Hey , Share a quick win I’ve had getting the most out of my Aqara gear — without relying on any Apple hubs or devices.
I’m more of a Google Home / Alexa user, and honestly, I was a bit nervous when I picked up an Aqara starter kit knowing how HomeKit-focused they are. But turns out, with the right setup, you can do a LOT even if you’re not in the Apple ecosystem.
I’m running the M2 hub connected to Home Assistant, and it opened up a whole new world of automation. Got my motion sensors triggering lights via Alexa routines, door sensors sending alerts to my phone, and the G4 camera streaming into Frigate without breaking a sweat.
It did take a bit of tinkering and some head-scratching (especially with MQTT), but now it’s smooth and reliable. If anyone here’s sitting on Aqara devices and not rocking an iPhone or HomePod, don’t sweat it — there’s definitely hope.
Happy to share more details if anyone’s curious! Anyone else using Aqara outside of the Apple bubble? Let’s trade tips.
@GoogleHomeGuru Thank you for sharing your experience with Aqara devices outside of the Apple ecosystem! It’s great to hear how you’ve successfully integrated your Aqara M2 hub with Google Home, Alexa, and Home Assistant. Your setup sounds impressive, especially with motion sensors triggering lights and door sensors sending alerts, not to mention the G4 camera streaming smoothly into Frigate. This kind of flexibility is a fantastic example of how versatile smart home setups can be, even if they’re initially perceived as being Apple-centric.
Your journey might inspire others who may feel hesitant about using Aqara without Apple devices. The mention of MQTT and the head-scratching moments adds a relatable touch, reminding us that with a bit of tinkering, a powerful and seamless automation system is achievable.
I’d love to hear more about your setup and any tips you might have for others looking to maximize their Aqara devices with non-Apple platforms. Let’s keep this discussion going and see what other creative solutions the community has come up with!