The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has released Matter 1.6, the latest version of the smart home interoperability standard, which promises to fix one of its most persistent flaws: multi-admin control. The update aims to allow users to manage their Matter devices across multiple platforms—such as Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa—without the frustrating setup issues that have plagued earlier versions.
According to the CSA, Matter 1.6 introduces a new "Joint Fabric" feature that simplifies sharing devices across ecosystems. Instead of manually pairing each device with every platform, users can now create a single fabric that multiple controllers can join, making it easier to add devices to all their smart home apps at once. The update also includes improvements to device commissioning and network stability.
Early adopters and beta testers report that the new multi-admin workflow is significantly smoother, though some note that it still requires compatible hardware and updated controller firmware. The CSA says that major platform partners like Apple, Amazon, and Google are already rolling out support for Matter 1.6 in their latest updates.
"Matter was always supposed to make the smart home simpler, but the reality has been messy," said a CSA spokesperson. "With 1.6, we're finally delivering on that vision. Users should be able to buy a smart light and use it with any app, any assistant, without jumping through hoops."
The smart home industry has long struggled with fragmentation, and Matter was conceived as the universal solution. However, since its launch in late 2022, the standard has faced criticism for being difficult to set up, with many devices failing to reliably appear in multiple platforms. Matter 1.6 is seen as a crucial step toward restoring faith in the standard.
For consumers, the update means that new Matter-certified devices should work more seamlessly out of the box. Existing devices may also benefit if they receive firmware updates from their manufacturers. The full specification is available now for device makers, and compatible products are expected in stores later this year.