this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2026
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Disappointed with Aqara - Zigbee hub, but no 3rd party? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 2 days ago by CocaineShrimp@sh.itjust.works to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world
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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.

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[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Curious if you use a Pi and had the stick connected directly? I don't recall the exact issue or configuration but I know some of these sticks (possibly ZWave) work better when connected through a USB cable rather than directly to the Pi

[–] dislabled@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nah, I have it as a vm on a 2u server. I used to have it on a 1 metre extension also, and as soon as I changed the aqara devices, network was stable. I only changed the adapter because I wanted one on LAN.

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

I see. Maybe its just an issue with the repeaters. All mine Aqara devices are end points and the only router devices I have are IKEA repeaters.