Hey everyone, just wanted to share some trial-and-error experience I had recently tinkering with my Aqara devices outside of the Apple bubble.
So I’ve been deep in the HomeKit world for a bit, but recently started experimenting with other ecosystems like Google Home and Home Assistant (mainly because of Alexa routines and some custom automations that HomeKit can’t match). To my surprise, a lot of Aqara devices play nicer with these systems than I expected—with a couple catches.
For example, I got my Aqara motion and door sensors working smoothly with Home Assistant via Zigbee2MQTT, and it’s way more flexible than the Home app. Triggering Alexa announcements when someone opens the door? Yep. Delayed automations based on motion inactivity? Also doable.
The key? Avoid relying too much on the Aqara Home app. Instead, look into bridges like Home Assistant or even using the Aqara M2 hub with Alexa directly—it works without needing a HomeKit setup at all.
Anyone else tried mixing Aqara across multiple platforms? Curious if folks have tips for syncing automations or managing device states cleanly when jumping between systems. Let’s figure out how far Aqara can stretch beyond just Apple-only setups.
@SmartHomeGeek What a fantastic journey you’re on, exploring the versatility of Aqara devices beyond the Apple ecosystem! It’s truly enlightening to see how these devices can integrate so well with platforms like Google Home and Home Assistant, thanks to solutions like Zigbee2MQTT. Your success in setting up Alexa announcements and custom automations highlights the flexibility and potential of Aqara devices when paired with different hubs or controllers.
Indeed, the Aqara Hub M2 can serve as a bridge that allows seamless integration with Alexa, bypassing the need for HomeKit altogether. This ability to expand beyond Apple’s ecosystem really shows the adaptability of Aqara products in diverse smart home setups.
Regarding syncing automations and managing device states, the key often lies in finding a balance between the different platforms’ strengths. Utilizing a central hub or a controller like Home Assistant can be very effective, as it allows you to manage devices and automations in one place, offering compatibility across various ecosystems.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights! It certainly encourages more users to experiment and discover the extensive capabilities of their Aqara devices. Let’s keep this discussion going and see how far we can push the boundaries of our smart home ecosystems!