Smart home platform Homey has added over-the-air firmware updates for Matter devices, allowing users to update supported products directly without returning to a manufacturer’s app or hub.
The feature pulls approved firmware information through the Connectivity Standards Alliance’s Distributed Compliance Ledger, or DCL. Homey joins platforms including Apple Home, SmartThings, and Home Assistant in supporting Matter OTA updates directly.
Matter updates without another app
Matter defines a standard way for manufacturers to distribute firmware and for controllers to update devices. The DCL provides the trusted information needed to locate and verify available software releases.
There is another important part to this process. Firmware distributed through Matter OTA follows the Alliance’s compliance requirements, helping ensure that an update has gone through the required Matter testing and certification process rather than changing the certified implementation outside that procedure.
Eve Energy
Eve Energy is a smart plug that allows you to control your home appliances with your voice or an app, supports Matter for cross-platform control, ensures privacy with local connectivity, and enhances your smart home network's stability and reach with cutting-edge Thread technology.
Eve Energy (U.K.)
The Eve Energy (U.K.) is a smart plug that supports Matter for enhanced device compatibility and utilizes Thread technology for improved energy efficiency and connectivity.
GRILLPLATS Smart Plug
A smart Matter over Thread plug with power meter support.
However, Homey’s support does not mean every Matter device will suddenly receive its latest firmware this way. It still depends on how each manufacturer distributes updates. Device makers such as IKEA and Eve regularly make updates available through Matter’s OTA infrastructure, while things can get trickier with brands such as Aqara. Some manufacturers continue to deliver certain firmware exclusively through their own apps instead of publishing it for Matter OTA through the DCL.
For users, the more obvious benefit is convenience. A Matter device can remain managed through Homey without requiring its vendor app or gateway just to receive firmware fixes or new features.
I tested the feature on a Homey Pro 2023 with an IKEA BILRESA remote. A new firmware update option appears under the device’s advanced settings, where Homey can manually check for and start an available update.
BILRESA scroll wheel
A tactile scroll-wheel remote that lets you adjust light brightness, colour, and scenes with a simple turn or press.
Homey Pro (2026)
Homey Pro (2026) is a local-first smart home hub that unifies seven wireless technologies into a single, powerful controller for advanced home automation.
The experience also accounts for battery-powered devices. Homey asked me to wake the BILRESA before starting the update and, more importantly, showed the specific method needed to do so.
That small detail is useful because wake-up procedures vary considerably between devices. Users do not need to search for the right button combination or procedure before an update can begin.
Once started, Homey handles the firmware delivery, tracks its progress and shows errors occurred during the update.
Zigbee and Z-Wave get updates too
The new update system is not limited to Matter.
Homey has added OTA support for Zigbee and Z-Wave devices as well, although the way firmware reaches Homey is different. Instead of using Matter’s DCL, updates for these devices are provided through each manufacturer’s integration in the Homey App Store.
IKEA, Aeotec, INNR, Niko, Inovelli, Zooz, frient, ThirdReality, EcoDim, HeatIt, Namron, amina, CTM Lyng, and Nous already support the feature, with more manufacturers expected to follow.
Matter has an advantage here because manufacturers do not need to modify their Homey apps to participate. Homey can use Matter’s standardized OTA mechanism and retrieve available updates through the DCL.
That is one of the less visible benefits of Matter becoming more mature. A third-party platform can increasingly handle not only basic device controls, but also maintenance that previously required the manufacturer’s own ecosystem.
How to get this update
The feature requires Homey Pro (2023-2026), Homey Pro mini, or Homey Self-Hosted Server version 13.2.0 or later and Homey Mobile App version 9.10.0 or later. Firmware updates can also be initiated through the Homey Web App.
(Source: Homey; Image: Matter Alpha/Ward Zhou)
