The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has released Matter 1.6, the latest version of the smart home standard.
Rather than introducing support for new device categories, Matter 1.6 focuses on improving device setup, multi-platform management and how devices respond to commands. The release includes NFC-based commissioning, a new Joint Fabric approach to multi-admin support, smarter thermostat controls and several smaller improvements aimed at improving interoperability across ecosystems.
NFC-Based Device Setup
One of the biggest additions in Matter 1.6 is NFC-based commissioning.
Previously, Matter devices could store setup information in an NFC tag, but the actual commissioning process still relied on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). With Matter 1.6, the entire commissioning process can now take place over NFC.
This is particularly useful for devices that are difficult to access once installed, such as ceiling light fixtures, in-wall switches and other permanently installed devices.
For example, a smart bulb can now be commissioned before it is installed in a ceiling fitting, while an in-wall switch can be configured before mains power is connected. For larger installations, multiple devices can be provisioned in advance and activated once they are installed in their final locations.
For consumers, the process is simple. Hold a compatible phone near the device and complete commissioning before installation.
Joint Fabric Expands Multi-Admin Support
Matter 1.6 also introduces a new multi-admin feature called Joint Fabric.
Current Matter multi-admin functionality allows devices to be shared between separate ecosystem fabrics. For example, a device can be shared between Apple Home, Google Home and Samsung SmartThings while each platform maintains its own independent Matter fabric.
Joint Fabric takes a different approach.
Instead of multiple separate fabrics, multiple authorised controllers share a single Matter fabric through a central datastore. Devices added to that shared fabric become available to all participating controllers automatically.
According to the CSA, this could be useful in scenarios such as:
• Homes using multiple smart home platforms
• New-build property handovers
• Professionally managed rental properties
• Commercial deployments
Administrators can be added or removed without affecting the devices themselves, and a Joint Fabric only counts as a single fabric on the device, leaving room for additional traditional Matter fabrics if required.
Thermostat Suggestions
Matter 1.6 introduces a new feature called Thermostat Suggestions.
Traditionally, smart home platforms send direct commands to thermostats. The thermostat receives the command and acts on it.
With Thermostat Suggestions, platforms can instead send recommendations. The thermostat then decides whether the recommendation should be applied based on user preferences, existing schedules, utility demand-response programmes, environmental conditions and recent manual adjustments.
For example, if a user manually changes the temperature and another platform immediately attempts to adjust it, the thermostat can determine that the new instruction may not match the user’s intentions and ignore it.
When a suggestion is rejected, the thermostat can provide a standardised explanation to the requesting platform.
The goal is to reduce conflicts between multiple smart home platforms and services while keeping the thermostat aligned with user preferences.
Additional Improvements
Matter 1.6 also includes several smaller enhancements.
Device Capability Reporting
Devices can now communicate their capabilities and operating limits in a more standardised way, allowing ecosystems to represent them more accurately.
Security Sensor Event History
Security sensors can provide information about previous events, giving platforms access to both current status and historical activity.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Status
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can now indicate when they have been removed from their installed position, helping platforms identify devices that may no longer be operational.
Improved Certificate Revocation Lists
Security-related certificate revocation lists can now be managed in smaller partitions rather than one large database, improving scalability as the number of Matter-certified devices continues to grow.
Availability
Matter 1.6 is available now for manufacturers and platform developers. As with previous Matter releases, support will depend on individual vendors implementing the new features in their products and ecosystems.
There is currently no timeline for when specific Matter 1.6 features will appear in consumer products.
My Take
While Joint Fabric is one of the most interesting additions in Matter 1.6, I would be surprised if it gains immediate traction. It requires ecosystem providers to give up some control in favour of a more open smart home experience.
For Apple Home users, there is also the question of support. Despite Matter 1.5 being available for some time, there was little evidence at WWDC 2026 that Apple has fully embraced many of its newer capabilities. That suggests Joint Fabric may take some time to reach users, even if the technology itself is ready.
