Need help automating dumb AC unit with HubM3

[dole_dervish_0n]

Hey guys. I’m only just starting my home automation journey so please be patient with me.
I have no idea what I’m doing.

I bought an Aqara Hub M3 specifically and solely to control my dumb AC unit, more devices and sensors will come later.
The plan is to turn it off when I leave the house, and turn it on when I arrive. Simple?

Well, actually no.
I set it up, connected to my network, and updated firmware just fine, and then immediately encountered the first peculiarity. There’s two separate spots AC control can be added to. And neither acknowledges the existence of the other. Here’s a screenshot of what I mean: Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Which method should I be using and why?

Later I somehow I managed to add my AC unit controls to Apple Home, but after deleting everything in order to start over, I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW I DID THAT, and continue to can’t to this day.

Then I added two very simple automations to the Aqara Home app. When I leave, turn off AC. When I arrive, turn on AC. It didn’t work (I suspect this might be due to me enabling LAN mode, but I’d like confirmation, please)

My next plan was to try with Apple Shortcuts automations, but without the ability to add it back to Apple Home, I can’t even try it.

Anyone able to help me out?
Is what I’m trying to do possible without disabling LAN mode? Do I need to buy some other bridge/router/whatever device?

Thanks in advance!

[gafich10]

Hello.
Please explain, you only have M3 and nothing else. If so, then you need to make not automation, but scenes that fulfill certain conditions with the air conditioner. And you can control the already created scenes from your iPhone, having made some settings in order to make quick launch buttons on the phone screen. Note, scene templates must be created in Aqara home.

[dole_dervish_0n]

Oh that’s interesting, thank you so much for the help.

Yes, I only have the Hub M3 and nothing else.
I finally got it working without scenes, but now I can’t create any automations with geofences because the Aqara app says I’m at the limit for my home (even though I deleted them all).
Hope it resets soon, it’s been a whole day like this.

Well, since the scenes trick you told me about works, I can use Siri Shortcuts Automations for now until Aqara sorts itself out.

So to be clear, geofencing shortcuts WILL NOT work with LAN mode enabled, right?

[gafich10]

Hello, @dole_dervish_0n what LAN mode are you talking about? Please take a screenshot of what you are talking about. Geolocation has no restrictions.

[dole_dervish_0n]

[gafich10]

Have you given permissions for Aqara home?

[gafich10]

This should be turned off, LAN mode is for other purposes, I’ll explain later.

Need help automating dumb AC unit with HubM3

[image] [image]

This mode is needed when you don’t have the Internet and you need to control a switch or other device, then you do it locally. In your case, it will not be enabled.