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Lost your Matter QR code or setup code? How to find it or get a new one

The first question isn't where the code went — it's whether the device is still set up in any app. If it is, you don't need the original code at all: the app that already controls it can generate a new, temporary sharing code. Amazon says the QR or pairing code on the device or packaging is only for initial setup or after a factory reset. If the device isn't set up anywhere, you need the original QR code or its 11- or 21-digit number — check the device, the box, and the maker's app, then ask the maker. Don't factory reset first.

First: is the device still set up in any app?

There's an important difference between the code that came with your device and a sharing code you generate later. TP-Link says the Matter setup code can only be used to add the device to the first ecosystem — for a second commissioning, you open the first app and generate a new code. Govee says the same: once a device is added to a controller, the setup code that came with the product can't be used for the second commissioning. SmartThings says its sharing code is generated for the sharing process specifically and is different from the QR code physically on the device.

So if the device still works in any app — Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant, or the maker's own app for TP-Link, Govee, Nuki, or WiZ devices — start there. You don't need to find the original code. Home Assistant says that sharing from its app needs no button press on the device at all.

Get a new code from the app that controls it

Each of the five platforms can make a new sharing code for a device it already controls; for Apple Home the steps come from TP-Link's and Eve's pages, because Apple's own page doesn't describe them. Here's where to look, and how long each code lasts according to the page that says so:

When you have the code, open the second app and add a Matter device. Amazon says in Alexa you tap Try Numeric Code Instead and enter the 11-digit code. Apple says if the accessory was previously paired to another app, tap More options and select it. TP-Link says to keep the Google Home or SmartThings code page open while you use it, and Govee says the same for Google Home's dynamic QR code. SmartThings says a device can be connected to 5 different services at most in SmartThings, so you'd remove one there before sharing again. Home Assistant lists the new platform under Manage fabrics once sharing completes.

Sharing doesn't change which device types the second platform accepts: MatterCheck's checks found that of 24 Matter device types, 16 pair on all five platforms. See which device types each platform accepts. For the full step-by-step sharing walkthrough, see how to share a Matter device between apps.

Where else the original code might be

• On the device itself. TP-Link lists the locations: on the side for plugs, in the middle below the light sphere for bulbs, and on the side near the button for switches. Nuki says the pairing code is on the back of the Smart Lock. Philips Hue says the manual pairing code is printed on the bulb.
• In the box or on the paperwork. TP-Link includes a backup code sticker inside the product box. Nuki puts the QR code and 21-digit numeric code in the packaging. Philips Hue says the Matter QR code is on the installation guide. Home Assistant notes that some devices have the code only in the documentation that came with them, not on the device.
• The number under the QR code. 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 you may need to enter an 11 or 21-digit code for Matter-enabled accessories.
• NFC. The CSA's Matter FAQ says some manufacturers may support onboarding by tapping the NFC icon with your phone. Its Matter 1.4.1 article explains makers can embed the same onboarding information in an NFC tag — useful for bulbs in fixtures or switches whose QR codes are hidden once installed.
• The maker's app. Some makers can show or regenerate the code after setup — see the next section.

Apple says paired Matter accessories and their setup code are stored using iCloud Keychain, and you can view them under Settings > General > Matter Accessories, where you'll see the serial number and connected services. Apple's pages don't say that screen shows the code itself.

Can the maker's app show the code again?

Some makers store or regenerate the code in their own app; others point you back to the printed code. Here's what the maker pages we read say:

TP-Link says after setup in the Tapo or Kasa app you can generate the electronic code via Device Settings > Device Info > Matter Setup Code, and suggests saving it to your phone's album. Govee says the QR code or Matter device number is on the product or the Device Settings page in the Govee Home app. Eve says the Matter Setup Code generated during the HomeKit-to-Matter upgrade is stored in the Eve app, and nobody but you has a copy. Shelly says on Gen3 devices you can regenerate the QR code by disabling and re-enabling Matter in the integration settings. WiZ says both the QR code and numeric code appear on the same page when you tap start setup in the WiZ app — though that help page was last updated about 2023-06-29, so menus may have changed.

Nuki and Philips Hue point to printed codes rather than an in-app copy. For Aqara, there's no support article in our sources: an Aqara Forum moderator said in 2025 that a lost Matter code cannot be restored, and that support can't use the serial number to recreate it. Separately, the Aqara Team said in January 2026 that lost HomeKit codes on the Camera E1 can be read in the Aqara Home app or obtained from support with the device ID or serial number — that's about HomeKit codes, not Matter codes. If your maker isn't listed here, check its own app and support pages.

