Smart home technology is more popular than ever, and Matter—a new standard designed to connect and unify your devices securely—is revolutionizing the way we interact with our smart homes. Many connect their smart home devices to a guest network to isolate them from their primary network. Let’s explore why Matter smart home devices need to be connected to your primary network for them to work properly in a Matter-enabled smart home.
What is Matter?
Matter is a groundbreaking technology standard backed by industry giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung. Its design enables interoperability among smart devices, regardless of the brand. Whether it’s your smart lights, thermostat, or smart locks, Matter aims to allow these devices to communicate seamlessly and reliably, simplifying your smart home setup.
The Issue with Wi-Fi Guest Networks for Matter Devices
A guest network is often described as a separate lane on your home’s internet highway, designed primarily to allow visitor devices to access the internet while preventing access to your devices or data. Guest networks are designed to isolate visitor devices from the main network and often from each other.
While a guest network is and remains a great concept for isolating visitor devices and some older generation (pre-Matter) IoT devices, it presents drawbacks in the context of Matter-enabled devices. Matter devices belong on your primary network for the following reasons:
- Matter Devices Communicate with Each Other: Matter devices are designed to communicate directly with one another and with controllers such as smart home hubs and smartphones. However, when the Matter devices are on the guest network, isolated from each other and the devices they need to communicate with, such as a smart TV or smart speakers (often acting as controllers) that are on the primary network, this communication is blocked.
- Setup will Fail: During the Matter device setup process, Matter devices and Matter controllers need to communicate with one another. If they are on a guest network, and the controlling smart speaker or phone is on the primary network, this will prevent these devices from communicating, leading to setup failures and frustration.
Benefits of using a Single Network
Matter was designed to have all devices on the same network, so devices can talk directly to each other. This offers several benefits:
- Easier Set-Up and Management: Having all your devices on a single network simplifies the process of managing your smart home ecosystem. Whether adding new devices or troubleshooting issues, you no longer need to switch between multiple networks.
- Enhanced Functionality: With Matter using direct communication between devices, your smart home will function smoothly. Commands such as “Dim the lights” or adjusting your thermostat can be executed instantly without delays or errors. This enhanced functionality improves user experience and maximizes the potential of each connected device.
- Increased Reliability: Even if your connection to the internet goes down, Matter devices will maintain functionality within your local network. This reliability is pivotal for maintaining the accessibility of your smart home, regardless of external network conditions.
How to support a reliable and secure home network
Many users set up a guest network because they’re concerned about the security or reliability of their network. While guest networks aren’t ideal for Matter-enabled smart homes, there are other ways to help improve the security and reliability of your network.
Growing your smart home reliably:
- If you have a large home or one with many Matter over Wi-Fi devices (10+ devices) it is recommended that you install a modern mesh Wi-Fi router (6E and beyond) with a number of satellite routers supporting 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands to support streaming devices like TVs, cameras, etc. plus many other IoT devices.
- If you are using a third-party router in addition to the one that may have been provided by your Internet Service Provider, you may have two independent networks. To ensure the best performance from your smart home, ensure all devices (wired or wireless) are connected to the same router. Or, consult the third-party router’s support documentation on how to put the router in “Bridged” or AP mode.
- Some routers enable users to separate their 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz networks into different SSIDs (network names). However, it is best to ensure these are set up using a single SSID, to improve setup and reliability.
Managing your network securely:
- Use a Strong Wi-Fi Password: To improve your network’s security, create a unique, complex password for your Wi-Fi that is difficult for others to guess. Use WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal (also known as WPA2-PSK (AES)) with a password that is at least 15 characters long.
- Change Default Device Passwords: Don’t use default passwords, as these are well-known to hackers. Make sure that all administrator passwords for your router and other devices are unique and at least 15 characters long. Also, change the default name of your router and avoid using your name or address.
- Router Updates and Network Monitoring: Update your router’s software to protect against vulnerabilities and monitor your network for unknown devices or unusual activity. It’s essential to be vigilant for any unusual activity indicating a potential security threat.
- Retire Outdated Devices: Retire old devices that don’t support WPA2 or WPA3. Your network is only as secure as the weakest link.
- Set up a Guest Network: Its purpose is in the name! Avoid giving visitors who want internet access the password to your primary network. Instead, configure a guest network if your home router supports it and offer that to your guests.
Moving Forward with Matter
As smart homes become more advanced and interconnected, it’s important to set up your network in a way that supports the full potential of technologies like Matter. While guest networks still have their place for visitor access and legacy devices, Matter was built for direct, local communication, and that means connecting your Matter devices to your primary network. With the right setup, including a unified network and strong security practices, you’ll enjoy a smarter, more reliable, and future-ready home experience.