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Nanoleaf and Matter: which Nanoleaf lights work with Matter, how to set them up, and where the pairing code is

Most Nanoleaf products are Matter-enabled using Matter over Thread or Matter over Wi-Fi, according to its Help Center article on Matter over Thread and Wi-Fi, while Nanoleaf's Nanoleaf and Matter page says not all Nanoleaf products are Matter compatible. Nanoleaf strongly recommends pairing in the Nanoleaf app first, then connecting to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings. Matter over Thread lights need a Matter hub and a Thread border router; Shapes, Lines and Elements can act as Thread border routers but not as a home hub.

Nanoleaf Matter at a glance

Here are the direct answers to the most common Nanoleaf Matter questions, with the source for each.

Each answer above names the page it comes from. The sections below give the full context, including setup steps, the pairing code, sharing to a second platform, and what to do when pairing fails.

Which Nanoleaf products work with Matter

Nanoleaf's Nanoleaf and Matter page says Matter compatibility "varies by Nanoleaf product and generation" and tells you to look for the Matter logo or compatibility information on the product page or packaging to confirm support. Its Matter Explained article says "the majority of our products are Matter-enabled," but the product lists below are the specific ones Nanoleaf names.

Matter over Thread Essentials

Nanoleaf's Matter over Thread how-to article says it applies to "Matter over Thread Bulbs [A19, BR30, GU10, Downlights], Smart Matter Thread Lightstrips and Partner Products: Umbra Cono and Cup." The 2026 firmware release notes group these as "Matter over Thread Bulbs (A19, BR30), Downlights, GU10s" and "Matter over Thread Lightstrips," both on firmware 5.1.45. The Indoor Essentials user guide index lists Matter over Thread and Matter over Wi-Fi smart bulbs and Matter smart lightstrips. MatterCheck tracks two of these products, the Essentials A19/A60 Matter Smart Bulb (Thread) and the Essentials Matter Lightstrip; see its Matter light bulb support guide.

Matter over Wi-Fi Essentials

Nanoleaf's Matter over Wi-Fi how-to article says it applies to all Nanoleaf Matter over WiFi products: the Matter over WiFi A19, Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip, Smart Multicolor Indoor Lightstrip, Outdoor String Lights, Permanent Outdoor Lights, Multicolor Floor Lamp, (Holiday) String Lights, Floor Lamp and Rope Light. The 2026 firmware notes also put the Multicolor Ceiling Light, which isn't on that list, on the same firmware line as these products and say it launched June 30, 2026 in select regions as the "Nanoleaf Matter Smart Multicolor Ceiling Light." The 2025 firmware notes list model numbers for the Wi-Fi bulbs (NL75 series) and lightstrips (NL72 series) if you need to check a specific unit.

Panels, the HomeKit Essentials and other products

No source here calls the Wi-Fi panels — Shapes, Lines, Elements, Canvas, Blocks, Skylight, 4D or Light Panels — Matter devices. The 2026 firmware notes group them separately as "Panel (Wifi) Devices," with Light Panels (Aurora, 'OG') on firmware 5.3.2 and the others on 12.4.1 or 12.4.2. The discontinued Essentials Smart Light Bulbs (HomeKit/Thread model no. NL45) and Essentials Smart Lightstrips (HomeKit/Thread model no. NL55) "do not support Matter," according to Nanoleaf's Smart "Non-Matter" Device Guide, and use an 8-digit HomeKit code instead. The firmware notes also list products such as the Pegboard Desk Dock and PC Screen Mirror as "not smart." If you're checking whether a specific Nanoleaf product is Matter certified, see how to check CSA certification, and for the difference between Matter and HomeKit routes, see Matter vs HomeKit.

Matter over Thread or Matter over Wi-Fi: what you need

Nanoleaf's Nanoleaf and Matter page and its Matter Explained article give the same two checklists. For Matter over Thread you need a Matter-compatible smart home hub (also called a Matter Controller), a Thread border router, and the latest software and firmware on your devices. For Matter over Wi-Fi you need a Matter-compatible smart home hub and the latest software and firmware — no Thread border router. The Matter Explained article adds: "Some Matter controllers also serve as Thread border routers, which are necessary if you plan to use Thread-enabled devices."

