Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin

Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin

Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin
Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin
2 weeks ago
Model: S505  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version:

The Tapo app appears to be missing a required feature for Matter multi-admin.  I purchased Tapo S505 switches and added them to Matter using the Tapo app as recommended (rather than a 3rd party).  Now I want to include them as Matter devices in the Amazon Echo Alexa and Google Home eco-systems.  The directions are found at https://www.tapo.com/us/faq/299/:

 

Note: A Matter setup code can only be used once. If you have already successfully used the code provided with the product you will need to generate a new code to add your Matter-enabled device to another controller.

The general steps to set up your Matter device with a third-party Controller are:

Step 1. Open the app the Matter device originally paired with and go to the device’s settings menu.

Step 2. Create an 11-digit setup code. (or QR code)

Step 3. Copy the setup code

Step 4. Open another app that you want to use for controlling the Matter device and follow the app-specific instructions for entering the code (or scan the QR code).

 

But there's the problem.  I cannot find anywhere in the Tapo app to generate a new Matter setup code to be used by the Alexa or Google Home apps.  I chatted with tech support who were unhelpful in resolving this.

 

Am I missing something?  If you install a Matter device using the Tapo app first, how do you then also add the device to Alexa and Google Home?

 

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#1
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4 Reply
Re:Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin
2 weeks ago

Hey @KKL719,

You should be able to use the Matter Setup Code for the device found in your device's settings under Device Info > Matter Setup Code.

It is worth noting that setting the device up in the Tapo App initially, does not actually use Matter and instead opts for our typical Wi-Fi connection.

 

As an added note, I typically recommend setting the device up in the Tapo App first simply to update the firmware of the device to help streamline the process and minimize chances for error, as Matter devices will often be updated with optimizations to their setup process. After updating the device, you are always free to reset the device to factory defaults and directly add the device if you wish. The Tapo app will then detect the device on your network and offer to add the device to your TP-Link ID.

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#2
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Re:Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin
2 weeks ago

  @Riley_S 

 

Thanks for your reply Riley_S.  When I setup the devices in the Tapo app, it did use the Matter QR code.  I was able to use that code to then successfully add the devices to Hubitat as Matter devices, but Hubitat is not a controller.

 

According to the instructions, the code can't be used for addtional controllers.  I have tried adding the devices to both Google and Alexa using the original code without succcess.  I also tried this after power cycling the devices.  There was an error message from the Alexa app that said that a new QR code needed to be generated for the original app used to add to Matter.

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#3
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Re:Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin
2 weeks ago

  @KKL719,

For the device to be added to Hubitat, I am pretty sure it has to be operating as a Matter Controller, at least in some capacity.

Once that first Matter code is used for another platform, the share codes will be generated in that Matter platform - meaning the option for additional codes would be provided in the Hubitat App or Interface.

 

I think the easiest way to state this is that the Tapo App is not a Matter Controller, and the QR code is there for users who scrape off the sticker. The connection to the Tapo App is just a standard connection and doesn't touch the Matter compatibility. After setting up the device in the Tapo App, you then have to start the Matter setup process with the QR code on the device or replugging the device and adding the device directly in the destination platform. At that point, Multi-Admin would be 'managed' by the first Matter platform and can generate the sharing codes for secondary platforms.

 

As an example from when Matter first released, the Alexa App did not offer an option or setting to generate multi-admin codes for secondary platforms. This meant that if the device was added to Alexa as its primary matter controller, the device could not be added to another platform via Matter since there was no function to generate the Multi-Admin QR code. 

 

 

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#4
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Re:Tapo app missing required feature for Matter Multi-admin
a week ago

  @Riley_S 

I misstated that Hubitat is not a Matter controller.  It just can't commission the device or be the first Matter controller: <link not allowed>

Adding Matter Devices to Hubitat

For any Matter device, the device must first be commissioned with another Matter controller (Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, or similar). This controller can then put the device in "pairing mode" to use with another system, such as Hubitat.

 

I've been trying to follow the TP-Link recommendation:  "(2) TP-Link Matter-enabled devices can also be set up with third-party Matter-enabled Apps.  Please note that we strongly recommend setting up TP-Link Matter devices through TP-Link Official Apps to enjoy all the benefits and avoid possible incompatible issues."  https://www.tapo.com/sg/faq/296/

 

Since the Tapo app seems to lack the necessary functionaility, it looks like I will have to restart and use Alexa or Google Home for the initial setup.

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#5
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