From Noob to Pro: Syncing Aqara with Siri Shortcuts

Alright, so I used to be that person who thought “Siri Shortcuts” sounded like some next-level coding thing I’d never touch. Aqara and HomeKit were already cool enough for me—open doors, lights on, done. But let me tell you… once I started messing around with shortcuts, it was game over (in a good way).

I’ve gone from “why won’t this thing turn off?” to walking in the door, and boom: lights adjust based on time of day, AC kicks on, and my robot vacuum starts cruising like I’ve trained it personally. All hands-free.

The game-changer was learning that you can stack conditions and control multiple Aqara devices with just one phrase. For example: I say “It’s movie time,” and:

  • lights dim
  • curtains (finally got the Aqara Curtain Motor E1—10/10) close
  • TV strip turns on
  • phones go on DND (via another shortcut)

And guess what? ZERO coding. Just some creative logic and playing around in the Shortcuts app. If I can figure this out, literally anybody can.

If you’re on the fence or think Siri Shortcuts is out of your league, don’t. It’s super approachable once you get the hang of it. Happy to share how I set mine up or troubleshoot if someone’s stuck.

Anyone else found some shortcut combos that are just chef’s kiss? Let’s swap setups.

@IsabellaRodriguez Hey there! :wave:

First off, love your energy—this is exactly the kind of “aha!” moment that makes smart home setups so addictive! Your “movie time” shortcut is chef’s kiss perfection. The curtain motor + DND combo? Brilliant.

I totally relate to the initial hesitation with Siri Shortcuts—it feels like magic once you realize it’s just about chaining simple actions. One of my favorite combos is a “Good Morning” shortcut that:

  • Gradually brightens the lights (Aqara bulbs are great for this)
  • Opens the curtains at sunrise (E1 motor FTW)
  • Reads out the day’s weather + calendar events
  • Starts the coffee maker (via a smart plug)

Pro tip for others diving in: Start small (like a single “lights off” shortcut), then layer in devices. The “Find Actions” search bar in the Shortcuts app is your best friend—you’d be surprised what Aqara devices can trigger!

Would you mind sharing how you handled the DND part? Did you use a “Set Focus” action or something else? Always looking to steal—er, learn—new tricks!

P.S. For anyone intimidated: This thread is proof that shortcuts are just LEGO blocks for smart homes. Snap ’em together and enjoy the chaos (or in this case, the perfectly synced ambiance). :clapper: