Hey @TimH83,

Thanks for the feedback, I will need to check with my teams to see if this is a feature that we are in control of or if it is Apples. For the most part, features that change a device's type are managed and controlled by the app developer based on the type of device added - but I am not sure what types of devices switches can be displayed as.

Soemthing else to note, the KS205 is a Matter device, which can be used in the Apple Home app, but it is not necessarily an Apple Homekit device. If your other plugs or outlets are official HomeKit devices then the features available in the Apple Home app between Matter and HomeKit devices may be different.

  @TimH83,

So I am going through everything that I can to try and determine how the feature works, but I discovered something that I did not even consider: The KS205 is a Matter-Device and is not technically a HomeKit device, meaning that it cannot benefit from the same controls and attributes that we can give to HomeKit devices, as HomeKit devices use a completely different framework to determine devices types and to send commands.

Unfortunately, Matter does not yet support the ability to add devices as another device type at setup, and it will rely on your platform to 'convert' the device's commands if the option is given. I am looking into this further, as it looks like there may be a potential to make changes in their backend or via an integration to Apple Home for your device - but I am not too sure how much control is given - it has been a few years since I have needed to do any advanced homekit configuration.

  @TimH83,

We actually released an article on Tuesday for our summer giveaway event , providing an overview of the technologies.

What is Apple Home? What is Apple HomeKit?

There is a difference between a device that works with Apple Home and is HomeKit Compatible. Matter Devices are classified as "work with  Apple Home" but do not use HomeKit so they cannot take advantage of the HomeKit-specific features despite being the same platform.

For example, while energy monitoring may be supported on one of our devices and integrations, the feature is not yet supported via Matter due to the framework not existing for those features yet. 

Hey  @TimH83,

Potentially, but I am not sure without talking with my team even further. Based on my conversations with them and our QA testers, they also believe that this is in the realm of Apple's Control for what devices can be displayed as what.

So while it does look like it proves the case, I think that is is actually comparing Apples to Oranges and the two features operate very differently, despite appearing the same within the app.

While the Display as Feature is done via the HomeKit connection, I have a feeling that with Matter it is managed and controlled by the destination platform. Much like how you can only change to specific types of devices in Google Home and Home Assistant.

Smart Plugs have always been the most flexible as they only contain commands to toggle the device and the commands would not need to be translated, such as is the case with Smart Lights and Dimmers. Open Smart Home Platforms have been able to support this functionality on smart plugs for a few years at this point.

Unfortunately, I was not able to find a resource that indicated that this functionality is controlled by Matter, or if Apple has a hand when it comes to Matter devices - only regarding how Apple structures the device's coding for HomeKit devices, which we already know works as expected. We will need to wait to see if we hear something official from our development team.

  @TimH83,

We actually do have HP ratings for a few of our switches; we just do not openly advertise this as a use and consider it more of a specification. However, it is something we see a lot more of nowadays, especially now with the KS240 Fan+Dimmer Switch - so I will see what our teams think about the feature/suggestion.

I think the problem is that since it is communicating via Matter rather than via HomeKit's framework, we have to conform to the standards set for Matter and report the device as only a single type. This is to ensure not just compatibility but to ensure that any other Matter controllers are interacting with the expected device type.

Since we are bound by the restrictions of Matter, at least until something similar is added to Matter (such as the ability to report itself as a different device, or to provide alternate device types) this feature is controlled by whatever controller/platform it is connected to. There are platforms that can do what you are looking for, as Home Assistant can convert any device, within reason - but this is because of their own additions. Either way, I'll see what the teams think / see if its possible and get back to you.