The Smart Home System You Have NEVER Heard of (but DEFINITELY Should) - YoLink Review

The Smart Home System You Have NEVER Heard of (but DEFINITELY Should) - YoLink Review
Smart home gadgets and smart home setups are a dime a dozen in 2021. We can find everything from WiFi smart home devices, to Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, and even Thread home automation products. However, there's a smart home system called YoLink that's not new, but you've probably never heard of.
I used the system to set up an automated garage, a smart mailbox sensor, a leak detection system, and I could do lots of this with local smart home control. There's a special aspect to this system that lets you get smart home control without WiFi, without internet, and even without power if you want.
It's a really interesting system that I think a lot of you can find a good use for in places like trailers, cabins, and even in your home. So enjoy our story for how we used this system and the many benefits of the LoRa protocol along with YoLink's products. In short, this is our full #YoLink #review for your #smarthome.
If you're wanting to try out this system, YoLink has an offer that they've extended to us for the first 500 purchases made on their website at shop.yosmart.com/
​
If you spend $80, you get a free hub using coupon code: AYLHUB. So use that code, cause once those 500 are sold, that's it!
Otherwise, here are the Amazon links!
Sensors For Your Automations:
YoLink Garage Door Opener Kit - geni.us/YoLinkGarageDoorKit​ (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Door Sensor - geni.us/YoLinkDoorSensor (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Outdoor Door Sensor - geni.us/YoLinkOutdoorDoor (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Motion Sensor - geni.us/YoLinkMotionSensor (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Temperature/Humidity Sensor - geni.us/YoLinkTempHumidity (Amazon affiliate link)
Here's the leak smart home gadgets:
YoLink Siren - geni.us/YoLinkSiren (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Leak Sensor 1 - geni.us/YoLinkLeakSensor (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Leak Sensor 2 (the one with the long cable/lead) - geni.us/YoLinkLeakSensor2 (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Valve, Actuator, and Controller - geni.us/YoLinkValveControl (Amazon affiliate link)
Smart Plugs and Action Devices:
YoLink Mini Smart Plug - geni.us/YoLinkMiniPlug (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Outdoor Smart Plug - geni.us/YoLinkOutdoorPlug (Amazon affiliate link)
YoLink Power Strip - geni.us/YoLinkSmartPowerStrip (Amazon affiliate link)
The Hub:
YoLink Hub - geni.us/YoLinkHub (Amazon affiliate link)
Subscribe to Take The Frustration Out Of Automation: / @automateyourlife
Our Tutorials Channel will help you get more out of your smart home: / @techyourlife1
Join our Patreon Group to get direct access to me (and for even deeper content): / automateyourlife
Our recommended smart home products (Amazon affiliate link): geni.us/3KzREP
Get in touch with us through the About Page on KZbin, or at automatelife.net
Automate Your Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other Amazon websites.
Thanks for watching, and Don't Hate, Automate.
Brian

[@saytwan]

Holy crap. You answered more questions about Google assistance in this product that I have ever seen about anything I've ever looked up on KZbin in my life. Mad props. To be honest, I had to speed up your playback function because this video is long but tons of information. Thank you so much. You've answered a ton of questions

[@AutomateYourLife]

👍😁

[@DELCOJAWN]

I switched from wyze sense to Yo-Link for all my motion and door switches a while back and it's been kicking ass for me.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Definitely going to be more reliable there John. I've enjoyed this too.

[@budparker8083]

I love yolink. Linking the siren was kind of wacky, but the sensors are spot on once I hard wired the internet to the hub. Hub disconnects frequently on Wi-Fi.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's best on ethernet I'm sure, but I tried it without and so far I've only had 1 disconnection in a month. And it reconnected on its own. Maybe your spot has a bit of interference messing with it?

[@budparker8083]

@@AutomateYourLife Yes. I live in a row of townhouses. Wifi interference has plagued my smart home.

[@AutomateYourLife]

:(

[@ericwithyolink2034]

we love you, too, Bud!

[@utuber1000]

When I first got the YoLink Hub, I just chose to connect it to my router and not bother with relying on wifi - figured it would be one less thing to worry about if any troubleshooting became necessary. (I already had one of those $15 TP-Link TL-SG105 things plugged into my router so it was an easy choice.)

[@jamespitts5477]

I love yolink.the communication distance of the device is more than 1000ft,It's really cool.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's a wild tech!

[@ericwithyolink2034]

We love you, too!

[@lawwdogg1digr]

I’ve been building my YoLink system for about 10 months. It’s an amazing system! I love it!

[@AutomateYourLife]

oh good! Now what did I miss that you love?

