Control HomeKit With the Aqara Magic Switch S1E, Scene Panel S1, and MagicPad S1

The Aqara Magic Switch S1E is a sort of budget-friendly version of their previously released combined switch and display panels, but with the addition of six wireless buttons that are exposed to HomeKit, meaning you can now control HomeKit devices from a display designed for another ecosystem, essentially. We look at this device and give you a brief overview of the other two display panels in this series - the Aqara Scene Panel S1, and the Aqara MagicPad S1.
You can purchase the Aqara Magic Switch S1E from our recommended store on AliExpress - and if you use the following code: S1S30315 - you can save US$3.00 on the price. You can also use this code with the Scene Panel S1, and the Smart Thermostat S3.
You can also read the full written review here - homekitnews.com/2023/01/22/aq...
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👉 Aqara Magic Switch S1E - a.aliexpress.com/_mqmfxya (US$3.00 off code: S1S30315)
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Other devices featured or referred to in this video;
👉 Aqara Thermostat S3 - a.aliexpress.com/_mLivzCa (US$3.00 off code: S1S30315)
👉 Aqara Smart Switch H1M (requires neutral) - a.aliexpress.com/_mKiRDGK
👉 Aqara Air Monitor S1 - a.aliexpress.com/_mMIlfZM
👉 Aqara Scene Panel S1 - a.aliexpress.com/_mPGzjKm (US$3.00 off code: S1S30315)
👉 Aqara Pet Feeder C1 - amzn.to/3Q7oeqB (Amazon.com)
Check out our website for all the latest HomeKit related News, Reviews, Listings, Tutorials and more - homekitnews.com
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- Twitter : / infohomekitnews or @infohomekitnews
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:12 Product Overview
0:26 Basic specs
0:44 What's in the box?
1:12 Connection comparisons
1:57 Adding the S1E to HomeKit/Aqara
2:13 Magic Switch S1E - screen overview
3:34 Magic Switch S1E - screen features
6:39 Installation options for multiple switches
7:19 Aqara Scene Panel S1 - overview
8:15 Aqara MagicPad S1 - overview
9:26 Recap - panels compared
9:44 Pros vs cons
10:46 Outro
#homeautomation #smarthome #homekit #aqara

[@rusich555]

Fantastic review and comparison! Thanks a lot!

[@homekitnews]

Glad you liked it!

[@Dr_Cole]

These are a major step closer to getting us to a smart home we all dream about. Living in the States, the big question becomes when will something like that be ready for us!? Happy New Year!

[@homekitnews]

Happy New Year to you too. Regarding your question, I was actually talking to one of the PR team at Aqara, and brought this point up specifically. Of course due to the amount of adjustments necessary to get it to work in a different form factor isn’t easy, but I’m sure it’s possible, so I hope they do manage to do it.

[@01mememememe]

Nice work @homeKit - great work

[@homekitnews]

Appreciate it!

[@jakubvavru]

Fantastic review, thanks! Nice work

[@homekitnews]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mohamedrami7703]

Great video as usual happy new year

[@homekitnews]

Happy new year!

[@sssinterior9243]

Hi, how to add modul led dimmer on black area layout? I can't add, for led strip u use led strip aqara or modul led dimmer aqara?

[@thair]

Hi ! Thanks for the nice informative vid . Is the e1 roller exposed to it by now ??

[@thair]

And if there’s any update on the “English” so far

[@homekitnews]

Hi, unfortunately the menu system for both the S1E and the MagicPad is still just in Chinese. You can now add the E1 roller shade driver to the S1E, but not the MagicPad S1 or the Scene Panel S1.

[@arthur508]

awesome video!

[@homekitnews]

Glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year.

[@rodrigojoszt]

Great review, congratulations. Would you have any link to purchase the Aqara MagicPad S1, please?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, unfortunately it seems it’s not available from places like AliExpress, which is where I’d normally recommend people go, so unless you can buy it from the Taobao website, it’s impossible to get.

[@jamesmcmillan7616]

Thanks for this brilliant and informative review. Just got an S1E …. A quick question… do I need to add to the Aqara app manually? Or will the HomeKit process add it automatically? Thanks very much!

[@homekitnews]

I would suggest you add it to the Aqara app first, then you can either add it to HomeKit from within the Aqara app, or add it separately via the Home app. Just be aware you need to be using the China server for this to be added.

[@jamesmcmillan7616]

Brilliant thanks… yes , on the Chinese server!

[@jamesmcmillan7616]

All installed and working!!! Thanks for your guidance! Any idea how to change the names of the wireless buttons in the Aqara app… stuck on Chinese characters at the moment!!!

