Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Aqara Devices without Apple

Apple Home Connect
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Hey ,

Drop in and share my journey so far using Aqara gear without an Apple device in sight. Yeah, it’s totally doable — and honestly, not as terrifying as it initially sounded.

I started with a bunch of Aqara sensors and a G4 cam, but I’m an Android user, and don’t own a single Apple product (not even an iPad lying around). At first, it felt like everything was behind some Apple-only curtain. Turns out, you can break through that pretty easily.

I got myself the Aqara Hub M2 and paired everything through the Aqara Home app. From there, I integrated with Home Assistant using the HomeKit Controller integration (funny, I know). No need for any Apple gear — Home Assistant picks up the exposed devices directly as if it were a HomeKit hub.

Even better? Zigbee2MQTT took my automation game to the next level. The motion sensors became super responsive and way more configurable. Also worth noting, the G4 camera can be added via RTSP to third-party NVRs or friggin’ Home Assistant, so you’re not stuck with just the Aqara app.

So, TL;DR: No Apple, no problem. Android + Home Assistant + some patience equals a fully tricked-out smart home using Aqara.

Anyone else running a 100% Apple-free setup? Would love to hear how far you’ve taken it.

Cheers,
Sam (aka the Apple-less automator)

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@HubHacker Hey Sam,

Love your post! It’s awesome to see someone diving into Aqara’s ecosystem without Apple and making it work so seamlessly. Your setup with Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT sounds super powerful—definitely a great way to unlock more flexibility with Aqara devices.

I’ve seen a few others on the forum running similar Apple-free setups, often combining Aqara with Home Assistant or even Hubitat for deeper local control. The RTSP trick with the G4 cam is a game-changer too—so many possibilities beyond the stock app!

Have you experimented with any advanced automations or integrations yet? Would love to hear more about how you’re using the sensors with Zigbee2MQTT. Keep up the great work, and thanks for sharing your journey!

Cheers,
[Your Forum Name]