[@s.barnes-]

Wow. Brian, I have been buying Yolink devices. So powerful in the range department. I bought the hub and one motion sensor. I put the sensor in my community mailbox that is 145 feet from my garage. It works every TIME. Amazing. Quick response. And now I am transition from my Wyze V1 sensor to the Yolink sensors. Yolink makes an EXTERNAL contact sensor that I can mount outside. AND if the wire is not long enough they even encourage you to splice in a added length. WOW. I am also replacing other stuff like the in-wall Smart switches in some rooms. THANKS for LET US KNOW ABOUT THIS.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's a pretty interesting brand isn't it? They do a lot of DIY, easily. I love the mix.

[@lany_07gaming]

That's nice i like the temperature one,great info and review as always.👍

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks Lany! This is a very interesting one for sure!

[@CannabisTechLife]

Thanks for making this video (even if sponsored) . I've been trying to integrate home automation into my grow rooms and these water sensor paring with the valve control might just be it for a gravity fed system! Also nice to see you vetting sponsors before making videos

[@AutomateYourLife]

We gotta do sponsorships right if we are going to make a real career out of this. So I'm happy to hear this worked for you!

[@randomadvice2487]

Well in the US for personal mail only, be it physical mailbox at home or PO Box, signup for Informed delivery, get an email with images of mail you will receive that day. I have google forward that specific email to my phone via my email address equal to my text number. Each morning if I get a text, I know I have mail. Where this really nice is I have a P.O. Box for a business, somehow in their system it’s marked as residential. So as a small business owner I can see who’s paying me that day for those who send checks. It’s pretty cool to see a pic of an envelope that contains a payment. Plus I simply don’t check mail anymore unless I need to I will still explore the other devices for other parts of my automation tasks. Great video for us automators!

[@streetwiztech5505]

Hi Brian, great video as always.. keep up the good work

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks! 👍

[@nnycrazy]

Love our yolink products. They work great.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Great to hear!

[@benhaze1010]

Thanks for introducing this product to us. Very interesting.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You bet! Thanks Ben!

[@AlexBlock]

“I’m a little bit worried as I ask to open the garage door.” lol rooting against needing a pin code is the most Canadian thing I’ve heard in a long time! And trust me I’m envious! Anyway thank you so much for this video! LoRa seems like it will be revolutionary but it’s hard to get insight on it and you really delivered!

[@AutomateYourLife]

ahahhahahaha! Also, I don't want pin codes to get in my door lock k? 🤣🤣 Glad this hit home! It's one of my favorite videos this year.

[@faengelm]

Excellent product review. The local pairing was really interesting. Regarding the "finger", at 12:50 I noticed you pushed the up/down buttons to set the "resting" position. Are you then supposed to push the "set" button? My "settings" are not sticking. How do you set the "pressed" travel? You mentioned that there is Alexa and Google integration, but no SmartThings or Hubitat integration, however there is IFTTT.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Nope, just set it using the up/down buttons and then request for an open/close/lock/unlock. That seems to hold it where I want it. As for pressed travel, I don't believe there's a distance setting. It basically goes until it hits the object and feels enough pressure feedback. That seems to be how the device actually works (unconfirmed by YoLink). And yes, true about IFTTT!

[@proactivex]

The app, and interface is the best I've used. way better than expected.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Glad you're happy!

[@makeitworktech]

Great video! If I can't get Zigbee/Z-Wave to work for my mailbox, this (LoRa) is probably the direction I'll go!

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's really simple and reliable. I'm really enjoying it...just got my notification that the mailbox was opened and closed. :)

[@makeitworktech]

@@AutomateYourLife next piece of tech delivered? Haha

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@makeitworktech lol likely...🤦

[@lawwdogg1digr]

Motion sensor in the back of the mailbox works great as well. Caught a mail thief a few months ago.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Nice work! That's actually what I'm switching to!

[@stevelaminack1516]

Very helpful video, just wish the devices would work with Smartthings. Definitely like the temp sensor that doesn't die in the freezer.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I wish they would too Steve! Let's hope they see this comment and make it happen. :)

[@GrandmaHatesTech]

Ok, you got me, I never heard of this either.

[@AutomateYourLife]

#winning

[@dankelley9361]

Great video, always looking to improve my home automation. I like the pricing & range of these devices. I’m an “Alexa” user, so please say when this inherently work with the most popular voice assistant too! Thanks!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Dan, I always do talk about Alexa! It's in there! 😀😀

[@utuber1000]

I can attest that it all definitely works with Alexa. In fact, Alexa made my YoLink Finger work even better: 1) Alexa allowed me to change the name so I can say: "Alexa, Open (or Unlock) the Garage Door!" as it seemed rather awkward to say "…Open the YoLink Finger" (and my wife refused to say it! LOL! 🤣🤣🤣); 2) Alexa allowed me to categorize it as a "Lock" so that I could give it a four digit security code, which Alexa asks for before opening the garage door, which eliminates any worry that someone could just walk up and yell: "Alexa, Open the Garage Door" and get into our stuff.

