Xiaomi hub inside Aqara app or Aqara hub inside Xiaomi app?

I own this Mi Smart Sensor Set, it was probably the first version of Xiaomi gateway related to Aqara:

https://www.mi.com/global/mi-smart-sensor-set

I integrated this alarm set with compatible Aqara sensors without any problems.

I own the M1S gen2 hub together with the Xiaomi alarm hub, which I keep upstairs, while in the tavern I have the M3 as the main hub.

Basically, the M1S combined as a satellite of the M3 would only serve me as a siren in case of alarm, or vice versa.

but I would like to use it as a siren for the burglar alarm part managed by the Xiaomi app (with the Aqara app and M3 downstairs I only manage the smoke sensor in the garage and the Water leak sensor in the laundry room)

so the question is: can I convert the M1S gen2 Hub to be recognized by the Xiaomi app?

I read some time ago about a procedure that by pressing the hub button in a certain way, it changes reference between Aqara and Xiaomi:

  1. To switch to Mi Home app, please unplug the hub, then plug it back in, then the hub will turn on yellow, please wait a while.
  2. You will hear “ready to connect, please open Aqara Home app.
  3. Now please press the button 10 times quickly to restore factory settings,
  4. then press the button twice within 10 seconds
  5. you can hear “ready to connect”
  6. Then please open the Mi Home App.

Can this procedure work for the H1S Gen2 EU hub?

or alternatively, is there a procedure to be able to see the “prehistoric” Xiaomi hub in the Aqara app?

The Xiaomi app is set to the Singapore region, while the Aqara app is set to the Italy region.

Thanks

@AqaraBot

@Fla_Italy Hi Flavio, thanks for your detailed question—your setup sounds like a real smart home enthusiast’s project!

Currently, based on the available reference information, there isn’t specific official guidance confirming that the Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 (EU) can be switched between the Aqara Home app and Mi Home app via the multi-press button procedure you described. The official Aqara documentation details the standard pairing and reset process for the M1S Gen 2, which involves a long press of the button to enter pairing mode for the Aqara Home app, but it does not mention support for switching between ecosystems (Aqara ↔ Xiaomi/Mi Home) through a special button sequence.

Additionally, the ability to add “prehistoric” Xiaomi hubs (like the first-gen Mi Smart Gateway) to the Aqara Home app is not documented in the official sources I have. Aqara and Xiaomi have overlapping, but not fully cross-compatible, ecosystems—especially for hubs. The region setting in each app (Singapore for Mi Home, Italy for Aqara Home) can also affect device visibility and compatibility, so that’s wise to keep in mind.

In summary:

  • There’s no confirmed official method to convert the M1S Gen 2 hub for use in the Mi Home app via a button sequence, nor is there a documented way to add early Xiaomi hubs to the Aqara Home app.
  • The standard procedure for pairing the M1S Gen 2 involves using the Aqara Home app and doesn’t mention Mi Home compatibility for this model.
  • Region settings may restrict or alter device visibility, which can further complicate cross-app use.

If anyone in the community has managed such a cross-ecosystem integration, I’d love to hear your experience! Meanwhile, Flavio, you’re definitely not alone in wishing for more seamless interoperability—hopefully, we’ll see more flexibility from both brands in the future.

If you need more personalized troubleshooting or if you run into technical issues, feel free to reach out again or contact Aqara Customer Service for direct assistance.

Let’s keep the discussion going—does anyone else have tips or creative workarounds for bridging Mi Home and Aqara Home devices?

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@Fla_Italy Hi Flavio, thanks for your detailed description and interesting setup! Let’s break down your queries about integrating the Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 with the Xiaomi (Mi Home) app, and vice versa with the older Xiaomi gateway in the Aqara app.

Currently, the official instructions and FAQs for the Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 focus on adding the hub to the Aqara Home app, with detailed reset and pairing processes provided for Aqara Home (not Mi Home) integration. The reset procedures described—such as pressing the button for 10 seconds or 10 times rapidly—are specifically referenced for restoring factory settings or deleting all data from the hub. However, there’s no official documentation in the reference materials confirming that the M1S Gen 2 EU hub can be directly switched to be recognized by the Mi Home app using the button sequence you mentioned.

Regarding your second question, about adding the original Xiaomi gateway (the “prehistoric” one) into the Aqara Home app, there’s also no official procedure outlined in the available information to support direct cross-app visibility for these older hubs. Compatibility is generally limited by region, firmware, and ecosystem authorization.

A few things to consider:

  • Hubs and devices tend to be region-locked, and cross-compatibility isn’t universally supported.
  • Only devices and accessories with “Works with HomeKit” authorization will show up in Apple Home or Aqara Home apps, and a similar restriction often applies to Mi Home integrations.
  • Region settings (Singapore for Mi Home, Italy for Aqara) can further limit what is visible or pairable in each app.

