Matter, the premiere smart home interoperability standard, now supports tap-to-pair and multi-device QR code pairing functionality in its latest v1.4.1 release. Unfortunately, the Matter 1.4.1 update does not introduce support for smart cameras or other new device categories.

Tap-to-pair is arguably the most exciting of these new features. Instead of trudging through a lengthy setup process every time you buy a new smart home device (or every time something breaks), you can just bring your phone near the device for streamlined setup. Very few devices contain the NFC hardware required for tap-to-pair functionality, though new and upcoming smart home products could implement this feature with relative ease.

The new multi-device QR code feature builds upon Matter’s existing scan-to-setup process. If you buy a bundled item, such as a four-pack of smart bulbs, you can scan a single QR code to set up multiple devices at once. This might save someone a few minutes of their time, but those minutes add up as you buy more and more smart home gear.

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There’s also a new Enhanced Setup Flow (ESF) system in Matter 1.4.1 that lets you see and accept manufacturer terms and conditions within your smart home app of choice (Google Home, Apple Home, Alexa, etc). In other words, you won’t be kicked over to a manufacturer’s app every time you set up a new smart home device. That said, the ESF system will primarily serve customers in the EU where data collection and digital consent laws are fairly strict.

But it’ll probably take about six months for manufacturers to start shipping Matter 1.4.1-compatible devices. And some will skimp on tap-to-pair NFC functionality in order to reduce manufacturing cost or labor, though the QR code thing should be relatively common among brands that care about Matter (that’s what I hope, at least). Products that already contain NFC hardware, such as Nanoleaf smart lighting panels, will probably gain Matter 1.4.1 support through an expedited over-the-air update, though it really just depends on the manufacturer’s preferences. This is all to say that smart home owners shouldn’t expect any immediate changes.

I should also note that this is the first “minor” Matter release—previous updates introduced a lot more functionality (and added support for new product categories), so the use of an X.X.X version number is understandable.

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However, I’m curious to see whether a “minor” update will be worthwhile in the long run, as manufacturers seem to be perpetually behind schedule when it comes to Matter. The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) believes that “this and future minor releases will help expedite time-to-market features that are ready for deployment but fall between major releases,” so perhaps I’m being too negative, it might be a genuinely good idea.

As for whether this “minor” release counts toward Matter’s bi-annual release strategy—yeah, it does. Matter 1.4.1 is 2025’s “spring” release, meaning that we probably won’t get any additional updates until Matter 1.5 arrives this fall. For reference, Matter 1.5 is rumored to add support for smart speakers, heat pumps, security cameras, irrigation systems, and other products.

Source: Connectivity Standards Alliance