Nanoleaf's Matter Controllers FAQ splits controllers into "Matter over Wifi & Matter over Thread" and "Matter over Wifi Only" per platform. For Apple, the HomePod Mini, HomePod (2nd gen) and Apple TV 4K (2021 or 2022 Wi-Fi + Ethernet) handle both, while the HomePod (1st gen) and Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi (2022) are Wi-Fi only. For Google, the Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro and Google TV Streamer 4K handle both. For Alexa, the Echo Hub, Echo (4th gen) and Eero Pro 6E handle both, while the Echo Pop, Spot and Studio are Wi-Fi only. For SmartThings, the Aeotec SmartThings Smart Home Hub and SmartThings Station handle both, while the SmartThings Hub v2 is Wi-Fi only. That list is Nanoleaf's — check your platform's own hub page for current requirements. Nanoleaf's pairing articles also say a 2.4 GHz network is required (Nanoleaf products don't work on 5 GHz) and Bluetooth must be on. For the trade-offs between the two transports, see Thread vs Wi-Fi, and for hub details see hubs and Thread border routers.

How to add a Nanoleaf light to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings

Nanoleaf's Thread and Wi-Fi how-to articles both say the same thing: "we strongly recommend pairing in the Nanoleaf App FIRST before proceed with any 3rd party integration." You can also pair directly in a platform app, but Nanoleaf's recommended order is the Nanoleaf app first, then the ecosystem.

Before you start

• A Matter hub (and a Thread border router for Thread lights) is already set up for your chosen ecosystem.
• Your Nanoleaf device and app are on the latest firmware and version.
• iOS: the iOS pairing article says iOS 15.4+ is required to pair with the Nanoleaf app and iOS 16.5+ to connect to a smart home ecosystem. Android: the Android pairing article says Android 9+ with Google Play Services 22.48.14. The ecosystems FAQ recommends iOS 16.5 or Android 8.1 as minimums.
• Your phone is on a 2.4 GHz network and Bluetooth is on.
• Apple Home pairing is only available on an iOS device, per Nanoleaf's how-to articles.
• Matter pairing must begin within 15 minutes of the light being powered on.

Starting in the Nanoleaf app

In the Nanoleaf app, tap the pencil icon in the top right corner of the Dashboard, then tap Add Device +. Scan the QR code or enter the 11-digit pairing code on Matter devices. If a smart home hub and compatible Thread border router are detected, the app offers to connect the light to Matter. On the Add To An Ecosystem screen, tap Connect. On iOS you're prompted to add the light to Apple Home; on Android you get a list of supported apps, plus Use pairing code for an app on the same phone or Use QR code for an app on a different phone. If you skip this, you can return later through device settings > Connections, where you'll either see the option to connect or one of two messages: power-cycle the device to reopen the 15-minute window, or go to the ecosystem app because the device is already paired via Matter.

Adding it directly in a platform app

Nanoleaf's how-to articles say direct pairing requires that your smart home hub is already paired, a compatible Thread border router is paired for Thread lights, this is the first ecosystem you're pairing the light to, and pairing starts within 15 minutes of power-on. Each platform's steps are in the sections below. For the general Matter add-device flow, see how to add a Matter device.

The Nanoleaf Matter pairing code and the 15-minute window

Matter devices have an 11-digit pairing code, while non-Matter Nanoleaf products use an 8-digit code. The iOS pairing article and Android pairing article both say to find the QR code or code on the Quick Start Guide, Welcome Card, or the back of the controller or bulb base. Nanoleaf's Pairing Code Help article says each controller or bulb base contains a QR code and/or 8-digit code that is your pairing code.

Nanoleaf's Multi-Admin Feature article says that if you've misplaced the physical code, "you can always pair your device using the original setup code stored in the Nanoleaf app," and you can pair with the Nanoleaf app "using the original setup code on your device." Matter pairing has a strict 15-minute window after the light is powered on. If it expires, Nanoleaf's Matter Pairing Window Expired article says to unplug the device, wait about 10 seconds, and plug it back in — this reopens the window without losing your existing configuration. That power-cycle fix only works when the device has not already been paired via Matter. For a lost code, see what to do with a lost Matter setup code.

Adding a Nanoleaf light to a second platform

Matter's Multi-Admin feature lets you share a Nanoleaf device across Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings at the same time. You start from the app of the ecosystem the device is already paired with via Matter — not from the Nanoleaf app. Nanoleaf's how-to articles explain why: "the Nanoleaf app does not use Matter to communicate with Essentials," so an already-paired Matter controller must reactivate pairing. The sharing article says Matter-enabled devices follow a "strict 15-minute security commission window."

