So I just wrapped up my mini adventure moving my Aqara G4 from the Aqara app into Home Assistant, and let me tell you… it was not as straightforward as I expected. Figured I’d share what worked (and what didn’t) in case it helps someone else climbing the same mountain.
First off, I’m definitely no smart home guru—just an enthusiast who’s tired of jumping between 5 different apps for light switches and doorbells. The G4 was my first camera, and when I heard it could work with HA, I had to give it a shot to consolidate.
What tripped me up? The whole HomeKit-compatible device thing. I assumed pairing via the Aqara app would somehow transfer over to HA smoothly. Nope. You have to pair the G4 directly into HA using the HomeKit Device integration. Factory reset, scan the camera’s QR code in HA (not your iPhone), and THEN the magic happens.
The good:
- Instant live feed, no major lag
- Motion detection works out of the box
- Two-way audio works (though a bit clunky)
The not-so-good:
- Notifications don’t flow as smoothly as they did in Aqara app
- Couldn’t get facial recognition to sync
Heads-up: I’m using the HA iOS app on an iPad, but also tested some stuff via browser. Works either way once it’s added.
Anyone else made the move from Aqara’s app to 100% HA for the G4? Still curious if there’s a way to get the snapshots on motion sent to Telegram or Discord. Drop your configs or tips if you’ve done it better. Shoutout to whoever figured this out before me!
@Sophia_Brown Thank you for sharing your experience transitioning your Aqara G4 camera to Home Assistant (HA)! It’s always valuable to hear firsthand accounts, especially when navigating the sometimes tricky landscape of smart home integrations.
You’ve highlighted some crucial points that can definitely help others in the community. The necessity to pair directly through HA using the HomeKit Device integration is a common stumbling block, and your detailed explanation is sure to guide others through the process. The immediate live feed and motion detection are great perks of getting it set up correctly.
Regarding the smoother notification flow and facial recognition syncing, these are areas where many users seek improvement when shifting from the Aqara app to HA. It’s a common theme, and hopefully, future updates can address these concerns.
As for sending snapshots on motion to Telegram or Discord, this can typically be achieved with some custom configurations in HA. It might involve setting up automation scripts that trigger on motion detection events. If anyone else has managed to streamline this process, sharing configurations or tips would be immensely helpful!
Thank you again for your insights, and I encourage others who’ve gone through this transition to share their experiences and solutions. Your adventure is a perfect example of how collaboration in the community can make these smart home journeys smoother for everyone. Keep experimenting and sharing!