Why Thread 1.4 Smart Home Integration Won’t Be Fully Ready Until 2026
If you’re struggling to unify your smart home devices under one stable network, the latest upgrade in Thread 1.4 smart home integration could be the long-awaited fix. Thread 1.4 introduces a new standard that lets Thread border routers from different brands finally join the same mesh network — solving a major compatibility issue. While Apple is leading the charge with tvOS 26, other key players like Google and Amazon are still on Thread 1.3. So, if you were hoping for a fully seamless smart home setup, you might need to wait until 2026. In this post, we’ll break down what Thread 1.4 means for your smart home, what’s changing, and why full integration is taking longer than expected.
What Is Thread 1.4 Smart Home Integration and Why Does It Matter?
Thread is a low-power, reliable mesh networking protocol designed specifically for smart home and IoT devices — think sensors, lights, locks, and thermostats. Unlike Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, Thread offers better range and lower latency, and it’s built to be more scalable across many devices. But here’s the catch: until now, Thread border routers (which connect Thread networks to the internet) from different manufacturers would often create their own isolated networks. This fragmentation kills one of Thread’s biggest promises — a unified, stable, and fast smart home mesh.
Thread 1.4 changes the game. It introduces a standard that allows border routers — whether from Apple, Google, Amazon, or Samsung — to join existing networks rather than setting up their own. This means your Apple TV, Nest Hub, and Eero router could all cooperate, improving range and reliability. With the update rolling out on Apple TVs and HomePods this fall through tvOS 26, the shift has begun. But since Google, Amazon, and Samsung are lagging behind, full support across ecosystems won’t arrive until 2026.
Apple Leads With Thread 1.4 in tvOS 26
Apple is the first major player to commit to Thread 1.4 smart home integration this year. The upcoming release of tvOS 26, currently in beta, includes support for Thread 1.4 — and since HomePods run on a tvOS fork, they’re expected to get the update too. According to the Thread Group, this move marks a significant shift toward a standardized, interoperable Thread environment.
This change means Apple TVs and HomePods will now integrate into existing Thread networks rather than setting up isolated ones, making Apple-powered smart homes much more efficient. For users juggling multiple ecosystems — like an Apple TV in the living room, a Google Nest Hub in the kitchen, and Echo speakers throughout the house — this update is a key piece of the puzzle.
Unfortunately, other major vendors aren’t moving as fast. Google, Amazon, and Samsung still operate on Thread 1.3 and have announced tentative plans to upgrade sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. Until then, the dream of a fully interoperable smart home remains just that — a dream.
Why Full Thread 1.4 Support Will Take Until 2026
Thread 1.4 was officially released in September 2024, but its adoption has been slow. The upgrade requires device manufacturers to recertify and re-engineer their border routers to align with the new spec. According to Ann Olivo, VP of Marketing at the Thread Group, support for older Thread versions like 1.3 will officially end after December 31, 2025. That means from January 1, 2026, all Thread border routers must be certified under version 1.4.
That deadline is pushing companies like Google, Amazon, and Samsung to act — but timelines vary. Samsung says their SmartThings border routers will support Thread 1.4 “later this year.” Amazon plans to roll it out “across compatible devices next year.” Google has acknowledged they’re working on it but hasn’t offered a firm launch date. Until then, users will continue experiencing fragmented networks that undercut the potential of Matter and Thread.
Even though some credential sharing between devices exists via mobile APIs (especially on Android), it’s not a full solution. Only full Thread 1.4 smart home integration — where routers automatically detect and join existing networks — will solve the current fragmentation issues completely.
What This Means for Your Smart Home Setup
If you’re building or upgrading a smart home in 2025, here’s the bottom line: Thread 1.4 is a necessary update that will eventually unify your device networks across brands. But we’re not quite there yet. You might still face challenges if you’re mixing Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung products. Expect minor instability, slower performance, or network redundancies until everyone catches up to the Thread 1.4 specification.
To future-proof your home, consider these tips:
Invest in Apple TV 4K or HomePods this fall — they’ll be the first mainstream devices to support 1.4.
Avoid buying more Thread-based devices until you know if their manufacturer will support 1.4.
Watch for 2026 certification labels — by then, all certified Thread routers will need to meet the 1.4 standard.
Consider using fewer ecosystems for now to minimize fragmentation.
While it’s frustrating to wait, the benefits of a unified mesh network — better range, faster response times, and more stable device control — are well worth the patience. Thread 1.4 isn’t just another software update; it’s the future foundation of the truly smart home.