The Aqara Hub M2 - Feature Rich Wired Hub With an IR Blaster! 

I want to buy this hub to automate my tv, but I wonder if I can also automate my ps5 with this, since it also has an ir port.

@@jonmegarton8078 Hi, it can definitely control (via automations or the UI) your TV via the built-in IR blaster. In theory it should also be able to control your PlayStation, but as they don’t come with a remote control, I can’t be 100% certain how you’d do that. I can try with my PS4 Pro and confirm if you like.

I’ll take a look at doing a video demo on this. Thanks for the tip.

@@esamalamad855 no, only the Aqara M3 exposes the IR blaster to HomeKit, and even then only for AC control. There are ways around this, using Aqara scenes involving the IR blaster in the M2, by exporting them to HomeKit as scenes.

Hi, I think it's a worthy upgrade for three reasons - 1. Zigbee 3.0 is more reliable and the standard for newer zigbee devices. 2. It has an ethernet port for a more stable connection. 3. It has a built-in IR blaster to control even more devices. So I would say it's worth it. As regards moving devices over, there's no way to migrate devices from one hub to another, so you would have to do it all manually I'm afraid.

Hi James, as the M2 doesn’t officially expose the AC to HomeKit, the best way would be to create a scene or scenes, and then expose those to HomeKit. Obviously this doesn’t give you total control of all aspects of the AC, but assuming you have it set to a specific temperature and/or mode for most of the time, a couple of scenes should be able to cover the basics. You don’t necessarily need to assign the automation to a button, but that can be done if that’s easiest. If you’re not sure how to create a scene in Aqara Home and export it, let me know and I can go through it with you.

@@homekitnews That’s brilliant, thanks so much for your generosity and help

Hi, first go into the Aqara app, then tap on the ‘accessories’ tab at the bottom and then tap on the M2 in the listings. From there you should see a large + icon with ‘Add Remote Control’ underneath. Tap on the + icon, and in your case select ‘customise’ (the one that looks like a TV remote). After that you’ll be presented with a set of preset templates, but just tap on the ‘Do not use templates’ option at the bottom, and follow the onscreen instructions after you press the ‘Add button’ icon. It’ll ask you to point the original remote for your device at the M2, so it can learn the different controls. Once it has learned them all, it essentially creates a new device like other Aqara products, which you can use in automations, whereby you’ll create automations that allow you to select the different controls/buttons you previously set up for the device. I hope that helps, but if you get lost, let me know.

@@homekitnews Thank you very much, now I have manage to add my candles and made a custom remote with all the bottons and i work! But… Next problem, why dont it show up in Apple Homekit or Google Home. In Google Home I have searched for new devices but I cant find it?🤔

@martincarlberg9671 I can’t say what the situation is regarding Google, as I don’t really use it to any great extent, but when it comes to Aqara and homeKit, although it now supports IR controllers when using a Matter enabled IR blaster, HomeKit doesn’t directly support IR controllers, so the next best thing is to create scenes in the Aqara app that make your candles do a particular thing, then export that scene to HomeKit. Then you can include those scenes in automations, or trigger them with voice commands to Siri. To export an Aqara scene you’ve create to HomeKit, go to that scene via the’Scene’ tab in the Aqara app, and select it. then tap on the three dots in the top left hand corner, and select Add to Apple Home and just follow the instructions. Once that’s done, the scene will appear in the same room as the hub you chose when exporting the Scene, which in your case would be the M2, assuming that’s the only hub you have.

Hi, the Bluetooth element doesn’t seem to serve any function, other than maybe for pairing purposes (ie initial hub setup) so you won’t be able to add any bluetooth devices to the M2 unfortunately (maybe that should be fortunately!).

Hi, yes it will work in the U.K., you’ll just need a U.K. USB plug, as the Chinese model comes with a Type A USB plug. You will also have to use the Mainland China server in the Aqara app, but once it, and any sensors you add to it are exposed to HomeKit, it doesn’t matter.

I believe that’s correct, as both Google and Amazon are not permitted in Mainland China, and so are not supported. I’m not sure if the D1 switches will work, but manually adding them is the only way you can add them, as once the M2 is binded to the US server, the D1 switches won’t be listed.

This relies on mains power via a USB cable and adaptor to work. You could connect a power bank to it though.

@@homekitnews - Perfect. Thank you. 😀👍

I don’t see any option to record custom sounds in the Aqara app, so I don’t think it’s possible.

There are only two versions, the Chinese model, which is the one I’m using, and the international model, which can be used everywhere else, so while the Chinese one is locked to the China server, the one available in the EU can actually be used anywhere, although assuming it comes with an EU usb power supply, you’d just need to use a USB power supply suitable for your particular plug type.