[@walrus4248]

I have the leak sensors around a large water still and they work on a lower floor in the Chemistry building. I just added a Y0Link Plug which turns off the power from my phone anywhere. I haven't tested the range of the modules, but they work through a heavy concrete building.

[@AutomateYourLife]

That sounds about right with YoLink!

[@SimplyElectronicsOfficial]

Really looking forward to hearing about Matter!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Coming! In fact, watch a bit on Saturday!

[@michaelmaliga815]

I have Yolink devices integrated into my Homeseer system by setting up virtual devices in Homeseer and using Alexa routines to set the status of the virtual devices to match the state of the Yolink devices. It sounds like a hack but but both speed and reliablity are amazingly good. I have local automations set up using Z-Wave that do not respond as quickly as these triggers being relayed from Yolink to Homeseer via Alexa routines.

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's really wild to hear Michael. I didn't think it would go that quickly or effectively through Alexa, but that is great to hear! Thank you for putting this here for folks.

[@ericwithyolink2034]

Michael, plz email me. [e-mail] - I think you'd enjoy being in our Power-User Group discussion on Discord

[@philipperostin]

so it works with Alexa straight out of the box ? What about Google and Smarthings, do you have to fiddle around or do they find it easyly ?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Google yes, no ST though :(

[@robertmyers6141]

That was good just purchased 4 of the leak detectors and the ethernet hub for my basement game room, hotwater heater, etc. Will add the valve control a little later????

[@AutomateYourLife]

Enjoy! Great little system, just make sure you use the local pairing option for your most important automations!

[@EsotericArctos]

LoRa has been an interesting technology for a long time. It has been rock solid, even with as far as low power satellite communication. This ecosystem is really interesting. On another note, looking forward to hearing your views on Matter. Weird name, but sounds a like exciting step forward.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Brendan! I think it's a wild technology and I'd love to see it get some more coverage. So simple, effective, and reliable like you said. Matter...I tell ya. That's got to be talked about again! I've got a comparison video coming today, but not the newsy type of thing just yet. I'm actually trying to get a bit deeper into the new CSA alliance to hopefully get some better insight. Then I'll post :)

[@leweezo33]

LOL/ Forget my question on your other video, OF COURSE Brian has already made a vid on what I am looking for.. Thanks Brian

[@AutomateYourLife]

You bet! Enjoy these guys Cap!

[@FlyinZX10R]

I have a 2nd Generation Flexfob and the 4 outlet with 4 USB plugs. I’ve tried D2D pairing between the 2, but any button I press turns all of them on or off. I could create a scene for each button to turn the plugs off by number, but the scene function doesn’t seem to work without internet, which leads me to believe the scenes are cloud based. I want something that I can control the individual switches of the power and internet is out. My hub is on an uninterruptible power supply as well as some of my other important devices. I’m going to plug in the power strip into the UPS as well. Any tips for D2D between the individual fob buttons and the individual plugs on the power strip?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Huh...I think chat with the folks over at YoLink. Something odd is going on.

[@FlyinZX10R]

@@AutomateYourLife I emailed them but haven’t heard anything back yet.

[@BigMu2003]

Great video. As one of the people who asked you about this company, thank you for making a video. I’m pretty sure my water shut off valve is a round screw type, will this work? Will any smart valve work with it?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Eric! Thanks for asking! It's a pretty specific type of connector in terms of the power coming from the controller that they sell. However, they have a couple different types of actuators that you can use to fit your existing valve. The one I got had a ball valve with it and hex connectors to the piping. This one might fit your situation: amzn.to/3bmJLsx (Amazon affiliate link) and this is the one I got with the valve attached (so plumbing required) - amzn.to/3eF3CF6 (Amazon affiliate link)

[@ericwithyolink2034]

we have a "manipulator" that works with ball type valves, and a motorized valve as shown in the. The motorized valve takes a plumber or plumber skills (or a really good attitude, pipe cutter and Sharkbite fittings in hand) but it is the bulletproof way to go. Just leave your valve there, and put this in line with that.

[@BigMu2003]

@@ericwithyolink2034 thanks! This is definitely something to think about.

[@coy9898]

Another great video, It's interesting but i'm still waiting for Google to do something with thread. I invested into Google ecosystem but thinking I should have went with Alexa. Google seems so slow on the smart home front or abandons projects.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You're OK! Wait for next week's Google I/O :)

[@berylwhite2983]

Great job 👏 I understand your doghouse is very small so you shouldn't need more than hub lol. But this looks like super product.

[@AutomateYourLife]

LOL!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@martinsherry]

i’ve been interested in lora for a wee while, so its really helpful to see this video. And on a completely unrelated note, fingers crossed you’ll be receiving some “silverware” from the YT CEO in the v near future - good luck !

[@AutomateYourLife]

I've been really excited to show this system and that tech for a while! And I'm also very excited for my silverware from the YT CEO! Thank you Martin!

