Can Matter be Integrated into Garage Door Openers?

The smart home is gradually moving out of the house and into other parts of your property. Exterior lighting was the first step, then gardens. But what about your garage? Can Matter work with your garage door?

Sure, you can use lighting and motion sensors in your garage, but can these be used in conjunction with a smart garage door opening system via Matter?

Matter vs. the Garage Door

If you’re familiar with garage door automation systems but not aware of Matter, it’s time to get up to speed. Launched by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) in 2022, Matter is a smart home platform that builds upon other systems like Zigbee, and uses Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Thread, and Bluetooth for connectivity.

The main aim for Matter is interoperability and compatibility; you should be able to control smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) devices by one manufacturer using the devices of another. Or create cross-manufacturer automations, perhaps.

Using a suitable hub device (and perhaps a Matter bridge), the Matter smart home should be easier to setup. Devices can be enrolled more easily, and the smart home is more secure and private using Matter than with other platforms.

Currently, Matter is up to version 1.4, and while the number of smart home items that are covered by it have been increased, control over some features is limited. Nevertheless, it is a platform that many major smart home electronics manufacturers are invested in, and is likely to improve with each successive version.

As for smart garage doors, having a system that you can control, configure, and automate using Matter would make like even easier. So, can Matter be used with garage doors? Is there a Matter compatible garage door opener?

Garage Door Openers and Smart Homes

Garage doors can still be operated using an in-car remote. But increasingly, these mechanical devices are being incorporated into the smart home environment. The first step, unsurprisingly, was a Wi-Fi-connected app, and more recently, garage door openers have included compatibility with smart home ecosystems like Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. These support app controls along with voice activation, automated routines (such as switching on the garage lights as the door opens), and remote access and monitoring.

Beyond the smart features, garage door openers also offer fail-safe features. For example, sensors for detecting obstructions (and automated notifications linked to them), and small batteries to enable continuous functioning during a power outage.

Can Garage Door Openers Work With Matter?

Clearly, the advantages of a smart garage door opener are considerable. Once installed, you can save time, manage your vehicle and property’s safety, and potentially even integrate with useful automated routines.

But can you do this with Matter?

While these devices are available for smart home ecosystems that you know and love, there is no Matter support for garage door openers as of Matter 1.4

At this stage, it probably isn’t a huge surprise. Integrating Matter into most systems has proved challenging, with hardware compatibility and firmware updates a common stumbling block. There is also the issue of whether the device has the necessary hardware for secure communication. That’s before interoperability with existing smart home kit can even be considered.

Matter is contributing to greater development within the smart home industry, but it is slower than many would like.

What Garage Door Openers Might Support Matter?

Although there is no Matter support for garage door opening systems at the time of writing, a couple of devices are available with one eye on interoperability.

Aqara Smart Garage Kit

Strictly speaking, this isn’t a Matter garage door opener, but it is Matter compatible, and it does open garage doors. The Aqara Smart Garage Kit was announced at IFA 2024 and includes the Aqara Dual Relay Module T2, Aqara Door and Window Sensor T1, and the Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro. While the latter item is awaiting a Matter upgrade, the Aqara Dual Relay Module T2 and the sensors are Matter-ready.

So, the relay module can be used to control an existing garage door opener, retrofitting it with Matter-enabled connectivity. Incorporate door and window sensors, and you have a garage that can be remotely managed.

ismartgate Pro

Also available is the ismartgate range of garage door openers. These systems are already compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Home, along with IFTTT. While at this time there is no Matter compatibility, it is understood that the ismartgate garage door openers are ready to be upgraded as soon as the specification adds garage doors.

Other smart garage door openers with Matter are believed to be in development, pending addition of the device category to the Matter specification.

Garage Door Opening Systems Will Matter

If you own a garage, and park your car within, then having a remote-controlled opening system is a smart option. A basic system is good, but a smart one is better. At the time of writing, smart garage door opening systems are limited to standard smart home ecosystems, with no overarching support via Matter.

However, at least two manufacturers are planning for a future upgrade to add Matter support. Additionally, garage door opening systems are on the Matter roadmap. At some point, Matter-compatible smart garage door opening units will be available.

It isn’t so much a case of if, but when. Until then, there is plenty you can do with Matter equipment in your garden.