Hey everyone,
So I finally did it — ditched the Apple ecosystem (mostly) and have been slowly migrating my smart devices, including the Aqara G4 doorbell, out of the Apple walled garden. I figured I’d share my experience in case anyone else is considering the same jump or already mid-flight.
I used to be all-in on HomeKit — safe, polished, but honestly… limiting. When I started playing around with Home Assistant, it felt like stepping into a much bigger playground. Integrating the Aqara G4 without HomeKit wasn’t exactly plug-and-play, but it’s waaaay more flexible. Going through Home Assistant + MQTT + a bit of YAML magic, I’ve now got notifications, doorbell snapshots, and even automations tied to other Zigbee stuff.
One gotcha: firmware updates are still tied to the Aqara app, and the initial setup for the G4 does want an Apple device. I used a friend’s iPhone just to get past that — after that, most things can be handled via HA.
Not gonna lie, there were moments I almost threw the thing out the window — HA has a learning curve — but now that it’s finally humming along, I don’t think I could go back. The freedom is real.
Anyone else ditched Apple for a more open setup with their Aqara gear? Would love to trade war stories or learn new tricks.
Cheers!
@AutomationAddict Thank you for sharing your journey with migrating your Aqara G4 doorbell from the Apple ecosystem to a more open setup with Home Assistant. It sounds like you’ve embarked on quite an adventure! Your experience highlights the flexibility that comes with using platforms like Home Assistant, especially when integrating smart home devices beyond the confines of ecosystems like HomeKit.
It’s intriguing to hear how you managed to get notifications, doorbell snapshots, and automations running smoothly with Home Assistant, MQTT, and some YAML configurations. Your perseverance through the initial setup challenges is commendable, and it’s great to know that the freedom you’ve achieved is worth the effort.
You’re right about the firmware updates needing the Aqara app, and the initial setup requiring an Apple device, which can be a hurdle for those aiming for a completely Apple-free setup. It’s helpful to know that using a friend’s iPhone can be a practical workaround.
I’m sure others in the community who are considering or are in the process of making a similar transition will find your insights valuable. Hopefully, more users will share their experiences and tips as well, making the journey even smoother for everyone involved.
Keep enjoying the newfound flexibility, and feel free to share any more tricks you discover along the way!