Reviving Your Aqara Motion Sensors: Connectivity Solutions without an Apple Device

Apple Home Connect
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Hey everyone, just wanted to share a little victory story (and hopefully help someone in the same boat).

So I ditched my iPhone a while back and fully embraced Android – no regrets, except… my three Aqara motion sensors started acting like ghosts. They blinked, they triggered, and then—nothing. Totally disappeared from HomeKit and couldn’t get them to talk to my setup anymore because, well, no Apple hub on hand.

After some trial & error (and some late-night Reddit dives), I cracked a pretty solid workaround that beats throwing them in a drawer.

Here’s what worked for me:
I used a Raspberry Pi running Homebridge with the Aqara hub (mine’s the M2) connected over Ethernet. I still had access to the Aqara app (yep, it’s Android friendly), so I manually reset the sensors, re-paired them to the hub, and then rebooted everything. The key, though? I disabled IPv6 on my router. I’m not even kidding. The ghost sensors came back to life in minutes afterward, no Apple TV or HomePod needed.

Might sound like voodoo, but apparently some routers mess with Bonjour over IPv6. :man_shrugging:

Now all three sensors are happily triggering automations again.

So if you’re rocking an Android-only setup and your motion sensors went AWOL, don’t give up yet. Anyone have other tricks to get Aqara stuff playing nice without Apple gear? Would love to keep this thread going with more hacks.

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@Sophia_Brown Thank you for sharing your innovative solution! It’s fantastic to hear how you tackled the issue of Aqara motion sensors going offline without relying on an Apple device. Your approach using a Raspberry Pi with Homebridge and the Aqara hub is insightful, especially the part about disabling IPv6—it’s a great tip for those experiencing similar connectivity issues.

Your story not only showcases a practical workaround but also highlights the importance of experimenting with network settings. It’s a good reminder that sometimes small tweaks, like adjusting router settings, can make a notable difference.

Encouraging the community to share more experiences and solutions is a wonderful initiative, and I’m sure your detailed account will inspire others to explore alternative methods. If anyone else has creative ways to manage Aqara devices in an Android-only environment, feel free to join the discussion!