TL;DR
Get decor and gifts delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Home Assistant 2026.11 beta brings Matter camera feeds into the main interface and adds a Labs preview for two-way audio. The release also incorporates HACS as a built-in Marketplace and changes controls for several Matter devices; the public release is scheduled for Nov. 4.
The Open Home Foundation has released the Home Assistant 2026.11 beta, adding Matter camera feeds to the platform’s main interface and a Labs preview for two-way audio. The update also makes the Home Assistant Community Store (HACS) a built-in Marketplace, while changing controls and behavior for several Matter device types.
With an updated Matter Server, compatible cameras can appear in Home Assistant as standard camera entities, with snapshots and live video. The report says streams use WebRTC between the camera and the user’s browser, and the entity reflects device hardware states, including whether privacy mode is active. Camera support was already present in the Matter.js backend; this beta brings it into the Home Assistant frontend.
Two-way audio is an optional preview feature found under Labs in system settings. When enabled, a talk button appears on live streams. At launch, talkback works with Matter cameras and Reolink cameras configured over RTSP; the report says RTMP and FLV streams cannot carry return audio. Using a browser microphone currently requires opening Home Assistant over HTTPS. Support for companion apps over HTTP is in development, according to the report.
The beta also changes Matter climate controls so devices resume their last active heating or cooling mode when switched back on. Tilt-only window coverings now appear as tilt covers, with dedicated tilt actions; existing automations or routines that use standard open and close commands may need changes. Other additions include a reverse motor-direction switch for Matter coverings, lighting color-temperature controls, thermostat setpoint attributes, and fixes for air-quality sensor units. The release incorporates HACS as a built-in Marketplace; community projects remain maintained by their developers.
Camera Feeds Move Into Home Assistant
Bringing camera support from the Matter backend into Home Assistant’s regular interface reduces the gap between adding a compatible camera and using it in dashboards. Live video and snapshots can sit alongside other smart-home controls, while the talkback preview adds a way to speak through supported cameras or doorbells without switching to a separate interface.
The limitations matter for people planning a setup: audio support depends on the camera and stream type, and browser-based talk currently requires HTTPS. The other changes may also affect existing setups. In particular, automations tied to the former climate-mode fallback or to standard open-and-close actions for tilt-only blinds may require revisions after updating.
Moving HACS into the main settings menu could also make community integrations, cards and themes easier to find and maintain. That does not make those projects official Home Assistant products: their individual developers remain responsible for maintaining them.
Products Worth Considering
Metabo HPT 18V 30° Cordless Paper Tape Framing Nailer Kit (NR1890DCA)
EGO Power+ 9-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum (WDV0904) with 56V 5.0Ah Battery and Charger
EGO Power+ 3-Gallon Compact Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum, 85 CFM (WDV0300)
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Matter Backend to Dashboard
The release builds on a recent upgrade to the Matter.js server, which provides the backend for Home Assistant’s Matter integration. According to the source report, that server already supported camera capabilities; the 2026.11 beta connects those capabilities to the main interface so users can access feeds as camera entities.
The changes extend beyond cameras. The Matter network map will show bridged devices, and Matter firmware release notes will be translated. Sensor handling is also being adjusted: concentration sensors for TVOC, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone will use the units reported by their devices, with some existing entities potentially requiring unit or statistics cleanup. The built-in Marketplace is another platform-level change in the same beta.
““Video streams run over WebRTC directly between your browser and the camera.””
— Matter Alpha report
Compatibility and Beta Limits
The beta announcement does not provide a complete list of supported Matter camera models or detailed requirements for each device. The report describes broad compatibility with Matter cameras but does not establish that every Matter camera will provide both video and talkback. Two-way audio support is narrower, with RTSP-based Reolink cameras named alongside Matter cameras and RTMP and FLV excluded.
It is also unclear which features will be present in the final release exactly as they appear in the beta. The source cautions that beta features may not all be included immediately if further work is needed. Companion-app talk over HTTP is still in development, and the report does not give a delivery date. Users with existing climate automations, tilt-cover routines or certain air-quality sensors may need to review their setup after updating.
Public Release Set for Nov. 4
Home Assistant 2026.11 is available through the beta channel for testing, with the public release scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to the source report. The final rollout will clarify which beta features are ready and whether any compatibility details or requirements change.
Users testing the beta can check camera entities with their Matter Server updated, enable talkback through Labs, and verify that Home Assistant is accessed over HTTPS when using a browser microphone. Before updating a production setup, they should also review automations that depend on climate-mode defaults or standard cover commands. No date was reported for companion-app talk over HTTP.
Key Questions
Does Home Assistant 2026.11 support Matter cameras?
The beta adds frontend support for compatible Matter cameras. With an updated Matter Server, supported cameras can appear as camera entities with snapshots and live video. The source report does not list every compatible model.
Which cameras can use two-way audio?
The reported launch support covers Matter cameras and Reolink cameras configured over RTSP. RTMP and FLV streams cannot carry return audio, according to the source report.
Do I need HTTPS for camera talkback?
Yes, when using a browser: microphone access currently requires Home Assistant to be opened over HTTPS. Support for companion apps over HTTP is in development, with no date given in the report.
What happens to my existing HACS installation?
The report says existing HACS setups migrate automatically during the upgrade. Community integrations, dashboard cards and themes remain maintained by their respective developers and are not thereby officially supported by Home Assistant.
When is Home Assistant 2026.11 expected to be released?
The beta is available now through the beta channel. The source report lists the public release for Nov. 4, 2026; beta features may still change before rollout.
Source: matteralpha.com
