Homekit recommendations

crawler said:
Does anyone know of a smart device that works on old digidoor motors?

Not on their compatibility list

Very moon on it. Have a new unit that can do 3 doors with audible alarms etc
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You can reach out to iSmartGate via email to inquire about compatibility with your model. However, they tend to be pricier compared to Meross.

link to check for compatibility:
ismartgate.com

Smart garage door opener compatibility wiring instructions

The only smart garage door opener compatible with all garage door opener brands, including the Chamberlain, Craftsman and Liftsmaster (using our ismartgate switch adaptor).
ismartgate.com ismartgate.com

if not on the list: email them
“If your garage door opener is not on the list just send us an e-mail at [email protected] indicating your operator’s brand and model.”
 
Moepa said:
The Aqara sensors establish a local connection through Zigbee, ensuring speed, and then become accessible on HomeKit. Their sensors operate reliably and are competitively priced.
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@Moepa Are these Aqara Zigbee hubs for Homekit decent, R500 at this point. I want to rather get the cheaper Eufy cameras but still use Zigbee at a later stage :
Aqara Hub E1 Zigbee 3.0 Hub For Up To 128 Devices

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airborne said:
@Moepa Are these Aqara Zigbee hubs for Homekit decent, R500 at this point. I want to rather get the cheaper Eufy cameras but still use Zigbee at a later stage :
Aqara Hub E1 Zigbee 3.0 Hub For Up To 128 Devices

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Click to expand...


I own the M2 hub myself and haven't encountered any issues. From what I've observed, there haven't been complaints from other reviewers regarding the Aqara E1 hub. Additionally, I believe it can extend your Wi-Fi network. Your choice of hub depends on your specific requirements. The M2 boasts an Ethernet port, functions as an IR blaster, and supports Matter. Meanwhile, the M1S serves as a siren. The camera hubs also have the added functionality of working as cameras.
 
Moepa said:
I own the M2 hub myself and haven't encountered any issues. From what I've observed, there haven't been complaints from other reviewers regarding the Aqara E1 hub. Additionally, I believe it can extend your Wi-Fi network. Your choice of hub depends on your specific requirements. The M2 boasts an Ethernet port, functions as an IR blaster, and supports Matter. Meanwhile, the M1S serves as a siren. The camera hubs also have the added functionality of working as cameras.
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Thanks, the Sonoff hubs are apparently decent, also support HomeKit/Zigbee and are R400.
Is it true the Aqara hubs will only see other Aqara Zigbee devices?
 
airborne said:
Thanks, the Sonoff hubs are apparently decent, also support HomeKit/Zigbee and are R400.
Is it true the Aqara hubs will only see other Aqara Zigbee devices?
Click to expand...
Most likely correct
 
Does anyone on this thread know of any good HomeKit enabled switch relays that can turn my ordinary home light switches into HomeKit enabled ones. I’m struggling a bit to find ones that will actually work. Thanks in advance.
 
myaseena786 said:
Does anyone on this thread know of any good HomeKit enabled switch relays that can turn my ordinary home light switches into HomeKit enabled ones. I’m struggling a bit to find ones that will actually work. Thanks in advance.
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In South Africa, it's often necessary to find switches that work without a neutral wire. Aqara offers a product called the T1 switch module that operates without a neutral wire. They also have physical light switches, but you have to buy an adapter to make it fit SA light switches.

I'm unsure about its compatibility with Apple Home, but I believe Shelly also offers some switches that might suit your needs.

In South Africa, using the non-neutral versions limits our ability to boost the Zigbee signal and access energy monitoring features.
 
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Moepa said:
In South Africa, it's often necessary to find switches that work without a neutral wire. Aqara offers a product called the T1 that operates without a neutral wire. They also have physical light switches, but you have to buy an adapter to make it fit SA light switches.

