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Philips Hue and Matter: Hue Bridge, Bridge Pro, Matter bulbs and which smart home apps they work with

Yes — per Philips Hue's Matter page, the Hue Bridge and Bridge Pro already support Matter, so the Hue lights and accessories connected to them work with Matter apps, with the exceptions Hue lists. Matter-enabled Hue bulbs — look for the Matter logo on the packaging — can also connect directly, without a Bridge, through a Thread border router. Hue's Matter setup and support guide names Amazon Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home among the apps you can use, and Hue's Matter page adds Google Assistant and "other smart home devices and apps that support Matter."

Philips Hue and Matter at a glance

Here's the short version, with each answer tied to the page it comes from.

Every answer in that table names its source, and the sections below walk through the details: the two connection routes, which products work, Hue's Matter timeline, the Bridge and Bridge Pro differences, platform-by-platform setup, pairing codes, troubleshooting and resets.

Two ways to use Hue with Matter

Hue's Matter setup and support guide describes two distinct ways to set up Hue bulbs with Matter: with a Hue Bridge, or without a Bridge using Matter-enabled bulbs directly. The guide's own framing is that the Bridge route is "Best for users with an existing Hue ecosystem or those who want access to advanced features and maximum compatibility," while direct setup is "Ideal for users with new Matter-enabled Hue bulbs and Essential bulbs (like the A19 model) who want a simpler setup."

Through a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro

Hue's setup guide says the Bridge route "Supports all Hue products, including older non-Matter supported bulbs," and lists advanced features that stay available: gradient lighting, dynamic scenes, and entertainment sync with a Hue Sync Box. It also says you get centralized control through the Hue app in addition to partner ecosystem apps, and says anyone already using Alexa, Google or SmartThings to control their Hue lights keeps "multi admin control and all the advanced control features that were already developed with these partners." Hue's Matter support FAQ puts it plainly: "All Philips Hue lights and smart accessories, such as dimmer switches and smart buttons, will work with Matter if connected via the Hue Bridge."

The exceptions are specific. Hue's Matter page says "The Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box and the dial on the Tap dial switch do not support Matter," and adds that "products connected via Bluetooth cannot be used with Matter" because the Bridge is what enables Matter support. The Bridge's product page lists its communication protocol as Bluetooth and Zigbee, and Hue's pages describe the Bridge as what enables Matter for the products connected to it. For more on how Matter bridges expose Zigbee devices, see Matter bridges for Zigbee devices.

Directly, with a Matter-enabled Hue bulb

The direct route works only with Matter-enabled Hue lights — Hue says to look for the Matter logo on the packaging — and requires a Matter controller hub that supports Thread, which Hue calls "a Thread Border Router." Hue's setup guide names these examples: Apple HomePod Mini, Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo (4th Gen). Hue's Matter page gives a slightly different list: "Apple HomePod Mini, Amazon Echo Smart Speakers (4th gen), Nanoleaf, or Google Nest Hub." The two pages don't match exactly, so treat each list as belonging to its own page.

Hue's setup guide says direct setup is aimed at "new Matter-enabled Hue bulbs and Essential bulbs (like the A19 model)." The Essential A19 product page lists "Communication protocol Bluetooth, Zigbee" and, separately, "Matter functionality Via Hue Bridge or 3rd party hubs (thread border routers)" — both lines exactly as written on the page. One practical tip from Hue's setup guide: if a bulb was previously connected to a Hue Bridge, you must remove it from the bridge before pairing it directly via Matter. For background on the hubs and border routers involved, see Matter hubs and Thread border routers, and for how Thread compares with Wi-Fi, see Thread vs Wi-Fi for Matter.

Hue's setup guide includes its own feature comparison for the two routes, which is reproduced below.

Hue's comparison table shows the practical differences. Adaptive lighting in Apple Home is only available through the Bridge route. Thread support is only on the direct route, and Hue marks it there as "yes (if supported)". Local control works on both routes, but for direct setup Hue qualifies it with "if Thread is used". Multi-admin support is available on both routes, which matters if you want the same bulb in more than one app.

Which Hue products work with Matter

Hue's product coverage depends on the route, and the table below separates what Hue's own pages say.