[@bruceweese8558]

Based on this video I think I would like the Yolink system of gadgets. One thing I have been looking for is a humidity temperature monitor that would trigger a smart plug to turn on a fan automatically. To also turn it off when the temperature drops. I currently have a bedroom fan on a smart plug but I have to tell google to turn on or turn off the bedroom fan. I don't have to want to wake up to do this. So could the yolink temp and plug be paired and follow a routine?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yep! You're good to go. Very simple actually. Just not in a Google routine at the moment. You'd set it up in the YoLink app

[@pilotdog68]

Is it correct that you have to choose between direct communication/local system vs the hub and app control? For instance on the little setup you demonstrated with the alarm and valve, you would not get a notification other than the alarm sounding, and could not control the valve manually?

[@AutomateYourLife]

No, you can do both at the same time with the same automation.

[@boondock1223]

Great video and review! Do you know if you can have sensors, motion detectors and sirens connected to the hub and app via internet and power as well as connected to Yolink Control as a back up, just in case power or internet fails. I know you can do both, but wondering if at the same time

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yep! You sure can.

[@boondock1223]

Awesome! I'm in then! Haha. I wish they had a wireless key pad in their ecosystem

[@boondock1223]

Also, do you know if yolink connects well to google assistant/home like it does with Alexa? It showed that the speakers can make announments with sensors and motion detectors

[@lawwdogg1digr]

Great review! I’m having a hell of a time trying to figure out how to set up the app so the outdoor/indoor sirens will sound when a door/window sensor is opened. Would you mind making a video that covers the app scene and alarm strategy functions, please?

[@AutomateYourLife]

We've been talking about that with Yolink and I've got it figured out, but it's an interesting system that way to say the least. We're looking at making a video on our Tutorials channel (link in description)!

[@lawwdogg1digr]

@@AutomateYourLife Thank you. That would be really helpful. The YoLink tutorial videos confused me more than they helped.

[@lawwdogg1digr]

Any idea when a tutorial on setting up a YoLink home security system with scene and alarm strategy functions is coming?

[@kosemkamtsan]

I’m trying to use Alexa to disable and enable siren when opening windows. Anyone know how to do this?

[@LasVegasCPL]

Have you come across devise that would open and close valve at certain time. Like timer controlled valve?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Their actuator would do it, and this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3qbk2iDpbSUjs0 It's because of the scheduled automation features available

[@ronm6585]

Hey Brian, thanks.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You bet! Thank YOU sir!

[@colincheng6674]

Hey Brian, if the automations are limited within the app, could it be integrated into the Alexa app for more complicated routines? Can you confirm if the sensors show up in the Alexa app as triggers?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Colin - Yeah so I had a number of things show up in the Alexa app! Check around 7:15 and on for some details on that.

[@colincheng6674]

@@AutomateYourLife Right - I remember you did reference that. Would that solve the issue of creating more complex routines then?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Not really...Alexa is only really one condition too

[@gupttura2766]

I have been thinking about home automation for a while. There are so many devices, tutorial videos of various different products confusing the heck out of me!!! I just want setup few wireless switches with door sensors to start with and I will have Fire HD type of tablet with dashboard (like Action tiles). Since, I am interested in buying products which can work with different vendors, technologies ('Matter')....what would you recommend?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I always recommend folks start with SmartThings and go from there. It's easy to setup, easy to find products, and integrates well with a lot of other platforms. Plus they're front and center on Matter, and you can create dashboards that work on tablets of any kind (with some 3rd party tools).

[@gupttura2766]

@@AutomateYourLife appreciate your response but if I start with SmartThings, am I not limited to what SamrtThings support? Eg-I have honeywell thermostat and eufy door bell, would these device work with SmartThings?

[@joshbabeu3285]

The Hub is necessary? I already have Philips hue and Smartthings hub. Can the yolink devices connect directly to Smartthings?

[@AutomateYourLife]

The hub is necessary in this case Josh. No other hub I know of has a pure LoRa certification. They CAN however, just pair the devices together locally.

[@jkraus1]

I have YoLink and works great, but I also need to install occupancy sensor in my MIL's house and not wanting to install any hub in her house. I can replace the light switch with an occupancy sensor, but also want the same light to come on as soon as the door is opened (before she enters down the steps and the occupancy sensor takes over), so a door sensor that activates the same light controlled by an occupancy switch. any ideas?

[@AutomateYourLife]

You're going to need a hub for sure. YoLink can do some of this but I think you'll need to step up from there and honestly...the occupancy sensors I've tested so far haven't been good. So I don't have a good option for you yet. I might suggest you look more at a camera system from a senior monitoring company

[@mele2259]

You think it’s better if the hub is hardwired ? I set it up via Wi-Fi. How do I cancel that and do the hardwire ? Thanks

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think...you just plug it in and it switches over. Quick way to check...turn off the wifi on your router

[@DM-ww7tz]

Hello the apps is free too use notification ? Thanks for review

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yep!

