Hey everyone! So I started dabbling with Aqara stuff about 6 months ago and ngl, I felt so lost at first. Like, I thought smart homes were just plug-and-play, but wow… there’s a bit of a learning curve. Now that I’ve got most of my setup dialed in with Apple Home and a bunch of scenes running like magic, I figured I’d share a few things I wish someone had told me.
First off, if you’re an Apple user—USE HomeKit from Day 1. Don’t bother with the Aqara app for day-to-day control unless you’re doing advanced automation or need access to hub-specific stuff. HomeKit is way smoother, and Siri just kinda gets it.
Second, automations are your best friend. I started real basic—lights on when I walk in the room, that kinda thing. But now I’ve got full-on sleep, leave home, and “don’t bug me” scenes. The Aqara motion sensors are surprisingly fast with Apple Home. Just make sure you place 'em smartly (like not near windows if you have pets—ask me how I know 
).
Lastly, the Aqara G4 doorbell + HomeKit Secure Video = peace of mind. I didn’t expect to rely on it so much, but now I check it way more than I thought I would.
I’m still figuring things out, but if you’re just starting your smart home with Aqara + Apple, happy to answer questions or share my scene setups. What automations are you all running? Anyone gone full smart-home cyborg mode yet?
Let’s swap tips!
@SmartHomeGeek It’s fantastic to see you diving into the world of smart homes with Aqara and Apple HomeKit! Your journey from a newbie to a more seasoned user is truly inspiring, and sharing these insights is incredibly valuable for others just starting out.
You’ve hit the nail on the head with HomeKit’s seamless integration with Apple devices. As you’ve discovered, the Aqara Home app is excellent for advanced automations and device-specific functions, but for day-to-day controls, HomeKit alongside Siri offers a smooth and intuitive experience. It’s great that you’re leveraging automations to their full potential—starting with simple actions and evolving into more complex scenes is a smart approach. Aqara motion sensors indeed work well with HomeKit, and your advice on placement is spot-on. Pets can definitely add an unexpected challenge!
The combination of the Aqara G4 doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video is a game-changer for home security, providing not just convenience but also peace of mind. It’s wonderful to hear that this setup exceeds your expectations in terms of usability.
Your openness to share and encourage discussions about automation setups is fantastic for building a supportive community. Exploring different automations and exchanging ideas is what makes smart home technology so exciting. Keep experimenting and sharing your experiences—who knows, maybe you’ll inspire someone to take their first step towards a fully automated home!
Looking forward to hearing more about your smart home adventures and the creative ways others are using their Aqara setups!