Google Home and SmartThings also offer a QR code option for sharing with an app on a different phone or tablet. Nanoleaf's Multi-Admin Feature article adds a quick tip: even if you've paired with multiple ecosystems, "you can always pair it with the Nanoleaf app using the original setup code on your device." For the full multi-admin picture, see sharing one Matter device with several apps.

Using Nanoleaf with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant

Nanoleaf has platform-specific setup articles for each ecosystem, and each platform has its own Matter documentation.

Apple Home

On iOS, pairing in the Nanoleaf app prompts you to add the light to Apple Home automatically. Nanoleaf's Preferred Home Hub Setup article says to open the Home app, go to Home Settings, tap Home Hubs & Bridges, toggle off Automatic Selection, and select your preferred hub. The 2026 firmware notes say firmware 5.1.45 for Matter over Thread devices lets Apple Adaptive Lighting be used natively in the Apple Home app. Apple's own Matter accessories page covers adding and managing Matter devices. See Apple Home's Matter support for the platform-wide view.

Google Home

Nanoleaf's Google Home pairing article says the Google Home app should detect the Matter device automatically with a pop-up. If not, tap Devices, then the + Add button, choose New Device, and tap Matter-enabled device. If you see "A hub is required to control your Matter-enabled device," make sure a Google Home Matter controller is set up. Google's own Matter preparation page lists hubs that support Matter over Wi-Fi and Thread. See Google Home's Matter support.

Alexa

Nanoleaf's Alexa integration article gives Matter steps: open the Alexa app, open Device, select the plus icon, select Add Device, select Other, then Matter, then scan or enter the code. The Nanoleaf skill route is only for non-Matter or Thread-only devices, and the Thread border router limitation for Amazon devices doesn't apply to Matter devices. Nanoleaf's tip is to keep the device within 30 feet (9 meters) of a compatible Matter controller, and it says compatible Echo devices can act as Thread border routers. Amazon's own Matter setup page has the same 30-foot tip. See Alexa's Matter support.

SmartThings

Nanoleaf's SmartThings integration article says to open the SmartThings app, select Add Device, select Add under Partner Devices, then select Nanoleaf and follow the on-screen instructions. SmartThings' own Matter integration page covers the commissioner, controller and device roles. See SmartThings' Matter support.

Home Assistant

There are three separate routes here. Home Assistant's Nanoleaf integration page says it controls Light Panels, Canvas, Shapes, Elements and Lines, and "does not support the Nanoleaf Remote and Essentials lights." For Essentials, it says control "is possible over Thread and Bluetooth through the HomeKit Controller integration" — that's not Matter. Home Assistant's own Matter integration is the Matter route, and Nanoleaf's Matter Controllers FAQ lists "Nabu Casa Home Assistant Yellow" and "Home Assistant Green with Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 Dongle" as third-party Matter hubs. See Home Assistant's Matter support.

What MatterCheck's data says for Nanoleaf's device types

MatterCheck checks 27 Matter device types on seven platforms and tracks five Nanoleaf products out of 391 tracked products. Two are High confidence: the Essentials A19/A60 Matter Smart Bulb (Thread) and the Essentials Matter Lightstrip, both filed as Matter colour lights and also listed as colour-temperature lights. The Multicolor Ceiling Light, Secretlab ErgoArch Light Bar and Cordless Circulator Fan are Med confidence records from the CSA certification database. The results below are per Matter device type and platform, not tests of Nanoleaf products.

In MatterCheck's data, each of these three device types pairs on the five established platforms (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant) and on Homey at Med confidence, while Hubitat is Unknown for all three. For colour lights, automation-trigger support is High confidence on Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant, while Alexa's automation-trigger result is Partial with Med confidence. For colour-temperature lights, Alexa's trigger result is Unknown (Med) and Google Home is Med confidence. For switches and buttons — the type relevant to the Sense+ Smart Switch's Matter Early Access — control is Partial on every platform with a result, while triggers are supported on all of them, with Google Home and Homey at Med confidence. See the platform comparison, the tracked-products list, and the smart button guide.

Shapes, Lines and Elements as Thread border routers

Nanoleaf's Nanoleaf Thread Border Routers FAQ says Thread border functionality is limited to Nanoleaf Elements, Nanoleaf Lines and Nanoleaf Shapes. You need Nanoleaf device firmware 8.5.2+ and Nanoleaf app version 9.1.0+ for iOS or Android. The update uses Thread network credentials from ecosystems if already present, so Nanoleaf border routers can join the same Thread network as Apple or Google border routers, or share Nanoleaf Thread credentials if none exist. One limit: "Currently, Amazon Alexa does not have the capability to read or write credentials to the iOS/Android Thread credential store," so the Nanoleaf app can't access credentials from Amazon Thread networks and vice versa.

