This matters Matter update may finally take the tedium out of setting up your smart home Matter is taking care of a few common smart home headaches. Ryan Whitwam – May 7, 2025 4:21 pm | 35 Credit: Connectivity Standards Alliance Credit: Connectivity Standards Alliance Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more There is no product category that better embodies the XKCD take on standards than smart home. With an ocean of connectivity options and incompatible standards, taming this mess has been challenging, but Matter could finally have a shot at making things a little less frustrating. The latest version of the standard has launched, offering multiple ways to streamline the usually aggravating setup process. The first public release of Matter was in late 2022, but compatible systems didn't get support until the following year. Now, there are Matter-certified devices like smart bulbs and sensors that will talk to Apple, Google, Amazon, and other smart home platforms. Matter 1.4.1 includes support for multi-device QR codes, NFC connection, and integrated terms and conditions—all of these have the potential to eliminate some very real smart home headaches. It's common for retailers to offer multi-packs of devices like light bulbs or smart plugs. That can save you some money, but setting up all those devices is tedious. With Matter 1.4.1, it might be much easier thanks to multi-device QR codes. Manufacturers can now include a QR code in the package that will pair all the included devices with your smart home system when scanned. QR codes will still appear on individual devices for pairing, but it might not always be a QR code going forward. The new Matter also gives manufacturers the option of embedding NFC tags inside smart home gadgets. So all you have to do to add them to your system is tap your phone. That will be nice if you need to pair a device after it's been installed somewhere that obscures the visible code. Left: The way Matter supporters want the smart home to work. Right: The way it still works, sadly. Credit: Connectivity Standards Alliance Left: The way Matter supporters want the smart home to work. Right: The way it still works, sadly. Credit: Connectivity Standards Alliance The last change revamps how users interact with a device's terms and conditions, but don't underestimate this. The new "Enhanced Setup Flow" has the option to display the OEM's terms and conditions, which you probably don't care about. Still, for legal reasons, every company shoves that document in your face. By integrating that with Matter setup, it saves you from being kicked to another app to review the terms, which can screw up the pairing process. The value proposition of many smart home devices has always been suspect. It's really not that difficult to use a light switch or a regular deadbolt. The smart alternatives do offer useful functionality, but they cost more, and managing devices is a pain. More than a few speed bumps and you may miss your dumb home. With these changes to onboarding, Matter is one step closer to eliminating those pain points. However, companies have to start producing new devices with Matter 1.4.1 before you can enjoy the benefits. The good news is that, after some early hesitation, Matter support is picking up steam. Ryan Whitwam Senior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam Senior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 35 Comments