Hubitat Elevation offers support for Matter devices. This feature is available on hub model C-5 and newer only and requires platform 2.3.8 (model C-5/C-7) or 2.3.7 (model C-8/C-8 Pro) or later. Note that as with any device, an appropriate driver is required; see List of Compatible Devices for built-in options.
Hubitat Elevation is a Matter controller. This means you can pair devices that support Matter to your hub. This is similar to how you can pair/include Zigbee or Z-Wave devices. Hubitat is not a Matter bridge (see below for more on Matter bridges) — it will not create Matter-compatible devices out of non-Matter devices you have added to your hub.
Matter is a new smart home standard backed by several major manufacturers and supported by many more. It defines a standard interface for local control of devices, a sort of common "language" they can speak and understand. Matter per se does not define how the devices get on your network in the first place. To do this, Matter relies on additional technologies for connectivity, including:
Your hub does not have to be connected using Wi-Fi (as configured in Settings > Network Setup) in order to use Matter over Wi-Fi devices. In fact, we recommend a wired connection whenever possible for best reliability. In a typical home network, your Wi-Fi and Ethernet/wired devices form a single network, and this is all that is necessary.
You may also see another protocol related to Matter:
Another type of Matter device you may find is a:
Your hub creates a Matter Fabric, where "Fabric" is, more or less, the technical term for a particular "network" of Matter devices (regardless of lower level protocols). Your hub is a separate Fabric from other Matter Fabrics you may be using, such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, etc. Matter devices support being paired to multiple Fabrics at the same time (at least 3-5 but possibly more, depending on the device). This feature is sometimes referred to as "Multi-Admin" or "Multi-Fabric."
For any Matter device, we suggest the device first be commissioned with another Matter controller (Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, or similar). This controller can then put the device in "pairing mode" to use with another system, such as Hubitat.
Matter devices are typically added via the Add Device page, similar to most other devices.
As stated previously, Matter devices allow pairing with multiple controllers. This also means that if you commission a Matter device using Apple Home above, then also pair the device with Hubitat after using Apple Home to put it in pairing mode, it will be usable in both systems (no need to use the HomeKit Integration to make it usable in HomeKit from Hubitat, in this example).
Matter devices can also be added using the mobile app (but note that Matter over Thread devices still require a Thread Border Router, or TBR). If possible, we still suggest adding the Matter device as above, as Hubitat cannot put the device in pairing mode, which you may need if you wish to pair the devices to multiple Matter Fabrics in the future (see above). However, Matter over Wi-Fi and similar devices can be commissioned and paired directly with the Hubitat Elevation mobile app (mobile app version 2.1.0 and hub platform 2.4.1 and newer only) if you prefer.
To add a Matter device using the mobile app, select the Devices (or light bulb icon) tab. Then, select Add Matter Device and select Continue after reading the advice and instructions. Scan the Matter setup code when prompted, and follow the instructions.
Want to learn more about Thread? It is designed to be generally self-maintaining, but some terms and tips may be helpful to know.