C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Homey now lets users install over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates for connected smart home devices directly from a single app.
- Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave devices are supported, covering thousands of products from multiple manufacturers.
- The new feature, known as Device Updates, will be available with the Homey app version 9.10.0 and newer, as well as the Homey web experience.
Not all smart home setups look alike. Mixing and matching devices from multiple brands is common, as it gives you the flexibility to choose something within your budget. However, managing products from a variety of manufacturers can be a tad irritating, especially when it’s time for a firmware update. Smart home platform Homey has now addressed this particular pain point by enabling over-the-air (OTA) updates for multiple major smart home protocols from its app.
In a blog post announcing the changes, Homey shares that owners of Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave devices can now download updates directly from the Homey app. Updates for Zigbee and Z-Wave devices will come from their respective apps within Homey, while Matter device owners will receive updates through the Connectivity Standards Alliance’s Distributed Compliance Ledger (DCL).
The company says the OTA updates feature, known as Device Updates, will be available on the Homey app version 9.10.0 or newer. It will be accessible by users of the Homey Cloud, Homey Pro (2023-2026), Homey Pro mini, and Homey Self-Hosted Server.
To find the new Device Updates option, tap the three dots (More) on the Homey mobile or web app, and tap Settings. Device Updates will appear as the third option on the list, just below System Updates. When opened, users should see a list of pending updates for their connected devices, if any are available.
Alternatively, you can navigate to your smart home device’s settings page in the Homey app and tap Maintenance. There’s also an extensive support page that walks users through updating their smart home products.
With this new functionality, Homey users can finally stop opening multiple apps to install that patch or major update for a particular device in their smart home setup. While updates should be seamless for Matter-enabled devices, it’s up to the individual Zigbee and Z-Wave device manufacturers to support software updates through the Homey app.
As the company notes, multiple smart home brands already support these protocols, including IKEA, Aeotec, Zooz, frient, and ThirdReality, with more reportedly on the horizon.
This is a step in the right direction and brings us closer to a future where just one app handles all the smart home updates for you. Homey also has more announcements lined up, with the company teasing a new product announcement scheduled for September 1 at 7 PM CEST (1 PM ET). You can follow along with the company’s dedicated livestream.
If you haven’t picked up a Homey hub yet, now might be a good time to have a look.
Homey Pro MiniHomey Pro Mini
Supports all Homey Pro software features • Compact size • Built-in Ethernet port • Very competitive price
Nearly all the Homey Pro features in a Mini body with a Mini price
The Homey Pro Mini is physically smaller than the Homey Pro, has less RAM, and supports fewer smart home protocols. In exchange, it is 50% cheaper than the regular Pro model, making it an ideal starter device for smart home beginners.
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