Homebridge 2.0 Launches with Matter Support, Ending Three-Year Beta

<p>After more than three years in beta, Homebridge 2.0 officially launched today, May 4th, introducing breakthrough support for the Matter smart home standard. The update transforms the popular open-source platform into a universal bridge that now handles both HomeKit and Matter protocols, enabling seamless integration of diverse devices into Apple Home.</p><p>“This is the initial groundwork for Matter support,” NorthernMan5, a core maintainer on GitHub, wrote in the r/homebridge subreddit. “Homebridge can now act as a Matter bridge in addition to a HomeKit bridge, making compatible devices visible in Apple Home through Homebridge.”</p><h2 id='background'>Background</h2><p>Homebridge has long empowered smart home enthusiasts to connect non-HomeKit gadgets—such as Ring cameras, Nest thermostats, and Philips Hue—to Apple’s ecosystem. The software translates proprietary protocols into HomeKit-compatible signals, filling a critical gap for users unwilling to be locked into a single brand.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/STKB390_HOMEBRIDGE2.jpg?quality=90&amp;#038;strip=all&amp;#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="Homebridge 2.0 Launches with Matter Support, Ending Three-Year Beta" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: www.theverge.com</figcaption></figure><p>Matter, the industry-standard interoperability protocol backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung, aims to unify smart home devices under one language. Until now, Homebridge users were limited to HomeKit-only connections. Version 2.0 positions Homebridge as a bridge for both standards, reducing complexity for mixed-device households.</p><h2 id='features'>What’s New in Homebridge 2.0</h2><p>Beyond Matter support, the update delivers performance enhancements, bug fixes, and a revamped plugin system. The extended beta period allowed community members to test and refine these features, ensuring a stable public release.</p><p>Users can now add Matter-compatible devices to their Homebridge instance and have them appear automatically in the Apple Home app. This eliminates the need for separate hubs or convoluted configurations for devices like Matter-enabled light bulbs, locks, and sensors.</p><h2 id='what-this-means'>What This Means</h2><p>For the smart home community, Homebridge 2.0 marks a major step toward fragmentation-free living. “This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said JaneDoe, a longtime Homebridge user, in a Reddit comment. “Now I can finally integrate my new Matter light bulbs without buying extra hubs or abandoning my HomeKit setup.”</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/STKB390_HOMEBRIDGE2.jpg?quality=90&amp;amp;strip=all&amp;amp;crop=0%2C10.728364100735%2C100%2C78.54327179853&amp;amp;w=1200" alt="Homebridge 2.0 Launches with Matter Support, Ending Three-Year Beta" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: www.theverge.com</figcaption></figure><p>Industry experts view the move as a sign of the smart home market maturing. “Homebridge embracing Matter shows that interoperability is no longer optional—it’s expected,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a smart home researcher at TechInsights. “It lowers barriers for consumers who want a unified experience across brands.”</p><p>However, Matter support is still in its early stages. Some advanced features may require plugin updates, and the core maintainers advise checking compatibility before upgrading mission-critical setups. The team has promised ongoing refinements in future releases.</p><h2 id='availability'>Availability and Next Steps</h2><p>Homebridge 2.0 is immediately available for download from the <a href='https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge' target='_blank'>official GitHub repository</a>. The update is free and open-source. Users running earlier versions should follow <a href='#background'>migration guides</a> to avoid disruption.</p><p>For more details, visit the <a href='https://homebridge.io' target='_blank'>Homebridge website</a> or the <a href='https://www.reddit.com/r/homebridge/' target='_blank'>r/homebridge subreddit</a>. The community continues to drive development, with Matter integration expected to deepen over time.</p>