Matter Glossary
Demystifying the smart home, one term at a time.
Think of the Administrator as the manager or brain of your smart home network. It’s the device or app (like your hub or phone app) that sets up the rules and security permissions for all your Matter devices.
This is also the Admin referenced by Matter’s “Multi-Admin” feature, enabling your devices to be managed by multiple operating systems and apps.
The app or hardware (like a phone, tablet, or smart display) you use to start the simple joining process for a new Matter device.
This is a Thread device (like a sensor or small button) that runs on batteries. It saves power by staying “asleep” until you need it, which gives it long battery life. Because it’s sleeping most of the time, it can’t help extend the Thread network range.
Devices that act as Matter Bridges translate existing smart home language (like Zigbee or Z-Wave) into the new Matter language. This allows your existing smart devices to join your new Matter network, so you don’t have to replace them. This may be a dedicated device, or integrated into other devices like hubs or gateways.
This is the device or app that you use to control your Matter devices. This function is often built into smart home hubs, phones, or smart speakers.
A full smart home system offered by a brand, such as Google Home, Apple Home, or Amazon Alexa, that is designed to connect to and control Matter devices from many different companies.
This is a high level of security that protects your device data while being transmitted between devices. It ensures that only the devices sending and receiving the information can read it, helping to keep your home data private and protected.
A central device that connects and allows your smart devices to work together. In a Matter home, a Hub usually serves as your Matter Controller and is often built into other devices like smart speakers or displays. A hub also sometimes doubles up as a Thread Border Router.
This is the fundamental technology that powers the entire internet. Matter uses IP as its backbone so that all your devices – no matter if they use Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Thread – can speak the same language over one single home network.
The state a Matter device is in when it is ready to be connected or “discovered” by your Matter app or Administrator. This is part of the setup process for a new Matter device.
Simply put: responsiveness. Low latency means there is very little delay, so when you give a command, your smart light turns on instantly.
This is a Thread device (like a smart plug or light) that is always plugged into power. Because it’s constantly on, it can act like a signal booster or repeater, helping the Thread mesh network reach farther into every corner of your home.
The company or brand that made and sold your Matter device.
A software-based Matter Controller that allows you to set up, manage, and interact with Matter devices. Like other Matter Controllers, devices can be shared to or from a Matter App using Matter Multi-Admin.
A smart home product (like a light, lock, or sensor) that uses the Matter standard and can be connected and controlled by your Matter Controller.
The type of network created by Thread devices. Some devices act as a relay, passing the signal from one to the next. Also, there can be multiple routes towards the destination. This makes the network stronger, extends the wireless coverage, and makes it more reliable.
The wireless (Wi-Fi, Thread) or wired (Ethernet) connections in your home that allow your Matter devices to connect with each other and with your Administrator/Controller.
A small chip or label on a device that holds the setup information. You can simply tap your phone during the setup process as an alternative to scanning a QR code or inputting the numeric code to securely add the device to your smart home.
A smart home device that does not use Matter, but could be connected to your Matter network using a Matter Bridge.
An 11 or 21-digit number found on your Matter device or packaging. You can enter this code to securely add a new device to your smart home.
A square, patterned code found on your Matter device or packaging. You can scan it with your phone’s camera to quickly and securely add the device to your smart home.
A feature of the Thread network that means if one device stops working or goes offline, the network automatically and instantly reroutes the signal through other devices. This ensures you never notice an interruption.
The easy and secure process of connecting a new Matter device to your smart home network for the first time. This typically is started by scanning the QR Setup code, irrespective of the ecosystem you use.
The unique code or label (containing a numeric code, and often also a QR code or NFC tag) found on every Matter device that you use to securely and consistently add it to your smart home network.
A wireless network technology designed specifically for small, battery-powered devices (like sensors or locks). It creates a reliable, self-healing mesh network and connects to your home network through a Thread Border Router.
This is the device that connects your Thread devices (like sensors) to your main home network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). It is essential for a Thread device to connect to your home network and/or the internet. This function is usually built right into devices like hubs, smart speakers, smart displays, TVs, or Wi-Fi routers.
A Thread device that is plugged into a power source (mains/AC power). It repeats the Thread signal to help the network reach farther corners of your home, making your network stronger and more reliable as you add more of these devices.