AVM has released a new FRITZ! Lab update for the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro that turns the router into a Matter bridge for the first time. This allows FRITZ! smart home devices and compatible products from other manufacturers to be integrated into a Matter network and controlled via Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa. The beta has been available for download at fritz.com/labor since July 28, 2026, and offers a preview of the upcoming FRITZ!OS 8.50.
Key Points at a Glance
- The new FRITZ! Lab turns the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro into a Matter bridge —a first for a FRITZ!Box.
- FRITZ! smart home devices (e.g., the FRITZ!Smart Thermo 302) and compatible third-party devices thus become visible to Matter networks.
- You can then control them via Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.
- This is a beta version in preparation for FRITZ!OS 8.50 —intended for testing and feedback, not for production use.
- Until now, Matter support on FRITZ! was only available via the FRITZ!Smart Gateway. In the future, there will be two options.
What the new FRITZ! Lab brings to the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro
The core of the update is Matter support. The FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro acts as a Matter bridge: It makes the smart home devices registered with it available to a Matter network. This applies to both FRITZ!-branded hardware and compatible devices from other brands connected to the FRITZ!Box.
Practical example: A FRITZ!Smart Thermo 302 can thus be integrated into another manufacturer’s Matter ecosystem. For you, this means more choices for voice control and smart automations, because the devices become accessible across platforms. AVM is thus continuing its commitment to greater interoperability.
FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro as a Matter Bridge: How It Works
Matter is the cross-manufacturer smart home standard designed to bring devices from different brands together—similar to the concept behind wireless standards like ZigBee, but on a platform-wide scale. A Matter bridge acts as an intermediary between a proprietary device connection and the Matter network.
The FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro now takes on precisely this task: It passes the smart home devices registered with it on to Matter. The devices then appear as controllable components in the Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa apps. Anyone who has previously managed their FRITZ! devices via the FRITZ!App Smart Home now has a second, more open option.
Two Ways to Matter: FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro vs. FRITZ!Smart Gateway
Matter with FRITZ! isn’t entirely new. The standard was already available via the FRITZ!Smart Gateway. What’s new is that the feature is now also available directly in a FRITZ!Box. This gives you two options going forward:
| Feature | FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro (FRITZ! Lab) | FRITZ!Smart Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Matter bridge in the router | Separate Matter bridge |
| Additional hardware | None (function within the router) | Requires a dedicated gateway |
| Status | Beta (FRITZ! Lab, preview of FRITZ!OS 8.50) | Already available |
| Connects to | Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa | Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa |
Which option is best depends on your setup. If you already own a FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro, the Labor update saves you from having to buy additional hardware. The FRITZ!Smart Gateway remains the choice for anyone with other FRITZ!Box models.
FRITZ! Lab: What You Should Know Before Installation
The FRITZ! Labor versions are beta updates straight from the development team. They offer an early look at upcoming FRITZ!OS features and receive ongoing improvements in security and energy efficiency. In addition to Matter integration, that’s exactly the point: try it out and provide feedback.
Since this is beta software, you shouldn’t install it on a box in continuous use without testing it first. It’s a good idea to back up your settings beforehand. You can download the update at fritz.com/labor; for more details on Matter with FRITZ!, visit fritz.com/pages/matter-mit-fritz. Compatible hardware is available on Amazon, among other places.
FAQ on the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro and Matter
Does the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro now support Matter?
Yes, with the new FRITZ! Labor, the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro functions as a Matter bridge. This feature is currently in beta and part of the preparations for FRITZ!OS 8.50.
What does a Matter bridge do?
It makes smart home devices registered with the FRITZ!Box available to a Matter network. This allows them to be controlled via Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa.
Do I still need the FRITZ!Smart Gateway?
Not necessarily, if you’re using a FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro. However, the gateway remains the solution for other FRITZ!Box models that aren’t Matter bridges themselves.
Where can I get FRITZ! Labor?
The latest Labor version is available at fritz.com/labor. Please note that this is beta software.
Conclusion: A Sensible Step, but Still in Beta
The fact that a FRITZ!Box can now act as a Matter bridge itself is the logical next step in AVM’s commitment to interoperability and good news for anyone with a mixed smart home. In the future, anyone who wants to control FRITZ! devices in Apple Home or Alexa will no longer necessarily have to rely on additional hardware. However, there are two things to keep in mind: It’s still in beta, and the feature is currently exclusive to the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro. Whether and when other models will follow remains to be seen. For early adopters with a compatible box, the lab is still worth checking out.
