How to Update Firmware on Matter & Thread Devices
Most Matter and Thread devices update their firmware automatically over the air (OTA), so in many cases you don't have to do anything except keep the device powered, connected, and patient. When you do need to act, the firmware control usually lives in the manufacturer's own app rather than in Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home — the standard that pairs the device and the app that ships its updates are two different things. This guide explains where to look, how to trigger an update manually, and what to do when one stalls.
Why firmware matters more on Matter and Thread
Matter is still a young standard, and manufacturers ship firmware fixes frequently — for security patches, certification compliance, and bug fixes that affect how a device behaves across ecosystems. If you use the same device in more than one platform (see Matter multi-admin), out-of-date firmware is a common cause of a device working in one app but misbehaving in another. Keeping firmware current is one of the cheapest ways to avoid the kind of intermittent dropouts covered in our device-keeps-going-offline guide.
The important mental model: Matter is the commissioning and control standard, and Thread is the network the device may sit on, but neither one delivers firmware. The device maker does, through its own app and cloud. That's why you can add a bulb to Apple Home and still need the maker's app to update it. If the difference between the two is fuzzy, our Matter vs Thread explainer untangles it.
Step 1: Confirm where your device gets its updates
Before hunting through menus, identify the right source. There are three common patterns:
- Manufacturer app (most common): The maker's own app — the one you'd download even though the device is “Matter” — contains the firmware version and update control. This is true for most lights, plugs, and sensors.
- Platform-managed devices: A few devices update through the ecosystem that also acts as their hub or border router. Apple Home, for example, manages firmware for its own HomePod and Apple TV border routers; Google and Amazon update their own Nest and Echo hardware automatically.
- Border routers and hubs: Your Thread border router updates as part of its parent device (an Echo, a Nest Hub, a HomePod, a SmartThings hub), so keeping that device's software current keeps your Thread network current too.
Step 2: Check the current firmware version
- Open the manufacturer's app and sign in.
- Tap the specific device, then open its settings, details, or “about” screen (wording varies by brand and changes over time).
- Look for a line labeled Firmware, Software version, or similar. If an update is available, many apps show an Update button right there.
If you can't find a version number anywhere in the maker's app, the device most likely updates silently in the background — which is normal for Matter-over-Thread accessories.
- 1Open the manufacturer’s app (not just Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home)
- 2Select the device and open its details or “about” screen
- 3Tap the firmware or software update option if one appears
- 4Keep the device powered and on Wi-Fi/Thread until it finishes and reconnects
Step 3: Trigger the update and let it finish
If an update is offered, start it and then leave the device alone. OTA updates download the new image, write it to the device, and reboot — a process that can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to fifteen or more, especially on small battery or Thread devices that transfer slowly to save power.
During an update you may see the device briefly show as unavailable in your other apps. That's expected — it's rebooting onto the new firmware and will rejoin the network on its own.
How updates differ: Matter over Wi-Fi vs Matter over Thread
The transport your device uses changes how an update behaves. (For the bigger picture, see Matter over Wi-Fi vs Matter over Thread.)
| Factor | Matter over Wi-Fi | Matter over Thread |
|---|---|---|
| Update speed | Usually faster (more bandwidth) | Slower; Thread is low-bandwidth by design |
| What must be healthy | Your Wi-Fi network and 2.4 GHz band | A border router and mains-powered routing nodes |
| Common stall cause | Weak Wi-Fi signal or congested channel | Too few routers, or all devices are sleepy battery ones |
| Battery impact | N/A (mains/Wi-Fi) | Battery sensors transfer slowly to conserve power |
For Thread specifically, a single isolated battery sensor with no nearby mains-powered Thread device to relay traffic is the classic reason an OTA never completes. Adding a powered Thread device — even a smart plug — strengthens the mesh. Our roundup of Thread border routers you may already own can help you check what's already extending your mesh.
When an update stalls or fails
A stuck update is almost always a connectivity problem, not a dead device. Work through these in order:
- Confirm the device is reachable. If it shows offline in its own app, fix that first — an update can't install over a connection that isn't there.
- Check signal and bands. Matter-over-Wi-Fi devices use 2.4 GHz; a weak or overloaded channel stalls transfers. Our smart-home Wi-Fi guide covers band and channel setup.
- Verify the border router. For Thread, make sure the parent device (Echo, Nest Hub, HomePod, SmartThings hub) is online and itself up to date. A flaky hub blocks everything downstream — see stabilizing a hub that keeps disconnecting.
- Give it time, then retry. Many apps re-attempt OTA automatically on a schedule. Close the app, wait an hour, and check again before assuming failure.
- Power-cycle as a last resort — only if no update is in progress. If the version still won't change, unplug or restart the device, let it reconnect, and re-check.
Frequently asked questions
Can I update firmware from the Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home app?
Usually not. Those apps control the device but rarely deliver its firmware — the exception is hardware the platform makes itself, such as Echo, Nest, or HomePod devices, which it updates automatically. For third-party Matter and Thread accessories, use the manufacturer's own app.
Do I need to remove a Matter device before updating it?
No. Updating firmware does not require unpairing, and you should not factory-reset or remove a device mid-update. If a device is shared across ecosystems, the update applies to the device itself and carries over to every platform it's joined to.
Why does my Thread device take so long to update?
Thread is intentionally low-bandwidth and low-power, so firmware images transfer slowly — particularly to battery devices that wake only briefly. A larger mesh with mains-powered routing nodes speeds this up. A lone battery sensor far from any router is the most common cause of an OTA that never finishes.
Is it safe to leave automatic updates on?
Generally yes, and it's recommended. Automatic OTA updates are the main way manufacturers ship security patches and compatibility fixes for a fast-moving standard. Leaving them enabled means you benefit without having to monitor versions manually.