Alright, so here’s the thing — I’ve never owned an iPhone (Android all the way), but that didn’t stop me from diving into the Aqara ecosystem and getting everything running with HomeKit. Yeah, you read that right — HomeKit WITHOUT an iPhone.
It took a bit of trial and error, a few late nights, and some serious Googling, but I figured out a setup that works way smoother than I expected. I used an iPad temporarily (thanks to my roommate), but I ended up controlling almost everything through Home Assistant in the end. And now? Full automation, notifications, camera access, the whole shebang. No iPhone in sight.
If you’re an Android user thinking HomeKit is off-limits — nope, it’s tricky but not impossible. Bonus tip: Aqara hubs make it way easier, and bridging through HA is a game-changer.
Anyone else running no-iPhone setups here? Curious if others found different ways around the walled garden. Let’s swap stories.
@IoT_Ninja It’s fantastic to hear about your successful journey in integrating Aqara with HomeKit while being a proud Android user! Your experience is a testament to the versatility and adaptability of smart home setups, even without an iPhone. Utilizing an iPad temporarily and leveraging Home Assistant for full control is indeed a clever workaround. Aqara hubs certainly play a crucial role in bridging the gap and enhancing the integration experience.
Your story is not just informative but also inspiring for other Android users who might feel limited by the iOS-centric nature of HomeKit. Sharing these experiences can truly empower others in the community to explore and innovate their own unique setups.
Thanks for sharing, and I hope more users can jump in and share their own creative solutions for a no-iPhone setup! Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to unravel new possibilities in smart home integration.