As promised, Eve Systems has just released the first Matter updates for the Eve Energy, Eve Motion and Eve Door & Window. However, there are a few prerequisites.

As one of the first manufacturers, the Munich-based company Eve Systems has not only prepared its own hardware for the new Matter smarthome standard in recent years, but has now also released the first updates as part of an “Early Access Program”.

However, before you can install the firmware updates, you need to keep a few things in mind. Among other things, iOS 16.2 has to be installed, which is currently only available as a beta. You will also need a Thread Border router and, of course, one of Eve’s supported devices.

How to install the Matter

If you meet the requirements, you can register for the Early Access Program. Once you are manually unlocked, you will receive a TestFlight link that will allow you to install an unreleased version of the Eve app.

After the installation you will find the new itemMatter Firmware Migration” in the settings. Once triggered, it checks if a Thread exists and thus you can update a device.

You will then be prompted to scan the HomeKit code of one of the supported devices. You will then be shown a new Matter, which must be saved. Just like HomeKit, the device is unusable without this code. So we can’t mention enough how important it is that you save this code somewhere. Eve also asks for the code again in the next step, so that you really remember the new Matter.

A lot of magic is supposed to happen in the background during the subsequent migration to Matter. Eve explained it to us in such a way that the complete identity of the device is replaced. Accordingly, the process can take between 10 and 20 minutes. During this time, the app should be left open and the process should not be interrupted. However, you can just leave the iOS device, Eve will take care that it does not fall asleep.

The last step is to scan the previously saved Matter to re-add the device. Eve then restores old data, scenes and automations. However, since third parties cannot access automations that have been turned into shortcuts, they cannot be restored accordingly and are lost after the migration process.

Lengthy procedure with many devices

Eve Systems keeps its promise and now offers a new Matter for the first three devices to all interested users, even if you currently still have to register for it in the form of an Early Access Program. One thing is also clear: For many devices, the migration process can be quite lengthy, taking 10 to 20 minutes per device, and can take a weekend.

The first devices with updated packaging, Matter and pre-installed Matter are scheduled to appear in the first quarter of 2023. However, nothing is supposed to change in terms of hardware.