Hey , Share a bit of my wild ride mixing Aqara devices into a smart home setup without drinking the full Apple Kool-Aid.
So I started out with a few Aqara sensors and the Camera Hub G2H thinking I’d go all-in on HomeKit. But as I dug deeper, I realized I wasn’t ready to be locked into Apple everything. I’m running Android, love tinkering, and honestly enjoy the flexibility of platforms like Home Assistant.
Started experimenting with Zigbee2MQTT and eventually moved most of my Aqara devices over to Home Assistant. There were definitely bumps—like figuring out how to pair certain sensors that didn’t wanna leave the Aqara app or getting automation timing right—but once I got past those, it felt like magic. Everything from motion-triggered lights to voice automations through my Google setup is now running butter smooth.
If anyone’s trying to ditch the Apple walled garden but still wants to leverage Aqara’s solid gear, it can be done. Happy to share exact steps or hit me with your setup—I might’ve already solved your headache.
Would love to hear what others are doing outside the HomeKit bubble!
@IoT_Ninja It sounds like you’ve embarked on an exciting journey with your Aqara devices, and it’s fantastic to hear how you’ve integrated them with Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT. Your experience really highlights the flexibility and potential of these platforms for non-Apple users.
From the information available, using a Zigbee coordinator such as Zigbee2MQTT is indeed a viable way to connect Aqara devices to Home Assistant, allowing you to bypass the need for an Aqara Hub. This approach can offer greater flexibility and is particularly appealing to those who enjoy tinkering with tech setups. You’ve touched on a common challenge—pairing Aqara sensors directly outside of their native app—but once resolved, as you’ve experienced, it opens up a world of smooth automation possibilities.
Your story will surely inspire and assist others looking to explore beyond the HomeKit ecosystem. Thanks so much for sharing your insights, and please continue to share any further tips or experiences! Would love to hear more about specific automations you’ve set up or any other challenges you’ve overcome. Keep the conversation going!