The "Matter" standard arrived with a splash several years ago, full of promises to unite the smart home world and fix all (okay, not quite all) our problems. The protocol was formed from a consortium of hundreds of brands, notably top smart home companies like Google, Amazon and Apple. They wanted a communication standard -- plus a new, safe connection protocol, called Thread -- that would reinvent the smart home and usher in universal compatibility.
Matter and Thread tried, but the odds against the new standards have been steep. Far more complex than a standard like Bluetooth, Matter is much like a vast treaty slowly built up between warring manufacturers, with loads of fine print and more than a few knots still left. That means progress has been slow, as have the results you can actually see.
So, where are we in 2025? Matter is still flailing in many areas, and it's time for a much-needed shot of adrenaline. Fortunately, its creators appear to know that. But there's a lot of work to do. Here are key areas Matter needs to evolve, ASAP, if it wants to impress smart device users.
Read more: One Tiny iPhone Feature Shows Apple's Big Plans for Your Smart Home
Fix patchy or limited compatibility across brands
Matter hasn't fulfilled its core promises, and manufacturers need to start stepping up.
Matter promises broad compatibility, which means you could pick up a Matter device and choose whether you want to control it with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa or a similar tool. That's great news, but the details often disappoint.
Today, you could pick up a Matter-enabled device and find it works with Google and Amazon, but not Apple -- or vice-versa. You'll have to read the details to know what to expect. Or you may find the some features work with Google Home/Assistant, but aren't available on Apple Home/Siri. Or that the device's own app enables settings or features that you can't find on any of the "universal" apps.
That sizable mess has already eroded a lot of trust in Matter for users. In 2025, Matter and its adopters need to work much harder at making features truly universal across apps. Matter's continuing updates (plus the changes we're discussing below) are helping, but individual manufacturers need to stop waffling and put in the work.
Move away from limited Thread Border Routers
Nest Hub with Google Home Devices.
Thread is an excellent networking protocol, like a more advanced version of ZigBee that improves security and even saves on energy use. But again, adoption has been slow and companies have relied on a variety of workarounds in the Matter "Fabric," a.k.a. a messy continuum where all Matter devices in a home exist. One of the most popular options is a Thread Border Router, usually built into a compatible hub like an Amazon Echo device, Eero device, HomePod, Nest Hub and so on. But not everyone has these devices in their homes, and not all manufacturers want to support them for Thread connections.
What we need are Thread connections that don't rely on Thread Border Routers in a handful of hubs. Fortunately, we're starting to see answers appear, like Apple's and Google's adoption of Thread radio frequency support in phones, so they can connect to Thread devices directly without needing a hub.
Another promising option is the full embrace of Thread by Wi-Fi routers. While not everyone has or wants a separate hub, everyone has a Wi-Fi router, effectively securing Thread connections for the whole house without jumping through hoops. A few routers have built-in Thread support, like the Eero Pro 6E and Nest Wifi Pro, but it's time for that support to spread.
Easier Matter and Thread updates for manufacturers
Matter has finally started making it easier for companies like smart lock brands to add support, but it should have happened much sooner.
Compatibility with Matter and Thread can be tedious and expensive for manufacturers. And if they want to release a new version of their apps, they usually have to go through the certification process again -- or at least, they did.
At the beginning of 2025, the CSA, or Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group in charge of Matter), announced that it would be making testing, approval and certification processes both easier and cheaper, while cutting down on how often certification would have to be redone. It's frustrating that these key changes took so long, but they're here -- and now manufacturers have the opportunity to more confidently embrace Matter investment.
Get the 'Big Three' to adopt enhanced multi-admin support
Matter has made it easier to switch between platforms on the fly, but big brands haven't enable it yet.
The Big Three are, of course, Google, Amazon and Apple, which spearhead the push for Matter. But they can struggle too, and one notable issue is trying to use devices in a multi-admin setup. In other words, switching between apps like Alexa and Apple Home or the device's own brand app on the fly, using whatever method you want. Usually, this brings operations to a screeching halt as devices require all-new authentication steps when trying to jump platforms.
Matter 1.4 addressed this with enhanced multi-admin features, including the ability to seamlessly hop to the platform of your choice and have all devices get automatic approval. It's a neat trick and important to for Matter's continued success, but adoption has been slow, especially for the Big Three. 2025 is the time to change that.
More support for smart home devices (especially cameras)
Home cameras have proven too complex for Matter so far.
Matter still hasn't arrived for some smart home devices at all, notably security cameras, video doorbells and any other video capabilities devices may have. The standard has been promising camera support for some time, but home cam technology is complex and fickle from one brand to another. Attempts to add camera support remain ongoing, but I'd sure like to see it sometime this year.
As we look for Matter to prove itself this year, you should look at the top home security systems that work with what you have, how to cut down on annoying smart alerts and the worst spots you should never put a security camera.