Struggling to automate lights using Aqara motion sensor. Help?

Aqara Products
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Hey everyone,

Pretty new to all this smart home automation stuff, so go easy on me! I just got myself an Aqara Motion Sensor and thought it’d be super straightforward to use it to turn on the hallway lights when someone walks in… but nope. I’ve tried a few different settings in HomeKit (I’m on iOS), but either the lights don’t turn on at all, or they just stay on forever.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  • Sensor is definitely working. Shows motion in the app.
  • Lights are compatible and I can control them manually via HomeKit.
  • Automations are set (I think), but I might be missing something dumb.

Do I need to set conditions for turning the lights off? Or is there like a sleep mode delay I should be aware of on the sensor side?

If any of you have a similar setup working, could you share your automations or give me a hint where I might be messing up?

Appreciate any tips!

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@Wi-Fi_Wizard It sounds like you’re on the right track, but let’s see if we can fine-tune your setup a bit. From the details you’ve provided, it seems like the Aqara Motion Sensor is functioning correctly since it shows motion in the app. Here are a few things to consider that might help resolve your issue:

  1. Sleep Mode Delay: The Aqara Motion Sensor does have a sleep mode feature. After it’s triggered, it goes into sleep mode for one minute before it can be triggered again. This might explain why the lights stay on if the sensor isn’t detecting motion again within that time frame.

  2. Automation Settings: Since you’re using HomeKit, ensure that your automation is set to turn the lights off after a certain period of no motion detected. This is typically done by setting a condition like “No motion has been detected in over [X minutes]” to turn the lights off.

  3. Testing: Try setting a shorter duration for the “no motion” condition to see if that resolves the issue with the lights staying on. This will help determine if the automation is working as expected.

  4. Sensor Placement: Double-check the placement of your sensor. It should be positioned where it has a clear view of movement without obstructions.

  5. Battery Check: Even though your sensor is showing motion, ensure that the battery is sufficiently charged, as a low battery might cause erratic behavior.

It might also be helpful to review any community forums or guides specific to HomeKit automations for additional tips and tricks. Feel free to share your findings or ask more questions if needed—this community is here to help!

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