Setting up the Matter Plugin

Overview

This plugin is designed to allow HomeSeer to control devices that are based on the Matter protocol. The following features are supported:

• After adding a Matter device to your Matter hub, the device can then be added to HomeSeer.

• Devices may be added to HomeSeer directly if they support Wifi. A Matter hub is not required for this case.

• After a Wifi device is added to HomeSeer, it may be controlled directly using local control. The Matter hub is not required in order to control the device.

• Note that Thread devices are supported but they need to be added to a Thread capable Matter hub first, then added to HomeSeer. HomeSeer cannot control Thread devices directly due to the special radio required.

Compatible Devices

As of version 1 of the Matter plugin, most Matter devices are supported.

Requirements

• HS4 version 4.2.22.4 or later

• A Matter compatible Hub such as Google Home, Amazon Echo (4th gen or later), Apple HomePod. Check your device and make sure it supports Matter. If you are adding a Thread device, make sure your Matter Hub supports Thread.

• Make sure IPV6 is enabled on your network interface and network.

Installation

Install the plugin from the Plugins->Add menu in HomeSeer. After the plugin is installed, enable it on the Plugins->Manage page. Note that it could take some time to enable the very first time you enable the plugin since system components need to be installed. Check your log for progess or any errors.

If you wish to add devices to HomeSeer directly, select the Matter plugin menu “Settings” and enter your Wifi information. This is required in order for the plugin to add a Matter device without using a Matter hub.

Adding Devices to the Plugin Directly

If you wish to add a device to the plugin directly without first adding it to a Matter hub, this is possible. On Windows this is experimental and may fail. It does require that your PC support Bluetooth. Make sure you enter your Wifi SSID and key in the plugin settings. Your PC does not need to be connected to a Wifi network, but the SSID information is required as it is sent to the device over Bluetooth. Adding devices directly should work fine on Linux systems. Make sure your Matter device supports the frequency of your Wifi network. Some Matter devices only support 2.4Ghz Wifi.

To add a device, select the plugins menu then Matter Controller, then Add Device. Make sure your Matter device is in inclusion mode (normally, the LED is blinking), if you’re not sure try to factory reset the device. Then enter the code printed on the Matter QR code on the device. Click “Continue” and the device should be added.

Note: If your Matter device uses the Thread protocol, you cannot add it directly to the plugin, you will need to add it to a Matter hub first,

Adding Google Home Devices

Use this procedure if you are using a Matter capable Google Home hub and you have already added your device to this hub. With this procedure you will use the Google Home App on your phone to obtain a code that you will enter into the plugin.

1. After adding the device to the Google Home App, long press the device to display the device control screen.
   

   

2. Click on the gear in the upper right corner to display the device settings.
   

   

3. Click on “Linked Matter apps & services” to display the “Linked Matter apps & services” page.
   

   

4. Click on “Link apps & services”. A dialog will display, select “Use pairing code” and the following screen will appear that reveals a pairing code:
   

   

5. In HomeSeer, select the Plugins menu, then “Matter Controller” then “Add Device”. Enter the pairing code you received in the Google Home App. The dashes are not required and can be omitted.
   

   

6. Click continue to finish adding the device. The device will now be controllable from HomeSeer.
   

   

Adding Amazon Alexa Devices

The procedure for adding an Amazon device is similar to Google. First add the device to the Alexa App on your phone then follow this procedure to add the device to HomeSeer.

1. Click on the device in the Alexa App to display the device control screen.
   

   

2. Click on the gear in the upper right corner to display the device settings, then click on “Other Assistants and Apps”.
   

   

3. Click on “Add Another” if this is the first time adding a device to HomeSeer.
   

   

4. A screen displays with a code, you will now enter this code into HomeSeer as in step 5 under “Adding Google Home Devices” above. The device will be controllable from HomeSeer.
   

   

Adding Apple Home Devices

The procedure for adding a Matter device using Apple Home is similar to Google. First add the device to the Home App on your iPhone or iPad then follow this procedure to add the device to HomeSeer.

1. Click on the device in the Home App to display the device control screen.
   

   

2. Click on the gear in the bottom right corner to display the device settings. Then click on “Turn On Pairing Code“
   

   

   
   

3. A popup with a setup code displays. You will now enter this code into HomeSeer as in step 5 under “Adding Google Home Devices” above. The device will be controllable from HomeSeer.