I'm unsure about its compatibility with Apple Home, but I believe Shelly also offers some switches that might suit your needs.
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Thing is I don’t want to go through the hassles of setting up homebridge and stuff. I just want something that I can connect up and it will support HomeKit natively. Any help will be greatly appreciated
 
myaseena786 said:
Thing is I don’t want to go through the hassles of setting up homebridge and stuff. I just want something that I can connect up and it will support HomeKit natively. Any help will be greatly appreciated
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Aqara via their hub works as a switch on apple home natively.
 
myaseena786 said:
Does anyone on this thread know of any good HomeKit enabled switch relays that can turn my ordinary home light switches into HomeKit enabled ones. I’m struggling a bit to find ones that will actually work. Thanks in advance.
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www.geewiz.co.za

Aqara - Controller - Single Switch Module T1 (No Neutral)

Even if your wall box doesn't have a neutral wire, the Aqara Single Switch Module T1 can be installed and used. Enjoy the benefits of the fastest, most stable, and energy-efficient smart home technology. Can be connected to your existing 2-way switches and make them smart. You will be able to...
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za

I'm using these, works brilliantly. Easy to install.
 
How does Zigbee compatibility work?
It seems just because a Hub is Zigbee does not necessary mean it will work with all Zigbee devices, it seems some manufacturers make Zigbee hubs that only work with that manufacturers Zigbee accessories, which is apparently the case with Aqarq.

For instance will this Zigbee Xiaomi Mi Wireless Switch work with any manufacturers Zigbee hub?

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airborne said:
How does Zigbee compatibility work?
It seems just because a Hub is Zigbee does not necessary mean it will work with all Zigbee devices, it seems some manufacturers make Zigbee hubs that only work with that manufacturers Zigbee accessories, which is apparently the case with Aqarq.

For instance will this Zigbee Xiaomi Mi Wireless Switch work with any manufacturers Zigbee hub?

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The hope is for thread and thread over matter technologies to eliminate the need for a dedicated hub and ensure universal compatibility. I anticipate these devices will be available within the next two years.
 
Moepa said:
The hope is for thread and thread over matter technologies to eliminate the need for a dedicated hub and ensure universal compatibility. I anticipate these devices will be available within the next two years.
Click to expand...
But what is the current position with the Zigbee standard - you have to use the same brand Hub and accessories for them to work together?
 
airborne said:
But what is the current position with the Zigbee standard - you have to use the same brand Hub and accessories for them to work together?
Click to expand...
If you're using Home Assistant, you can bind most of them provided you have a compatible zigbee stick. SmartThings also offers integration of Zigbee devices into their hub, with aqara your mileage may vary and requires using custom codes.
as a disclaimer have not tried any of these methods.
 
Moepa said:
If you're using Home Assistant, you can bind most of them provided you have a compatible zigbee stick. SmartThings also offers integration of Zigbee devices into their hub, with aqara your mileage may vary and requires using custom codes.
as a disclaimer have not tried any of these methods.
Click to expand...
I’ll be using HA, what compatible Zigbee sticks can I look at, will the Sonnoff hub work?
 
Just to chime in, I'm using that same stick (bought from robofactory) and it works like a charm with the Zigbee2MQTT integration, got a whole mix of different brand zigbee things and they work perfectly without the need for their own hub
 
R4ziel said:
Just to chime in, I'm using that same stick (bought from robofactory) and it works like a charm with the Zigbee2MQTT integration, got a whole mix of different brand zigbee things and they work perfectly without the need for their own hub
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Can you use that Sonnoff stick to add HomeKit compatible cameras to Apple Home?
I got some Eufy HomeKit cameras but now the Eufy app wants a Eufy Homebase hub to be able to connect it to HomeKit which I didn’t budget for or want, I want less devices to run on ups not more.
 
Turns out my Eufy camera does indeed directly support HomeKit but for some reason Eufy hides that fact. I remember murmurings about that in reviews about how seemingly difficult it was to add them but I didn’t take much heed of it. Only after a pretty deep dive into the internet did I finally find out how to add the camera to HomeKit, what a waste of time and energy. Seems Eufy wants people to buy their Homebase so they direct all their FAQ regarding adding the cameras to Homekit to first buy a Homebase.

You go to the Eufy App - camera’s settings - General - Homekit portal and you can add it to Apple Home from there, you can’t add it from Apple Home as you normally would.
 
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