Matter 1.6: What's changing in the Smart Home Apfelpatient

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The Connectivity Standards Alliance has officially launched Matter 1.6 and the Product Security 1.1 certification program. The update changes how smart devices are set up, how they can be shared across platforms, and how thermostats respond to suggestions. For those who control their home via Apple Home, it includes several concrete new features.

Matter is the cross-manufacturer standard that unites lamps, sockets, thermostats, and sensors from various brands under one umbrella – including Apple Home. The new version was unveiled on the second day of Unify, the annual public event of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), where the IoT industry showcases its progress toward the open standard. Within the Apple ecosystem, these improvements reach users via the Home hubs: HomePod and Apple TV act as control centers and Thread boundary routers, which is why the anticipated new HomePod generation is gaining importance, especially for the connected home. In addition to the technical announcements, there was a personnel change: ADT and Telink are joining the CSA board. However, for consumers and device manufacturers, Matter 1.6 and Product Security 1.1 are the truly relevant announcements.

Matter 1.6 is a targeted feature update

The CSA explicitly describes Matter 1.6 as a focused feature release. It centers on three goals: devices should work better across ecosystems, adapt more closely to user preferences, and provide more accurate information about their own status. Instead of many small, detailed changes, the version relies on a few major building blocks that noticeably change how devices are set up and shared.

Setup via NFC – even before the device is plugged in

The most striking innovation is NFC-based commissioning. This allows for two-way NFC communication with Matter devices, even before they are fully powered on. In practical terms, this means a light bulb can be set up before it's screwed into the ceiling socket, and a flush-mounted switch can be configured before mains power is applied. For larger installations, multiple devices can be pre-prepared and only activated at their final installation location.

Matter 1.6 builds upon a feature from Matter 1.4.1, where setup information was already stored in an NFC tag – a more convenient alternative to scanning a QR code. However, the actual connection was still established via Bluetooth LE. Matter 1.6 now handles the entire process via NFC. For end users, this feels more direct and intuitive: simply hold your smartphone near the device, and the setup begins. Those who have previously added Matter accessories via Apple Home will already be familiar with this hands-free approach – in the future, it will cover a larger portion of the process.

Joint Fabric: Multiple ecosystems manage one network

The second major component is called Joint Fabric and expands the capabilities of the multi-admin toolkit. Each Matter network is internally managed as a "Fabric"; previously, each platform managed its own. With Joint Fabric, multiple user-authorized control instances can jointly administer a shared Matter network. This makes devices available in all participating ecosystems without requiring individual setup for each one.

This is precisely where the added value lies for mixed households: Those who operate devices simultaneously via Apple Home and another platform don't have to pair accessories twice. The standard manages the shared network itself, instead of having to manage each platform separately.

Thermostats receive suggestions instead of direct commands

With Thermostat Suggestions, Matter 1.6 standardizes how ecosystems recommend changes to thermostats. Instead of sending direct commands to change the temperature or mode, control instances will now transmit time-limited suggestions. The thermostat evaluates these suggestions based on user preferences, recent input, and current conditions – and decides for itself whether to implement them.

The CSA outlines several scenarios. Users participating in their energy provider's load management program can configure their thermostat so that automations from other ecosystems don't accidentally override energy-saving measures. Users optimizing for energy savings, humidity, or air quality will have these settings respected across all connected services without having to configure them individually for each one. Furthermore, a thermostat that has just been manually adjusted will recognize a subsequent suggestion from another source as likely unwanted and ignore it. Since the Home app supports Matter thermostats, this mechanism directly impacts Apple devices as well.

Further improvements under the hood

In addition, Matter 1.6 introduces several core enhancements. These include standardized communication regarding a device's capabilities and operating limits. Other additions include an event history for safety sensors, an "unmounted" status for smoke and CO detectors that indicates when a detector has been removed, and more scalable certificate revocation lists. Alongside the announcement, the CSA is publishing the Matter 1.6 specification and the corresponding SDK for developers.

Product Security 1.1: Certification for entire systems

The second announcement of the day is Product Security 1.1 – and it shifts the scope of the CSA's security certification program. While Product Security 1.0 focused primarily on individual devices, version 1.1 goes further and encompasses complete IoT systems. These include IoT devices, IoT apps, IoT remote processes, and IoT gateways.

The program introduces two levels of safety assurance. Level 1 is based on a self-assessment by the provider, which is verified by an Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL). Level 2 requires an independent evaluation, including functional testing, by such a laboratory.

According to the CSA, the goal is to close the gap between different international cybersecurity standards – through a streamlined certification process and less duplicate verification. Specifically, version 1.1 now covers the cybersecurity requirements of the harmonized standards of the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) as well as the Singapore Cyber Security Labeling Scheme. For manufacturers certifying products across multiple regions, this should significantly reduce the effort and complexity.

The Matter standard extends beyond individual devices

In summary, both announcements point in the same direction: Matter is moving away from individual, isolated devices and focusing more on networked systems, shared networks, and cross-platform rules. NFC setup, Joint Fabric, and coordinated thermostat suggestions address precisely where smart home functionality has been cumbersome in everyday use. For Apple users, these improvements will be accessible via the Home Hubs – and new hardware is on the horizon, as an updated Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini are expected later this year. How quickly these individual features actually reach users now depends on how rapidly platforms and manufacturers implement the new specification. (Image: Shutterstock / Jo Panuwat D)