AQARA - Affordable Smart Devices For HomeKit, Alexa and Google!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

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[@isaacocasio3165]

I have a bunch of Aqara devices and it’s honestly the best stuff I’ve used so far. Easy to setup and haven’t had a single misfire on any automations I’ve set up. Now I will say they are fairly simple automations but the point still stands.

[@Polkster13]

My favorite automations with Aqara sensors are: I have contact sensors on all of my closet doors and I use Lutron Caseta light switches throughout my house. When a closet door opens, the closet light comes on. When I close the closet door, the closet light goes off. I also have motion sensors in the bathroom, laundry room, and front porch. When I walk into the bathroom or laundry room during the day, the ceiling lights come on. If no motion is detected after 20 minutes, the lights shut off. If anyone comes up on my porch at night, the outdoor porch ceiling light will come on. If not motion is detected after 10 minutes, the light automatically shuts off. I also have an Aqra contact sensor on my mailbox that sends me an alert anytime the mailbox door is opened.

[@EsseQuamVideriSe7en]

Hey Frederick, how do you have the Aqara system access the Lutron Caseta light? Are you using Google or Apple? I am using Google Home so I am hoping you can help me do this.

[@Polkster13]

@@EsseQuamVideriSe7en I am using Apple HomeKit. However, the Lutron Caseta switches work with all of the platforms. Therefore, you should be able to create automations using a contact sensor to tell the lights to power on and off depending on the status of the contact sensor. What I did was I created two automations that run when a "Sensor Detects Something". Then I chose the Aqara sensor. In the first automation, if the sensor status is Open, then I run a scene that turns the Closet Light On. On the second automation, if the Aqara sensor is Closed, then I run a scene that turns the Closet Light Off. Unfortunately, you cannot do this in the Aqara app, as this app will only let you control Aqara items in the automations. It doesn't let you control non-Aqara devices. Aqara has said that they will support Matter and Thread in 2022. That will be great as this will allow a more seamless integration with other products. That being said, Lutron has NOT said they would support Matter and since their Clear Connect communication uses 434 MHz channel and is not compatible with the Thread protocol, I don't see them ever supporting Thread.

[@paulnhbtx713]

I watched your live on KZbin and Amazon! Been a fan of your channel for a long time! Bought 136.00 worth of aqara today. Looking to pair with Alexa and my smart wiz lights

[@DYAnzures]

I purchased the following Aqara devices: M2 hub, door/window sensor, motion sensor P1 and water leak sensor. Configured all devices in Aqara Home app. Then I added Aqara Home skills in Alexa app. Alexa recognizes child Aqara devices P1 motion sensor and door/window sensor. However, Alexa is not recognizing Aqara water leak sensor. Is Aqara water leak sensor not compatible with Alexa? Any ideas how to make it work?

[@Polkster13]

On the G2H cameras, you can have it record to both the iCloud through HKSV and to the SD card simultaneously. This way if you pick motion only recording for HKSV, you can set it to continuous recording to the SD card. That way if you need to see footage before or after a motion event that isn't captured in HKSV, you can go back and see the video on the SD card using the Aqara app. You can also set "Lens Correction" to on under Video Settings which will eliminate almost all of the "fish eye" effect of the camera lens. This is one of my favorite features of this camera besides also being a hub that I can add child devices to.

[@faengelm]

Great review. Does the button trigger Alexa Routines? Does any of the devices trigger Google Actions?

[@seanfritz6151]

You can also use a lot of their products with IFTTT. I have the button controlling my LIFX bulbs with toggle on/off with single click.

[@robin9609]

Hi Craig, looking for reliable home security system, avoiding the Adt / Viviant scams. Aqara seems very popular but I think a backup monitoring service makes sense at times. I just want door sensors and motion alarms. I know you went w Ring,but since then, do u still recommend them or anything different? I am looking into wired cams to prevent jammers.

[@DB-pk7hb]

How do you add this to alexa? I find it impossible

[@pug_63]

Don’t forget the 24 hour Aqara sale on the 18th, as highlighted by Shane Whatley in his latest video!

[@ChrisOram]

Great video Craig, I just made a news recap video about Aqara announcing their support for Matter, as well. Can't wait for their upcoming sale on the 18th!

[@3Stefan7]

Am I able to use the switch or motion sensor directly with Google Home (w/o IFTTT, Home Asisstant, ...) when purchasing the M2 Hub?