Where can I get a international version and how do I know it the right on

If you try Smarterhome.sk (Slovakia) they ship internationally, and it’ll be the EU/international version. Alternatively there’s an online store in Sweden called Grona Hus that sells this model.

@@homekitnews One side question: Does the international version work on the Chinese server? Meaning, is the international version an all-rounder?

@@homekitnews the global version can also be use in China region? Is the global version model HM2-G01?

I don't have that information, but I've heard it'll be by the first half of 2021.

Hi, I don’t think you can add the EU version to the Chinese server, but it may be possible to add it via HomeKit mode, although this would almost certainly mean you can’t access the hub functionality within the app, which sort of defeats the purpose of its core functionality. As regards IR, no they can’t be exposed to HomeKit, although if you add an IR device to the Aqara app, and create scenes or automations based on the specific functions of that device (turn fan off, or turn TV on etc), then these scenes and automations can be converted into Siri Shortcuts, making them controllable via Siri (HomePod, Mini, iPhone etc).

@@homekitnews thank you! In the same away I can’t transfere my current Chinese accessories for EU server, right?

It depends on the devices. Pretty much all the sensors and wireless buttons/switches are region-free, so you can add them to any hub on any region.

​@@homekitnews does your Daikin AC get exposed in HomeKit? Is it possible in HomeKit to do an something like: When I say "Hey Siri, I'm home", turn on lights (philips hue) and turn on the airconditioner (using the Aqara M2 as an IR blaster)?

@@wilsontgh Hi, the Daikin AC doesn't get exposed to HomeKit, as, even though the IR blaster is designed to control many devices, it hasn't been certified to be an AC controller, whereas the IR blaster in the company's P3 has been certified to be used as an AC controller, even though it too can control other devices. If you want to control something like what you describe, then it's definitely possible via Siri Shortcuts, just not in HomeKit.

Hi, which specific sensor are you referring to?

@@homekitnews I think he is taking about the ones coming with the Mijia V3 hub. They are in the Mi Home app and from xiaomi.

I have the Chinese version, which doesn’t work with Alexa, but on Aqara’s website, it mentions HomeKit, Google and Alexa are all compatible, which would apply to the International/EU version.

No they are not, unfortunately, but you can create scenes and automations in the Aqara app that can then be converted to Siri Shortcuts, so you can control them via your HomePod for example.

No it isn’t, but any scenes and automations they can be created in the aqara app, can include the IR devices you add, and these scenes automations can also be converted into Siri Shortcuts.

@@homekitnews Can you make a video on how can we do that? For example turn on the ac based on automation through shortcuts?

@@homekitnews thanks. Yes I do the same with the Aqara P3 AC controller, scenes and automations that are added as a Siri shortcut. It works fine, but not very consistent. For example, when I try to add that shortcut to play as part of another larger shortcut, sometimes it fails; not sure why. Anyway, thanks man. I like your reviews, keep it up 👍.

If sound is important to you, then I would agree, but there are more improvements to the hub that still make it a decent upgrade. Not everyone will judge this on the speaker alone, so it's just your opinion.

@@homekitnews Yeah who would use this for their party

@@AlexManMe I’m not even sure what that means...

@@homekitnews yeah I was just commenting on OP’s obsessing on the speaker, you will clearly not get this for a speaker, but for a smart home hub

Ah, ok I understand now! Indeed, the speaker is not exactly trying to compete with Bang & Olufsen.

Hi. It will work with many of the Mi sensors, but anything that’s not using Zigbee won’t work of course. As regards the IR side, as with any IR remote, there are some limitations as to the signal, so giving the M2 as much of a clear, unblocked signal as possible is the best you can do.

It’s not available in the US at present, so your best option is probably a couple of stores in the EU, if you want the international version, or AliExpress if you want the Chinese version. The latter comes with a two pin US style plug, although as it’s usb, any usb power supply will work. I buy from AliExpress a lot, and it’s. Generally fine, although it can be slow.

Hello Martin, I think the Aqara G2H is a great device for what you get - camera and Zigbee 3.0 hub - but it depends on whether you want to use the alarm in HomeKit or not. The M2 exposes all four alarm modes to HomeKit, and these modes are synced between Aqara and HomeKit. The Aqara G2H does not expose the alarm to HomeKit, but you can still use the alarm, and all modes, but only via the Aqara app. If you're ok with setting the alarm in the Aqara app, then I would go for the G2H.

Thanks - yes the Chinese version is now available on AliExpress again, as well as a few stores in the EU.

@@homekitnews nice!!! Thanks!

