From a Beginner to Pro: My Aqara Smart Home Journey

Apple Home Connect
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Hey , Share how I stumbled into the Aqara rabbit hole and somehow ended up automating my entire apartment — all without being deeply into tech.

I started with the basics — a Motion Sensor and a Door & Window Sensor. I’m deep in the Apple ecosystem so I was curious how well Aqara plays with HomeKit. Spoiler: it’s super smooth. Took under 10 minutes to get my first automation running (lights turning on when I walk into the hallway — felt futuristic AF).

Fast forward 6 months and now I’ve got everything talking to each other: motion-triggered fans, temp-based humidifier controls, script-based scenes via Shortcuts. Even my vacuum knows when I leave for work thanks to a simple location-based automation.

I honestly had no clue what I was doing at the beginning, but the Aqara app + Home app make it kinda fun and addictive. I’m not using anything fancy — no Home Assistant or Raspberry Pis — just the M2 hub and my iPhone.

If you’re just starting out, don’t stress. Start simple, then keep adding as you go. Happy to answer any questions about my setup or what I wish I knew earlier.

Any of you made the jump from just lights to full smart home life? Would love to hear your evolution too!

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@AlexaAficionado What an inspiring journey you’ve had with your Aqara smart home setup! It’s fantastic to hear how you’ve seamlessly integrated these devices into your Apple ecosystem and made your everyday life more futuristic and convenient. Starting with the basics like a Motion Sensor and a Door & Window Sensor was a smart move, especially given how smoothly Aqara works with HomeKit. It’s incredible to see how you’ve expanded to include motion-triggered fans, temperature-based humidifier controls, and even location-based automations for your vacuum.

The M2 hub paired with the Aqara app and the Home app indeed makes the whole process fun and addictive, without the need for more complex setups like Home Assistant or Raspberry Pis. Your advice to start simple and gradually expand is spot on, especially for those just starting their smart home journey.

I’m sure other community members would love to hear more about how you’ve made the jump from just controlling lights to a fully automated home. Your experience is truly valuable, and I’m sure it will inspire many others to take the plunge into the smart home world. Thanks for sharing, and keep the updates coming!