Hi
I have an FP300 presence sensor and have configured it directly in Apple Home. No issues there.
However, I want to also configure it in Aqara app so that I could control the device more precisely. At the moment, I have an issue whereby ‘Presence is not detected’ when I am sat directly in front of the sensor so I want to try and add a delay to the trigger (and maybe update firmware) and that can only be done through the Aqara app and not through Apple Home.
To the issue … when I try to add the FP300 to the Aqara app I get an error message saying there is No Matter Controller configured. The is despite me having 5 Apple HomePods and and Apple TV on the same network. All of these are Matter controllers.
Hence I cannot add the device to the Aqara app as it forces me to choose Matter or Thread as part of that process.
I already have an Aqara U200 door lock that shows in both the Aqara app and Apple Home with no issues.
How do I get the Aqara app to recognise this sensor?
1 Like
You need an Aqara Matter controller to add it to the Aqara app. The app doesn’t see the Apple devices.
The reason for this is that when you pair the device in the app, then the so called “Matter controller” (basically a hub) takes control of the device and runs your automations. And the features you mentioned, as you noticed, are Aqara-exclusive, thus you need an Aqara hub that is Matter enabled and will be able to control the FP300.
If you already an older Aqara hub (non-Matter one), you can only pair it in the app if you reset the FP300 and switch it to Zigbee mode, but it will remove the FP300 from Apple Home. You will be able to re-add it to Apple Home by using “Connect to other ecosystems” in the app.
1 Like
To sum up, your options:
- buy a Matter enabled Aqara hub (it will be able to use FP300 in Thread mode)
- remove the FP300 from Apple Home, switch the FP300 to Zigbee mode (you will be asked about it during pairing) and expose the device to Apple Home using “Connect to other ecosystems” in the app.
Connect to other ecosystems generally will automatically expose all devices paired with Aqara hub to Apple Home.
I recommend switching to Zigbee mode as it will offer more features. Either way, you need an Aqara hub.
2 Likes
hmmm… so it ignores the fact that the HomePods and Apple TVs are Matter controllers and only works with Aqara’s own hubs?
In this case how did I ever get updates to firmware, etc for the FP300 if I cannot add it to the Aqara app without an Aqara Hub? Its doesn’t seem very ‘open’ to me…
1 Like
No, it doesn’t ignore, it doesn’t see them. They’re Matter controllers, of course, but your phone can only communicate with them via Apple Home app.
So, for example, Google Home will not see those Matter controllers too. The communication between your phone and the HomePod is a different type of communication than when the FP300 communicates with it.
The Matter standard is only used for smart device-controller communication. It doesn’t define how your phone talks with the hub. Apple has its own way of communication with HomePod, and Aqara app has its own.
Aqara app needs an Aqara Matter controller, because it’s the only way it will be able to use those advanced features. The HomePods/Apple TV has only the features you see in the Apple Home app. There is no other way to extend the features of HomePods/Apple TV, because it’s up to Apple what can your automations do.
3 Likes
You can buy also an Aqara hub and add this hub to Apple home - and add the FP300 to the Aqara app by zigbee - so you have most and best options in my opinion! And the FP300 will show up under Apple home as well 
2 Likes
thanks but I wanted to avoid having to buy more devices
ok - but I did manage to add my U200 door lock directly into the Aqara app without any issues. Its seems the U200 and FP300 are fundamentally different in that respect.
Yes, the U200 doesn’t require any hub. It connects directly to your phone using bluetooth. That’s why you have the option to connect to a Matter controller later.
In case of Aqara devices that are not Matter locks, you have to pair them first to a hub. You cannot connect to them directly.
The Matter devices that require a hub have Thread logo with “requires border router” on them. If you still have the boxes for the U200 and FP300, you can compare them and find the “requires” on the FP300’s box.
The U200 basically is an independent device and FP300 always “reports” to some “manager” (the Matter controller)
The main reason why locks don’t require a hub is to allow to unlock and control it with Bluetooth. You just come close, click a button on your phone and it will unlock, even it’s too far from the hub. The lock has a big battery and can handle frequent Bluetooth connections.
The FP300, like other small battery-powered Matter devices, is a low power devices. It will go into sleep states to save battery, and it relies on the hub to do some of the work. The hub is constantly connected to the power and can remember the FP300’s state or periodically check if it’s still connected. And the hub runs the automations.
Unfortunately Matter Controllers are specific to the ecosystem that is doing the controlling. So you need an Aqara Matter controller to use with Aqara’s app - this includes their hubs like M3, M100, and even the G5 Camera and G410 Doorbell.