[@homekitnews]

@@jamesmcmillan7616 you should be able to rename them with anything you want, including western characters, but it has to be done in the Aqara app if you mean what is shown on the display, as opposed to what’s shown in HomeKit. Go into the Aqara app, select the Accessories tab, then find the S1E. Once you’ve found and tapped on it, you’ll see two tabs; Screen configuration, and switch. Select the latter, and you’ll see an option to rename them, as well as choose icons if required.

[@jamesmcmillan7616]

Got it! Switch/Switch name …. Apologies

[@GreeniusGenius]

Hello, I am wondering what are the dimensions of the 4 small screws are or attaching to the bracket, I've found alternative brackets that are available in the UK for similar sized Zigbee switches, but the diameter of the screws and their depth is information I have been unable to find. Many thanks. (And also whether the EU server is supported, and whether Alexa is supported, it is really hard to find such information...) (Specifically for the Scene Panel S1)

[@homekitnews]

Hi, the tiny screws for the mounting brackets are 1.95mm in diameter (just the threaded part) and 6.85mm long (including the screw head). As all of these switches are designed to only work on the China server, neither Google nor Amazon are supported, so only HomeKit will work aside from Aqara.

[@zduhac]

Do you know if it is possible to set a trigger for the MagicPad to switch to the camera live feed when motion is detected? Wondering if it will be able to work with the G4 and bring up the feed once the ring button is pressed...

[@homekitnews]

Yes, it can indeed do that via a simple automation. In theory that should also be possible with the G4 doorbell, but at present G4 isn’t a supported device with the MagicPad. It is coming later via an update apparently though.

[@0prisonpriest0]

The Aqara app has a Sonos integration do any of the panels allow for music control via Sonos?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, I don’t have any Sonos products, so I’m unable to know for sure, sorry.

[@HuskDan]

Hi, do they work exclusively at 220V? Or would they work with american voltage?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, I’m using all of these on 110-120v AC and they seem to work fine.

[@music111ization]

great review, can i check if i install the S1, i can fully control other aqara switches installed at my home? or i can only control the 3 switches thats comes with it?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, do you mean the S1 or the S1E? Just want to be sure I’m giving you the right information

[@music111ization]

@@homekitnews S1 sir

[@homekitnews]

@@music111ization ok, so the S1 can’t control switches besides the ones that are inside it, only the S1E and the MagicPad S1 are capable of displaying and controlling other wired switches.

[@josemulero95]

very cool

[@sssinterior9243]

How add accesoris on black screen area s1e pNel

[@geebee2703]

do any of them have dimming control for lights connected to the local relay switches?

[@homekitnews]

No, it’s only on or off for lights connected to the relays.

[@Tantalizism]

Hello, can i use aqara scene panel to control aqara smart switches if they are configured with non neutral wiring

[@homekitnews]

Yes, as long as the switches are connected to the same server as the S1E, you can add switches to the panel and control them.

[@ahmedsaker3781]

hello I am interested in buying this I have a 3 gang switch but I don't have neutral wire, will this work? or are there options that don't require neutral?

[@homekitnews]

Unfortunately a neutral wire is required. It won’t work without one. Aqara do make triple switches without neutral, but not with a display like this.

[@sssinterior9243]

Why can't add on blackscreen area?

[@marklynperkins325]

Is the S1E designed for Europe? If so will have English language or is it still usable e.g. by using the Aqara English App and Home App? Or is the screen labelling only in Chinese? Also cant find dimensions as looks like it would need a deep box in UK? Tks

[@homekitnews]

It’s only designed for China so it won’t fit the round switch boxes used in Europe, but U.K. boxes should work as long as there’s enough space. The unit’s on display menus are only in Chinese, but you can rename any device connected to it using western characters, and all menus in the Aqara app are in English, assuming you have the app set to English. The section that goes into the switch box is roughly 55mm wide/high, and 25mm deep. You will need a neutral wire.

[@gallahant]

@@homekitnews I live in Cyprus were we use UK boxes. Don't know the depth though and if it is standard but I believe with some DIY work it will fit.

[@davidang12345]

And under accessories i cant find my LED T1 strip is it because is connected to the physical switch? And my s1E switch i try change my physical switch to intelligent load but it keep say no available device

[@homekitnews]

Are you S1E and T1 light strip on the same server/region in the Aqara app?

[@pghatak]

would you please let me know where to get those panel spacers? I could use some for my Aqara H1 switches

[@homekitnews]

Hi, the only place that you might find them that ship outside of China would be AliExpress. I bought mine from a Chinese website that only ships within China.

