# Multiprotocol on Home Assistant with SONOFF Dongle Max over TCP
**URL:** https://forum.ewelink.cc/t/multiprotocol-on-home-assistant-with-sonoff-dongle-max-over-tcp/208184
**Category:** Dongle Series
**Created:** [April 16, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://forum.ewelink.cc/t/multiprotocol-on-home-assistant-with-sonoff-dongle-max-over-tcp/208184 "2026-04-16T03:44:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MichaelLearnsToCode](https://forum.ewelink.cc/u/MichaelLearnsToCode)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://forum.ewelink.cc/t/multiprotocol-on-home-assistant-with-sonoff-dongle-max-over-tcp/208184/1 "2026-04-16T03:44:50Z")
# 1. Foreword
This document explains how to use SONOFF [Dongle Max](https://sonoff.tech/products/sonoff-dongle-max-zigbee-thread-poe-dongle-dongle-m) (Zigbee/Thread PoE Dongle | Dongle-M) as a [Multiprotocol](https://www.silabs.com/wireless/multiprotocol?tab=learn) adapter, with [Home Assistant](https://home-assistant.io/) connecting to it via TCP (network) to create a [Zigbee](https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/zigbee/) network, add Zigbee smart devices, while at the same time, create a [Thread](https://openthread.io/) network and add [Matter](https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/matter/) over Thread smart devices.
_Note: For detailed information on the Thread feature in Home Assistant, please refer to the official [Home Assistant Thread Integration](https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/thread/) documentation._
# 2. Environment
- Board Type: [Raspberry Pi 4/5](https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/raspberrypi/), [Generic x86-64](https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/generic-x86-64/)
- Installation Type: [Home Assistant Operating System](https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/#about-installation-types) (Version 17.0 and later)
- Home Assistant Core: Version 2026.2.0 and later
- [Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App](https://github.com/iHost-Open-Source-Project/hassio-ihost-addon/tree/master/hassio-ihost-silabs-multiprotocol): Version 1.0.0 and later
- [Matter Server App](https://github.com/home-assistant/addons/blob/master/matter_server/DOCS.md): Version 8.2.2 and later
- [Mosquitto broker App](https://github.com/home-assistant/addons/blob/master/mosquitto/DOCS.md): Version 6.5.2 and later
- [Zigbee2MQTT App](https://github.com/zigbee2mqtt/hassio-zigbee2mqtt): Version 2.9.1 and later
- [Home Assistant Companion App](https://companion.home-assistant.io/): [Google Play Apps](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.homeassistant.companion.android), [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/home-assistant/id1099568401)
# 3. Preparation
## 3.1. Access the Home Assistant Operating System front-end web interface using a browser
If you have not yet installed, run, and configured the Home Assistant Operating System (HA), please refer to the official [Home Assistant Installation Guide](https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/).
## 3.2. Flash the Multiprotocol RCP firmware onto Dongle Max and connect it to LAN via ethernet or Wi-Fi
SONOFF officially provides three methods for flashing firmware onto Dongle series products:
- [SONOFF Dongle Flasher Web App](https://dongle.sonoff.tech/sonoff-dongle-flasher/): Connect to Windows/macOS/Linux via USB and use a browser to flash the Dongle firmware. Please refer to [https://dongle.sonoff.tech/guide/dongle-pmg24/how\_to\_flash\_openthread\_firmware/](https://dongle.sonoff.tech/guide/dongle-pmg24/how_to_flash_openthread_firmware/).
- [SONOFF Dongle Flasher HA App](https://github.com/iHost-Open-Source-Project/hassio-ihost-addon/tree/master/hassio-ihost-sonoff-dongle-flasher): Connect to HA via USB and flash the Dongle firmware through HA front-end web interface. Please refer to [https://dongle.sonoff.tech/guide/dongle-pmg24/flash-firmware-via-home-assistant-add-on/](https://dongle.sonoff.tech/guide/dongle-pmg24/flash-firmware-via-home-assistant-add-on/).
- [SONOFF Dongle Flasher Docker Image](https://hub.docker.com/r/ewelink/sonoff-dongle-flasher): Connect to Windows/macOS/Linux via USB, start a Docker container, and use the container’s web console to flash the Dongle.
You can also flash the latest Multiprotocol RCP firmware onto Dongle Max through its built-in Web UI. On the `Web UI -> EFP32MG24 Operation Mode` page, enable `MultiPAN Mode(beta)` as shown in the screenshot below.
For instructions on how to connect Dongle Max to LAN (Local area network) and access Dongle Max’s built-in Web UI, please refer to Dongle Max’s official [Getting Started](https://dongle.sonoff.tech/guide/dongle-m/donglem-getting-started/) guide.
## 3.3. Optional: Enable Bluetooth integration on HA
If you plan to use the Matter Server App’s Web UI instead of the Home Assistant Companion App to add Matter over Thread smart devices, you must enable Bluetooth integration on HA.
