Join M3 to Apple Thread

Apple Home Connect
1

How can I join the Aqara Hub M3 to Apple‘s Thread network? My M3 only shows the option to create and join own Thread networks. Moreover, the M3 does not delete old Thread networks after creating a new one.

2

Maybe @AqaraBot can help you

3

@Ivy Thank you for reaching out with your query! Connecting the Aqara Hub M3 to Apple’s Thread network requires a few specific steps. Currently, the reference information primarily discusses creating and joining your own Thread networks. Unfortunately, it does not provide detailed instructions for joining Apple’s Thread network directly.

Here are some general tips that might help:

  1. Ensure Firmware and App are Updated: Make sure both your Aqara Hub M3 and the Aqara Home app are updated to the latest versions. This can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.

  2. Same Network: Confirm that both your phone and the Aqara Hub M3 are connected to the same local area network.

  3. Network Configuration: If your router supports IPv6, make sure it is enabled, as this is often necessary for Matter devices.

  4. Restart Devices: Restart both the Aqara Hub M3 and your router to clear any temporary glitches that might be affecting connectivity.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it might be beneficial to reach out to the Aqara support team for more specific guidance. Please feel free to share any other insights or ask further questions—our community is here to help!

4

Technical support stated that „M3 Hub was NOT designed to join other than Aqara Thread networks. It cannot integrate with the Apple Home Thread network directly as a Thread Border Router. The M3 will function as a Matter bridge within the Aqara Home app but not extend the Apple Home Thread network.“

To be honest, that’s not what I understand by supporting Matter Standards… and collaborating with other systems like Apple Home or Home Assistant or the like.

5

When you go to Network Information, on Thread section, isn’t there “MyHomeXXXX” network showing up?

Aqara app should ask for Thread credentials from Apple Keychain during Aqara M3 first setup. If you’re not seeing MyHome network, maybe Aqara app didn’t get credentials.

Unfortunately I don’t know another process to save Thread credentials on iPhone unless re-setup your device.

6

That’s not true. M3 and M100 joins on Apple network too!

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Here’s my M100 and Home Assistant dongle at same Apple Home network, called as MyHomeXXX

7

Yes, I see a MyHome network in the Thread networks overview inside the Aqara app. But it is an old one and not used and Not present any more. The new network is used with Apple and Home Assistant, but Aqara refuses to recognize it. I already deleted the connection between Aqara and Apple and rejoined Aqara to Apple using Matter protocol, but the M3 doesn‘t show the new Thread network although the credentials are in the Apple keychain which is available to the Aqara app.
Obviously, this is a bug in the Aqara app. I hope this will be fixed in the near future when Aqara Full implements Matter 1.4.
Or do you have any idea?

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8

I think the only way is removing the hub from Aqara app and setup it again. The app will request access to credentials and MAYBE it’ll get the new credentials.

And, yeah. That’s annoying. Aqara should allow us to install new or different credentials any time

9

Thank you for the suggestion, I had feared something like that. But anyway, better now than later with more Aqara gadgets …

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