As announced, the new smart home standard Matter starts today for the Eve smart home system. However, since neither Apple, nor Amazon or Google are ready, Matter-Start will initially be rolled out as part of an early access program.
Matter is available as an upgrade for three previously sold Eve devices in the first phase of the rollout: Eve Motion, Eve Energy and Eve Door & Window. Since Google and Amazon have not yet rolled out Matter support, participation in Eve's Early Access program still requires Apple devices such as an iPhone or iPad and a HomePod mini or an Apple TV 4K (2nd generation/3rd generation). Generation 128 GB) as border routers that are already using the beta version of iOS, iPadOS or tvOS 16.2. Apple only supports Matter with version 16.2 – the final iOS 16.2 could be released tomorrow.
Interested users who meet the requirements can register for the Eve Early Access program via the website evehome.com/de/meet-matter. After individual activation, you will receive a test flight link to install a beta version of the Eve app, which allows you to upgrade the devices to Matter. In principle, anyone can take part in the program, there should not be any restrictions at first.
Matter upgrade for the Eve Smart Home (image: Eve Systems)Create matter QR code in the app
You can then start upgrading the devices in the app. For the upgrade, the HomeKit code must first be scanned again from the device in order to clearly identify it. In the next step, a Matter Setup QR code is created in the app, which the user must save. It will replace the HomeKit code in the future and must be kept safe. The user can either save it on the device, print it out or send it to other devices. In order to ensure that the user does not ignore this step, this matter code must be scanned again in the next step. It must therefore be displayed on a second device or printed out in order to be able to scan it. The actual Matter upgrade then begins, which can take around 10 to 15 minutes.
After the upgrade, the device must be re-integrated into the Eve app the matter code needs to be scanned. The device is now re-added as a Matter device. Eve takes over all the data from the previously set up device and also tries to restore all scenes and automations in which the device was integrated before the upgrade.
No way back
It's important to know that upgrading to Matter is a one-way street. Devices that have been upgraded cannot be downgraded afterwards, although this shouldn't be necessary.
SmartThings for Android
After the upgrade, the SmartThings app can also be used on an Android smartphone to control the three Eve devices. However, this requires a SmartThings Hub v3. Eve describes the details in a support entry on using SmartThings.
How long the Early Access phase will last has not yet been determined. This certainly depends on the one hand on the feedback from the users, but on the other hand also on the schedule of the major manufacturers such as Apple, Google and Amazon. Eve plans to continue releasing an Android app early next year to go beyond just supporting Apple.
With Matter Code in Q1 2023 in stores
Eve devices with Matter firmware preinstalled at the factory, thus not requiring an iOS device for setup, will be available in stores during the first quarter of 2023. They are identified by a corresponding imprint and then also have the necessary Matter QR code for setup.