Hue's Matter support FAQ says all Hue lights and smart accessories — "such as dimmer switches and smart buttons" — work with Matter when connected via the Hue Bridge, with only the Play HDMI sync box and the Tap dial switch's dial as exceptions. The motion sensor product page lists "Matter functionality Via Hue Bridge" and says a Bridge is required for that sensor. The Secure contact sensor got Matter support in the Bridge's January 4, 2024 software update, per the Bridge release notes. Hue's Matter page adds the Bluetooth footnote: products connected via Bluetooth can't be used with Matter. MatterCheck tracks no Philips Hue product among its 106 tracked products — its tracked list includes one other Signify brand, a WiZ lamp, which isn't a Hue product. See the tracked products list.

Hue's Matter timeline, from the 2021 announcement to Bridge Pro

Hue's Matter support arrived in stages, and the dated sources below show the progression.

1. May 12, 2021 — Signify's press release announced that all existing and new Philips Hue lights and accessories would be compatible with Matter via a software update to the Hue Bridge. This was an expectation at the time, not a shipped feature.
2. 11/02/2022 — The earliest of the CSA's three Philips Hue Bridge listings is certified, with firmware 1.0.0 and Specification Version 1.0.
3. August 31, 2023 — Signify's press release said the Matter software update for the Hue Bridge would be "available in September 2023."
4. September 14, 2023 — The Bridge release notes for software version 1960062030 say "The Philips Hue Bridge has been updated to support Matter, meaning that your Philips Hue lights and devices automatically support Matter, too."
5. January 4, 2024 — Bridge software 1962097030 "Added Matter support for the Secure contact sensor."
6. July 11, 2024 — Bridge software 1965053040 "Resolved a Matter interoperability issue that may occasionally cause lights on low brightness to turn to full brightness."
7. September 4, 2025 — The Bridge Pro release notes announce the Hue Bridge Pro with firmware 2071096000.
8. November 5, 2025 — Both bridges get a fix: Bridge 1974063020 and Bridge Pro 2071127010 "resolved an issue where pairing over Matter failed as a result of connected third party devices."
9. 01/21/2026 — The CSA lists the Hue Bridge Matter Platform software component with Specification Version 1.4.2.
10. April 9, 2026 — Bridge Pro software 2071294010/2071294020 fixes an issue where the Bridge Pro "lost connection over Matter," and Hue says to "re-set up the integration" if you couldn't control devices over Matter.
11. September 24, 2026 — Both bridges are relabelled to version 6.1: Bridge v2 6.1.1978418030 and Bridge Pro 6.1.2071524030.

The CSA's certified-product listings show five separate Hue Bridge entries, not one merged record. Three are End Product listings for "Philips Hue Bridge": firmware 1.0.0 (certified 11/02/2022, Specification Version 1.0, Ethernet), firmware 1.1.0 (certified 12/13/2023, Specification Version 1.0, Ethernet), and firmware 1.3.0 (certified 10/21/2024, Specification Version 1.3, Ethernet). The other two are Software Component listings for "Hue Bridge Matter Platform": firmware 1.3.0 with Hardware Version "N/a" (certified 08/28/2025, Specification Version 1.3) and firmware 1.4.2 with Hardware Version "Hue Bridge version 3" (certified 01/21/2026, Specification Version 1.4.2). For how to read CSA listings like these, see how to check Matter certification.

Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro: what's different for Matter

For Matter specifically, Hue's Matter page says both bridges already support Matter: "Got a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro? They already support Matter." The page adds that the software update enabling Matter arrives automatically, so "there's nothing additional you need." In other words, you don't need a Bridge Pro to get Matter — the original Bridge does it too.

The differences between the two hubs are on their product pages. The Bridge product page lists 50 lights and 12 accessories, with "Communication protocol Bluetooth, Zigbee" and "Matter functionality Via Hue Bridge." The Bridge Pro product page lists 150+ lights and 50+ accessories, and says it can connect "over WiFi or use the Ethernet cable provided" — Hue recommends the Ethernet cable "for the most reliable connection." The Bridge Pro page also lists the Zigbee Trust Center and MotionAware. Both pages list "Communication protocol Bluetooth, Zigbee." No Hue page says MotionAware areas are available over Matter, so don't assume they are. The Bridge Pro's December 8, 2025 release note says version 2071153010 "includes changes to support migration of multiple bridges to a Hue Bridge Pro," with full functionality coming in later app releases. MatterCheck doesn't compare the two beyond what Hue's own pages list.

