Matter misunderstanding? (Case: SwitchBot) | Home Assistant | Page 1

narrow pulsar Feb 1, 2025, 12:44 PM

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Hello, Im trying to setup Matter with my Home Assistant Docker Instance. OTBR and Matter-Server seem to run fine, the integration in Home Assistant is configured. I'm using an Sonoff ZBDongle-E with Matter Firmware (zbdonglee_openthread_rcp_2.5.2.0_GitHub-1fceb225b_gsdk_2024.6.2_no_flow_460800.gbl).

I want to add my SwitchBot Curtain 3 to Home Assistant, but I'm still new to Matter/Thread. The devices are matter compatible, but it looks like they are using Bluetooth for their communication. What do I need to add them to Home Assistant? Do I need an SwitchBot Hub (Hub Mini Matter Enabled or Hub 2) to be able to pair them with Home Assistant?

Thanks!

wild verge Feb 1, 2025, 1:05 PM

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You either need one of those hubs, a Bluetooth adapter or preferrably an ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy.

delicate anvil Feb 1, 2025, 1:52 PM

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Bluetooth is used for discovery of a lot of devices. It isn’t used for communication once they are setup.

narrow pulsar Feb 1, 2025, 1:55 PM

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wild verge You either need one of those hubs, a Bluetooth adapter or preferrably an ESPHome...

Well, thank you for the reply, will read about it and maybe get an ESP32 device or one of the SwitchBot Hubs.

narrow pulsar Feb 1, 2025, 1:56 PM

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delicate anvil Bluetooth is used for discovery of a lot of devices. It isn’t used for communica...

What is used for the communication then?

delicate anvil Feb 1, 2025, 1:59 PM

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narrow pulsar What is used for the communication then?

Once they are discovered, Matter uses IP for communication over the network. Thread uses IPv6 exclusively.

wild verge Feb 1, 2025, 2:00 PM

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Switchbot uses Bluetooth for their communication of the devices itself. Thread isn't used.
Matter over IP would only be the communication between the hub and HA.

narrow pulsar Feb 1, 2025, 2:00 PM

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Thanks for the clarifications.

wild verge Feb 1, 2025, 2:03 PM

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If you use a BT Proxy, the Switchbot devices can be used without a hub.
But for new devices it might need some time until support for the local BT integration is added.

narrow pulsar Feb 1, 2025, 2:05 PM

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Yeah, thats why I will go with a Hub for now. Will still get an ESP32 for some experiments. 🙂

wild verge Feb 1, 2025, 2:06 PM

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I personally prefer not to use the hub. It also isn't needed to set up the devices.

#Matter misunderstanding? (Case: SwitchBot)