You can check whether Bluetooth integration is discovered and enabled on `HA -> Settings -> Devices & services -> Integrations` page, as shown in the screenshot below.
_Note: Raspberry Pi 4/5 comes with built-in Bluetooth hardware. Generic x86-64 hosts usually require an additional USB Bluetooth Adapter. Please refer to HA [Bluetooth Integration official documentation](https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/bluetooth/#installing-a-usb-bluetooth-adapter) for details_.
# 4. Install, configure and run Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App
## 4.1. Install Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Install app -> App store` page, click the `Overflow menu icon` in the upper right corner and select `Repositories`. In the pop-up dialog box, enter the repository address of the iHost Open Source Project HA App: [https://github.com/iHost-Open-Source-Project/hassio-ihost-addon](https://github.com/iHost-Open-Source-Project/hassio-ihost-addon), and then click the `Add` button to add the repository, as shown in the screenshots below.
Refresh `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Install app -> App store` page, go to `Silicon Labs Multiprotocol` page under the `iHost Open Source Project` repository, download and install Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App, as shown in the screenshots below.
## 4.2. Configure Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Silicon Labs Multiprotocol -> Configuration` page, set the correct `Options`:
- **Device** : Select any device. It will not actually take effect.
- **Baudrate** : 115200.
- **Hardware flow control** : Disabled (false).
- **Network Device** : `dongle-m.local:6638`. dongle-m.local is the IP address or mDNS name of Dongle Max.
_Note: Incorrect settings will cause Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App to malfunction._
## 4.3. Start Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App and configure Thread network
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Silicon Labs Multiprotocol -> Info` page, enable `Start on boot`, `Watchdog`, and click the `Start` button, as shown in the screenshot below.
Then switch to `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Silicon Labs Multiprotocol -> Log` page to view the logs. If you see:
```auto
s6-rc: info: service zigbeed-tcp successfully started
s6-rc: info: service otbr-agent successfully started
s6-rc: info: service otbr-agent-rest-discovery successfully started
s6-rc: info: service legacy-services successfully started
```
then Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App has successfully started and is running correctly, as shown in the screenshot below.
_Note: Messages in the log such as `Cannot open file /usr/local/etc/zigbeed.conf` can be ignored._
Switch back to `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Silicon Labs Multiprotocol -> Info` page, find and record the `Hostname` of Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App, as shown in the screenshot below.
_Note: This Hostname is used when creating a Zigbee network using Zigbee2MQTT._
After Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App starts successfully for the first time, HA will automatically enable Thread integration. You can view the thread network created by Silicon Labs Multiprotocol App by clicking the `Configure` button on `HA -> Settings -> Devices & services -> Integrations -> Thread` page, or on `HA -> Settings -> Thread` page, as shown in the screenshots below.
_Note: If no Thread network starting with `ha-thread` is found, please reboot the system (not `Restart Home Assistant`). If the Thread network starting with ha-thread is not the `Preferred network`, please set it as the Preferred network._
Please click the `Info icon` to the right of the Thread network starting with `ha-thread` to view and record the `Active dataset TLVs`, as shown in the screenshot below.
_Note: This Active dataset TLVs is needed when adding Matter over Thread smart devices via Matter Server App’s Web UI for the first time._
# 5. Install, configure and run Matter Server App
## 5.1. Install Matter Server App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Install app -> App store -> Matter Server` page, click the `Install` button to download and install Matter Server App, as shown in the screenshot below.
## 5.2. Optional: Configure Matter Server App
If you plan to use Matter Server App’s Web UI instead of Home Assistant Companion App to add Matter over Thread smart devices, you must set the correct `Bluetooth Adapter ID` for Matter Server App.
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Matter Server -> Configuration` page, set the correct `Options`:
- Enable **Show unused optional configuration options**
- **Bluetooth Adapter ID** : The default is 0 (i.e., hci0). If there are multiple Bluetooth adapters in Bluetooth integration, please select the hci number corresponding to the Bluetooth adapter used to add Matter device.
## 5.3. Start Matter Server App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Matter Server -> Info` page, enable `Start on boot`, `Watchdog`, `Add to sidebar`, and then click the `Start` button, as shown in the screenshot below.
Then switch to `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Matter Server -> Log` page to view the logs. If you see:
```auto
INFO [matter_server.server.server] Matter Server successfully initialized.
```
then Matter Server App has successfully started and is running correctly, as shown in the screenshot below.
# 6. Add Matter over Thread new device
## 6.1. Adding a new Matter over Thread device using Matter Server App Web UI
Please refer to the product manual of your Matter over Thread smart device to put the device into `Pairing mode` and write down the device’s `Pairing code` (11 or 21 digits of numbers near the Matter pairing QR code).
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Matter Server -> Info` page, click the `Open Web UI` button, or click `Matter Server` menu in HA sidebar to open Matter Server App Web UI page. Then click the `Commission node` button on the page, select `Commission new Thread device`, set the `Thread dataset` (the `Active dataset TLVs` mentioned above), enter the device’s `Pairing code`, and click the `Commission` button to start the process of searching for and adding the device, as shown in the screenshots below.