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

Hue's Matter page says you can connect to "Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Assistant" as well as "other smart home devices and apps that support Matter." Hue's setup guide goes further and lists per-platform Matter controllers, with separate lists for the Bridge route and the direct route. Those lists are Hue's, and each platform also has its own eligibility rules.

Apple Home

Hue's setup guide says that with a Bridge you use the Hue app to link your Apple Home account, and without a Bridge you scan the Matter QR code in the Apple Home app. It also says "iOS18 and up users don't need a HomePod or Apple TV to pair Matter devices." Hue's Apple Home setup page covers switching from HomeKit to Matter: in the Hue app, go to Settings > Smart home & voice, tap Siri & Apple Home, then Settings, then Set up Apple Home with Matter. Hue says this "requires an Apple home hub" and that you'll need to unlink your Apple Home account, "which will remove your current settings." Apple's own support page 102135 says that with iOS 18 or later you can add and control Matter accessories without a home hub, that iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max and later can control Thread-based accessories without one, and that Thread-based accessories require a Thread-enabled home hub such as Apple TV 4K, HomePod (2nd generation), HomePod mini, or a compatible third-party Thread border router. For Apple's broader Matter support, see Apple Home and Matter, and for how Matter compares with HomeKit, see Matter vs HomeKit.

Google Home

Hue's setup guide lists Google controllers for both routes. With a Hue Bridge: Google Home, Google Home Mini, Nest Mini, Nest Audio speakers; Nest Hub (1st gen), Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max displays; Nest Wi-Fi Pro (Wi-Fi 6E) routers; and Google TV Streamer (4K). Without a Bridge: Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wi-Fi Pro, and Google TV (4K). Google's own Matter preparation page says you need a Matter-enabled hub device, and that hubs supporting Matter over both Wi-Fi and Thread include the Google Home Speaker (2026), Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Wifi Pro, and Google TV Streamer (4K). Google also says IPv6 must be enabled on your home wireless network for Matter to work properly. For the full Google picture, see Google Home and Matter.

Alexa

Hue's setup guide lists Alexa controllers with a Bridge as: Echo Dot (2nd Gen and newer), Echo Spot, Echo Show (all generations), Echo Hub, Echo Studio (1st and 2nd Gen), Echo Flex, Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo Input, and Eero Pro 6E, Pro 6, 6+, 6, PoE 6, PoE gateway, Max 7. Without a Bridge: Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 8+, Echo Hub, Echo Studio (1st and 2nd Gen), and Eero Pro, 6, Max 7. Hue's Matter FAQ says that for Alexa you tap Other apps in the Hue app to generate a pairing code. Amazon's own setup page walks through Add Device in the Alexa app and suggests installing your Matter device within 30 ft (9 m) of a compatible Alexa hub. Amazon's Thread support page says Thread-enabled Echo and eero devices have built-in Thread border routers and support Thread version 1.1 or 1.3. For more, see Alexa and Matter.

SmartThings

Hue's Matter FAQ says that for SmartThings — Hue writes "Smart Things" — you tap Other apps in the Hue app to generate a pairing code you can copy into the partner app. SmartThings' own Matter integration page says that to connect Thread-based devices you need a Matter controller that includes a Thread border router, and that the Matter badge on the packaging indicates whether a Thread border router is needed. SmartThings also says the QR code includes an 11 or 21-digit setup code you can use if the QR code can't be scanned. For the full SmartThings picture, see SmartThings and Matter.

Home Assistant

None of the Hue pages used here names Home Assistant. Home Assistant's own Philips Hue integration docs say the integration "allows you to control and monitor the lights and sensors connected to your Hue bridge," and that it supports lights, motion sensors (including temperature and light level sensors), and remotes and switches as device triggers for automations. Home Assistant also has a separate Matter integration, whose docs describe Matter's multi-fabric feature: you can join the same device to multiple controllers, and the standard says each device should support at least 5 different fabrics. Neither Home Assistant page says whether the Hue integration uses Matter. For Home Assistant's Matter support, see Home Assistant and Matter.

What MatterCheck's data says for these device types

MatterCheck's platform results are per Matter device type, not tests of Hue products, and the table below shows the pairs value and confidence for the device types Hue's range falls into.

