Does Google Home Support Matter?

One of the promises and appeals of Matter devies is that they're compatible with all of the major smart home ecosystems. Whether you prefer Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, or Home Assistant, they're all compatible. As is Google Home.

Google Home supports Matter devices

Google announced support for the Matter protocol in 2022. You can still read the announcement on Google's blog, The Keyword.

Google is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the organization behind Matter.

While Google Home is compatible with the Matter standard, that doesn't mean it works with all Matter devices or supports all of Matter's features. Google is currently the furthest behind, supporting fewer devices than Samsung, Amazon, and Apple. This is because Google Home is still stuck on version 1.0 of the Matter spec, according to Google's Developer Center. The current version of Matter is 1.4. This means certain products, like dishwashers and air purifiers, won't work in Google Home since they weren't yet supported in version 1.0 of Matter.

In addition to Matter, Google Home also supports Thread. Currently, there are only a few Matter over Thread accessories, as most Matter devices communicate over Wi-Fi, but many also work using a Thread mesh network, reducing the burden on your internet router.

You need a hub

If your heart is set on using Google Home with Matter, you first need a compatible hub. 

Many Nest devices can serve as hubs. If you have a Nest Hub, you can use it as your hub for Matter devices. If you have a Nest Mini, you're all set. Nest thermostats and smoke alarms? That's a different story. The Nest thermostat is a Matter device you can control, but it isn't a hub for others to connect to. The same is true for Nest smoke alarms.

Some non-Nest devices also serve as hubs. The Google TV Streamer can, as long as its the newer 4K model and not the original. Some third-party TVs with Google TV and Google Home can also double as hubs, but you'll need to check your TV's specifications to be sure. Google doesn't provide a list.

Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

A smart display with a 7-inch touchscreen, enhanced audio, and Google Assistant, designed for hands-free help, smart home management, and multimedia experiences.

Buy at Amazon US for $128.89

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You can manage devices using the Google Home app

If you own an Android phone and haven't removed any of the preinstalled apps, then there's a good chance you already have the Google Home app (iPhone users can download Google Home from the Apple App Store). Open the app to add your devices, control them remotely, and create automated schedules.

You can also control Google Home using your voice, which is why smart speakers like the Nest Audio and Nest Mini . This was originally handled by Google Assistant, but that functionality is being shifted to Google Gemini instead.

Nest Audio

A powerful smart speaker with a 3" woofer, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and Google Assistant for hands-free music streaming and smart home control.

Buy at Amazon US for $69.95

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Use both Matter and Google Home-specific products simultaneously

When you go to the store, many products will have a "Works With Google Home" badge. Some will have the "Matter" logo. Many will say both. When purchasing products for your smart home, you can buy either type and control them from Google Home.

Just be aware that only those products that explicitly support Matter are truly platform agnostic. Some non-Matter smart devices may work with only Google Home and Amazon Alexa, but lack compatibility with Apple HomeKit or Samsung SmartThings.

As a Google Home user, you can set up schedules and automations using either type of product. You may encounter more extensive functionality from devices designed explicitly for Google Home, since Matter devices only surface features common to all devices across a product category and not any functionality specific to one device. Often, though, these kind of features tend to be tucked away inside a separate companion app instead.

If you have many Google products, it can be worth giving Google Home ago. This does not mean you're limited to Google Home just because you have a Google Pixel phone or tablet. Unless you have numerous devices that explicitly only work with Google, you can install either Home Assistant or Samsung SmartThings to take advantage of more current versions of Matter and have access to a wider range of devices.