What is the Matter Protocol's Bluetooth Provisioning?
Matter is a set of standards for smart home devices, working to improve compatibility between devices and streamline the overall process of setting up a Smart Home. Learn More About Matter in our Community Story:
Matter and TP-Link: What is Matter? What Devices Are Compatible?
Part of the standard is instructions on how compatible devices, hubs, and controllers can be added to platforms. By standardizing Smart Device setup, devices can be added to multiple platforms. For Matter, it was determined that Bluetooth would be used to set up, or provision, devices to a Matter controller.
Provisioning is the Term used to describe the Matter Standard's Setup Process (aka Onboarding)
Why Does Matter Use Bluetooth for Device Setup?
A few years ago, you may have seen a few smart devices on the market using Bluetooth as its primary connection method. Bluetooth was even supported by the first Echo devices and was included in the very first plans for matter as a method of control.
As Matter was developed, it was determined that there are superior methods of communicating with devices, such as Zigbee, Sub-G, or even Wi-Fi. As a result, Bluetooth was designated as the default setup method for all Matter Devices.
[Update] With the latest Matter update, Bluetooth control of devices has been reopened for future devices if manufacturers choose to support it. This is likely in response to the creation of the Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 standard last year.
Through Matter's Bluetooth Setup, There are Three Additional Methods of Getting Started with:
- Device Discovery via Phone OS (Pop Up Notification 'A Nearby Device Has Been Discovered. Set Up Now?")
- Device Discovery or Setup (+) via Tapo App
- Third-Party Matter App Manual Setup (Available if Skipping Tapo Setup and Initially Configuring via Matter)
Learn More About the Different Setup Methods for Matter Devices and How to Get Started in Our Article:
What You Need to Get Started with Matter - Smart Home Community
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Commonly Asked Questions
Why Use Bluetooth Instead of Wi-Fi?
There are a few reasons why Bluetooth is the preferred setup method for Matter—and most smart devices. Nowadays, you will typically see smart devices (and all Matter devices) with the feature.
The features' wide availability and low-power implementation make them an ideal choice to prevent potential compatibility issues and streamline the overall setup process.
Most importantly, using Bluetooth to set up your devices over Wi-Fi prevents your phone or tablet from needing to switch between your device's and your home's networks - instead communicating your Wi-F credentials over Bluetooth. This streamlines the entire setup process and drastically reduces the room for error.
Is Bluetooth Setup / Provisioning Secure?
Matter has many provisions in place to protect your smart devices, and the security of your devices/data has been a priority throughout the development of the standard.
- Lesser Range for Bluetooth Connection, Compared to Wi-Fi
- Verification of Device During Connection (Scan QR Code or Type in Setup Code)
- Disappearance of Bluetooth Signal after Configuration
If you would like to learn more about the principles and steps the CSA is taking to protect your devices through Matter, we recommend visiting the CSA's official white pages on Matter Security:
Official Matter Resources:
Learn More About Matter on our Official Spotlight
Check our Official List of Matter-Compatible Devices
Community Matter Resources:
Matter and TP-link: What is Matter?
What You Need to Get Started with Matter
Bluetooth Provisioning and Matter Devices
Adding Your Compatible Matter Devices to a Third-Party Platform
Survey Results: What Matter Device Would You Like to See Next?
Add Your Sub-G Sensors to Another Platform via Matter Bridging
Splash into a Smarter Summer Community Event