Nanoleaf's TBRs "do not function as a home hub." To connect with an ecosystem via Matter, you still need a home hub from that ecosystem — a requirement Nanoleaf says is "set by the ecosystems, not ours." The Thread & TBRs FAQ lists supported TBRs for Essentials as Nanoleaf Lines, Shapes or Elements; Apple HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K (2nd gen); eero Pro, eero 6, eero 6 Pro or eero Beacon; Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max or Nest Wifi; and Amazon Echo (4th gen). Without a TBR, that article says Essentials connect via Bluetooth to the Nanoleaf iOS or Android app, Apple Home via HomeKit, or Google Home/Assistant via Google Seamless Setup — a fallback limited to those apps. For Thread network credentials, see Thread network credentials.

The Sense+ Smart Switch and Matter Early Access

Nanoleaf's Matter Early Access article says Matter Early Access is specific to the Sense+ Smart Wireless Switch and lets you use the switch to control or trigger devices and routines in smart home ecosystems. Only the side buttons can be configured through Matter. To use it, you must enable it in the Nanoleaf app, have a Matter-compatible hub, and have a Thread border router. Nanoleaf says it is "currently available on Apple Home, Amazon Alexa & SmartThings ONLY" — Google Home and Home Assistant aren't on that list. The 2026 firmware notes list the Sense+ Switch on firmware 4.1.14.

Nanoleaf firmware updates and Matter 1.4

The 2026 firmware release notes say firmware 5.1.45, released October 7, 2026 for all Matter over Thread devices, "added support for Matter 1.4" and enabled Apple Adaptive Lighting natively in the Apple Home app. For Matter over Wi-Fi devices, firmware 5.2.54 on September 23, 2026 lists "Matter upgrade to 1.4.2," and 5.2.59 on October 19, 2026 is the latest Wi-Fi firmware. The HomeKit/Thread Essentials remain on 3.0.2, last updated March 10, 2025. Nanoleaf's bulb reset article says to check for firmware updates in the Nanoleaf app after pairing. MatterCheck's caution: a Matter version on a device doesn't by itself mean a platform supports all its features — see Matter versions and firmware updates.

Resets and Nanoleaf lights that won't pair or respond

How to reset a Nanoleaf Essentials light

Nanoleaf's bulb reset guide says to try a power cycle before resetting. For bulbs: turn the bulb on for 10 seconds, then power-cycle off for 3 seconds and on for less than 1 second, repeated four times. Success is three red blinks, then the bulb turns off and back on. The guide also says Essentials Bulbs "aren't compatible with smart switches or dimmer fixtures," and "a factory reset erases your pairing and network info." Matter bulbs must pair within the 15-minute security commission window after a reset. For Smart Matter lightstrips, the lightstrip reset guide says to delete the device from the Nanoleaf app first, then hold the Power and Brightness Up (+) buttons together for five seconds — the strip flashes white three times. Multicolor and HD lightstrips, holiday string lights, floor lamp, rope light, outdoor string lights and permanent outdoor lights reset by holding the power button for 10 seconds while powered on; they flash red three times. See removing and factory-resetting Matter devices.

Thread lights that go unreachable

Nanoleaf's Thread devices going unreachable article says symptoms include lights missing from the Thread Network list, showing as Bluetooth instead of Thread, slow responses, or unreliable automations. Its steps:

1. Check that all Thread border routers are on the latest firmware.
2. Power-cycle each Thread border router and wait at least 2 minutes.
3. For Apple Home, confirm one hub is marked "Active" under Home Settings > Home Hubs & Bridges.
4. In the Nanoleaf app, check More > Thread Network to confirm all Essentials devices are on the same Thread network.
5. If a device is on Bluetooth, turn it off for 1 minute and back on to prompt it to rejoin Thread.
6. Make sure IPv6 is enabled on your router.

Nanoleaf's Apple Home reachable article adds that after power-cycling a Thread border router, "it can take up to 30 minutes for the Thread network to fully re-establish." See a Matter device that's offline.

