Correct me if I’m wrong, but…

Buyer Beware! Aqara hubs use the Zigbee protocol, but lock out 3rd party devices!

A few months ago, I bought an Aqara hub and went deep into their ecosystem. I saw their hub and sensors had good reviews, plus they were using the Zigbee open protocol, so I figured I’d stick with their stuff. I had no reason to try other devices until recently.

I picked up a tilt sensor for my garage door from a 3rd party. I made sure it was also using the Zigbee protocol, so I assumed it would be compatable. Unfortunately, when I tried connecting it to the hub, I was wrong and it wouldn’t connect. Turns out, Aqara uses the Zigbee protocol, but locks out 3rd party devices. [source]

If anyone has a workaround to integrate a 3rd party device with an Aqara Hub (IIRC, I have the M3?), I’d love to hear about it. But until then - I’m looking for a refund. I would have never picked up their hub if I had known about their shennanigans; and consequently, I wouldn’t have picked up so many of their sensors.

  • mos@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    13 days ago

    I just found this out too after buying a ton of them. I am looking at picking up a USB hub for zigbee and setting it up on an extra computer if I need other devices but I need to do more research. Replying so I can follow your updates!

  • bloor@feddit.orgEnglish
    2·
    13 days ago

    do you know if they work the other way around, i.e. can connect Aqara devices to a generic Zigbee Hub/Coordinator? I have a SLZB and wanted to look into an Aqara Sensor.

    If you are getting a dedicated Zigbee controller maybe you could switch all Aqara devices to it.