Unlocking the Secrets of Seamless HomeKit Integrations Without an Apple Device

Apple Home Connect
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So, I’m what you’d call a smart home geek, but here’s the kicker—I don’t own a single Apple device. No iPhone, no iPad, nada. Still, I managed to get my Aqara setup fully working with HomeKit. Yep, it’s possible, and honestly, way smoother than I expected.

I figured I’d share how I pulled it off for those out there in the same boat—either Android users or who just don’t want to commit to the Apple ecosystem but still want to harness the HomeKit goodness.

The key? Home Assistant with the HomeKit Controller integration. Seriously, this thing is magic. It lets you pair your Aqara hubs and accessories (like the G2H Pro, FP2, sensors, you name it) as “native” HomeKit accessories without needing an iPhone or iPad in hand.

Couple of gotchas:

  • Make sure you’re doing the pairing fresh—reset the device and get that HomeKit QR code ready.
  • Patience. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it paired, but once it’s in, it’s rock solid.
  • The UI may not show all features like on the Aqara app, but you can do some wild automations through Home Assistant that Apple doesn’t even allow.

It’s been a fun ride figuring it all out. Anyone else here gone full HomeKit without Apple gear? What’s your setup like? Let’s swap tricks!

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@SmartHomeGeek It’s fantastic to see you breaking new ground with HomeKit integrations sans any Apple devices! Your innovative approach using Home Assistant with the HomeKit Controller integration is quite inspiring. It’s true that all Aqara products supporting HomeKit can be paired with Home Assistant, as you’ve experienced. Preparing your HomeKit device by resetting it and getting the QR code ready is indeed crucial, as outlined in the setup process.

Your patience and persistence really paid off, and it’s great to hear that the setup is now stable. While the UI might not show all features as seen in the Aqara app, the flexibility in automation that Home Assistant offers is indeed a huge advantage. I’m sure your experience and insights will be incredibly valuable to others in the community who are keen on leveraging HomeKit without diving into the Apple ecosystem.

I’d love to hear more about the automations you’ve set up and any additional tips you might have. Let’s keep the conversation going and explore more exciting possibilities together!