[@pghatak]

@@homekitnews : What should I search for , on AliExpress?

[@davidang12345]

Is there a way to make the 3 physical switch works like the 6 wireless function?

[@homekitnews]

Only in as much as they would offer on/off status, which would be independent of the lights they’re wired too. Like the wireless buttons on the S1E, they only offer single press.

[@joecasp]

I just got my S1E right now and it is a fantastic piece of electronic. But I am still not able to connect it to HomeKit or Aqara Home. I tried in two different ways. First one was via the Aqara Home App and second way directly via HomeKit. Both ways are failing as the iPhone shows an exclamation mark whit the text „Device couldn‘t be added. Device not reachable.OK“ The Wi-Fi itself is an unrestricted but password protected network. Are there any ideas how to continue?

[@homekitnews]

Are you using the China server in the Aqara app? It will only work on that server. As for HomeKit, did you scan the HomeKit code on the screen?

[@vid111]

Can I arm / disarm Aqara security system of M2 or other Aqara hub on the network ?

[@homekitnews]

Not directly, but you can create a scene in the Aqara app that turns the alarm system on, which you can then assign to the screen.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Hello, do you know if the Aqara smart lock N200 will show up in the Aqara Scene Panel S1 Plus and in the Aqara App?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, the older N200 will only work with HomeKit and Mi Home. The newer N200 will work with Aqara home and HomeKit, but locks are not exposed to the Aqara screen panels, with the exception of the ones with built in cameras, like the P100.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Thank you, @@homekitnews

[@ichsankadafii]

hello, can you explain a bit more about the switch load settings? what does it really do? thank you for the great video!

[@homekitnews]

There are three settings; the basic one controls the relay, which turns lights connect led to the switches, like a regular switch. The second mode disconnects the relay, so essentially these become wireless buttons that can be programmed to control Aqara devices other than the lights they’re wired to. The third mode (as I understand it) makes them act like ‘momentary’ switches, so presses don’t register as on or off, just presses, also like a wireless switch.

[@ichsankadafii]

does it has to be aqara smart light? or can it be other smart light?

[@homekitnews]

@@ichsankadafii if you want to control smart lighting with the standard relay once disconnected and made smart, it would have to be other Aqara lighting products. You can still control other devices from other brands using the six wireless buttons though.

[@notimportant31]

I just asked the support from Aqara, seems like s1e is now supporting p3 air conditioner control, is it true in your case, I am so interested into it and so want to buy it

[@homekitnews]

Hi, yes it does support the P3, in fact all three screen panels support the P3.

[@notimportant31]

I bought this in last October and return it because it does not support p3, it is good news that Aqara does listen to their customer, but still the s1 not supporting e1 curtain is a weird play

[@homekitnews]

That’s a shame, there was an update when I installed mine, so I guess the P3 support was added then, or via an update to the Aqara app. I just double checked now, and the S1E definitely supports the P3 (for AC control), as well as lighting, the powered shade motor (T1/T1C) and the E1 roller Shade driver. The S1 still doesn’t support the E1 though, as you mention.

[@SarmadNAqrawi]

Will the wireless 6 switches of the magic switch S1E be exposed to Alexa to control other devices?

[@homekitnews]

No, because it’s only designed to connect to the China server in the Aqara app, which doesn’t support either Google or Amazon Alexa.

[@AhmadNazirAfiq]

Badly wanted one of these since it first came out. The thing is my home wiring doesn’t have Neutral. What if I replace the existing Aqara wall outlet (which has Neutral) with one of these switches? Will it work?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, yes you should be able to use the live and neutral wires from a standard outlet to power this device. You would have to use the 3 powered switches as triggers, as there won’t be switch wires where the outlet is.

[@AhmadNazirAfiq]

@@homekitnews what do you mean i have to use 3 powered switches as triggers? This thing would still work just by connecting to existing Live and Neutral wire right? I’m guessing only to use this as a wireless switches instead.

[@homekitnews]

I assume the outlet that you would place this will have only live and neutral (or maybe earth/ground too), but no wires connected to actual lights (as it’s an outlet), so you would just use the state of the switches on the panel as triggers. As long as they’re powered by live and neutral wires, these switches will still work, it’s just that they’re not connected to lights. So in HomeKit (or Aqara) you can use the state of these switches to trigger other devices - even other HomeKit ones. For example, IF switch #1 is on, THEN turn on Hue bulb 3. IF Switch #1 is off, THEN turn off Hue Bulb 3.

[@AhmadNazirAfiq]

@@homekitnews Nice. But does this device uses Zigbee and needs to be paired with Aqara hub? I only have the older G2H camera paired with Aqara Home app, others are with Mi Home.