[@SirCharlesLikesChurros]

Does Yolink have widgets? I'm asking mainly for a temperature sensor widget. Thank you.

[@AutomateYourLife]

None as of now but you could aggregate into Alexa who has smart displays

[@pennakira]

thank you for the video, can this be used with Home assistant?

[@AutomateYourLife]

At the moment, you gotta build it yourself. They've spoken on their work to do this within their own team but it's not there yet.

[@pennakira]

@@AutomateYourLife Thank you for the info and replying back

[@timmyers2230]

Hi, Have you done a video with the LoRa sensor and Google Assistant? Very specifically, I’m disabled and would dearly love to be notified with audio and flashing lights that the mailbox has been opened. My ecosystem is primarily Google, Phillips Hue, and Govee. I’ve been searching and searching and cursing my decision several years ago to go the Google rout. It never occurred to that it would be so inflexible. I need many different types of sensors to help me look after my 85 year old parents but having a mailbox that speaks and alerts with lights would be pure awesomeness! Tim

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Tim, I'd love to be able to say that it works with Google Assistant (and it might soon), but right now it doesn't work. The LoRa gear from YoLink doesn't start Google Routines...yet. Let's hope it comes soon. You could do it with YoLink and Alexa, FYI.

[@daveschmarder-1950]

That system looks cool. It would likely work better than my present mailbox sensor. Other than that, I would need to think of new uses. While I have a well functioning smart home with what I have now, my next step would be local control instead of going through the cloud. I'm using all Wyze bulbs and some Wyze plugs. The rest work with Smart Life. I think I have enough brain power to eventually configure Home Assistant, but there will be a learning curve. But hell, I'm retired and am not doing anything anyway. If I had a pretty face, I would start a KZbin channel, but that isn't likely.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's definitely been better as a mailbox sensor than what I have had before (which was nothing)! The local control is a great option too, so I'm finding some use here without all the time on H.A. :)

[@daveschmarder-1950]

@@AutomateYourLife I just realized that I would have to go to the cloud when I ask GH to do something. I guess all that I save is the second trip around. The Wyze sense on the mailbox works good, usually. Once in a while there is a dead battery, but not real often. Sometimes when it doesn't work, I unplug the camera (with connected bridge) and that seems to get things going again. It also stops when there is a pending update. So this isn't a critical application use. Sometime I hear the mailman, especially when he is driving the USPS truck. It sound like one of those buzz bombs and when the noise stops, he is at my box.

[@georgeluther6589]

I have several Wyze cameras, doorbell and security system can I get Lolink to integrate with them.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey George, (I saw you on Patreon, thank you!) Sadly, Wyze is only really integrated with Google/Amazon and IFTTT. Good news though...so is YoLink! So, it depends on how you want to integrate them, but there are a few possibilities. You can set up a free account at IFTTT.com and then check out the triggers and actions without saving an applet. If you have Alexa, well Wyze doesn't do much triggering these days there, but in this video you should have seen that YoLink does. So there's definitely some integration possibilities, but it depends what you're after!

[@156aliciasy]

Hi does the yolink work with Lumary smart lights?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Not directly. You'd have to use another system like perhaps Amazon Alexa to make that connection

[@cariemurphy5932]

I need something for my rv to let me know if there is a power outage while I’m away. Is this the right product for me?

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's more a product for doing things while the power is out.

[@johnbayfield7619]

Can you get the data easily out to Node-Red. Automations then would not be limited at all, pulling other sensor data in from different sources. It would be useful if Node-Red could also output to the devices, especially the water valve.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Don't have Node-Red but they do tell me that they have developer options so without checking, I'm betting someone's already done this.

[@johnbayfield7979]

@@AutomateYourLife Thanks for that Brian. I would not have come across these without this video. I have been in contact with them and they gave me some very useful information that other people in the UK may find useful. I Lecture in a college and as part of a County and Country wide project we have become a part of a Smart County initiative, expanding the Lora network by putting up an outside Node/Mast. The Smart City Smart County idea is a great one for enviromental sensors and wildlife monitoring where massively extended battery life and very long range are important. I can see many uses for LoRa devices in a Smart Home system too, where distance (Up to 10 KM) or thick granite walls (Mine are over 12 ft thick) make WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth etc impossible to use. I'm really keen to be able to test these out for in both my homes and in College and the good news for UK viewers is that I am told by YoLink that they should be appearing in the UK bandwidth (IMPORTANT) via Amazon.co.uk within the next few months. I will be ordering as soon as they appear and let you know how I get one. Thank you so much for your channel.... You keep us educated and entertained...

[@JoseCruz-nt1mu]

Do they charge a monthly fee? Can you remote control the sensors without the home wifi?

[@AutomateYourLife]

No monthly fees at all. You will need either ethernet or wifi for the automations and connectivity to other platforms. But there's a local control option that I talk about that gives you an option for some automation without wifi or internet! Watch the links at the end!

