Home Assistant's Matter server adds camera talkback

If you run Matter devices through Home Assistant, a sizeable upgrade is on the way. The Open Home Foundation has released version 1.5 of its Matter.js Server, the component Home Assistant uses as its Matter controller. Version 1.5.0 is dated 20 October in the official changelog, and 1.5.1 followed on 21 October as a tagged release with several fixes. Matter Alpha first highlighted the changes.

What is the Matter server?

Matter is the shared smart home standard that lets one device work with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and Home Assistant. Home Assistant doesn't speak Matter itself; it hands the job to this separate server, which pairs devices, keeps track of them and passes commands. When the server gains features, Home Assistant can then expose them. How quickly each one reaches the Home Assistant interface depends on Home Assistant's own releases.

What's new in 1.5

Matter 1.6.1 and faster groups

The server now runs on matter.js 0.18.0, which adds support for Matter 1.6.1. Matter Alpha explains that this lays the groundwork for Groupcast: instead of sending "off" to each bulb one after another (the "popcorn effect"), a single group message could switch a whole room at once.

Cameras and two-way audio

A new camera API lets the server manage WebRTC video sessions for clients like Home Assistant. With it comes talkback, so you can speak through compatible Matter cameras and video doorbells. In the server's own dashboard, the microphone needs HTTPS or localhost. Several bugs that dropped camera streams are fixed, and there are new error codes for camera failures.

Device-specific extras

• Aqara Spatial Multi-Sensor FP400: detection zones and occupant-location data.
• IKEA thermostats: a valve calibration cluster and dashboard panel.
• Aqara LED Strip T2: music-sync settings (added in 1.5.1).
• Heiman devices: siren control and an LED indicator switch.

Quality-of-life changes

• A device that drops off the network is now marked unavailable as soon as matter.js gives up on it. The old 3-minute grace period is gone.
• The network view uses Thread 1.4 names, so a Thread router shows as a "Mesh Extender".
• Debug logs now mask Wi‑Fi passphrases, Thread datasets and setup codes, which makes logs safer to share when you ask for help.
• Advanced options let you import a vendor's own certificates, apply revocation lists, or run without contacting Matter's online device ledger (DCL).
• Version 1.5.1 fixes migration from the older Python Matter Server so migrated devices stay available.

Should you care?

If you only have a few Matter plugs and bulbs, the most noticeable change is quicker "unavailable" status. Camera owners gain the most: two-way audio is a key feature for a video doorbell. IKEA's newer Matter thermostats get proper calibration too, which matters if you're choosing a smart thermostat. As always with a big controller update, take a backup before upgrading.