Don't factory reset before you have the code

A factory reset removes the device from your apps — it doesn't hand you a new code. Home Assistant says: if you reset your device you'll need the QR code or numeric setup code to commission it again, and without that information commissioning won't be possible. Eve says the Matter Setup Code is the only way to add your Eve device if you ever reset it. Amazon notes the code on the device or packaging is for initial setup or after a factory reset. Nuki says deleting the Matter connection is irreversible, and to reconnect you must perform the Matter activation flow again.

So before you reset anything, find the code, or check that the maker's app can show it (see the table above). If you do need to reset or remove a device, see how to remove or factory reset a Matter device.

Keep a copy for next time

Home Assistant recommends snapping a picture of the QR code and/or numeric setup code as a backup, ideally along with the device for reference, and storing it somewhere safe. TP-Link suggests saving the code from the app to your phone's album. Eve says you can AirDrop or email the code to a second device, save it to Photos or Files, or print it. A copy kept away from the device is the one that helps when the sticker is gone.

If it still won't pair

SmartThings lists the basic checks: make sure the QR code is fully visible and the camera works, use the setup code instead of scanning if necessary, and confirm the device is in pairing mode and in range of both the phone and the Matter controller. For more troubleshooting, see what to do when a Matter device won't pair and how to add a Matter device.

Frequently asked questions

I lost my Matter QR code. Can I still add the device?

If the device is already set up in any app, yes — generate a new sharing code from that app and use it in the second app. TP-Link says the original setup code can only be used for the first ecosystem. If the device isn't set up anywhere, you need the original code from the device, the box, or the maker's app.

Can I use the numeric code instead of the QR code?

Yes. 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 you may need to enter an 11 or 21-digit code for Matter-enabled accessories.

How do I get a Matter code from Google Home?

Google says to open the device's tile in the Google Home app, tap Settings > Linked Matter apps & services > Link apps & services, then choose Use pairing code or Share with QR code to generate a temporary code. TP-Link says the Google Home pairing code expires in 3 minutes, so keep the page open while you use it.

How do I get a Matter code from Apple Home (HomeKit)?

Eve says to open Apple Home, press and hold the device tile, choose Accessory Details, tap the gear icon, then tap Turn on Pairing Mode and wait for the setup code. TP-Link says the Apple Home pairing code expires in 5 minutes, and if you tap Dismiss you must wait 5 minutes to create a new one. Apple's own support pages don't describe these steps.

Does a factory reset give me a new Matter code?

No. Home Assistant says after a reset you'll need the QR code or numeric setup code to commission the device again. Eve says the code is the only way to add the device if you reset it. The one exception in our sources is Shelly's Gen3 web interface, where disabling and re-enabling Matter regenerates the code.

Where is the Matter code on a Nuki lock?

Nuki says you'll find the Matter QR code and the 21-digit numeric pairing code in the packaging, and the pairing code is also on the back of the Smart Lock.

Can Aqara recover a lost Matter code?

An Aqara Forum moderator said in 2025 that a lost Matter code cannot be restored, and that support can't use the serial number to recreate it. If the device is still set up in any app, make a new sharing code there instead (see the table above); a member in the same thread noted that a sharing code doesn't replace the original code.

More MatterCheck guides

• Share a Matter device between apps — the full multi-admin walkthrough.
• Add a Matter device — the complete first-time setup steps.
• Matter device won't pair — troubleshooting pairing failures.
• Remove or factory reset a Matter device — what a reset does and when to use it.
• Matter smart lock support — what Matter locks can do on each platform.
• Matter light bulb support — what Matter bulbs can do on each platform.
• Matter smart plug support — what Matter plugs can do on each platform.
• How to check if a device is Matter certified — the CSA's certified product list and what the badges mean.
• Matter device offline or not responding? — what to check when a Matter device shows offline, No Response or unavailable.

How we checked

Pages fetched 2026-10-20 — Apple's support page 102135 and the iPad User Guide; Google's help page 13127223; Amazon's two Matter sharing help pages; 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; maker support pages from TP-Link (two), Govee, Eve, Shelly, WiZ, Nuki (two) and Philips Hue; and two Aqara Forum threads. Menus can change with app updates; maker pages apply to that maker's devices. See how MatterCheck checks.

Last reviewed 2026-10-20. If a step here doesn't match your app, follow the platform's or maker's own page linked above.