Matter 1.6 Revolutionizes Smart Home: With Joint Fabric, Ecosystems Communicate with Each Other

The Connectivity Standards Alliance announced Matter 1.6 during the Unify event, held in Austin, Texas, from June 16 to 18. This version focuses on commissioning, multi-admin management, and command interpretation, without adding new device categories.

The most immediate novelty for users is the complete NFC-Based Commissioning. Matter 1.4.1 had already introduced NFC as a starting point, but still required Bluetooth LE to complete the setup. In Matter 1.6, the entire process occurs via bidirectional NFC and works even before the device is powered on: a light bulb can be configured before it is screwed into the chandelier, and a wall switch before it is wired into the home network. For large-scale installations, multiple devices can be set up in advance and activated at their final locations, requiring the user only to bring their phone close to the device.

Joint Fabric: One Network, All Ecosystems

The most significant addition in terms of interoperability is Joint Fabric, the evolution of the Enhanced Multi-Admin toolkit introduced in Matter 1.4. This feature allows multiple authorized controllers to co-manage a single shared Matter network: a device added to the network becomes automatically accessible by all participating ecosystems, from Apple Home to Google Home, from Amazon Alexa to Samsung SmartThings, without requiring separate configurations on each platform. The implications for multi-ecosystem interoperability go beyond commissioning: adding a device to the network equates to adding it to all participating ecosystems simultaneously.

Thermostat Suggestions and Other Updates

Matter 1.6 introduces Thermostat Suggestions, a standard that allows ecosystems to send time-sensitive suggestions to thermostats instead of direct commands. The device evaluates the suggestion based on user preferences, recent inputs, and current conditions before deciding whether to apply it; final control remains with the thermostat, not the ecosystem.

Among the more operational additions: the standardization of communication regarding capabilities and limits between ecosystems; security sensors being able to expose an event history in addition to current status; support for the 'unmounted' state in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; and partitioned Certificate Revocation Lists for scalability of the certified pool.

At the same time, the CSA announced Product Security 1.1, which extends the certification program beyond individual devices to cover complete IoT systems: devices, apps, gateways, and remote processes. The program outlines verification in two levels: Level-1 (supplier self-assessment reviewed by an authorized lab) and Level-2 (independent assessment with functional testing). It also covers compliance with the EU Radio Equipment Directive and the Singapore Cyber Security Labeling Scheme.

The Matter 1.6 specification and SDK are now available for device manufacturers, platform developers, and ecosystem partners.