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Home Assistant 2026.11 beta brings Matter camera feeds into the dashboard and adds a Labs preview for two-way audio. The update also makes HACS a built-in Marketplace and changes controls for several Matter devices; the public release is scheduled for Nov. 4, according to the source report.
The Open Home Foundation has released the Home Assistant 2026.11 beta, adding dashboard support for Matter cameras and a Labs preview of two-way audio. The update also brings the Home Assistant Community Store (HACS) into the platform as a built-in Marketplace, making camera features supported in the Matter backend accessible through the main interface.
With an updated Matter Server, compatible cameras can appear in Home Assistant as standard camera entities, with snapshots and live video. The reported implementation streams video using WebRTC between the camera and a user’s browser, and reflects device state such as whether privacy mode is active. The source report does not list specific camera models confirmed to work.
Two-way talk is a separate Labs preview that users enable in system settings. A talk control appears on live streams for supported Matter cameras and Reolink cameras set up over RTSP. The report says RTMP and FLV streams cannot carry return audio. It also says browser microphone access currently requires opening Home Assistant over HTTPS; support for companion apps over HTTP is in development.
The beta includes a wider set of Matter changes. Climate entities can resume their last heating or cooling mode when turned back on; tilt-only covers are represented as tilt covers; and new options include reversing cover motor direction, selecting travel time for WAGO Home Blind Control, setting power-on color temperature for lights, and using Matter thermostat setpoint attributes. The report warns that automations built around previous climate fallback behavior or standard open-and-close commands for tilt covers may need changes.
Camera Features Reach the Dashboard
The camera changes connect Matter support already present in the backend to Home Assistant’s everyday interface. Users with compatible hardware and an updated Matter Server can view live feeds alongside other smart-home controls, rather than relying on backend support alone. The added talk control may also let users respond through a camera or doorbell from a dashboard, subject to device, stream, and browser requirements.
Making HACS a built-in Marketplace is another practical change: users can browse, install, and update community integrations, dashboard cards, and themes through Home Assistant settings. This can simplify access to community projects, but it does not make those projects official or transfer their maintenance to the Home Assistant team.
The device-control changes matter to existing setups, too. Updated climate and cover behavior may affect scripts, voice routines, and automations that rely on older defaults. Users should check those routines after upgrading rather than assume previous commands still produce the same result.
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From Matter Server to Home Assistant
The release builds on an earlier Matter.js server upgrade. According to the source report, that server already supported camera capabilities, while the Home Assistant frontend had not yet exposed them for general use. Version 2026.11 beta adds that interface layer, linking camera discovery and live feeds to standard Home Assistant entities.
The update also adjusts Matter air-quality sensor units. Concentration sensors for TVOC, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone will use the unit reported by the device for newly added sensors. Existing entities may convert values or require changes to their device class and statistics, depending on the units they report. The report also lists a Matter network map change that displays bridged devices, translated firmware release notes, and developer test improvements.
For HACS, the report says existing installations migrate automatically. Community integrations and other projects remain maintained by their own developers, not officially supported by Home Assistant. The beta is available for testing, but features may not all be present in the beta build while work continues before the public release.
“Video streams run over WebRTC directly between your browser and the camera.”
— Matter Alpha, reporting on Home Assistant 2026.11
Compatibility and Beta Limits
The source report does not provide a full list of compatible Matter cameras or say how widely the feature has been tested across manufacturers. Support depends on an updated Matter Server, and talkback also depends on camera and stream compatibility. The report says Reolink told Matter Alpha that main-powered cameras with speakers should support the capabilities through Home Assistant, but that statement does not establish compatibility for every model.
It is also unclear which listed features will be present in every beta installation or whether any will change before the public release. The source describes the HTTP companion-app support for two-way talk as in development, without giving a release date. Users should treat the beta as a test build, particularly if camera access or automations are important to their household.
Public Release Set for Nov. 4
The source report says the public release is scheduled for Nov. 4, following the beta. Home Assistant users can test the beta through the beta channel, while those who prefer a more settled installation can wait for the public version. The report cautions that some features may still be absent from the beta while they receive further work.
After updating, users can check whether their Matter Server and cameras expose the new entities, test talkback over HTTPS, and review automations affected by the climate and cover changes. They should also inspect air-quality sensor units and statistics where applicable. The final feature set, broader device compatibility, and timing for HTTP companion-app support remain to be confirmed.
Key Questions
What camera features are new in Home Assistant 2026.11?
The beta exposes compatible Matter cameras as camera entities with snapshots and live WebRTC video, provided the Matter Server is updated.
Which cameras support two-way talk?
The source report lists Matter cameras and Reolink cameras configured over RTSP. It does not provide a complete model list. RTMP and FLV streams are reported as incompatible with return audio.
Does two-way audio work over HTTP?
Not in a browser at present, according to the report. Browser microphone access requires Home Assistant to be opened over HTTPS. Support for companion apps over HTTP is in development, with no date given.
What does the built-in Marketplace mean for HACS projects?
Users can browse, install, and update community integrations, dashboard cards, and themes from Home Assistant settings. The projects remain maintained by their individual developers and are not thereby officially supported.
When is Home Assistant 2026.11 due for public release?
The source report gives Nov. 4 as the scheduled public release date. The beta is available earlier for testing, and its feature set may differ from the final version.
Source: matteralpha.com
