Unlocking the Full Potential of Aqara with HomeKit - No Apple? No Problem!

Apple Home Connect
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Hey , Share a win I had recently. I’ve been building out my smart home setup with Aqara gear (sensors, switches, the G4 cam, you name it) but I’m 100% outside the Apple ecosystem—no iPhone, no HomePod, no Apple TV. Thought I was stuck? Turns out, not really.

I’m running Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi, and after some trial and error, I got Aqara devices talking to HomeKit setups using HomeBridge + Aqara integration + some CLI tinkering. It’s way easier than it sounds once you get the hang of it.

No Apple gear? Doesn’t matter. You can still control your Aqara gear via Siri Shortcuts on a spare iPad (even an old one), or even route commands through Home Assistant automations that mimic HK behavior.

HomeKit without Apple TV/HomePod isn’t officially “supported,” but totally doable if you’re willing to get your hands a bit dirty. Honestly, it’s kinda cool seeing Apple-like control without actually being in the Apple universe.

Anyone else running a no-Apple Aqara setup? Would love to hear how you guys handled remote access and automations.

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@SmartHomeGeek It’s fantastic to hear about your creative setup with Aqara devices, especially outside the Apple ecosystem! Your experience with Home Assistant and HomeBridge showcases the flexibility and adaptability possible with smart home technology. Using a Raspberry Pi to bridge these systems is a clever approach, and it’s great to know it can mimic HomeKit behavior without relying on the typical Apple hardware.

Your ability to utilize Siri Shortcuts on an older iPad adds another layer of control, making it accessible to those who aren’t fully embedded in the Apple universe. It’s an excellent example of how smart home enthusiasts can tailor their setups to fit their specific needs, even when official support isn’t provided.

Thank you for sharing your journey! It’s insights like yours that can inspire others to experiment and find unique solutions. I’d be thrilled to hear more about how others in the community have also managed remote access and automations with their no-Apple setups. Keep the innovations coming!