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iOS 16.1 Begins Laying Groundwork for Matter Launch

The iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 betas that were released to developers today add a new "Matter Accessories" section to the Settings app as Apple begins preparing for the launch of the new Matter smart home standard.

matter iot standard
Tapping into the Matter Accessories section suggests that it will display all Matter accessories that have been added to a connected service. "These can also be added to additional services with an app that supports Matter," reads the text.

Apple has not yet implemented official support for Matter, but has said that it will be introduced sometime this fall. Matter is a new interoperable, secure connectivity standard that is designed for smart home devices.


Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance that includes tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, Matter ensures interoperability between smart home devices from different companies. HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, and other smart home devices that support Matter will be able to work together.

Some accessory makers are set to support Matter as soon as the new standard is released and supported by Apple.

Tag: Matter
Related Forum: iOS 16

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Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4 Avatar
46 months ago
I don't have any applicable smart home devices, so it doesn't matter.

ba da bing....thank you, I'll be here all week.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
46 months ago
Question is: does anything else in 16.1 matter?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Think|Different Avatar
46 months ago
Bring it on! It's taken forever due to, undoubtedly, too many cooks in the kitchen.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
azentropy Avatar
46 months ago
Cool, another "standard" that probably isn't compatible with the stuff I already have (myQ, Wemo, Wyze, Fiet).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
46 months ago
That is a weird place to hide away the settings
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
46 months ago

Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance that includes tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google,
Yeah, the generic looking, artifact-of-its-time logo and typeface design tips off companies other than Apple are involved. I wonder if Meta's insanely lacking in taste emperor insisted on picking his favorite option.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)