After a long wait of two years, Level Bolt smart lock users can finally embrace the convenience of Matter support. This development is a significant milestone for Level Home, a proud brand under the locksmith giant Assa Abloy. The company is not only introducing a firmware upgrade that brings Matter compatibility to existing Level Bolt devices but also launching a brand-new Matter-supported version of the Bolt smart lock at a price of $229.
Matter is the ultimate Internet of Things (IoT) standard, designed to allow seamless interoperability between various smart home systems. Unlike other high-bandwidth gadgets, smart locks like the Level Bolt utilize Matter over Thread, which is a mesh networking protocol akin to ZigBee and Z-Wave. The intriguing fact is that Level Locks have always had built-in Thread radios, making them inherently Matter-ready even before the specification became mainstream.
The journey to implementing Matter has been a gradual one, primarily because smart home original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were initially slow to adopt this new standard. Level Home previously relied on a WiFi bridge to connect with smart home platforms such as Apple Home. However, this required the $79 Level Connect to remain plugged in, which was somewhat at odds with the sleek and minimalist design that users expected from this “invisible lock.” Moreover, the reliance on cloud services didn’t significantly enhance user experience.
Now, after enduring this wait and post-acquisition transformation, Level is finally rolling out Matter support. Owners of Level Lock Plus were the first to receive the firmware update, and now Level Bolt users are getting their turn. The newly released Matter-supported Bolt smart lock eliminates the need for the Level Connect bridge, simplifying installation and use.
However, it’s important for Bolt users to note that upgrading to Matter is a one-way street—the change is irreversible, yet it won’t void your warranty. Additionally, because the Matter specification doesn’t cover Amazon Sidewalk, integrating with devices like Ring Doorbells will no longer be possible. Users will also need to re-pair their smart lock with their preferred smart home platform upon upgrading.
For those ready to take the plunge and experience the full potential of their Level Bolt smart locks, instructions are available for upgrading. This is an exciting step toward a more interconnected and intuitive smart home experience.