MatterCheck checks 24 Matter device types on five platforms. From MatterCheck's data, all five of the types above pair on all five platforms. Switch / button control is Partial on all five platforms — the device pairs and can trigger automations, but direct control is only partly supported. Alexa's automation trigger is Partial for dimmable / color lights and Unknown for color temperature lights. Google Home's color temperature light and switch / button results carry Med confidence, meaning the evidence is less certain than for the High-confidence results. For the full five-platform comparison, see the platform comparison.

How to connect Hue to a Matter app

Through the Hue Bridge

Hue's setup guide and Matter FAQ describe the Bridge route like this:

1. Connect the Hue Bridge and power it on, then install the Hue app and follow the prompts to add your Bridge and bulbs.
2. In the Hue app, go to Settings > Smart home.
3. For Apple Home, tap the Apple Home icon. For Alexa and SmartThings, tap Other apps.
4. This generates a pairing code that you can copy into the partner app.
5. In the partner app, follow its own add flow — for example, Amazon's page says to open the Alexa app, go to Devices, tap the plus, then Add Device.

A Matter-enabled bulb without a Bridge

For direct setup, Hue's setup guide gives these steps:

1. Open your smart home app — Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa.
2. Add a new device.
3. Scan the QR code on the installation guide (the Matter QR code) or enter the 11-digit pairing code.
4. Power on the bulb and make sure it's in pairing mode — Hue says it "blinks or resets if needed."
5. Name the bulb, assign it to a room, and test automations.

Hue's tip: if the bulb was previously connected to a Hue Bridge, remove it from the bridge before pairing it directly via Matter. For the general add flow across platforms, see how to add a Matter device.

Adding Hue to a second app

Hue's setup guide describes multi-admin sharing like this: open the original app where the device was first added, generate a new setup code, then use that code in another platform — for example, add a Hue bulb to both Apple Home and Google Home. Apple's support page says you can add Matter accessories that were previously paired with other apps from any app that supports Matter, and that paired accessories sync using iCloud Keychain. Home Assistant's Matter docs describe the same idea as multi-fabric: you can join one device to multiple controllers. For the details, see sharing one device with several apps, and if you've lost the setup code, see what to do with a lost Matter setup code.

If Hue won't pair over Matter or stops responding

Hue's own pages and the platform docs list these checks, and each one comes from a named source:

• Make sure your phone and Matter hub are on the same Wi-Fi network — Hue's setup guide lists this first.
• Restart the bulb or reset it — again from Hue's setup guide.
• Update the bulb's firmware and your apps — Hue's setup guide's troubleshooting tip.
• If the QR code is lost, use the manual pairing code printed on the bulb — Hue's setup guide.
• Remove a bulb from the Bridge before direct pairing — Hue's setup guide says a bulb previously connected to a Bridge must be removed first.
• Hue's November 5, 2025 release notes on both bridges say pairing over Matter could fail "as a result of connected third party devices," and that this was resolved in Bridge 1974063020 and Bridge Pro 2071127010.
• Hue's April 9, 2026 Bridge Pro release note says if the Bridge Pro "lost connection over Matter," re-set up the integration.
• Hue's Apple Home page says if the Bridge can't be found in HomeKit, your router must support Apple's Bonjour software.
• Google's Matter page says IPv6 must be enabled on your home wireless network, or setup may appear to succeed but control later fails.

For more on pairing failures, see a Matter device that won't pair, for offline devices see a Matter device that's offline, and for the network side see Matter network setup and IPv6.

Resets and software updates

Hue's factory reset article says a factory reset "will restore its original settings, erasing all your customized settings and data," so the light can be added to another Bridge or Bluetooth setup. It lists five methods: using the light's serial number (via Settings, then Lights, then the blue plus button, then Use serial number); using the Hue app connected to a Bridge (select the light and tap Delete); using a Hue dimmer switch (hold the top and bottom buttons for at least 10 seconds within 30 minutes of powering the light on); using a Tap dial switch (hold the Setup button on the back for at least 10 seconds); and using the Hue app in Bluetooth mode (add the light, then tap Reset). Hue doesn't describe any of these as Matter-specific, and a reset light must be added again. For the general reset and removal flow, see resetting or removing a Matter device.

