help with setting up IKEA matter KAJPLATS and BILRESA

[regal escarp]

Hello, I am looking for connecting my 2 new matter devices to Homeassistant. I each time i try to connect it gives
"unable to add accessory. home couldnt connect to this accesory"

do i need any hardware to connect it to HA ?

[opaque zealot]

these are matter-over-thread devices. do you have a thread network setup?

[regal escarp]

well i clicked setup network in homeassistant ?

so i guess no ?

XD

would something like a Aqara USB hub M100 work ?

[opaque zealot]

right so you don't have a thread radio on your server or any other border router?

[regal escarp]

i have a stock raspberry 5 with HA and a old hue hub

so i guess no

[oak vector]

Yes but with the Aqara app to pair devices or or with your phone Google/Apple app. After you can share the device to Home Assistant using Matter code.

[opaque zealot]

In general I recommend the ZBT-2 which can be used either as either a zigbee OR a thread radio.

[regal escarp]

oke

[opaque zealot]

whilst not directly related, something to note when using a RPI. don't use a SD card long term. iff you are using one then you should consider moving to an SSD setup.

[regal escarp]

yeah thats in the plans already 🙂 as i had issues with my install before

[opaque zealot]

cool, btw ikea devices being labled as "matter" instead of "matter-over-thread" is confusing a bunch of people.
essentially "matter-over-thread" and "matter-over-wifi" work entirily differently but places dont seem to want to tell people this in their marketing...

[regal escarp]

yeah i saw it and was like hey i have heard of that before and that should be "easy " XD yeah well if its over wifi yes XD

[opaque zealot]

matter has a major marketing issue currently and its gunna cause it to fail if they dont sort it out.

[regal escarp]

thanks for the help i will go look into the 2 options 🙂

[opaque zealot]

no worries, there are some other options too from smlight or sonoff etc... too but as said I recommend the zbt-2. that's for a few reasons, antenna size / support/ etc... also the fact buying it directly supports the project too.

[torn cape]

Ikea is one of the few that goes out of its way to not list the networking of its Matter devices. Basically Everyone else states it some where on the packaging and again in the manual or insert.

[opaque zealot]

yeah, its deep in the user manual document. I am pretty sure I have seen it from others too tbh. in any case people that only one about "one type of matter" still end up making the mistake

[torn cape]

As far as I can tell only the larger Ikea Light manual says anything about thread. none of the new smaller devices say the word.

Its a catch 22, no way to market/broadcast enough to get the message across from the CSA. Why would consumer listen or care. WIll have to come from device manufacturers and or word or mouth/ai/online help from there unitl Thread border routers are ubiquitous in homes AND thread credential sharing happens transparently behind the scenes.

[opaque zealot]

tbh I would settle for the thread logo in the main marketing materials

[opaque zealot]

saying a device is "matter" is like saying an engine uses "liquid fuel"

whilst technically true it doesn't help you get the right thing.
and it leads to people assuming/guessing and getting it wrong.

[torn cape]

and HA needs to get better with its OTBR firmware/software, especially since they sell the hardware, its behind many other ecosystems there.

[opaque zealot]

I don't currently have aa thread setup so cannot speak directly to it and regardless of protocol I have no matter devices anyway.
I am pretty sure improvements will happen in due course.