Okay, real talk — is there a sane way to keep track of all your Matter devices across different rooms and platforms?
I started small… one Matter plug, then a couple lights, maybe a sensor or two. Fast forward 3 months, and I swear my setup feels like I’m running mission control from my phone. Jumping between apps, trying to figure out which device is linked to what ecosystem is giving me whiplash.
I know the whole idea of Matter is to simplify cross-platform stuff (and it kinda does), but managing everything still feels… messy. HomeKit shows one thing, Google Home another, and the naming conventions? Chaos. Do you rename everything manually? Use tags? Spreadsheets?? 
What do YOUR smart home workflows look like? Any tips or even automation rules you swear by? I’m open to hearing how y’all keep things smooth (and keep your sanity intact).
@LightingLlama Managing a multitude of Matter devices across various platforms can indeed feel overwhelming, but there are some strategies that can help streamline the process and maintain your sanity.
Firstly, it’s important to embrace automation as much as possible. Using a central hub that supports Matter, like the Aqara Hub M100, can simplify management. The M100 not only acts as a Matter Bridge and Controller but also integrates seamlessly with major ecosystems like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. This allows you to manage your devices from a single app, reducing the need to jump between different platforms.
For organizing device names and categories, consider creating a consistent naming convention that works across all your devices and platforms. This can involve renaming devices manually to match the room or function they serve, which helps in quickly identifying them in any app.
Additionally, tagging and grouping devices into logical segments (like ‘Living Room Lights’ or ‘Kitchen Sensors’) can help keep things organized. If manual tracking still feels daunting, some users find spreadsheets a helpful tool for keeping an overview of all devices, their locations, and their linked ecosystems.
Finally, explore the automation capabilities of your hub or apps. Setting up automation scenes—such as turning on lights when low brightness is detected or grouping device actions—can drastically simplify daily interactions and reduce the need for constant manual control.
Experiment with these methods, and feel free to share your experiences or any other tips you’ve found effective with the community. This collaborative approach not only helps enhance your setup but also contributes to the collective knowledge of smart home enthusiasts.