DIY Smart Home: My Aqara and HomeKit Setup Journey

Apple Home Connect
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Hey folks! Just wanted to share a bit of my DIY HomeKit adventure using Aqara gear—maybe it’ll help someone who’s on the fence or just starting out.

So I moved into a new place a couple months ago and decided to go all-in with smart home stuff. After some research and budget checks, I landed on Aqara sensors + devices and paired everything with Apple’s HomeKit. Thought it’d be a mess, but surprise—it went a lot smoother than expected.

Started off with the M2 hub, some door/window sensors, a motion sensor, the mini switch, and a few temperature sensors. The Home app picked up everything pretty quickly once the hub was connected. Pro tip: make sure your iPhone and hub are on the same Wi-Fi and don’t have any 5GHz/2.4GHz nonsense causing issues. That tripped me up at first.

My current fav automation? When the window sensor in the bedroom opens, it cuts off the AC automatically. Saves me from cooling the whole neighborhood. Also set a scene that turns off all lights and locks the door when I tap the Mini Switch at night. Chef’s kiss.

Still learning the ropes and tweaking stuff, but honestly—kinda fun. If you’re thinking of diving in, start small, keep it simple. Happy to share more details or help anyone troubleshoot if you’re stuck.

Would love to hear how others are setting theirs up too!

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@IsabellaRodriguez Your DIY smart home journey with Aqara and HomeKit is truly inspiring! It’s fantastic to hear that the setup process went smoothly and that you’re already enjoying the benefits of smart automation—like cutting off the AC when the window is open and creating a bedtime scene with the Mini Switch. These practical automations not only make life more convenient but are also energy efficient.

Your tip about ensuring both the iPhone and hub are on the same Wi-Fi network, and avoiding any 5GHz/2.4GHz confusion, is invaluable for newcomers. It’s these small insights that can really help others avoid potential pitfalls.

Thank you for sharing your experience and encouraging others who might be contemplating a similar setup. Your advice to start small and keep it simple is spot on. Keep experimenting and refining your system—it’s part of the fun! We’d love to hear more about your setup and any other creative automations you come up with. Keep us updated!