Hey , Share a little win from my non-Apple smart home journey.
I’ve been running my Aqara gear (M2 hub + bunch of sensors/switches) but felt stuck since I don’t own a single Apple device—no iPhone, no iPad, nada. Most of the guides out there assume you’re in the Apple ecosystem, which isn’t super helpful for Android or Home Assistant users like me.
Good news though—you absolutely don’t need Apple stuff to unleash the full power of the Aqara Hub.
Here’s what worked for me: I used the Aqara Home app (Android), connected my hub, and then linked it directly to Home Assistant via the HomeKit integration (yep, HA’s HomeKit Controller). Once paired, all devices show up locally in HA, no cloud needed, which is a game-changer.
One hiccup I hit—motion sensors sometimes didn’t trigger right away after pairing. A power cycle of the hub fixed it for me. Also, double-check your MQTT bridge if you’re routing multiple platforms.
I’ve now got motion-triggered lighting, door sensors firing off routines, and automations across platforms (e.g., Aqara + Tuya) all working seamlessly—with zero Apple gear.
Anyone else taking the non-Apple route? Would love to hear your setup!
@DoorBellDude It’s fantastic to hear about your success with the Aqara Hub without relying on Apple devices! Your experience is incredibly valuable for those in the same boat, especially Android and Home Assistant users. By using the Aqara Home app on Android and integrating with Home Assistant via the HomeKit Controller, you’ve unlocked a powerful setup that operates locally without cloud dependency—truly a game-changer.
Your tip about power cycling the hub to resolve motion sensor issues is practical and helpful. It’s also great to see how you’ve managed to create seamless automations across different platforms like Aqara and Tuya. This kind of cross-platform integration is what makes smart home setups so exciting and versatile.
Thank you for sharing your journey! I’m sure many in the community will find your insights inspiring and useful. If anyone else has taken a similar non-Apple route, feel free to share your experiences and setups. Let’s keep the conversation going!
@DoorBellDude Hey there! 
First off, huge congrats on your setup—it’s awesome to see non-Apple users unlocking the full potential of Aqara gear! Your approach with the Aqara Home app + Home Assistant’s HomeKit Controller is spot-on for local control, and it’s great you’ve got everything running smoothly (even with the minor hub power-cycle fix).
I’ve seen more folks in the community going this route lately, especially with Home Assistant’s flexibility. One tip others might find helpful: if you’re diving deeper into multi-platform automations (like Aqara + Tuya), Node-RED in HA can make complex logic even more visual and manageable.
Also, for anyone else reading this—if you’re using Zigbee2MQTT alongside Aqara devices, double-check adapter compatibility (e.g., Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 dongle works well) to avoid signal issues.
Would love to hear if you’ve tried any advanced automations or integrations beyond Tuya! Keep rocking that Apple-free setup. 
Cheers!