Android 15 will support the Thread protocol, which can be used to control smart home equipment. However, to work with the protocol, smartphones also require a Thread radio. At the moment, this is not built into Android phones.

The Thread protocol is part of the Matter global standard, created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance to control smart home equipment. The goal is for this standard to allow all smart home devices to communicate with each other and be controlled via a single app, even if they are from different manufacturers. The only requirement is that the device in question — such as a light bulb or thermostat — is Matter certified.

Thread is a mesh networking protocol designed specifically for Matter-enabled devices. To communicate over Thread, smartphones require a Thread radio and support for the Thread protocol. This is the only way smartphones can talk directly to smart home devices over the Thread Mesh network. Another option is to have com.borderrouter Which connects the mesh network to your WiFi or Ethernet network and transmits all the data. Google TV devices running Android TV OS 14 can be used as a border router.

Right now, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have Thread radios. But Android is now also taking steps to support Thread reports directly. Robot bodyThe upcoming Android 15 update will add support for the Thread protocol over Thread. Network stackAndroid 15 smartphones with Thread radio will soon be able to communicate directly with other devices on the Thread network. However, at the moment, there are no Android smartphones with Thread radios. It is not yet known which future Android phones will receive Thread radios.