[@homekitnews]

@@AhmadNazirAfiq No, it uses 2.4GHz WiFi, as I mention in the video.

[@sguraiah]

Does the intelligent load work with Philips Hue lights?

[@homekitnews]

I don’t think it will, as you need to assign a device to the switch first in the Aqara app, so as Hue devices aren’t in the Aqara app, there’s no way of setting them up. You still have the six HomeKit buttons to control Hue devices though.

[@sguraiah]

Thanks for the above reply. Any idea if the S1 smart scene panel supports analogue dimming for conventional dimmable bulbs?

[@homekitnews]

@sguraiah it won’t support dimming for non-smart bulbs as the relays inside are only designed for standard on:off type switches.

[@cx3929]

Does these Aqara switches work with Philips Hue lights?

[@homekitnews]

The three wired switches in the S1E will normally only work with dumb lighting, or possibly Aqara smart bulbs in ‘decoupled’ mode, but the 6 wireless buttons within it can be used to control anything in HomeKit if you’re using HomeKit.

[@foxseatiger]

S1E need aqara mainland server to work. Did S1 need china server to make it work?

[@homekitnews]

Yes, all of these panels will only work on the China server.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Hello, do you have information about the Aqara S1 Plus?, would like to know if all the curtain motors and the G4 doorbell are compatible.

[@homekitnews]

I can’t tell you for certain, but I believe the curtain motors will be visible in the S1 Plus, but probably not the E1. As for the Doorbell, yes it will show, but only if the video doorbell is both on the China server and is the Chinese model. The international model will not work, even if you add it to the China server.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Thank you for your response, how can the Doorbell be configured on the China server?@@homekitnews

[@homekitnews]

@@CarlosDuque85 it’s not possible to add an international G4 doorbell to the China server in the Aqara app. If you want to use the G4 with the S1 Plus, you would need the Chinese model of the G4.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Thank you@@homekitnews. I will try to get the Chinese version of the G4 Doorbell, if I get it, how can I configure it on the China server?

[@homekitnews]

@@CarlosDuque85 just be aware that the Chinese G4 doesn’t come with an angled mount for the doorbell, and the included chime box doesn’t have a slot for an SD card for local recordings. Configuration is all done in the Aqara app, and is quite simple.

[@garry20215]

hi, there Fantastic video hope all is well. just wondering where I could purchase aqara wall switch bracket spaces from many thanks

[@homekitnews]

Hi, I purchased these from Taobao. I don’t know if they have an international store, but if not, AliExpress may be your best bet.

[@garry20215]

@@homekitnews thank you for your response I've tried everywhere but had no joy ......

[@homekitnews]

@@garry20215 I’ll see if I can locate some. Where are you based?

[@garry20215]

@@homekitnews thank you for the reply I'm based in the UK in the West Midlands Willenhall many thanks

[@homekitnews]

A fellow midlander (I’m from the East midlands originally)! I’ll see what I can turn up in terms of shipping to the U.K.

Any chance to have the scene without neutral wire

[@homekitnews]

Unfortunately not. Even without wiring the actual switches up, you still need neutral and live wires to provide basic power.

[@claybales5655]

will the new G4 camera work with any of the Panels?

[@homekitnews]

Not at the moment. There’s supposed to be an update for the MagicPad S1 that will add live stream functionality for the G4, but we’ll see if that actually comes to pass.

[@claybales5655]

@@homekitnews Ok thank you .. this would be great for a front door if the doorbell rings see whos at the front door.

[@homekitnews]

@@claybales5655 absolutely. Hopefully they’ll follow through with it, as it’s shown working on their Chinese website, but states it’s a forthcoming feature.

[@Adan959]

How is the screen holding so far with the scratches? Just got one today and I fell like I scratched it just by cleaning with a microfiber cleaning cloth, also do you know if it can be setup on a 2 way configuration with a non smart switch on the other end?

[@homekitnews]

I haven’t seen any noticeable marks so far, but then I keep it in a place where you’d have to go out of your way to make any marks. It won’t work in any two-way configuration (usually referred to as Three-Way for some reason) with a wired switch, whether it’s smart or not.

[@shawn7273]

If I connect to a server in China, does that mean I can't use "Google Home" APP?

[@homekitnews]

Yes, that’s correct. The same applies to Amazon Alexa. The only exception to this would be with Matter, as Aqara hubs (even Chinese ones) that have been updated to be Matter compatible, can connect to Google via Matter. This doesn’t change the S1E, however, as it doesn’t go through an Aqara hub.

