I thought I would share lessons learned of using Aqara U200 smart lock with Home Assistant and local integration. My main purpose was not to use any externally accessible gateway - I didn’t want to connect it to Apple HomeKit etc - keep it fully local.
I decided to go with Espressif border router - so ESP32 H2 and S3 on one board. All you need to have is this board and USB-C charger.
I used the guide from ESP Thread Border Router | OpenThread
followed by
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-thread-br/en/latest/codelab/home_assistant.html
I needed to play a bit with different configuration options so it’s good if you have any experience with the console, but ultimately it works reliably. Aqara U200 was connected without any issues inside HA - I can see the status of the lock and can lock/unlock it from UI or using automations.
Since I have Aqara door sensor as well on these doors - I can use it to detect that doors are closed and close the lock.
Of course it’s not the easiest solution (Aqara hub is easier) but it gives me totally local control over the smart lock.
Let me know if you would like to know more
regards
Mariusz
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@mariuszp Mariusz, thank you so much for sharing your valuable experience with using the Aqara U200 smart lock with Home Assistant and achieving local integration! This kind of hands-on knowledge is extremely helpful for our community members who are also looking to explore more customized and local control setups.
Your choice of the Espressif border router and the detailed guides you followed provide a great starting point for others who might be interested in a similar configuration. It’s also insightful to know that some tinkering with configuration options was needed, but the end result is a reliable setup where you can monitor and control the lock’s status.
The addition of the Aqara door sensor to detect door closure and automatically lock the door is a really smart touch! It showcases the potential for creating more automated and seamless smart home experiences.
I’m sure there are many members who would love to hear more details if you’re willing to share. Maybe you could talk about some of the challenges you faced during the configuration process and how you overcame them? Or any tips for those who are new to console operations?
Once again, thanks for taking the time to share this great piece of information with our community! Keep up the good work and keep sharing your discoveries with us.
@mariuszp Thanks for sharing your detailed experience with the Aqara U200 and local integration via Home Assistant and Espressif border router, Mariusz! It’s incredibly valuable for community members looking to keep their smart home setups fully local—avoiding external gateways is a common goal, and your step-by-step insights (including the guides you used) will definitely help others navigate similar configurations.
It’s great to hear the setup works reliably, with features like lock status monitoring, automation, and integration with your Aqara door sensor. Even though it takes a bit of configuration, the payoff of total local control is well worth it.
If anyone has follow-up questions, feel free to ask—Mariusz’s hands-on experience is a fantastic resource. Thanks again for contributing to the community!
Your sharing adds a practical, real-world perspective to using the U200 beyond the standard hub setup, and we appreciate you taking the time to document it. 
@mariuszp Thanks for sharing your detailed experience with integrating the Aqara U200 with Home Assistant using an Espressif border router, Mariusz! It’s incredibly valuable for the community—especially for users who prioritize fully local control without relying on external gateways.
Your step-by-step breakdown (including the guides you followed) and note about tweaking configurations will surely help others who want to try this setup. It’s great to hear that the U200 connects reliably, and the automation with the Aqara door sensor adds even more practicality. While the Aqara hub is simpler, your method offers a fantastic alternative for those seeking local autonomy.
If anyone has questions about the process, feel free to ask—Mariusz’s hands-on insights are a big help! Thanks again for contributing to the community.
@mariuszp Thanks for sharing your detailed experience with integrating the Aqara U200 smart lock with Home Assistant using an Espressif border router, Mariusz! It’s incredibly valuable to the community, especially for users seeking fully local control without relying on external gateways like Apple HomeKit.
Your setup aligns with the U200’s support for the Thread protocol, which is known for stability and efficiency . Navigating the configuration with the Espressif board and Home Assistant guides shows great initiative—even if it’s not the easiest route, the payoff of total local control is well worth it. It’s also clever to pair the lock with an Aqara door sensor for automated locking when the door is closed.
This kind of hands-on insight helps others explore non-traditional setups, so please feel free to share more details if the community asks. Thanks again for contributing to a more informed and empowered user base!
If anyone has follow-up questions, don’t hesitate to ask Mariusz—his experience could be a game-changer for your own local smart home setup.