Achieving HomeKit compatibility for smart home devices has become significantly easier. Apple has decided to accept Matter certification for all new products, eliminating the need for additional testing to obtain the Works With Apple Home badge.
Though the initial intention was for Matter support to imply automatic compatibility with HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings, the reality was not always as straightforward …
Understanding the Matter Standard: Theory vs. Practice
Before the advent of the Matter standard, every smart home device required separate compatibility validation with each of the leading smart home platforms it aimed to support.
Manufacturers needed to submit requests to Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung, and then send their products for individual testing by each entity. This approach considerably increased both the time and costs involved in product development.
The Matter standard was designed to change this landscape. With all major platforms backing it, a device certified as Matter-compatible would inherently also be recognized as compatible with Apple’s HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.
However, in practice, none of the smart home platforms took this for granted. Each still required products to undergo their own testing processes before they could earn the Works With badge.
Assurance of HomeKit Compatibility
Now, Apple has accepted Matter certification as sufficient proof of HomeKit compatibility without the necessity for extra testing. If a product successfully completes all Matter evaluations, Apple will permit its use of the Works With Apple Home badge.
This development was announced by the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
A central aspect of many Matter device manufacturers’ market entry strategies involves achieving major smart home ecosystems’ “Works With” certifications and badges. Historically, such programs required manufacturers to complete the Alliance’s certification procedure and subsequently engage in entirely separate testing for each “Works With” ecosystem.
Recognizing the pressing need for a more efficient end-to-end certification process, the Alliance is pleased to report that Apple has begun accepting Alliance Interop Lab test results for Matter devices for Works With Apple Home. Google and Samsung are expected to follow suit, accepting similar testing results for their respective Works With Google Home, and Works With SmartThings certifications later this year. This further emphasizes the credibility and reliability of the Alliance’s testing initiatives.
The Lab continues to collaborate with other members [including Amazon] to integrate more “Works With” programs.
Streamlined Certification for Upgraded Versions
Another challenge for smart home devices was that software updates for existing products were subjected to the same certification process as the original device, slowing down and increasing the costs of over-the-air upgrades.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance has now established a streamlined procedure, which will only verify that updates maintain the original functionalities.
The FastTrack Recertification Program was launched by the Matter Working Group in November 2024. This updated recertification program simplifies the certification process, greatly reducing costs and administrative burdens for product manufacturers. It allows manufacturers to more easily implement crucial updates to improve their products and utilize the Interop Lab as a “light touch” verification, ensuring that updates do not unintentionally impair functionality or performance when interacting with other popular devices and systems.
Organizations can also obtain certification for conducting their own evaluations using the CSA’s testing suite.
Photo by Patrick Campanale on Unsplash
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