r/Aqara

Like the title says, I’m thinking about migrating off Aqara products. I was initially intrigued by this brand due to its Apple HomeKit compatibility decided a year ago to go all in, consolidating off of Ring and Wyze.

My G410 doorbell camera is battery operated. And something happened in the last 3 months where the batteries only last 3 days. I’ve turned off all recording and notifications. Still draining at a rapid rate.

My Aqara water leak sensors don’t work well. Those have since been replaced with YoLink, brand sold on Amazon.

The Aqara motion sensors are horrible. I used them to trigger other automations but the sensor goes all all night in a dark room with no light flashes or movement.

Has anyone else gone back to the mess they started with before going in on Aqara? I can’t be the only one.

I replaced my six year old Yale August lock (YRD226 with the HomeKit module) for an Aqara U400. I upgraded my home network to eero (from Orbi) two weeks ago and the August Connect wouldn't reconnect despite multiple resets.

Choice... I looked at a couple options but picked the U400 for the additional features (fingerprint, HomeKey, UWB) along with having a physical key and the rechargeable battery. I have been extremely happy with the Aqara G5 Pro camera and thought I would try the smart lock.

Install Process... The lock installation process went extremely smoothly and took about 25 minutes. The physical installation went well with no problems. I did re-use the Yale strike plate rather than replacing it with the Aqara provided components. One nice thing is the U400 was just slightly larger physically than the Yale so it complete covered the original door paint and scuff marks that were under the Yale. Calibration worked fine with no issues or adjustments.

I followed the QR code instructions. I already had the Aqara app and account so that sped things up. The U400 battery needed to be charged (it was less than 40% out of the box). It added to my network and I added it to Matter as well. All without problems. Configuring the users is a little different than Yale/August but I was able to add my code, fingerprint and my iPhone unlocks with a tap. My wife was a little more difficult adding her fingerprint, but switch to her thumb and it worked fine. I have not tried the UWB "on approach" features yet. One nice feature is the Notifications for the door lock can be configured to show the video from the G5 Pro.

Two months later.... I am very happy with the U400 in my primarily HomeKit environment. It is easy to add codes and fingerprints. I added the "unlock on approach" about a week ago for my iPhone/Apple Watch both works as expected. I have not tried to add unlock on approach for my wife or anyone else.

We had a house sitter here for a few days and she used the fingerprint reader to let herself in. It was quick to setup and worked flawlessly each time she used the lock.

On the battery side, the device reports 87% remaining in the Aqara app and 90% in the Apple Home app (an odd discrepancy). I am impressed with the battery life after two months, appreciate the battery meter and won't need AA batteries for the Yale.

Overall, very happy with my choice so far. I'll be looking into the Aqara doorbells shortly to replace an old Nest Hello.

[[ RESOLVED ]]

Hey guys, finally I have resolved this issue. The trick is I have to first disable the Accidental Removal Protection at M3 hub, then factory reset fp400 by quick press it for 10 times. When this is done, it shows me led in Purple! (I have previously change the protocol to Zigbee). Now I have managed to pair it with ny M3 hub :)

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Here are few variables I'd like to clear,

- my m3 is on latest firmware 4.580_0007

- wifi cnnection to both m3 and fp400 is very strong, we are at the same room

On FP400, it shows blue light most of the time ( I'll come back om thr purple light later).

- I have tried to use magic pair number to search fp400, no result

- I have scanned the QR (no matter qr) to help with search, no result

- I tried scanning Matter QR connect, picking network access method as Matter, failed to bind

- I certainly tried connecting via zigbee network access, fail to add too.

All errors point to, device not found. (Mind you I did press ans hold the reset button for 5 seconds until blue light blinks quickly, then I release it). To note here, the "blink quickly" didn't last long.. Perhaps for 2 seconds/about 6 quick blue blinks.

Afterall this, I also tried quick press on reset button 10 times attempting to factory reset. Im not sure whether it actually factory reset, theres no light indicator giving me response.

With all the sharing here, have I made any silly mistake? Appreciate your help.

I've had the G410 for about 4 months and it's been working fine. Starting 3 days ago, the doorbell has not detected anything at all (not the mail carrier, delivery people, dog walker, or me coming and going). The only way the doorbell starts "working" is if someone rings the doorbell - then a lingerer is detected. I've fiddled with settings and have reset the doorbell at least 6 times. I cannot figure out how to fix this!

My settings in the Aqara app are ON for all AI Detection, Notifications, and Cloud Event Settings. Lingerer detection settings are: duration of stay 0 sec, range 3m, detection time interval 15 sec., and proximity trigger OFF. Detection mode is NORMAL. Signal strength is -44.

In the Home app, Security is currently set to HOME (but I think at some point it was OFF?). No automations running; Any Motion is Detected is selected in the app and also on the AppleTV, recording options are Stream & Allow Recording for both when home and when away, and record when any motion is detected.

I've spent hours trying to figure out why the doorbell is basically just a doorbell now and how to get it working again but am at a complete loss here. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm also open to suggestions as to what doorbell camera I should replace the G410 with. :-) Thank you!

PS: I also have a G100 as well and it has been working like a champ. I updated the firmware for both Aqara cameras last week, and have also made sure that the latest firmware is installed on my Homepods and AppleTV. I'm using Energizer batteries.

I think my Aqara u200 just died. Keypad locked on a battery change and then got really hot! I liked it while it worked.

Assuming I need a new one, my requirements are that it must not change the look on the outside, so a separate key pad is required. The exterior door has woodwork on it where the deadbolt is. So unless the outside is the exact size of the deadbolt, it won't work.

Prefer very long battery life. It can be a separate wifi that connects via bluetooth. I never connected the Aqara u200 to the internet, and it really wasn't needed. I won't be using Apple. Prefer Matter connectivity over the others. Price isn't an issue, as I assume it will be under $300. There is a ELAN home automation system, but am hoping to move to something else.

Thanks in advance!