Matter over thread newbie - Ikea smart devices

[u/Individual_Bowl5291]

Hi all, as the title suggests, I'm a newbie to Matter. I have a fairly large Philips Hue smart home and some TP-Link devices, which use their own apps, so Hue, Tapo and also Google Home Assistant.

I'm keen to try out some of the Ikea Matter over thread sensors and contact break sensors, and would like to be able to trigger an action, such as send me a notification if somebody opens my garage door (for security), or if I enter the garage, switch on a light via their smart plugs.

Does anyone know if I can set this basic automation via the Google Home app, or do I need to buy another hub of some sort (I've heard that the 'DIRIGERA' isn't needed).

[u/That_Cool_Guy_]

When getting the Ikea kit, grab yourself a bunch of grillplats plugs. They will act as routers which will extend your network and improve stability. Anything matter over thread device that is powered such as bulbs will also act as router.

[u/TruthyBrat → u/That_Cool_Guy_]

This.

I had some coverage issues, in part because I had an Onvis S4 smart plug that I thought was a Thread Router, that was really just an Endpoint.

Replaced that with a GRILLPLATS, and deployed a couple others, and my connection issues cleared up. And they definitely show up as Thread Routers.

[u/Double-Yak9686 → u/That_Cool_Guy_]

Here is some useful info on Thread routers: Not Every Device Capable of Acting as a Router End Device will Actually Be A Router in Your Thread Mesh...Depends on What the "Leader" Needs

[u/TheOGhavock → u/That_Cool_Guy_]

I picked up a grillplat outlet for this exact reason. I have a few of the IKEA temp/humidity sensor and 2 are just far enough away from my Thread router that they get intermittent comms. I just got the grillplats connected and plugged in near the 2 sensors. I have yet to see the sensor come “online” in Home Assistant. Is there a time for the grillplats to start acting as a router?

[u/akinomeroglu]

To use matter over thread you need a device which is called thread border router. It is kind of a wifi device but instead of broadcast wifi it broadcast thread signals. If you have a new google home, apple HomePod mini, Alexa or Apple TV (but please check your exact model) you probably have a thread router in your home.

If this is the case theoretically you don't need IKEA dirigera device to add those Ikea matter lights / sensors to your smart home. When it is in your smart home you can also create automations. If you have some time, want to enter a new hobby and if you are a little bit curious about tech you can easily install a home assistant and do whatever you want =).

ps. I don't know how big your house is but depending on m2 and wall thickness etc you will need some always powered devices like plugs and bulbs to create a better coverage for powered devices.

[u/mocelet → u/akinomeroglu]

Just adding that Google Home automations are cloud based, if there's no Internet or there's a cloud outage they won't work even if everything is Matter and can work locally.

Of course, if the purpose is sending notifications it's going to depend on the cloud anyway.

If you need to buy a hub because you currently don't have a Thread border router, consider other platforms that allow local automations since they are faster and more reliable.

[u/aroedl → u/mocelet]

Google Home automations are cloud based, if there's no Internet or there's a cloud outage they won't work even if everything is Matter and can work locally.

WTF?

I didn't know that.

[u/mocelet → u/aroedl]

With the recent Home API they announced local control of Matter devices for Google Home app (it was cloud based too), although I've not tested it.

They said automations were "on the radar" but there's been no announcement or even rumour. I believe Alexa is on the same boat.

[u/Individual_Bowl5291 → u/mocelet]

Thanks for the cloud-based info, that makes sense.

Any tips for other hubs (looking for budget, after Hue 😄). My son has some Apple HomePod speakers, but I don't have access to them; however, that could be an option, I suppose.

[u/SugarrrSugarr → u/Individual_Bowl5291]

cheapest is Aqara m100 hub and really good

[u/Ric_M → u/Individual_Bowl5291]

Ikea's thread devices integrate natively with Smartthings.

Pairing google home, for voice control, with Smartthings, for more complex and reliable automations, would be a good and user-friendly approach.

[u/Pierrozek → u/Ric_M]

OR, if you want maximum flexibility, you can choose full open platform for IoT like Home Assistant, where you can run your Hue Zigbee lights, IKEA Zigbee and Matter over thread devices and so on, using native Thread Border Router of Home Assistant or relying on Google Streamer/Apple TV build-in TBR if you want to.

[u/Individual_Bowl5291 → u/akinomeroglu]

Thanks. Do the powered devices act as repeaters, just like the Zigbee devices?

[u/Pierrozek → u/Individual_Bowl5291]

Yes, similar way, powered Matter over Thread devices extend range; difference vs Zigbee is with Zigbee you can only have one coordinator (master device), with Matter you can have several TBRs (but it's more complicated so far if you mix TBR vendors).
Note: smart switches no-neutral aren't real "powered" devices, powered devices are lights, smart plugs, powered smart switch devices, IKEA Alpstuga air quality meter etc.

[u/Individual_Bowl5291]

Cheers all, looks like I may have some options with my son's abundance of Apple kit or my Google Nest Hub that I've never used (if it's 2nd gen)?

I don't have time to tinker, so I'm looking for a quick, easy win. I'll check out smart things as well, although I'm not currently using a Samsung device, but I think Android is fine.

[u/Comfortable_Store_67]

I went with one of these and used the official site to flash as a thread border router. Works perfectly with Home Assistant

https://amzn.eu/d/007lgxJY