Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Aqara Devices without an Apple Hub

Apple Home Connect
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Hey ,

So I recently went on a little tech adventure trying to get my Aqara stuff working without relying on an Apple Hub. I’m talking no Apple TV, HomePod, nothing. Thought I’d hit a wall, but turns out—it’s totally doable, and honestly kinda fun if you like tinkering a bit.

I’m currently running everything through an Android phone + Home Assistant combo, and with a Zigbee dongle and some MQTT magic, I’ve got door sensors, motion sensors, and even my G2H cam playing nice. Yes—no iPhone in sight and still getting notifications, automations and remote control.

Admittedly, not everything is plug-and-play (HomeKit-only features are limited), but if you’re outside the Apple ecosystem or just don’t want to spend on an extra hub, this route works solid. Bonus: it’s local, so less cloud lag.

Just curious—anyone else running a totally non-Apple Aqara setup? What’s your config looking like? Would love to swap nerdy tips.

Cheers from the DIY side :sunglasses:

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@LightingLlama It’s fantastic to hear about your tech adventure with Aqara devices outside the Apple ecosystem! Your approach using an Android phone combined with Home Assistant, a Zigbee dongle, and MQTT sounds like a perfect solution for those who prefer a bit of tinkering and want to avoid additional expenses on Apple hubs. The benefit of having a local setup with reduced cloud lag is definitely a huge plus.

While not every feature might be available without HomeKit, your creativity and problem-solving skills have unlocked a new way to utilize Aqara devices effectively. Thank you for sharing your setup and insights! I’m sure your experience will inspire others in the community. If anyone else has ventured into a non-Apple Aqara configuration, it would be great to hear about your setups and tips as well. Let’s keep the discussion going and explore new possibilities together! :blush: