samples/matter/light_bulb joining but not responding with HomePod mini

[jahess]

Decided it was more economical for me to purchase a COTS border router in the form of a HomePod mini than keep trying to deal with OTBR.

Besides, this is what end users would have and it is the devices I'm interested in developing and not getting a prototype border router working.

The HomePod mini was easy to setup and I immediately updated its software to version 16.2.

Wow!  The nfc setup vision for matter appears to have worked.  Just had to "Add anyway" past an "uncertified device" warning (understandable given developmental nature).

Unfortunately, the iOS and MacOS Home apps always show the "light bulb" as "not responding."

Doh!  Stuck again but much further than ever before.

Any suggestions?

Anyone else with success with a HomePod mini functioning as a border router?

Building with sdk 2.2.0 with matching toolchain on an Intel MacOS 13.1.

For what it is worth, the HomePod mini and Home apps work with the only other commercial matter device that I currently have -- an Eve energy plug.  Even with "Hey Siri, turn on Eve energy."

[CartBlanche]

I unfortunately can't help with a solution, but wondered if you had many problems getting the light_bulb app/device added to HomePod Mini to see it? I can build and deploy to the nrF52840, but the HomePod Mini can never attach to it, even though it is visible by Bluetooth.

[jahess]

I started restarting the HomePod mini after every accessory add.  Now I've been able to add:

    nrf/samples/matter/light_bulb and

   nrf/samples/matter/lock

with nrf52840dk or nrf5340dk and, after the the HomePod mini restarts, the new device becomes responsive.  I can control both from the app.

I have also been able to add:

    nrf/samples/matter/light_switch

But, even after HomePod mini restarts, it always indicates "This accessory is not responding" or "This accessory is not currently supported by the Home app."

In short, I've made progress but most end users would find things unnacceptably frustrating.

No idea if it is on the HomePod mini side or the device side and still not knowledgeable enough to know how to tell where the problem lies.

[CartBlanche]

jahess Seems like we are in similar situations. In a separate thread I've asked support when we are likely to get a Matter sample that "just works"(TM) with Google/Apple Home out of the box. That would certainly help us devs get up and running quicker, rather than having to jump through several hoops. It they say it supports Matter, it should support it end to end and their samples could show us how that works, IMHO.

[SH den]

Hello jahess 

How were you able to add device successfully with home pod mini?

I am not able to commission light bulb.

I am struggling with same thing here is my full post.

NRF 52840 matter light bulb fail commissioning with Apple Home pod mini - Nordic Q&A - Nordic DevZone - Nordic DevZone (nordicsemi.com)

Thank you for help.