Homey has become one of the clearest late-July signals that Matter is maturing beyond individual gadgets and into a more capable controller-and-bridge layer. For JINK HOME readers, that matters because the next practical upgrade path for smart homes will not come only from brand-new accessories. It will also come from stronger platforms that can connect new Matter products while keeping selected older devices useful.
According to Homey’s official announcement and the Connectivity Standards Alliance certification record, Homey’s Matter software is now certified for Matter 1.5. HomeKit News then reported the update on July 29, 2026, highlighting why the change is relevant for Apple Home users and mixed-protocol homes.
What is confirmed
The confirmed milestone is a Matter 1.5 certification for Homey’s software component, not a new Apple Home release. The certification record lists firmware version 13.3.0, specification version 1.5, and a certified date of June 29, 2026. Homey says the certification applies to Homey Pro (2023–2026), Homey Pro mini, and Homey Self-Hosted Server.
Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini include a built-in Thread Border Router, so they can onboard Matter over Thread devices directly. Homey Self-Hosted Server can also work with Matter over Thread, but it still depends on a compatible Thread Border Router already being present on the local network.
Why bridge value matters
Homey’s bigger strategic point is its Matter Bridge app. The company says supported devices already connected to Homey can be shared into Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant, even when those original devices do not offer native Matter support themselves.
That is especially relevant for homes built in stages. Many installed Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi, and cloud-connected products will never receive a direct Matter firmware path. A stronger bridge layer can reduce forced replacement, simplify migration planning, and make it easier to add newer Matter lighting, curtain, lock, and sensor products without throwing away every older automation investment.
What Apple Home users should keep in mind
This does not mean every Matter 1.5 device category suddenly appears in Apple Home with full support. HomeKit News correctly notes that Apple has not yet exposed every new Matter 1.5 category in the Home app. In practice, that means controller certification and platform UI support still move on different timelines.
For buyers and integrators, the professional takeaway is simple: treat the Homey certification as infrastructure progress, not as blanket proof that every Matter 1.5 feature is already usable in every ecosystem. Device type support, commissioning flow, and feature parity still need platform-by-platform verification.
Why JINK HOME is watching this story
JINK HOME has been tracking how Matter is evolving from early compatibility headlines into more durable system architecture. Earlier this month, the strongest story was the rise of Matter ceiling lights. This week, the stronger signal is on the gateway side: certified controllers and bridge platforms are becoming a more important part of the real-world Matter experience.
If more platforms follow with verified Matter 1.5 rollouts, the result could be a smoother upgrade path for whole-home projects: keep the right legacy devices, add verified Matter products where they bring clear value, and avoid splitting a smart home into disconnected control islands.
Sources and dates
Homey official announcement viewed on July 30, 2026; the page states it was published two days earlier, which implies July 28, 2026. Connectivity Standards Alliance certification page for Homey lists Matter specification version 1.5 and a certified date of June 29, 2026. HomeKit News coverage was published on July 29, 2026.