Matter over Thread integration

This article gives you an overview of Nuki’s Matter over Thread integration. It explains the Matter standard and Thread as a connection technology and lists the benefits over other integration possibilities.

What is Matter?

Matter is the standard connecting smart home devices and platforms. It enables seamless integration of your Nuki device into leading Smart Home ecosystems. The local Matter integration operates within your own network, offering quick and secure control of your Nuki device.

Supported Smart Home platforms are:

• Apple Home
• Samsung SmartThings
• Google Home
• Amazon Alexa

What is Thread?

To support Matter, two direct connection technologies can be used: Wi-Fi or Thread. Thread is a technology developed specifically for smart home applications. Nuki communicates via Thread, thus relying on a fast and reliable smart home.  Due to the high energy consumption of Wi-Fi, Nuki will continue to only support Matter via Thread in the future.

By using Thread a mesh network is established. That means your devices are also communicating with each other. If one device fails, the information is transported through another device. The more Thread-enabled devices within the network, the more stable it becomes.

Keeping it very simple, one could say that Matter equals the language while Thread equals the transportation of said language. 

Matter over Thread benefits

• Interoperability: Matter-enabled devices integrate effortlessly into your Smart Home. Each family member can use their preferred platform to control the Smart Home.
• Local integration: Matter-enabled devices communicate locally with hubs, ensuring your data never leaves your home. This local integration provides a secure and reliable way to control your Smart Home devices.
• Robust network: With many devices within a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network, connection stability decreases. The opposite is true within a Thread network. The larger the number of connected devices within the network, the more reliable and stable the network becomes. If one device fails, another can step in, thus maintaining stability.
• Fast response time: Devices communicating via Thread respond quickly.
  Regardless of the size and density of the network, Thread-enabled devices exhibit particularly short response times. 
• Extended battery life: Thread has a very low energy consumption, leading to a significantly extended battery life for your Nuki device.
• No Bridge or Wi-Fi required: Your Nuki device can be controlled remotely or integrated with other smart home devices without the need for using the integrated Wi-Fi or the Nuki Bridge. Your Smart Lock can be accessed remotely via an Apple TV or HomePod mini acting as a controller, for example.

How to use Matter over Thread

• Make sure you use a compatible Smart Home hub.
• Start by activating Matter and set up the Matter over Thread integration.
• Now, you can control your Nuki devices not only via the Nuki App but also via smart home platforms. 

Remote Access via Thread

You need a compatible Smart Home hub that supports Matter via Thread. To bring your Nuki device online, the Smart Home hub must provide Internet access and the support of NAT64 must be incorporated. Only if NAT64 is enabled on the hub, the Thread devices will have Internet access.
Currently, those Smart Home hubs meet these requirements.

If you have a Smart Lock Ultra, Pro, a Smart Lock Pro (4th Generation) or a Smart Module, Remote Access via Thread is already included. If you use a suitable Smart Home hub and activate Matter, Remote Access via Thread is also activated.

If you have a Smart Lock Go or Smart Lock (4th Generation) in the standard variant, you can activate Remote Access via Thread with a one-time payment (€ 49.00).

Alternatively, you can also unlock and lock your Nuki device via your Smart Home app. With the Smart Lock Go or 4th generation (standard variant), this can also be done remotely without the one-time payment. 

Integration via Nuki Web

Beside the Matter integration Nuki also supports Google Home and Amazon Alexa integration via Nuki Web. This cloud service allows you to access and control your Nuki device anytime, even when you're outside your home network. You can simultaneously use local Matter integration and cloud integration, offering the flexibility to enjoy the benefits of both approaches. This combined use provides fast local control and reliable remote access, with the cloud connection acting as a fallback for Matter integration.