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Matter is a universal smart-home standard that lets devices from different brands work together reliably and securely.

In simple terms: if a product supports Matter, it can connect and operate with major platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings—without worrying about compatibility.

Thread is a low-power, wireless networking protocol designed for smart home devices.

In simple terms: it lets devices like lights, locks, and sensors communicate directly with each other in a secure, reliable, and energy-efficient way—without relying solely on Wi-Fi.

It’s often used with Matter, because Thread creates a fast, mesh network that makes Matter devices more responsive and reliable.

Matter-over-Thread required means that a device must connect using Matter on a Thread network to function properly.

In simpler terms:

The device cannot work over Wi-Fi alone.

It relies on Thread’s low-power mesh network for communication.

To pair a smart device with Matter, your smart home platform (Apple, Alexa, Google, SmartThings app) and a Thread Border Router (a smart speaker or hub that needs to supports Thread, please conform with your smart home platform).

Matter-compatible smart locks are very secure.

In simple terms: they use strong encryption to protect your data, and all communication between your lock, phone, and smart home system is private and verified, so only authorized users can unlock it.

Think of it like a digital lock with a secret handshake that only trusted devices know.

The two modes do not run simultaneously— the lock must be in either Matter-over-Thread mode or Wi-Fi mode at any time.

In Matter mode, you can still use Bluetooth to connect to the U Home app to set up certain exclusive features. In this mode, lightly press the ULTRALOQ button on the lock panel before connecting to activate Bluetooth.

The default mode out of the box is Matter mode (i.e. Matter over Thread).

If you want to use Wi-Fi instead, you can switch modes inside the official mobile app (the “U home” app).

If the lock was already added in Wi-Fi mode and you want to revert to Matter mode, then after switching mode in the app you typically need to press the reset pinhole for about 1 second to activate Matter pairing so it can be re‑added to your Matter ecosystem.