If setup fails

• Pair in the Nanoleaf app first, as Nanoleaf strongly recommends.
• If a pairing attempt failed, reset the device before trying again.
• Power-cycle the device to reopen the 15-minute pairing window if it expired.
• Make sure your phone is on a 2.4 GHz network — Nanoleaf products don't work on 5 GHz.
• Turn Bluetooth on.
• For Thread lights, check that IPv6 is enabled on your router and the Thread network is enabled on your border router.
• Keep the device within 30 feet (9 meters) of the Matter controller.

For more on failed pairing, see a Matter device that won't pair, and for network setup see IPv6 and VLAN setup.

Frequently asked questions

Are Nanoleaf lights Matter compatible?

Some are. Nanoleaf's Nanoleaf and Matter page says Matter compatibility "varies by Nanoleaf product and generation," and its Matter Explained article says "the majority of our products are Matter-enabled." The specific Matter-enabled lists are the Essentials Matter over Thread and Matter over Wi-Fi products named in Nanoleaf's how-to articles.

Do Nanoleaf Shapes support Matter?

No source here calls Shapes a Matter device. Nanoleaf's firmware notes group Shapes with the other Wi-Fi panels under "Panel (Wifi) Devices," and its Thread Border Routers FAQ lists Shapes as a Thread border router — but a Thread border router role doesn't make a product a Matter device, and Nanoleaf says its TBRs "do not function as a home hub."

Where is the Nanoleaf Matter pairing code?

On the Quick Start Guide or Welcome Card, or on the back of the controller or bulb base. Matter devices use an 11-digit pairing code; non-Matter Nanoleaf products use an 8-digit code. If you've misplaced the physical code, Nanoleaf's Multi-Admin Feature article says you can pair using the original setup code stored in the Nanoleaf app.

Do I need a Thread border router for Nanoleaf?

For Matter over Thread Essentials, yes — Nanoleaf's Matter page and Matter Explained article both list a Thread border router as a requirement. For Matter over Wi-Fi Essentials, no Thread border router is needed. Some Matter controllers also serve as Thread border routers.

Can Nanoleaf Shapes or Lines be a Thread border router?

Yes. Nanoleaf's Thread Border Routers FAQ says Thread border functionality is limited to Elements, Lines and Shapes, and requires device firmware 8.5.2+ and app version 9.1.0+. They don't function as a home hub, so you still need an ecosystem home hub for Matter.

How do I reset a Nanoleaf Matter bulb?

Turn the bulb on for 10 seconds, then power-cycle off for 3 seconds and on for less than 1 second, repeated four times. Success is three red blinks. After a reset, pair within the 15-minute Matter commission window.

Does Nanoleaf work with Home Assistant?

There are three routes. Home Assistant's Nanoleaf integration controls Light Panels, Canvas, Shapes, Elements and Lines but not Essentials. Essentials work over Thread and Bluetooth through the HomeKit Controller integration, which isn't Matter. Home Assistant's own Matter integration is the Matter route, and Nanoleaf's controller list names Home Assistant Yellow and Home Assistant Green with a Connect ZBT-1 dongle as third-party Matter hubs.

More MatterCheck guides

• Sharing one Matter device with several apps — how Multi-Admin works across platforms.
• A lost Matter setup code — what to do when the code is gone.
• A Matter device that won't pair — troubleshooting failed commissioning.
• Hubs and Thread border routers — what each platform needs.
• Thread vs Wi-Fi — the two Matter transports compared.
• Matter light bulb support — bulbs across platforms.
• IKEA and Matter — which IKEA products work with Matter.
• Philips Hue and Matter — Hue's Matter bridge route.
• Aqara and Matter — Aqara's Matter hubs and devices.
• SwitchBot and Matter — SwitchBot's Matter-enabled products.
• Eve and Matter — Eve's Matter over Thread lineup.
• Tapo and Kasa with Matter — TP-Link's Matter support.
• The Matter platform comparison — Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant, Homey and Hubitat side by side.

How we checked

Pages were fetched 2026-10-21: Nanoleaf's "Nanoleaf and Matter" page, Nanoleaf Help Center articles on Matter, Thread, controllers, pairing, multi-admin sharing, each platform's integration setup, Matter Early Access, resets and troubleshooting, the 2025 and 2026 product firmware release notes, Home Assistant's Nanoleaf integration docs, and Apple's, Google's, Amazon's, SmartThings' and Home Assistant's own Matter pages (fetched 2026-10-20). Shop links and reviews weren't used. MatterCheck's platform results are per Matter device type and weren't measured on Nanoleaf products. See how MatterCheck checks.

Last reviewed 2026-10-21. If Nanoleaf's or your platform's own instructions say something different, follow them.