Revolutionary Google Home update will transform your smart home automation

Imagine commanding your Matter-compatible devices even when your Wi-Fi goes down, with instant, reliable local responses. This upgrade from Google lets your Assistant operate offline, ensuring seamless control and greater resilience for your connected home.

Local control without internet

Picture this: you’re returning home on a blustery winter’s evening, groceries in hand, only to find the Wi-Fi has packed up again. In the past, your smart lights, heating and door locks might have been rendered useless. Now, thanks to Google’s latest upgrade, every Matter-compatible gadget in your home can communicate directly over your local control network, even when you’re offline¹.

Did you know? Version 1.4.1 of the open-source Matter protocol was released on May 7, 2025².

According to Google, this new feature is built on the Matter protocol, creating a seamless mesh of devices that talk straight to each other without the need for cloud servers. This means that whether you’re asking the Google Assistant to dim the lights or unlock the door, you’ll enjoy reliable, instant responses—no internet required.

A smarter solution for power outages and network issues

When the broadband goes dark or your router decides to throw in the towel, most of us have resorted to clutching a torch or rummaging for a spare key. But with this update, a local outage won’t force you back to the Stone Age. I experienced this first-hand during a recent thunderstorm: the router blinked out just as I was heading to bed. Instead of fumbling in the dark, I simply said, “Hey Google, turn on the hallway light,” and there—the beam lit my path. By leveraging the Local Home SDK on Nest Hub devices, the Assistant can now process commands on-device³, keeping your house running smoothly when it matters most.

Opening the door to third-party integration

Perhaps the most exciting twist is Google’s decision to throw open its Home APIs to developers worldwide⁴. This third-party integration means you’ll soon see apps from smaller brands offering bespoke routines that weave together locks, cameras and thermostats—no matter who made them. Imagine a morning ritual where your coffee machine springs to life the moment your smart lock clicks open, or a security camera that flashes on if your smart smoke alarm detects trouble. By granting developers deeper access, Google is cultivating a truly interconnected ecosystem that promises fresh innovation around every corner.

The future of smart homes

This update marks a turning point in home automation. By tackling the Achilles’ heel of internet dependency and championing open standards, Google is steering us toward homes that are not only smarter but also more resilient and user-friendly. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or only just dipping your toes into the world of connected living, now is the perfect moment to explore—or upgrade—your setup. As the smart home landscape evolves, one thing’s for certain: our daily routines are about to get a whole lot smoother.

Footnotes

1. The Verge. “Google Home hubs can now work locally thanks to Matter.” January 8, 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/8/24338969/google-home-hubs-local-control-matter

2. Wikipedia. “Matter (standard).” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matter_%28standard%29

3. Google Home Developers. “Local fulfillment | Cloud-to-cloud.” https://developers.home.google.com/local-home/overview

4. Google Home Developers. “Google Home APIs open to third-party developers.”. https://developers.home.google.com/apis?hl=en