How to Connect Zigbee Devices to Any Smart Home Ecosystem with Matter
2 days ago • 5 min read
Zigbee devices are among the most popular smart home products, but many people wonder whether they can be used with Matter and across ecosystems like Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. The answer is Yes! but usually through a Matter-compatible bridge or hub rather than directly.
This guide explains how it works and how to connect your Zigbee devices to multiple smart home ecosystems.
What to know?
Matter acts as the universal language for your smart home and IoT devices. This protocol is an open-source standard that enhances compatibility and security using Internet Protocol (IP).
ZigBee is specially designed for home automation projects. It is simply a wireless communication protocol. If you’re seeking a simple and cost-effective solution to your low-power devices, this is a perfect solution.
What You'll Need?
Before getting started, make sure you have:
- A Matter-compatible controller or hub
- A compatible Zigbee hub or Matter Bridge
- Your Zigbee smart device
- A smartphone or tablet
- Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa installed
- The latest firmware on your devices
Matter-Supported Smart Controllers
Stepping into the smart home evaluation, it is important to know about smart home controllers. Exited?
This article will be more suit for you!
Nethmini Bandara
What are the best ZigBee Matter Hubs?
Zemismart Matter Smart Home Hub
Zemismart Matter ZigBee Hub supports multi-protocol such as Tuya Zigbee standard and Thread devices. Using this Matter ZigBee Hub, you're able to control your Tuya devices anytime with the Tuya App/ Smart Life App, Apple Home App, Amazon Alexa App, and Google Home App.
More Products
This Aqara Hub M2 helps you to make your Aqara devices compatible with a wide range of smart home ecosystems and voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and more. It is equipped with a built-in speaker that can be used in Security Alerts, Doorbells, Alarm Clock, and Configurable Ringtones.
How to add ZigBee Matter devices to Alexa?
- First, you need to make sure your Amazon Alexa Hub is compatible with Matter.
- Then, you need to put your ZigBee Matter-enabled device into pairing mode.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Integrate the devices into the ecosystem:
Select devices > Click Plus mark > Select Add device > Click other > select > Matter > Tap Yes > Click Scan QR code > Next > Tap Settings > Add your network > Select Next > Then, click Skip > Done.
Click on the settings > Other Assistant and Apps > Add another > Copy > Done.
How to add ZigBee Matter devices to Google?
- First, you need to make sure that your Google Home Hub is compatible with Matter.
- Then you need to put ZigBee’s Matter-enabled device into pairing mode.
- Open the Google Home App
- Integrate the device into another ecosystem:
Add > New device > Choose a Home > Next > continue > I agree > Done > Next > Select device.
Click on the Settings > Linked Matter apps and services > Use pairing code.
Do you need to know about the process of Matter-Google Home integration? Check On How to Add a Matter Smart Home Device to Google Home
How to add ZigBee Matter-enabled devices to Apple Home?
- First you need to check Apple Home Hub compatibility.
- Then, you need to put ZigBee’s Matter-enabled device into pairing mode.
- Open the Apple Home App
- Integrate the device into another ecosystem:
Select Plus mark > Add or scan accessory > Add to “Apple Home” > Select location > Continue > Select Display as .. > Continue > Done
Settings > Turn on paring mode > Copy code
Need to know how to add any Matter device to Apple HomeKit? Check on How to Add any Matter Smart Device to Apple HomeKit.
Also, you know! Govee smart devices are now compatible with matter.
What do I need to control Matter Devices?
- Matter Controller (Matter Hub)
- Matter Commissioner
- Matter Bridge
- ZigBee Matter Devices
Support multi-protocol: M1 Matter smart home hub supports Tuya ZigBee standard and Thread devices. To make more devices work on a Matter-certified system. (Matter border router is required for the Matter system.)
Supports Multi-Platform: It allows Tuya ZigBee standard devices to function on third-party platforms, such as Google Home and HomeKit. You can share the Tuya app's QR code with these platforms, enabling control across multiple platforms.
APP Remote Control: Control your Tuya ZigBee devices anytime and anywhere with the Tuya App/Smart Life App /Home/Google Home App.
Voice Control: After Thread & ZigBee devices connect to the gateway, support voice control via Siri and Google Home.
Drive into How to set up a smart home with Matter to get information on how to connect Matter Smart Home correctly!
Matter vs. ZigBee
| Feature | Matter | Zigbee |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Universal smart home standard | Wireless communication protocol |
| Uses IP Networking | Yes | No |
| Cross-platform compatibility | Excellent | Depends on hub |
| Apple Home support | Native | Via compatible bridge |
| Google Home support | Native | Via compatible bridge |
| Amazon Alexa support | Native | Via compatible bridge |
| Requires a controller | Yes | Usually requires a coordinator or hub |
Conclusion
Matter does not replace Zigbee instead, it helps connect Zigbee ecosystems with major smart home platforms. By using a compatible Matter Bridge or hub, many Zigbee devices can be controlled through Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and other Matter-enabled ecosystems.
If you're building a future-proof smart home, investing in a high-quality Matter-compatible Zigbee hub is one of the best ways to maximize compatibility while preserving your existing devices.
FAQs
No. The Matter hasn’t replaced the ZigBee protocol. Matter enables communication between devices using the IP.
There’s no direct compatibility between ZigBee and Matter. But you can connect ZigBee devices to Matter with a bridge or gateway device. Any Matter-compatible devices work with the ZigBee without the need for an additional bridge.
The answer is no, Matter does not support ZigBee natively. You’ll need a Matter Bridge to convert any protocol to Matter like Hue Bridge.
Yes, if you have a Matter device, it can be interoperable with other smart home protocols like ZigBee and Z-wave.
Nope, Matter doesn’t replace the ZigBee smart home protocol. It enables more interpretability.