[@ctlspl]

Do you have Sonos speakers connected and do they show up? Thanks

[@homekitnews]

That’s a good question. Unfortunately I don’t have any Sonos speakers to test it, but I’ll see if I can find an answer, and get back to you with an answer.

[@arthur508]

I have sonos and both S1's sonos doesnt show up.

[@ctlspl]

@@arthur508 Thanks, but have you paired them with the aqara app already?

[@ctlspl]

@@homekitnews Thanks! Great Videos by the way! I enjoy all of them and appreciate the effort you put in.

[@THEG12EG]

With the neutral wire and deep Depth these will be a hassle To install in my House. I was thinking putting it in a enclose then just connect a plug to it.. what’s your opinion of this?

[@mikestierle1848]

Do you have a solution for the language? Can I change the language of the weather screen?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, there’s no option for any languages other than Simplified Chinese, so for the weather there’s no way of changing it to display western characters. However, the switches or devices that you control via the panel can be named using western characters.

[@mikestierle1848]

@@homekitnews Thank you! Yes, I was able to change the name of the switches. One more question: Can I switch the piep tone off?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, if you swipe your finger down to access the settings, click on the fourth ‘cog’ icon, you’ll get to a menu of options. Select the first one, which allows you to mute the sounds, or adjust the volume.

[@davidang12345]

My hs no neutral wire can i still use magic switch S1E?

[@homekitnews]

If your light switches don’t have a neutral wire then you won’t be able to use the S1E as a switch. You can wire it up to a standard electrical cable and power it by wiring it to a plug, which can be plugged into an outlet.

[@davidang12345]

@@homekitnews thank you. I see that the S1E switch can dim the strip light, does the strip light need to be aqara strip light also or other brands it work too?

[@homekitnews]

@@davidang12345 the custom control you see with full user interfaces are only going to work with other Aqara products, and only if they’re also on the same (China) server. The three switches as part of the device will control standard (dumb) lights, and the six software buttons can control anything within the Aqara and/or HomeKit ecosystems.

[@01mememememe]

Can't see them fitting in standard UK light sockets depthwise.

[@homekitnews]

I’ve found that to be unfortunately the one problem with a lot of smart switches.

[@K13-X]

Was about to ask this, looks like the device is around 41mm so might work if you have the deeper 47mm deep back boxes?

[@homekitnews]

@@K13-X Hi, I just measured the section that goes into the switch box - its roughly 55mm wide/high, and 25mm deep.

[@01mememememe]

@@K13-X Keen to know answer/outcome

[@K13-X]

Appleby SB618 1G 47MM back box is 47mm deep and 68mm H x W I guess if it’s only 25mm deeps then a 35mm back box should be fine too. Someone buy them and check 😂

[@EddieGittins]

Chinese is: SOUNDS BRIGHT & DISPLAY SLEEP MODEL SWITCH ON /OFF UPDATE ADVANCE SETTING

[@user-xo5th5sp1s]

How to reset it? Can anyone tell me please

[@homekitnews]

Hi, if you swipe down, you’ll get a series of menus, although they’re in Chinese, so you may well need to use the Google Translate app to translate them, but on one of these menus is a reset option.

[@borosky5703]

It works in europe?

[@homekitnews]

It will work anywhere, but it needs to connect to the China server in the Aqara app. The back of the switch will not fit regular round EU switch boxes, however.

[@borosky5703]

@@homekitnews Regarding the language, is English menu supported?

[@homekitnews]

@@borosky5703 no, only Chinese.

[@ayushpanchal2243]

These features are not available for general users

[@homekitnews]

What’s your definition of a ‘general user’?

[@CarlosDuque85]

Hello, do you know if you can add the Aqara T1S roller motor to the Aqara Scene Panel S1 or to the Aqara Magic Switch S1E?

[@homekitnews]

Hi, I have the T1C roller motor and I can expose the controls to any of Aqara’s screen panels, so I should imagine it’s the same for the T1S too.

[@homekitnews]

@CarlosDuque85 I think they are essentially the same, but the T1C is the model specifically for China, which is where I purchased it from.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Thank you@@homekitnews. Hello again, do you know if the Aqara H1 Dream Curtain and the C3 curtain motor can be connected to the Aqara Scene Panel S1 or to the Aqara Magic Switch S1E?

[@homekitnews]

@@CarlosDuque85 as I don’t have either of these I can’t say for sure, but I would think it’s highly likely they will work. The only window coverings device that doesn’t show on some of the display panels is the Roller Shade Driver E1.

[@CarlosDuque85]

Thank you@@homekitnews