Matter 1.6 Released with NFC Commissioning, Joint Fabric, and More

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has announced the release of Matter 1.6, which is now available for device manufacturers and platform developers to integrate into their products.

Matter 1.6 is a focused update that introduces new tools for device manufacturers, ecosystems, and platform developers. Rather than adding support for new device categories, the release concentrates on improving device commissioning, multi-admin management, and the way devices interpret and respond to commands. It also includes enhancements to device capability reporting, operational status communication, and security-related information sharing.

NFC-BASED COMMISSIONING

Many smart home products are installed before they can be commissioned, which can make setup more complicated. Ceiling lights, in-wall switches, and similar devices often need to be configured before final installation due to their location or because power is not yet available. Matter 1.6 introduces NFC-Based Commissioning, allowing a Matter device to be commissioned using bi-directional NFC communication, even before it is fully powered.

This builds on the NFC onboarding payload support introduced in Matter 1.4.1, which allowed setup information to be stored on an NFC tag as an alternative to scanning a QR code. However, that method still relied on Bluetooth LE to complete commissioning. Matter 1.6 allows the entire commissioning process to take place over NFC.

In practice, this means a light bulb can be commissioned before it is installed in a ceiling fitting, or an in-wall switch can be set up before mains power is available. Multiple devices can also be provisioned in advance and installed later at their final locations.

JOINT FABRIC FOR MULTI-ADMIN MANAGEMENT

Matter 1.4 introduced Enhanced Multi-Admin, enabling ecosystems to automate device sharing across platforms following a single user approval. Matter 1.6 expands these capabilities with Joint Fabric, a new approach that differs from previous Multi-Admin implementations.

While existing methods share device access between separate Matter Fabrics, Joint Fabric allows multiple authorised controllers to manage a single shared Matter Fabric. Using a central datastore, any device added to the Joint Fabric becomes accessible to all participating controllers.

Administrators can be added or removed independently of the devices themselves. Participation in a Joint Fabric also counts as a single fabric on the device, leaving capacity for additional traditional Matter Fabrics if supported.

Potential use cases include new-build property handovers, households using multiple smart home platforms, and professionally managed buildings. Devices can be accessed from whichever ecosystem a user prefers without requiring separate setup procedures in each platform.

THERMOSTAT SUGGESTIONS

Matter 1.6 introduces Thermostat Suggestions, which provide a standardised method for ecosystems to recommend thermostat changes rather than directly issuing commands. Instead of instructing a thermostat to change temperature or operating mode immediately, a controller submits a time-limited suggestion linked to one of the thermostat’s supported presets. The thermostat then evaluates the recommendation against user preferences, recent activity, and current environmental conditions before deciding whether to act.

Examples include:

• Preventing an automation from overriding a utility demand-response event.
• Respecting user preferences for energy savings, humidity control, or air quality across multiple services.
• Avoiding conflicts when a user has recently adjusted the thermostat manually or through another ecosystem.

When a suggestion is not followed, the thermostat can provide a standardised explanation, allowing both users and ecosystems to better understand its decision-making process.

ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS

Device Capability and Limits Communication

Devices can now communicate their capabilities and operational limits using a standardised format, allowing controllers to present and use devices more accurately across ecosystems.

Security Sensor Event History

Security sensors can provide interoperable event history information, giving ecosystems access to both current status and previous activity.

Unmounted State for Smoke and CO Alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can now report when they have been removed from their installed position, allowing ecosystems to provide a more accurate indication of operational status.

Partitioned Certificate Revocation Lists

Building on Certificate Revocation List support introduced in Matter 1.4.2, Matter 1.6 allows revocation information to be distributed in smaller, independently updated partitions. This improves scalability as the number of Matter-certified devices continues to grow.

AVAILABILITY

The Matter 1.6 specification and SDK are now available to device manufacturers, platform developers, and ecosystem partners. As with previous Matter releases, implementation timelines will vary between companies and products. Support for individual features will depend on when device manufacturers and ecosystem providers choose to adopt them.