Matter and Thread Protocol Setup

Matter is a smart-home connectivity standard that lets devices from different manufacturers work together through a single protocol. Matter devices connect over two transport layers: WiFi and Thread. WiFi-based Matter devices connect directly to your network. Thread-based Matter devices connect through a low-power mesh network managed by a Thread border router.

Setting up Matter and Thread in Home Assistant involves six steps. Each step below links to a detailed guide.

Before You Start

Confirm the following before beginning:

1. Your Home Assistant system is installed and running.
2. You have a supported Thread border router dongle (or an Apple HomePod Mini / Apple TV 4K / Google Nest Hub with built-in border router support).
3. Your phone has the Home Assistant Companion App installed.
4. You have all Matter QR codes or numeric setup codes captured and accessible.

Supported Thread Border Router Hardware

• Home Assistant SkyConnect / Connect ZBT-1 / ZBT-2 (with OpenThread firmware)
• SONOFF ZBDongle-E (with OpenThread firmware)
• Apple HomePod Mini / Apple TV 4K (built-in border router)
• Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) / Nest Hub Max (built-in border router)

Step 1: Flash Firmware on Your Dongle

Your Thread dongle must be running Thread/OpenThread firmware, not Zigbee firmware. If your dongle shipped with Zigbee firmware or was previously used for Zigbee, you need to flash Thread firmware before continuing.

See the firmware guides for your hardware:

• Switching from Zigbee to Thread on ZBT-2
• Updating Firmware on ZBT-2
• Sonoff ZBDongle-E Firmware Flash Guide

Step 2: Plug the Dongle In

Connect your Thread dongle to your SeloraBox PC using a USB extension cable (at least 1 meter recommended to reduce USB 3.0 radio interference). Confirm the dongle is detected under Settings → System → Hardware.

Step 3: Set Up the OpenThread Border Router

Install and configure the OpenThread Border Router add-on so your Home Assistant system can create and manage a Thread network.

Install OpenThread Border Router →

Step 4: Set Up the Thread Integration

After the border router is running, confirm that Home Assistant can see and manage the Thread network. If your home already has an Apple or Google Thread network, import those credentials and set that network as preferred.

Thread Integration Setup →

Step 5: Set Up the Matter Server

1. Go to Settings → Devices & Services.
2. If the Matter integration is not present, select + Add Integration and search for Matter.
3. When Home Assistant asks for the connection method, select the standard Home Assistant OS setup so the official Matter Server add-on is installed automatically.
4. Wait for the Matter Server add-on to finish installing and starting.
5. Confirm the Matter integration shows as connected under Settings → Devices & Services.

Step 6: Set Up the Companion App

Your phone acts as the commissioner for Matter devices. It needs Thread credentials from Home Assistant so it can pass them to devices during pairing.

Companion App Matter over Thread Setup →

Next Step

Once all six steps are complete, you are ready to commission Matter devices.

Pairing Matter Devices →