## 6.2. Add a new Matter over Thread device using Home Assistant Companion App
On `HA -> Settings -> Thread` page, click the `Overflow menu icon` to the right of the Thread network starting with ha-thread, and select `Used for Android + iOS credentials`, as shown in the screenshots below.
Please refer to the product manual of your Matter over Thread smart device to put the device into `Pairing mode` and write down the device’s `Pairing code` (11 or 21 digits of numbers near the Matter pairing QR code).
On `Home Assistant Companion App -> Settings -> Devices & services -> Integrations -> Matter` page, or on `Home Assistant Companion App -> Settings -> Matter` page, click the `Add device` button, select `No. It's new`, and then follow the prompts to scan the device’s Matter pairing QR code, or manually enter the device’s `Pairing code` to start the process of searching for and adding the device, as shown in the screenshots below.
If you are using an Android phone, before adding a Matter over Thread device, you must manually synchronize Thread network credentials by clicking the `Sync Thread credentials` entry in `Home Assistant Companion App -> Settings -> Companion app -> Troubleshooting` page, as shown in the screenshots below.
# 7. Install and run Mosquitto broker App
## 7.1. Install Mosquitto broker App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Install app -> App store -> Mosquitto broker` page, click the `Install` button to download and install Mosquitto broker App, as shown in the screenshot below.
## 7.2. Start Mosquitto broker App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Mosquitto broker -> Info` page, enable `Start on boot`, `Watchdog`, and then click the `Start` button, as shown in the screenshot below.
Then switch to `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Mosquitto broker -> Log` page to view the logs. If you see:
```auto
INFO: Successfully send discovery information to Home Assistant.
INFO: Successfully send service information to the Supervisor.
```
then Mosquitto broker App has successfully started and is running correctly, as shown in the screenshot below.
# 8. Install, configure and run Zigbee2MQTT App
## 8.1. Install Zigbee2MQTT App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Install app -> App store` page, click the `Overflow menu icon` in the upper right corner and select `Repositories`. In the pop-up dialog box, enter the repository address of Zigbee2MQTT HA App: [https://github.com/zigbee2mqtt/hassio-zigbee2mqtt](https://github.com/zigbee2mqtt/hassio-zigbee2mqtt), and then click the `Add` button to add the repository, as shown in the screenshots below.
Refresh `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Install app -> App store` page, go to `Zigbee2MQTT` page under the `Home Assistant App: Zigbee2MQTT` repository, download and install Zigbee2MQTT App, as shown in the screenshots below.
## 8.2. Configure Zigbee2MQTT App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Zigbee2MQTT -> Configuration` page, set the correct `Options`:
- **port** : tcp://`Silicon_Labs_Multiprotocol_App_Hostname`:9999.
- **adapter** : ember.
- **baudrate** : 115200.
_Note: Incorrect settings will cause Zigbee2MQTT App to malfunction._
## 8.3. Start Zigbee2MQTT App
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Zigbee2MQTT -> Info` page, enable `Start on boot`, `Watchdog`, `Add to sidebar` and click the `Start` button, as shown in the screenshot below.
Then switch to `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Zigbee2MQTT -> Log` page to view the logs. If you see:
```auto
info: z2m: Zigbee2MQTT started!
```
then Zigbee2MQTT App has successfully started and is running correctly, as shown in the screenshot below.
_Note: If Zigbee2MQTT App fails to start on the first attempt, please try again._
# 9. Add Zigbee device
Please refer to the product manual of your Zigbee smart device to put the device into `Pairing mode`.
On `HA -> Settings -> Apps -> Zigbee2MQTT -> Info` page, click the `Open Web UI` button, or click `Zigbee2MQTT` menu in HA sidebar to open Zigbee2MQTT Web UI page. Then click the `Permit join` button on the page to start the process of searching for and adding device, as shown in the screenshots below.
_Note: Please add Zigbee devices via Zigbee2MQTT App’s Web UI. For details on the Web UI, please refer to [Zigbee2MQTT WindFront](https://github.com/Nerivec/zigbee2mqtt-windfront)._
---
### Author:  [@MichaelLearnsToCode](https://forum.ewelink.cc/u/MichaelLearnsToCode)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 3:46am UTC](https://forum.ewelink.cc/t/multiprotocol-on-home-assistant-with-sonoff-dongle-max-over-tcp/208184/2 "2026-04-16T03:46:48Z")
---
### Author:  [@Derex](https://forum.ewelink.cc/u/Derex)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://forum.ewelink.cc/t/multiprotocol-on-home-assistant-with-sonoff-dongle-max-over-tcp/208184/3 "2026-04-16T19:40:30Z")
Thanks for this detailed tutorial @MichaelLearnsToCode . This is extremely helpful !