Eero 6 Thread Border Router Functionality Expanded

Not too long ago we reported on an update to Nanoleaf’s Shapes, Lines, and Elements all getting increased functionality that made them show up as Thread Border Routers for use with Apple HomeKit. Now it would appear that Amazon’s Eero 6 Router lineup is moving in the same direction, at least according to the findings of one of our avid readers, Evan Bell.

Evan’s HomeKit setup includes amongst other things, an Airversa Purelle air purifier, that uses HomeKit Over Thread. However, his setup didn’t include any Thread Border Routers, so the Airversa could only connect via Bluetooth, as standard. His Home Hubs consist of first-gen Apple TV4K and HomePod models, neither containing Thread Border Routers.

With Evan’s purchase of an Eero 6 WiFi Router, it would now appear (we assume via a recent firmware update), that his Airversa Purelle is now connected to his HomeKit home via Thread, which wouldn’t be possible with his current Home Hubs.

As you can see from the screenshots provided by Evan, the first image shows the Airversa as a Router for a Thread network, which would normally show as connected via Bluetooth in the absence of a Thread Border Router. The second and third images are from the Sleekpoint app, showing Thread as the connection protocol, and finally, the Eero app, showing Thread details, stating “Thread credentials in the Apple iOS Keychain for easy sharing with other apps”.

Whilst this might not be a surprise given that a recent tvOS update added Thread 1.3.0 functionality to Apple TVs, it does go to show some progress allowing Thread Border Routers from other manufacturers to work within the Apple HomeKit framework.

Thanks to Evan Bell for the information.