[@robertbolton9154]

Awesome man! I didn’t know they were getting Matter.

[@ManticJohn]

The m2 hub doesn’t need Ethernet, it has WiFi too.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you John for catching that. I went and did an edit to fix that.

[@jellyjenn12291]

For older homes without neutral do you recommend Lutron Caseta or these Aqara light switches?

[@alansussex7867]

I would be very helpful to show haw all the automations are achieved thanks 🙏

[@quiles26]

Hey Craig! It’s been a while but I’m still here and a big fan. In the video you mentioned that aqara was updating to matter. Would it be safe to say that they might be coming with new products or a version 2?

[@ajswooshgaming5062]

hi sir, can the aqara motion sensor connect to the Google nest mini?

[@nikosfants4514]

My friend i have the g2h with many child devices on a China server. I try to connect Alexa (who is in American server) and it doesn't find it. it said that have to be in American server? If i change the Chinese server to American all these aqara staff will they work? Thank you

[@moniquem783]

Once Matter is rolled out will hubs become paper weights or will they still be needed?

[@mikeward1701]

The 2Tb iCloud plan allows unlimited HomeKit Secure Video cameras.

[@jakobholzner]

companies should pay less attention to their apps and more about integrating it into existing ecosystems like homekit or homeassistant

[@zjweele13]

Won't happen. They want your data. This aqara hub for example constantly pings to Chinese servers. It is actually a spyware machine :P

[@durtydeedsREI]

So, even though this uses zigbee...it still needs a hub and can't connect directly to Alexa devices with a zigbee hub?

[@BlaqViper]

Great video. I’m already deep into both the Amazon and HomeKit eco systems, as well as the Aqara devices. Is there a way to get Alexa to see the Aqara M1S hub as a security alarm rather than just as a light? I would like to trigger some non HomeKit lights to come on if the Aqara alarm is triggered.

[@jerrylouiwalthercontrerast3821]

Hi, I can't pair M1S hub with Alexa, can you help me please? I'm using aqara app

[@BlaqViper]

@@jerrylouiwalthercontrerast3821 You first have to enable the Aqara skill in Alexa. It seems Aqara’s M1S is seen by Alexa only as a light and not M1S’s security system.

[@masumij.9634]

Hi Ed. Did you manage to do this? Even if it’s recognized as light, can you still have it as a trigger to turn on another “light” through Alexa? I.e. when there’s motion , it turns on the light.

[@makkamao]

@Craig I do not understand. Can I just use my Echo as a Hub for the sensors or do I need even an Aqara Hub? In which case makes it not interesting.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

No you cannot. It needs the hub

[@JohnNorman11]

Are there any workaround to ge the Aqura mini switch to trigger Alexa routines? Maybe IFTT?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I cannot see anyway around it. I just tried writing what you are saying and Alexa can serve as a IFTTT trigger, but can’t have any actions or be triggered. This is where some of the dedicated hubs like Home Assistant come in to create virtual switches.

[@MrGivmedew]

Thanks

[@grahamroberts6222]

Loving all the vids so much information. So can you use aqara hub zigbee bulbs use HomeKit for scenes bur use Alexa for voice commands?

[@asprywrites]

Great stuff, great channel. I have a security camera on my automower because I think it's cool to see what it sees sometimes. Do any of these cams have to be plugged in to work or are the batteries strong? Can they work in the rain?

[@bre4472]

Can I use the zigbee hub within the echo dot (4th gen) rather than buying a separate Aqara hub?

[@jorgitoguit]

Craig. Do you know if their smart switch with no neutral wire works with the built-in ZigBee in the Echo Plus without using their hubs?

[@felipesantiagotirado4287]

Awesome, as always! Quick question, do you know, since these are Zigbee devices, will they work directly with the new echos? Thanks!

[@MaliceVanRow]

I bought a door contact sensor to try this with the echo 4th gen. But unfortunately it did not work and after messaging aqara, their hub is required. They added something to their devices so they only work with their hub. Kinda bs but o well

[@Kernel71]

Aqara HM2-G01 does not work with Amazon Alexa!

[@lp4854]

Do all these hubs work with xiaomi branded sensors or gadgets? Since the M2 hub has also a bluetooth capability, can it connect to the xiaomi quingping bluetooth alarm clock which is also a temperature and humidity sensor?

