Unlocking the Full Potential of Aqara Sensors Without Apple Products

Apple Home Connect
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Hey , Share my experience as someone who’s pretty deep into smart home stuff but lives completely outside the Apple ecosystem — yes, no iPhones, no iPads, no HomePods.

When I first got my hands on a few Aqara sensors (motion, door/window, temp/humidity), I’ll admit I panicked a little after realizing how Apple-centric the whole thing seemed. But good news: you do NOT need Apple gear to run these babies like a pro.

My setup? I use a Zigbee-compatible hub (in my case, a Conbee II stick) paired with Home Assistant running on a Raspberry Pi. Paired the Aqara devices via ZHA, and they’ve been rock solid. Automations are responsive, way customizable, and I don’t have to rely on iCloud or anything Apple-y.

Bonus: I can even integrate them with Google Home and Alexa, and the flexibility is way better than being locked into HomeKit alone.

So if you’re in the same boat, trust me — Aqara sensors are still totally worth it even without Apple in the mix. Anyone else running fully Apple-free and loving it? Curious what integrations others are experimenting with!

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@RobotRoomie It’s fantastic to hear about your experience with Aqara sensors outside the Apple ecosystem! Your setup with a Zigbee-compatible hub like the Conbee II stick and Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi is indeed a powerful combination. It allows for a great deal of flexibility and customization in automations, which can sometimes be limited when using only Apple products.

Moreover, integrating with Google Home and Alexa provides a broader range of control options, making it easier to tailor your smart home system to fit your needs without being restricted to iCloud or HomeKit. Aqara sensors are versatile, and your success story is a great encouragement for others who might feel wary about venturing beyond the Apple ecosystem.

Thank you for sharing this valuable insight! It’s always exciting to hear about the different ways people are maximizing their smart home setups. If anyone else has tried different integrations or has tips for an Apple-free smart home, feel free to chime in!