[@JoseCruz-nt1mu]

@@AutomateYourLife Thank you and keep up with the good videos.

[@photelegy]

Do those also work local (without cloud) with HomeAssistant?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Not yet

[@iBOT-R3]

I love my YoLink door sensor. The hub is connected up in my apartment and relays to my Amazon Alexa speaker, iPhone and iPad. The door sensor is located on the storage unit door downstairs in the parkade. If someone was to break in to the storage unit I will know through my Amazon speaker, iPhone, or iPad. I just wish YoLink would make a rechargeable wireless security camera that would work with the door sensor.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Great stuff!

[@andrewbryan6353]

So is this not compatible with the other protocols etc zigbee z Waze etc

[@AutomateYourLife]

Correct. It's called LoRa :)

[@ryamelp]

So the sensor on your cluster mail box connects back to your hub in your home that is out of wifi range or it is connected to someone else hub?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Ryan, the mailbox is down the street and the sensor in there connects to my hub in my home. The hub is then connected through Wifi or ethernet.

[@ryamelp]

@@AutomateYourLife HOW FAR away is the mailbox?

[@AutomateYourLife]

400 feet

[@roccolongo8461]

@@AutomateYourLife Great find, Brian! I am looking for the same thing. Thanks! Did Canada Post complain about the door sensor being installed in your mailbox? TIA

[@CraigMullins1]

You done any setup demos? These puppies have a lot of options for setting up.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I did a few over on this channel, but not a ton of detail on them. kzbin.info/door/wdEwQFG-zftr6c7G7wmFvA Just some of the more basic scenarios you might want.

[@dablet]

any way to get this working with Home Assistant locally?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Don't know! You'll have to read forums and stuff like that

[@degatube]

N7 - mass effect fan? Nice...👌

[@AutomateYourLife]

You know it!

[@garethjones5068]

LoRa is my favourite Thundercat

[@AutomateYourLife]

Wrong! 🤣🤣 It's ZigBee

[@garethjones5068]

@@AutomateYourLife Ahhh but is it Snarf enabled?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Doesn't Matter 😀😀. Get it??

[@garethjones5068]

@@AutomateYourLife Lion-o-nly knows what you're talking about 🤔

[@AutomateYourLife]

You been watching the Thundercat again Gaz? I thought I told you that you couldn't just watch cartoons all day!

[@mansharker8]

I use the ethernet port on the back of my hub since its more reliable than 2.4Ghz wifi in the spot where I installed it :)

[@AutomateYourLife]

Much better choice.

[@pflinn]

This would be great if the HUB sent MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) messages for local automation.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Well let's hope YoLink sees your message. They're very flexible and building improvements :)

[@ericwithyolink2034]

not the Hub but the server. email me at [e-mail] and I'll send you our API application form

[@pnsdreams]

@@ericwithyolink2034 I’m keen to give your products a go, however I noticed your website mentioned that Yolink only works in USA/Canada. Apart from the power supply, are there any other restrictions that won’t allow me to use your devices in Australia?

[@ericwithyolink2034]

@@pnsdreams we have customers in Australia, but that statement is about the fact that our frequencies are only licensed in the US and Canada.

[@sengle3]

I had a lot of trouble trying to scan the QR code on the YoLink finger. My problem was that the place I was trying to do the scan was too brightly lit. When I took it to an area lit only by the early morning sun filtered through a curtain it immediately scanned. I'm probably the only one that didn't know that, at least in this case, too well lit was a bad thing. Hope this helps someone else.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You're not the only one who didn't know that Albert. You can see I'm doing all of these pairings in the same lighting situation, so this could be helpful for a number of folks.

[@paszmaty]

yay, my fave shirt!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Mine too!!!

[@jennieredrose5819]

Hi. Great video but I am so lost. Ok I have a vacant home getting renovated, that I would love to use this to secure with it's loud alarm and all. There is no wifi in the home. It seemed like in this video you said we could use this product without wifi? But how? I just would like step by step info on how? If the alarm went off, and I'm 50 miles away, how would I be notified and how would I stop the alarm once it was going off? Hope to hear back from you.

[@AutomateYourLife]

There are some additional tutorials at the end of the video that help with setting up what's basically a pairing together of devices. Pairing is how you can get alarms in the home and do automation without any internet. Sadly though, to get a notification out of the system you would need to connect it to WiFi or to Ethernet. Actually Ethernet is preferred. The notification would then come through the app after setup.

[@jennieredrose5819]

@@AutomateYourLife so then internet is always needed then. Some sort of wifi right?

[@matts1978]

Great Shirt!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

😁😁😁

[@andygomez0206]

Does Yolink has security cameras?

[@AutomateYourLife]

They don't yet, no. I'm not sure they'll enter that space

[@jasondessenberg6096]

Gas/water valve shutoff is a great a idea but unavailable on amazon. Yolink does not even give you the option to buy direct.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Jason - hopefully they'll come back into stock...it's a tough time for many manufacturers. Honestly, they were in stock when I posted the video so maybe this video sold a bunch.

