If your Philips Hue lights are showing as offline in Google Home, even though they work fine in the Hue app or HomeKit, you're not alone. This issue seems related to Google Home's handling of Hue lights, possibly due to recent updates or Matter integration.
Here's a potential fix using the Matter standard:
Connecting Hue to Google Home via Matter
In the Philips Hue App:
- Open the Philips Hue app.
- Go to Settings > Smart Home > Other apps.
- Tap Get pairing code and copy the 11-digit code (valid for 15 minutes).
In the Google Home App:
- Open the Google Home app.
- Tap + Add > Set up device > Matter-enabled device.
- Select Set up without QR code.
- Paste the pairing code from the Hue app.
Important Considerations
Unlink Existing Hue Connection: If Hue was previously connected to Google Home, unlink it first. This will delete existing automations and room assignments, which you'll need to recreate.
Potential Scene Loss: Some users report losing access to Hue scenes in Google Home after switching to Matter. Consider this before proceeding.
Not Foolproof: While this workaround helps many, some still experience occasional disconnections, requiring a power cycle of the Hue Bridge.
This solution bypasses cloud-based integration, connecting directly via Matter for potentially improved reliability. Hopefully, a permanent fix from Google and Philips will be available soon.
