If you have been watching the evolution of smart home standards, this is a milestone worth noting. AVM has launched a new FRITZ! Lab beta for the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro that turns the router into a Matter bridge. In practical terms, that means FRITZ! Smart Home devices, along with compatible third-party devices already registered with your FRITZ!Box, can now be exposed to a Matter network and controlled through your favorite platforms, including Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. It is an early look at what is coming in FRITZ!OS 8.50, and it puts the 5690 Pro at the center of a more interoperable home.
What is new in this FRITZ! Lab
The headline is clear. Matter support arrives on the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro through the FRITZ! Lab, acting as a Matter bridge. AVM has been vocal about interoperability, and this release puts that principle into practice by connecting FRITZ! Smart Home products to broader Matter ecosystems. For example, the FRITZ!Smart Thermo 302 can be integrated into Matter networks from other manufacturers, making it easier to fold FRITZ! devices into existing smart home setups without juggling different apps and skills.
AVM now offers two routes for smart home platform control. You can go via the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro running this FRITZ! Lab beta, or opt for the FRITZ!Smart Gateway. Either way, the result is the same. FRITZ! devices become addressable from Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, which unlocks enhanced voice control and automation options.
There is more than Matter in this release. AVM has also brought two network features, already introduced for the FRITZ!Box 7690, to the 5690 Pro. Configurable DNS filters give you more control over name resolution and access policies, and automatic prioritization helps ensure key traffic is handled smoothly. These are welcome additions for users who want both a smarter home and a smarter network.
Why it matters for smart home users
Interoperability has long been a sticking point in home automation. Different brands, protocols, and apps can create friction. By serving as a Matter bridge, the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro reduces that friction. Your FRITZ! Smart Home products can be presented to a Matter network, so you can coordinate routines and voice commands across platforms that many homes already use. If you are building a mixed-brand setup or you want to streamline control under Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa, this beta helps align FRITZ! devices with that goal.
The timing is also notable. This FRITZ! Lab offers an early preview of FRITZ!OS 8.50. Beta updates from the FRITZ! Lab channel traditionally include features straight from AVM’s development team, along with regular security and energy efficiency improvements. That means you can trial the new capabilities today while providing feedback that shapes the final firmware.
Who should try it and what to expect
- FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro owners who want Matter integration now. If you are ready to experiment with Matter in your setup, this beta is the direct route.
- Users who rely on Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa. The bridge capability makes FRITZ! devices accessible for voice control and smart routines in these platforms.
- Home network tinkerers who value control features. With configurable DNS filters and automatic prioritization arriving on the 5690 Pro, you can refine how your network handles lookups and traffic.
As with any beta, it is designed for testing. Expect ongoing updates, and be prepared to share feedback that helps AVM refine behavior and compatibility before the official FRITZ!OS 8.50 release.
Getting started
The latest FRITZ! Lab versions are available at https://fritz.com/en/fritz-lab. From there, you can access the Lab for the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro and review the specific notes for installation and testing. Once installed, explore Matter integration with your FRITZ! Smart Home devices and connected third-party devices. If you use the FRITZ!Smart Gateway instead, you can also route control through that device. Both paths aim to make FRITZ! products available in Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.
For a quick proof of concept, try integrating a FRITZ!Smart Thermo 302 into your chosen Matter ecosystem. Check basic control, voice commands, and any automations you run, then report your experience. That kind of feedback is exactly what the FRITZ! Lab program is designed to gather.
The bottom line
AVM’s new FRITZ! Lab for the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro turns the router into a Matter bridge, bringing FRITZ! Smart Home gear into the larger Matter universe and the platforms many users rely on. With added network features like configurable DNS filters and automatic prioritization, and the promise of regular security and energy efficiency improvements, the beta is more than a preview. It is a practical step toward a more cohesive, more flexible smart home.
If you are ready to test and help shape the upcoming FRITZ!OS 8.50, head to the Lab page, install the beta, and start exploring what Matter can do for your FRITZ! setup.