[@realsushrey]

100K ahead!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Very soon! Days now!

Did Canada Post ever left you a note asking to remove the sensor or anything like that?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Believe it or not, the situation was talked about 2 months later at Canada Post's head office and apparently it is not allowed in Canada. Yeah.

@@AutomateYourLife ho I totally believe it. I can already see multiple ways for it to be seen as an "evil" device. I am sure some union folks probably took it to the next level too. That's why I wondered if you still had it there lol. (Subscribed to you channel. I might email you later this week)

[@AutomateYourLife]

I even explained the merits of how that would help someone who couldn't walk to the box every day to know if they needed to... explained lots of how they could take the benefits and turn it into something great.

[@photelegy]

How far away is the farthest you got working (like theailbox)?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I never measured exactly, but it's pretty far. Canada has shared mailboxes so it's down the street and around the corner

[@gadocbar]

Can you check temps away from home

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yep

[@EthanChouSonicTheHedgehog]

Nice link how do i use Amazon affiliate link

[@AutomateYourLife]

Just click one of the ones down below Ethan! They say (Amazon affiliate link) next to them

[@EthanChouSonicTheHedgehog]

@@AutomateYourLife ok

[@richardm5204]

does this require a subscription service

[@AutomateYourLife]

Nope

[@michaelpennington5111]

Will Yolink link and work with Google?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yep, don't expect triggers from sensors though in Google Home's app. Not yet anyways

[@EC20121]

I am pretty sure you can integrate geo location to this with Alexa. 👍

[@johnsonvender1067]

Can you automate these yolink devices with alexa?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yes

[@PhillyDjHook]

All I wanna know if it's works with Samsung SmartThings without buying their Hub?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Sorry sir, it doesn't even work with ST when buying their hub.

[@PhillyDjHook]

@@AutomateYourLife Thank you so much. I'm looking for a water, contact and, motion sensor that works with Samsung SmartThings. Do you know of any?

[@thestreamreader]

Any updates on this system?

[@AutomateYourLife]

We do regular updates on YoLink and products they offer in our regular news videos. Come out every month :)

[@Haywoodjablomie100]

The mailbox alert seems nice, bit its a hard pass from me. The amount of permissions they want to use in the app is staggering. So nope!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Right now, with the system operating at 100%, I have only the camera permission turned on. :) That's just so I can scan QR codes, and it's only while the app is in use.

[@robert5]

Just installed a yolink hub and sump pump sensor. Pretty cool but the alert system is over the top unneededly complicated. I can not get it to make a alert sound on my phone. It sends sms messages and sends emails to my phone. But.... no alert sound no matter how I set it. Really and I DO MEAN REALLY hate to have to call tech support but guess I am going to. I can not accept this thing will not make a sound on my phone, not going to be acceptable if it can't do that.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeahhh, the alert system is weird. I never enjoyed that. As for your phone, that just seems weird. You should be able to make any push notification (not SMS/Email) make a specific sound for you.

[@PhilKulak]

Unless you can integrate it with Home Assistant, what's really the point? Who want to use a special app on their phone for some of their devices?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Cause not everyone wants to spend all the time and effort for Home Assistant!

[@PhilKulak]

@@AutomateYourLife Not everyone wants to eat Italian food, but why would I waste my time in a grocery store that doesn’t have tomatoes?

[@AutomateYourLife]

It works for you. 😀

[@ericwithyolink2034]

HA integration is in the works. we also have over a dozen customers, developers, working on their own HA projects, using our API.

[@PhilKulak]

@@ericwithyolink2034 That’s great news! The tech and hardware look great. Instant buy from me as soon as there’s HA support.

[@dennisharris144]

Always great videos but I can't figure out if that purplish wall is some kind of porn velvet, or are you in the basement. I am not sure I really want the answer LOL. Seriously I love the channel, such great content

[@AutomateYourLife]

LOL!!! A little bit of both ;)

[@proactivex]

same

[@jbrewer4314]

Can you ask Alexa to open the garage door? For example as I walk out the door, “Alexa Open the Garage Door”

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yessir - it's a bit of different wording though for Alexa. Alexa, Unlock the Garage Door. Then it'll ask for a pin code (you have to change that setting in the device setting).

[@jbrewer4314]

@@AutomateYourLife Ok one more question can you get it to show notification on Echo shows for the leak sensors, temp sensor, door sensors etc? THANK YOU for your work here I love these helpful videos as I expand my smart home

[@AutomateYourLife]

Show notifications...I've actually never done. I don't think they do that in routines...but you can do what I did for sure! See the part with the light and the audible notification? You can also get a notification to your Alexa app and therefore your phone. And yes, with all of them! Which is actually amazing.

