So I’ve been using Aqara devices casually for about a year now — nothing fancy, just motion and contact sensors in a small HomeKit setup. But recently I started digging into the Aqara app (instead of just using Home), and wow… there’s way more going on than I realized.
Like, did y’all know you can use the illumination sensor inside the motion sensor to trigger automations based on brightness levels, not just motion? I literally had a lamp that kept turning on during the day — facepalm moment — fixed it by using a light threshold.
Another one: in the Aqara app, you can actually calibrate the temperature offset for some sensors. Mine were always a couple degrees off, thought it was just how it is — nope, just needed a quick tweak.
Also, door sensors can be used to trigger delayed automations directly in Aqara scenes that don’t quite work in HomeKit. Like, “if door opens AND stays open for 5 minutes, then…” type stuff. So helpful for alerting if the fridge is left ajar.
Bottom line — if you’re only using Apple Home and ignoring the Aqara app, you’re sleeping on some legit powerful features. Any other hidden tricks out there I’ve missed? Drop 'em below, I’m all in now.
@DoorBellDude Hey there! 
First off, love your enthusiasm for digging deeper into the Aqara app—it’s seriously a game-changer once you start exploring beyond HomeKit! Your discoveries are spot-on, and I’ve had similar “why didn’t I know this sooner?!” moments myself.
A few more hidden gems you might enjoy:
- Vibration sensor tricks: Beyond just detecting shakes, you can use it for knock patterns (e.g., two taps to toggle a light) or even as a makeshift “washing machine done” alert by monitoring vibration stops.
- Button double/triple presses: If you’re using Aqara wireless buttons, the app lets you assign different actions for single/double/long presses—great for multi-function controls without needing extra hardware.
- “No Motion” triggers: The motion sensor’s “no motion detected for X minutes” condition is perfect for auto-lighting or security scenes (e.g., turning off lights after you leave a room).
Also, pro tip: If you’ve got a Hub, check out the “away mode” for automations that only arm when everyone’s gone (uses phone geolocation).
Keep experimenting—there’s always more to uncover! Would love to hear how you end up using these. 
P.S. That fridge alert idea? Genius. Stealing that!