For updates, the Bridge release notes say you can enable automatic updates in the Hue app under Settings > Software update > Automatic update. The release notes list the Matter fixes covered above. For a directly connected Matter bulb without a Bridge, Hue's setup guide only gives the tip to "Update bulb's Firmware and Apps" — it doesn't specify a firmware update mechanism for that route. For the general Matter firmware picture, see Matter firmware updates.

Frequently asked questions

Does Philips Hue work with Matter?

Yes. Hue's Matter page says the Hue Bridge and Bridge Pro already support Matter, and that your Hue lights and accessories automatically support Matter too. Hue's setup guide describes two routes: through a Bridge, or directly with Matter-enabled bulbs.

Do I need a Hue Bridge to use Hue with Matter?

It depends. Hue's Matter FAQ says newer lights with the Matter logo on their packaging can connect without a Bridge, using a Thread border router. For Hue products without the Matter badge, you'll need to connect them via the Hue Bridge.

Where do I find the Hue Matter pairing code?

For the Bridge route, Hue's Matter FAQ says to go to Settings > Smart home in the Hue app, then tap the Apple Home icon or Other apps to generate a pairing code you can copy into the partner app. For direct setup, Hue's setup guide says to scan the Matter QR code on the installation guide or enter the 11-digit pairing code — and if the QR code is lost, use the manual pairing code printed on the bulb.

Is the Hue Bridge a Thread border router?

No Hue source says it is. Hue's setup guide comparison table marks Thread support as not available on the Bridge route, and both the Bridge and Bridge Pro product pages list "Communication protocol Bluetooth, Zigbee." Thread only appears on the direct route, where Hue says you need a separate Thread border router.

Which Hue products don't work with Matter?

Hue's Matter page lists two exceptions: the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box and the dial on the Tap dial switch. It also says products connected via Bluetooth can't be used with Matter, because the Bridge is what enables Matter support.

Does the Hue Bridge Pro support Matter?

Yes. Hue's Matter page says "Got a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro? They already support Matter," and that the update arrives automatically. The Bridge Pro's release notes also list Matter fixes, including the November 5, 2025 pairing fix and the April 9, 2026 lost-connection fix.

Do Hue lights work with Home Assistant?

Home Assistant's own Hue integration docs say the integration controls and monitors lights and sensors connected to your Hue bridge, and supports lights, motion sensors, and remotes and switches. Home Assistant also has a separate Matter integration. None of the Hue pages used here names Home Assistant, and Home Assistant's pages don't say whether the Hue integration uses Matter.

More MatterCheck guides

• Matter bridges for Zigbee devices — how a bridge like the Hue Bridge exposes Zigbee products to Matter apps.
• Matter hubs and Thread border routers — the controllers and border routers across brands.
• Thread vs Wi-Fi for Matter — what each transport means for range, latency and setup.
• Matter vs HomeKit — how the two Apple-adjacent paths compare.
• Sharing one device with several apps — multi-admin across Apple Home, Google Home and more.
• A Matter device that won't pair — troubleshooting steps when setup fails.
• Matter light bulbs — which bulb types work on which platforms.
• Matter smart buttons — button and switch support across platforms.
• Matter motion sensors — motion and occupancy sensor support.
• IKEA's Matter devices — another Zigbee brand's Matter bridge approach.
• The five-platform Matter comparison — Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant side by side.
• Aqara and Matter — which Aqara hubs are Matter bridges, controllers and Thread border routers.
• SwitchBot and Matter — which SwitchBot hubs are Matter bridges, what they bridge, and where the pairing code is.
• Eve and Matter — which Eve devices ship with Matter or get the one-way upgrade, and which hub you need.
• Tapo and Kasa with Matter — which Tapo and Kasa models are Matter-certified, and how to set them up.

How we checked

Pages fetched 2026-10-20: Hue's Matter setup and support guide, its Matter page and Matter support FAQ, the Hue Bridge and Bridge Pro release notes, four Hue product pages (Bridge, Bridge Pro, Essential A19 bulb, motion sensor), Hue's Apple Home setup page and its reset article, two Signify press releases, the CSA's five Hue Bridge listings, Home Assistant's Hue and Matter integration docs, and Apple's, Google's, Amazon's and SmartThings' own Matter pages. From Hue's product pages, only Hue's own product text and specifications were used. MatterCheck's platform results are per Matter device type and weren't measured on Hue products. See the methodology.

Last reviewed 2026-10-20. If Philips Hue's or your platform's own instructions say something different, follow them.