[@michaelmaliga815]

Yes I am doing this. Just set up an Alexa routine that triggers from saying "Alexa, open the garage door" and have that execute a custom action that includes the phrasing and pin number to open the door. If you are going to be away from home for awhile and want more security just disable that routine and then you are back to where you need to use the phrase that includes the pin number.

[@rageburst]

I really enjoy my yolink products, but they're on the pricey side so I have to be selective with which ones I buy, and this typically has to do with when I need a long-term battery sensor that might also need to be outside (like in a car). With Alexa integration, it's better to mix and match different brands and not just use Yolink. It excels at the garage opener, the door sensor, the vibration sensor, motion sensors, the temperature sensor, the water leak sensor, and the remote FOB. However, I would get a different brand if I want to use smart bulbs, light switches, smart plugs, sirens, and cameras. For sirens, I would simply use a smart plug connected to an AC-powered siren. Alexa routines can be enabled/disabled using Voice Monkey API, and you can have yolink door sensors activate an outside siren when the routine is enabled.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Pricey!? YoLink!? I dunno!

[@ryamelp]

video 3 in the playlist is private

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks for the heads up. That was one we uploaded but never published because it wasn't ready!

[@vmobile890]

yolink needs a upgraded hub or 2nd optional with phone connection same as Simplisafe . No power No problem ? No power no wifi not informing on any sensors tripping .

[@AutomateYourLife]

That'd be great

[@vmobile890]

@@AutomateYourLife can you help on limited messages and alerts and subscription cost from Yolink ?

[@aniruddhaacharyya7493]

Just a suggestion Please make small video like under 10 minute

[@AutomateYourLife]

Watch the playlist at the end. 2 minute long videos

[@aniruddhaacharyya7493]

Btw love your videos, you r doing a great job, keep it up...

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks!

[@Greenmachine305]

You're Canadian. You don't need home security if you live there.

[@AutomateYourLife]

LOL

[@Greenmachine305]

@@AutomateYourLife I'm also Canadian. I recognized your accent. I live in Miami. I DO need home security.

[@Greenmachine305]

@@AutomateYourLife By the way, your video on this subject was very helpful. Thanks.

[@mastweiler22]

😔 "YoLink products work only in the USA and Canada"

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Ken - So from a frequency basis, you can see that LoRa is going to work in N.A. at a bit of a higher frequency. 915 MHz. So if you buy it from N.A. and ship it there, you'd need a power converter for any plug in unit, and then just understand that this is your frequency. I don't know the laws in your country, so check into that, but it would physically work then!

[@johnbayfield7619]

Shame it would be excellent if it worked in the UK. 863 to 870 MHz Frequency Band. And also via the LoRaWan Network that covers the country's in the UK.

[@chrgeorgeson]

Shepard.....

[@AutomateYourLife]

😎😎😎

[@martinjf467]

I've just bought over E500 of YoLink products and I must say I am DISGUSTED with their service and their appalling attitude. A month after ordering I had to issue an ultimatum before the goods were finally delivered and it was abundantly clear that the company were being dishonest about delivery. The order has a missing item and even though it was obvious the goods were being sold to a European customer none of the provided PSUs are European, all having American connections instead. The final insult was a bill for 20% ON TOP of the final price in import duty even though this was not obvious at the point of order - the prices quoted were in Euros so one would assume the goods were coming from inside the EU! CAVEAT EMPTOR!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh this doesn't sound good. I'll tell you one thing that might be good to consider. This technology is not even licensed in the EU, so you couldn't be buying it direct from YoLink I think. They couldn't do that.

[@martinjf467]

I’ve no reason to believe it has not come from YoLink due to the purchasing process I went through and the California address on the paperwork too. I take on board your comment though and as you say, it’s all a bit odd. There’s no escaping the bad attitude I experienced from them which in essence was, ‘Our courier is lying but we don’t give a sh*t and you’ll have to sort it out yourself”. Only my ultimatum stating no delivery by yesterday would result in my putting the matter in the hands of my credit card company for a refund actually prompted any action. And there’s no doubt they were dishonest too. C’est la vie.

[@motog1115]

Hopefully it's cheap because you know they don't last long.

[@AutomateYourLife]

They're still working in my home. Seems like an OK time frame already

[@motog1115]

@@AutomateYourLife After how long? I may give these a try. I would love a siren and Alert on phone. A set and forget it thing for a large odd shaped yard outside.

[@juanramon1997]

pictures??? videos about notifications?????????????????????????????????????????????????

[@sygys]

This is garbage... There is nothing really local to this. You have a product that connects to another. The products are only usable if you can fully program them offline. With for example home assistant. Why in the hell would a company even want all their products using cloud?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think you missed the fact that I have directly paired 8 devices together in whatever way I'd like them to operate. Didn't even take me any time!

[@frankmerryman6383]

@@AutomateYourLife That's great. Please explain how you pair devices together to work without internet? Thanks.