No, HomeKit doesn’t support IR controllers or IR controlled devices with the exception of AC controllers. In the case of IR functionality in the M2, you can create automations for the devices being controlled by IR (TV, Fan, games console etc.) in the Aqara app, and then convert those into Siri Shortcuts that allow you to trigger those automations with your voice using Siri on your phone, or HomePod etc.

I thought he is based in the UK from his accent

@@AlexManMe I meant the product not him, apologies for the confusion

Yes, but only the international model, not the Chinese model.

Does the remote use IR? Some use RF433MHz, so if that’s the case it won’t work.

@@homekitnews it is IR

@@joshuahaney1135 ok, so in what way did it not work? Did you fail to add the remote to the hub, or did it add successfully, but just won’t trigger the fireplace?

@@homekitnews it added it, but it would not trigger the fireplace to turn on

@joshuahaney1135 ok, other than the placement of the hub not being ‘in line of sight’ of the fireplace, I’m not sure why it wouldn’t work. Then again, I have a similar problem with the IR in my G3 camera that triggers the TV, but won’t react to the set top box, so this issue is not unheard of I guess.

Hi, yes you can create a scene with several steps in the aqara app, and then convert that to a Siri shortcut, so you can then say the relevant phrase to your HomePod etc, and it’ll carry out the scene.

If you know anyone in Europe, they can probably order it and ship it to you. If you go to smarterhome.sk, maybe they can ship to India - t.co/ckzuLuFG3l

The Zigbee 3.0 response time will be no different to the older Zigbee protocol, so it won’t be faster. Which switches are you having issues with and how far are they from the hub?

No, it can only work with Aqara products, which themselves are certified to work with HomeKit via Aqara hubs.

The M2 still only works with the Aqara app, so you can’t add it to Mi Home. You can add the M1S and E1 hubs to Mi Home though.

The Chinese version can only be used on the Mainland China server.

When I first set mine up, and tried to switch from one connection to another, it wouldn’t automatically switch over, but there may have been an update that allows you to go from WiFi to Ethernet, but probably not the other way around.

@@homekitnews thanks. I don’t think the 2 connections are designed to failover/failback, unfortunately I am not able to give it a try as hub is away in a remote house. I’ll test it at some point though, thanks!

Hi, IR isn’t supported in HomeKit, apart from certain devices that control AC units, so any IR devices you add to the Aqara app can only be controlled in the Aqara app, or via Siri Shortcuts.

Sorry, I don’t the answer to that.

This is the Chinese model bought in China. It has a micro USB port on the back as is seen in the video, which, along with the relevant USB cable and plug, is how it’s powered. Why the person you spoke to said it wasn’t powered this way, I don’t know, but they’re wrong. Ask them how it is powered and see what their answer is.

@@homekitnews it was the official store which was a bit strange, they said it’s using the two pin powersupply like the old ones

@@AlexManMe sounds like there may be a misunderstanding somewhere, as the old hub has three pins, not two (except for the EU version). Maybe they’re talking about the M1S hub, which looks the same as the original Aqara hub, but has been updated. The one in this video is the M2.

@@homekitnews perhaps, but this was on the listing that has HomeKit and IF does the old one have I F?

@@AlexManMe only the Aqara M2 and the Aqara P3 AC Companion have IR capabilities. The old hub and the M1S don’t have IR. the new Aqara G3 camera also has IR.

It’s up to Aqara when it’s released in the US, although it’s also dependent on the device passing all manner of certifications. You can still order it from Europe and it’ll work in the US, if you need it urgently.

I recently bought an Aqara temperature and humidity sensor assuming that I could pair it with the zigbee hub built into my Amazon echo. Alexa verbally claimed she didn't discover anything, but it shows up in the alexa app device list. Unfortunately it only works as a temperature sensor. No humidity detection is available in this configuration.

@@willdwyer6782 I’m not too familiar with what work with Alexa or a Google, but I know it’s a mixed bag in terms of success. It also depends on the hub, so at present I’m not even sure the M2 is exposed to Alexa even though the website states that it is.

It’s available on Amazon in USA now.

No, only the Aqara app at the moment.

It seems they’re hard to find even in China for some reason, so I’m not sure what the deal is.

Hi, no this only works with the Aqara app, sorry.

@@homekitnews Except the IR blaster, which is better? This or Xiaomi Gateway v3?

@@Kostas_SK the M2 is better in my opinion. It also has an Ethernet port for a wired connection. It does depend on how deep into the Mi Home ecosystem you are though.

@@homekitnews you think that the Aqara ecosystem is better? I have many yeelight rgb bulbs and a mi robot mop p

They both have their strengths. The Mi Home app has a lot more devices of course, but that is less important if you are mostly using HomeKit. I still use both Aqara and Mi Home, and have Aqara hubs in both apps.