In summary, based on the available reference materials, there isn’t an officially supported way to convert the M1S Gen 2 EU hub for use in the Mi Home app, nor to add the first-generation Xiaomi gateway into the Aqara Home app. If anyone in the community has successfully used unofficial workarounds or has experience with specific firmware versions that enabled this, please jump in and share your insights!

If you need hands-on troubleshooting or region-specific advice, you might also consider reaching out to Aqara’s Customer Service for the latest compatibility updates.

Thanks for sparking this valuable discussion—cross-ecosystem integration is a hot topic for many users. If you have additional details or anyone else has found a creative solution, let’s keep the conversation going!

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@Fla_Italy Thanks for sharing such a detailed overview of your setup and your experience integrating both Xiaomi and Aqara devices! Your question about cross-compatibility between the Aqara Hub M1S Gen2 and the Mi Home (Xiaomi) app, as well as the reverse (old Xiaomi hub in Aqara app), is a common one among users managing hybrid smart home environments.

Based on the available official reference information, there is currently no confirmed procedure or support for converting the Aqara M1S Gen2 EU hub to be recognized and managed directly by the Mi Home (Xiaomi) app, especially for EU versions. The M1S Gen2 is designed primarily for use within the Aqara Home app ecosystem and its supported integrations, such as Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google, and others. The instructions for setting up and resetting the M1S Gen2 focus on pairing it with the Aqara Home app, involving actions like long-pressing the button for reset and using a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, but do not mention any official method for switching to Mi Home app management.

Similarly, there is no reference information confirming that the original Xiaomi gateway (“prehistoric” Xiaomi hub) can be added or managed through the Aqara Home app. The two ecosystems share some level of device compatibility (especially for sensors and certain accessories), but hubs themselves are generally not cross-compatible in terms of direct app management due to firmware and platform differences.

Your mention of region settings (Mi Home set to Singapore, Aqara Home to Italy) is also relevant, as regional restrictions can further limit device visibility and pairing options.

While there may be unofficial workarounds discussed in community forums, these are not officially documented and may not work reliably, especially for newer models or EU-specific devices.

If anyone in the community has hands-on experience with unofficial procedures or has successfully managed to cross-integrate these hubs, please do share your insights! Your input could be valuable for others exploring similar hybrid setups.

If you need further assistance or official troubleshooting, feel free to reach out. And thanks again for sharing your smart home journey—it’s always exciting to see how users are pushing the boundaries of interoperability!

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@Caroline_Zzz Thank you for your input! You’re absolutely correct—the Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 is primarily designed for use within the Aqara Home app ecosystem, and current official reference information does not indicate support for switching its management between the Aqara Home and Mi Home (Xiaomi) apps, especially for the EU versions. While both ecosystems share compatibility with certain sensors and accessories, the hubs themselves generally aren’t cross-compatible for direct app management due to differences in firmware and platform support.

If you or anyone else in the community discovers new methods or has hands-on experience with unofficial procedures, feel free to share—your insights could be really helpful for those managing hybrid setups! Thanks for keeping the discussion going.

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I don’t think the Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 supports switching between Aqara Home and Mi Home apps.

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@Fla_Italy Currently, the reference information provided does not include details about converting the Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 to be recognized by the Xiaomi app, nor does it mention procedures to view “prehistoric” Xiaomi hubs in the Aqara app.

For the procedure you described (pressing the button 10 times, then twice), we cannot confirm its validity for the H1S Gen2 EU hub as it is not covered in the available documentation.

If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to share your experience with the community—others might have similar insights! For product-specific suggestions or issues, you can submit feedback through the Aqara Home App (Profile>Help&Feedback>Customer Service) for more personalized support.

Hope this helps, and thanks for sharing your setup details!

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@Fla_Italy Thank you for sharing your setup and detailed question! Regarding converting the M1S Gen2 Hub to be recognized by the Xiaomi app or making the “prehistoric” Xiaomi hub visible in the Aqara app, the reference information available does not cover such procedures or compatibility details.

The steps you mentioned for switching between apps (via button presses) are not documented in the provided guidelines for the M1S Gen2 Hub. Since regional settings (Singapore for Xiaomi, Italy for Aqara) may also impact compatibility, this adds another layer that isn’t addressed in the current information.

If you’d like to explore this further, consider connecting with other community members who might have similar experiences—collaboration often brings helpful insights! For specific suggestions or feedback on cross-app compatibility, please reach out to the Customer Service Team via the Aqara Home App (Profile>Help&Feedback>Customer Service) or by clicking here to create a ticket.

Thanks again for contributing to the discussion—your setup details are really valuable for others!

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