docs describe three flows: automatic on power-up, a button press or menu action, or setup in a manufacturer app first.

Do I need a hub to add a Matter device?

It depends on the platform and the device. Google says you need a Matter-enabled hub for Google Home. SmartThings requires a Matter Controller. Apple's newer pages say an iPhone on iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories without a home hub, with a hub recommended, though Apple's older home hub page and its iPad User Guide still say Matter accessories require one. For Thread devices, the platform pages call for a Thread border router; Apple also says a Thread-enabled iPhone on iOS 18 can pair Thread accessories locally, which may need an update from the accessory maker. See Matter hubs and Thread border routers for the details.

More MatterCheck guides

• Matter device not pairing — fixes when pairing fails, per platform.
• How to share a Matter device between apps — step-by-step sharing of an already set-up device.
• Matter hubs and Thread border routers — which hubs and border routers each platform needs.
• Thread vs Wi-Fi for Matter — what Thread and Wi-Fi mean for Matter devices.
• How to remove or factory reset a Matter device — how to remove or reset a device before re-pairing.
• Is it Matter-certified? — how to verify a device is actually Matter-certified.
• Matter platform comparison — how the five platforms compare.
• Matter firmware updates — keeping Matter devices and hubs updated.
• Lost your Matter setup code? — where to find a lost Matter code, or how to make a new one.
• Matter network setup: IPv6, VLANs and router settings — how IPv6, VLANs, mDNS and router settings affect Matter.
• Matter vs HomeKit: what's different in Apple Home — how HomeKit and Matter differ in Apple Home, and what makers say about switching.
• What is Matter? The smart home standard explained — what the standard is, how it connects, and what each platform needs.
• Thread credentials: share, sync and combine Thread networks — how phones keep Thread credentials and how to share, sync or combine Thread networks.
• Matter on TVs: TV hubs and Matter Casting — which TVs and streamers are Matter hubs and what Matter Casting is.
• Matter speakers: what works with Matter — what the Speaker type controls and which platforms support it.
• Matter on Hubitat, Homey and openHAB — which Hubitat, Homey and openHAB models support Matter, Thread and bridging.

How we checked

Pages fetched 2026-10-20: Apple's support pages 102135, 104998, 126198, and 102557, plus the iPad User Guide; Google's help pages 13127223 and 12391458; Amazon's setup, sharing, and troubleshooting help pages and its developer page on commissioning; SmartThings' Matter integration page; Home Assistant's Matter docs (2026.10.2); the CSA's Matter FAQ and its Matter 1.4.1 setup article; and TP-Link's Matter setup page as one maker example. Steps can change with app updates. The device type counts are MatterCheck's own checks; see MatterCheck's methodology.

Last reviewed 2026-10-20. App menus change; if a step here doesn't match your app, follow the platform's own page linked above.