Did it used to work? That sounds more like there's a lag in the app updating. Likely your HA updated, but the fdroid version is an older version and it wants you to update, but the update isn't available on fdroid yet so it's pointing you to the play store

It needs the official google home thing. But you can still access the Matter controller webserver. Assuming it's the same WiFi your phone/desktop is on, you can find out what it's IP is and what the address port route should be (from their docs) and it should work.

I've had the exact same issue and still managed to add my robovac to it (running HA on an old laptop, the "controller" is just another docker service running on that laptop)

AFAIK the only or main difference between fdroid and play store one is the location service. With the play store one you can have like tracker.your_phone for real time location based stuff

I'm not familiar with Google Matter, but you may find google alternatives for home assistant integrations at !homeassistant@lemmy.world

I've been pleasantly surprised before.

There is a way for matter onboarding through HA with a bt (le) dongle on the server, and a matter border router (got 3 SMLight POE ones here). Somewhat pressed in time now but I think you can find the link.

I went with ZigBee only devices to avoid crap like this. Matter is, for some reason, very popular and I don't understand why, it seems shady at best.

What is it about Home Assistant that’s so important to keep?