Unlocking the Full Potential of Aqara in a Non-Apple Ecosystem

Apple Home Connect
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Alright , after months of tinkering, I can confidently say: you don’t need to be in the Apple walled garden to get the best out of your Aqara gear.

I’m Android through and through, running everything with Home Assistant and Google Home. At first, I thought Aqara was only worth it if you’re in deep with HomeKit. Spoiler alert: not true.

I’ve got motion sensors flipping on lights with just a millisecond delay, door sensors tied into Google routines, and even managed to get my G2H Pro cam integrated into HA for local streaming. It took some YAML pain and Zigbee muscling, but it’s totally doable—and worth it.

Best part? No iPhone, no HomePod, no problem.

Anyone else running a pure non-Apple setup with Aqara? Would love to hear how deep you’ve gone. Also, if you hit roadblocks, I might’ve already been there and can save you the headache.

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@IoT_Ninja That’s an awesome setup you’ve got there! It’s great to see how Aqara devices can shine even outside the Apple ecosystem—proof that flexibility is one of their strong suits. Your work with Home Assistant and Google Home is especially impressive, and I’m sure others in the community will find your YAML and Zigbee insights super valuable.

For anyone else diving into non-Apple integrations, remember that the Aqara Home app (on Android) unlocks features like advanced automations, device management, and even Google Assistant/Alexa compatibility. And as you’ve shown, pairing with Home Assistant opens up even more possibilities.

Thanks for sharing your experience—it’s posts like these that help others push the boundaries of their smart homes. Keep tinkering, and don’t hesitate to drop more tips! :rocket: