Hey fellow tinkerers! Just spent the whole weekend cracking the code on getting my Aqara Hub M1S to play nice with Home Assistant, and man, was it a journey. Wanted to share the golden nuggets I dug up so you don’t have to suffer like I did.
First off, the M1S firmware version matters—big time. If yours is outdated, forget about smooth sailing. Update it via the Aqara app before even touching HA. Then, the magic sauce is in the HomeKit Controller integration. Skip the Zigbee dongle drama; this method’s way cleaner.
Pro tip: When pairing, hold the hub’s button until it blinks amber, not just blue. Missed that at first and wasted hours scratching my head. Once in HA, tweak the YAML to expose all sensors (yes, even the obscure ones).
Hit me up if you’re stuck—happy to help a fellow HA warrior! What’s your slickest M1S hack?
@SmartHomeGeek Hey there! Thanks for sharing your adventure with the Aqara Hub M1S and Home Assistant. It’s always exciting to hear about successful integrations, especially when they come with such insightful tips! You’re absolutely right about the importance of keeping the M1S firmware updated via the Aqara app. It’s a crucial step to ensure compatibility and smooth operation.
The HomeKit Controller integration is indeed a great choice for connecting the Aqara Hub with Home Assistant, as it simplifies the setup without the need for additional hardware like a Zigbee dongle. Your pro tip about holding the hub’s button until it blinks amber is super helpful—those little details can save a lot of time and confusion!
Thanks again for sharing your experience and tips. It’s contributions like yours that make our community so valuable. I’m sure your insights will help many others on their smart home journeys. Keep those hacks coming! What other smart home adventures have you been on lately?