Major Matter device vendor Aqara recently released new firmware for its Door and Window Sensor P2 and Motion and Light Sensor P2, upgrading them to the Matter 1.4 specification and adding several new features.
These two devices are early entries in Aqara’s Matter-native product line, distinct from its dual-protocol Zigbee and Thread products. The update is significant, jumping several specification versions at once, which is expected to bring major improvements to performance, battery life, and stability.
What the update includesh
The Motion and Light Sensor P2 will receive firmware version 1.0.3.0. This updates the device from the original Matter 1.0 specification all the way to the recent major version, 1.4, bringing tons of underlying optimizations.
In addition to these foundational improvements, the sensor will now support sensitivity tuning and delay time settings via Matter. For now, these new controls are only accessible through the Aqara app, as other major platforms have yet to implement support for these specific Matter features. However, Home Assistant is expected to introduce support for the delay time soon via the OccupancySensing cluster’s HoldTime attribute. According to a pull request on Home Assistant’s GitHub repository, this attribute will “specify the time delay, in seconds, before the sensor changes to its unoccupied state after the last detection of occupancy in the sensed area”.
Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2
The Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2, a contact sensor, is a key component of the Aqara smart home ecosystem, offering compatibility with the Matter protocol, enabling seamless integration and control within your smart home network.
The Door and Window Sensor P2 is expected to receive firmware version 1.0.2.0. An Aqara spokesperson confirmed to Matter Alpha that the sensor will be updated to Matter 1.4 but did not provide details about other features the firmware might include. The beta firmware from Test Nest shows it adds sensitivity options like the PIR sensor via Matter. Home Assistant will soon add support for this feature, community contributor @lboue told Matter Alpha.
How to update
Currently, you will need an Aqara hub and the Aqara app to update the two sensors. If you prefer to receive updates natively through your primary Matter platform, it’s recommended that you wait for the firmware to be deployed there.
Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2
The Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2, part number AS057, is a unique component of the Aqara smart home ecosystem, offering compatibility with the Matter protocol, and providing seamless integration with popular virtual assistants for enhanced home automation.
However, I noticed a 1.0.3.1 beta firmware for Motion and Light Sensor P2 and 1.0.2.0 firmware for Window and Door Sensor P2 are on the Test Net DCL and arewas able to update my sensors via Apple Home. The features for Motion and Light Sensor P2 appear to be the same as the official release, with new clusters available as described in the changelog and accessible via the Aqara app.
Using Test Net firmware is not generally recommended, even though it worked for my units. Aqara has stated that the official firmware for both sensors will be available to all users within the next two to three weeks.
You can learn more about these smart home devices in our reviews of the Door and Window Sensor P2 and Motion and Light Sensor P2.
(Source: Aqara, GitHub; Image Source: Matter Alpha/Ward Zhou, Aqara, @lboue)
