Philips Hue Gets Local Matter Control in Google Home

Philips Hue bridges that are already set up in Google Home are switching to local Matter control. Google says existing bridges are upgraded automatically in the background and run through a Google Home hub, so you do not have to pair anything again. According to Google, that means faster responses and better reliability for your Philips Hue lights in the Google Home app.

What changes with local Matter control?

Until now, controlling Hue lights through Google Home did not always stay on your local network. With this update, commands travel over Matter directly from your Google Home hub to the Hue bridge at home. Google states that “existing Philips Hue bridges now automatically upgrade in the background to local Matter control through Google Home hubs.” No new pairing is needed.

Google also says it has redesigned the core controls for third-party lights, plugs and switches, which includes Hue. Keep in mind that Google does not give figures, so how much faster your lights respond is not confirmed. It is also not officially confirmed that your Hue lights keep working during an internet outage, although that is a logical result of local control as long as your phone is on the same network.

What do you need, and how do you check it?

You need an existing Hue bridge that is already linked to Google Home, a Google Home hub, and the latest version of the Google Home app on Android or iOS. If needed, you turn on Matter in the Hue app under Settings and Smart Home, then choose Google. According to Philips Hue, the bridge works with all Hue bulbs, including older ones that do not support Matter themselves. The supported Google devices are listed in the Philips Hue Matter guide.

You cannot see in a setting whether your bridge has already switched over, as Google describes no option for it in the app. Update the Google Home app, keep your hub and bridge on the same network, and watch how quickly your lights respond. If you have not linked Matter with Google Home yet, start with the steps in the Hue app. For more background on the bridge, read our article on the Philips Hue Bridge Pro.