[@abdulsadiq8873]

Does the aqara platform work without an internet connection?

[@LeiChat]

Thanks for the video. Any idea why the Aqara rocker switches don't appear as a "When this happens" trigger in Alexa? They show up in the "Add action" list, so they can be the target of an Alexa routine. I'd like to use one of the switches on the Aquara dual rocker H1 EU switch to turn on/off a WiFi smart plug. Sadly the Aqara ZigBee smart plugs aren't available in a UK plug version yet. The other option might have been another brand of ZigBee smart plug but I fear it's not possible to add them to the Aqara app so no local control option there either.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for watching this video. Unfortunately Alexa doesn’t allow switches to control other devices. HomeKit can do it and have pretty much any device triggering another device or scene. No you can’t pair any other brands to the Aqara hub.

[@LeiChat]

@@CraigsTechTalk Thank you. So Amazon need a new banner slogan "Half-Works with Alexa". 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@LeiChat]

@@CraigsTechTalk I stumbled on a Reddit post where someone suggested pairing the switches with an Amazon Echo (4th gen), rather than an Aqara hub, allows them to be a controller for other devices in Alexa. Might have to buy one to test it. If Aqara sold a UK version of their US smart plug I could just run the automation in their own app.

[@moniquem783]

Hey Craig. I’ve got a question I can’t find an answer to. I’ve ordered the M2 hub as I have many dumb appliances (my tv is 13 years old - 4K wasn’t even available then! 😂) so wanted the IR controller now, plus figured I’ll be buying a bunch of their things at some point anyway. But… will it work with zigbee sensors etc that are other brands? I guess I’m asking is it a zigbee hub, or is it an Aqara hub that uses zigbee? And what about Xiaomi sensors given they are the same company as Aqara? I will upgrade the tv when I move. Just waiting to decide on the right size. This one can’t even be wall mounted as the VESA standard wasn’t established yet and the mounting holes don’t line up with currently available brackets. It says HDTV on the front, but I’m pretty sure it’s 720p 😂😂 It’s time for an update! But the M2 hub will give me a few more months with it.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Monique. The Aqara hub is on for their products. Unfortunately. Sounds like you are ready for an upgrade if you are using 720p. 😀 It’s great that their hub can be used for IR.

[@moniquem783]

@@CraigsTechTalk 😂😂 yes I think so! I was watching the jubilee on it last night and couldn’t recognise who was on which horse and thought hmmm, maybe my eyes are not the problem! 😂😂 I’ll wait until I move though as then I’ll know how big I can go and saves me moving it, plus my internet here wouldn’t be able to cope with 4K anyway. I’m moving to the country and will have satellite internet out there which will be incredible compared to here! It will cope with 4K just fine 😁 I was looking at tv options the other night. So many options! LED LCD OLED QLED UHD QUHD etc etc. Geez! I’m going to have to do some research! Thanks for clarifying about the hub. At least the Aqara one is a device as well. It doesn’t feel like a waste of money and space that way. Amazon are having a sale so I bought more lights 😂😂😂 I got some bulbs to fit the ceiling light and some plugs to automate 2 more lamps and a light strip for the tv. I’m going to try to do a dodgy install, maybe with some cable clips or something, so that I don’t use the adhesive and can save it for the tv I’m going to keep. I’ll also have excess I’m not going to cut off so will have to get creative with that too. Once those are done, that’s all I’m doing in this house! I’ll have heaps of fun with the next house though!

[@BlaqViper]

Great info! Will he Aqara hub act as a Zigbee hub for any brand name Zigbee device or only Aqara child devices?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Unfortunately not. It is only for their devices.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Ed for watching. I appreciate the long time support.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you sir.

[@BENGALSPRIMETIME2024]

Craig I love your tube channel…….but those shorts you had on in this vid must go

[@CraigsTechTalk]

🤣 I love it. I live in shorts, but I do my best to spare you all seeing it. I even debated pants. Thanks for watching and the support. Have a great day.

[@Jensen871]

So I can't use the mini switch with Alexa at all?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

no you cannot

[@leicaman]

Not true that nothing works with HomeKit. Other than that, good review.

[@Polkster13]

The other thing I really like about these child devices is they are very small and unobtrusive.

[@hjkaye]

Not another hub thanks. I have three