Android 15 Prepares Better Control of Matter Smart Home Devices Over Thread Network

What you need to know

A little trick in the Android 15 code has revealed upcoming Thread network support, which is expected to provide better control over Matter-enabled devices.
Some devices equipped with an appropriate Thread radio module will gain increased performance and efficiency from their smart devices.
Thread is a wireless networking protocol that enables better connectivity between Matter smart home devices.

Google is preparing to make its Android Thread network available on select Android 15 devices, and a recent discovery sheds some light on the matter.

After a little code trickery by Mishaal Rahman (Android Authority), he discovered Thread support in Android 15 on the Pixel 8 Pro. It looks like Google is getting ready to put the feature on the “Connection Preferences” page in Settings > Connected Devices.

Early indications are that the page will say “Thread,” and tapping on it will allow users to toggle the feature on and off. More importantly, Google’s description of the feature reads, “Thread helps connect smart home devices, increasing performance and efficiency.”

Enabling Thread will allow a user’s supported Android phone (running OS 15) to join the network and take control of Matter smart home devices.

Rahman notes that this will eliminate the need for smart home consumers to use a “Thread border router.” An example of a border router is Google TV. Rahman reiterated Google’s announcement earlier this year about “select TVs” running Google TV software that could serve as a border router.

Essentially, the TV acts as a bridge connecting Thread-enabled devices to your Wi-Fi network.

An early look at Thread support in Android 15.

(Image credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority)

More testing and understanding of Android’s Thread support will likely come as major versions of the OS are released later this year. Furthermore, we’re still figuring out which devices will come with Thread Radio to take advantage of this new feature.

While Matter is billed as the new “communication standard” for smart home devices, Thread is its wireless networking protocol. Simply put, Thread is the connection between all your devices. There are some backup protocols in Thread, as the people behind its creation have stated that its networks “have no single point of failure and include the ability to self-heal.”

Not all Matter-enabled devices are Thread-enabled — which is a notable difference. Additionally, those that are Thread-enabled are relatively easy to set up at home, as they come pre-configured. In terms of security, these devices are end-to-end encrypted as they communicate with your phone, other devices, and the cloud.

The latest Matter 1.3 update aimed to allow consumers to connect chargers and electrical devices to their home ecosystem. New devices like stoves and dryers are coming into play. It said EV chargers would benefit from Matter’s new power management system, allowing them to report “actual and estimated measurements” like voltage, current, and other electrical analytics.