Homebridge 2.0, the open-source middleware that lets non-HomeKit devices appear in Apple's Home app, officially launched today after a three-year beta. The key addition is initial support for the Matter smart home standard, turning Homebridge into a dual-protocol bridge that can expose Matter devices to Apple Home and vice versa.
What Homebridge 2.0 does
Homebridge is a free, open-source Node.js server that runs on a Raspberry Pi, NAS, or dedicated hardware like HOOBS. It emulates the HomeKit accessory protocol, and its plugin ecosystem of over 4,000 plugins lets devices like Ring cameras and Nest thermostats appear in Apple's Home app. Version 2.0 adds a Matter bridge alongside the existing HomeKit bridge.
According to NorthernMan5, one of the GitHub core maintainers, the update targets two use cases:
Filling gaps in HomeKit device support – Apple has started using Matter for new device types rather than adding them to HomeKit directly. Robot vacuums are a recent example: Apple added vacuum support to the Home app, but only via Matter, not HomeKit. Homebridge 2.0 lets plugins deliver full functionality for these Matter-only device types.
Using other Matter controllers with Homebridge plugins – This would allow Homebridge plugins to be accessible from other Matter controllers, such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant. This is a longer-term effort that requires individual plugin updates.
Why Matter support matters now
When Matter launched, some observers predicted it would replace Homebridge entirely. That hasn't happened. Apple Home's support for Matter device types has rolled out slowly, and many existing devices haven't been updated to the standard. For example, camera support arrived in Matter last year, but Apple Home doesn't yet support the camera device type. Homebridge can work toward adding these categories before Apple gets around to it.
Additionally, Apple has shifted to using Matter instead of HomeKit for new device types. Robot vacuums are only supported through Matter. Previously, a robot vacuum in Homebridge had to masquerade as a switch or a light in the Home app. With Matter support, the vacuum can appear as a real vacuum.
Tradeoffs and limitations
Matter support won't be available for everything from day one. Each plugin will need to be updated individually to support the new Matter bridging capabilities. The team's stated goal is a single platform that supports both Apple HomeKit and Matter, but this will roll out gradually.
You can already add Matter devices directly to Apple Home without Homebridge. The advantage of Homebridge is that its plugins can surface