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Aqara’s App Update ‘Officially’ Reveals New HomeKit Hub [UPDATE]

Update: We’ve since learned a little more about the Aqara M2; the device will, as already reported below, use ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, as well as an Infrared transmitter/receiver, but the device will also have an RJ45/ethernet port.

As previously reported by ourselves, and have known about unofficially for some time, Aqara have a swathe of new products waiting to be released, and whilst some of these have yet to surface, the new Aqara M2 Hub, along with some new lights, made a surprise ‘mistake’ appearance on the Android version of the Aqara home app last week (it’s still there apparently).

Now it seems, with the latest update to the iOS version of the Aqara app, the M2 has made it’s ‘official’ debut – perhaps another internal error, similar to the reportedly erroneous leak via the Android update. Nevertheless, within the app, if you’re signed in and have the server set to Mainland China, not only do you see the new hub, but if you go through the procedure of trying to add it, you eventually get asked for a HomeKit code, which confirms what we’ve known all along, but were unsure as to whether it would make it to officially released hardware. As far as the new M2 hub goes, other than the fact that it’s HomeKit compatible, there’s still no information as to what differentiates it from the current hub, besides the outward appearance, and what appears to be a lack of LED lights or a speaker, in contrast to the current Aqara hub, as it stands.

As if this wasn’t enough, another new device, we previously agreed not to report on, is a Zigbee-based Light Detection Sensor. Alongside this new device, there are also new ‘versions’ of the temperature/humidity sensor, door/window sensor, motion sensor and water leak sensor, all with the T1 suffix. For the new light sensor and all the T1 sensors to be added, you, of course, need a hub, and in the case of these devices, the only options that appear are the two HomeKit hubs – Aqara Hub and Aqara Hub M2, so these new devices will not, it seems, work with older Mi Gateways.

Finally, if you’re using the Aqara app exclusively, then you’re also able to update your hub to v1.6.1, although there have already been reports of devices going offline, amongst other issues. The list of changes for this update largely seems to be about fixes as it stands. Of course, it is up to yourselves as to whether you choose to update the hub, and more so if you are currently using the Mi Home app with your Aqara hub, as this update is only available via the Aqara app, not Mi Home.

Thanks to ‘mszfcz’ for the heads up.

17 thoughts on “Aqara’s App Update ‘Officially’ Reveals New HomeKit Hub [UPDATE]

  • Lol… what does the T1 does…

    • I’m not sure if there’s any difference from the current sensors, other than the fact you can’t add these to the older Mi Hubs.

  • Firmware update 1.6.1 reduces Zigbee coverage 🙁

    • I also noticed that. Some sensors in rooms that are far from hub don’t work after update. And I can’t update my hub to 1.6.1 (only to 1.6.0). I see that there is new version, but after update and reboot I still have 1.6.0 and message with available update

      • same issue here!

        Many accessories have no reach after the update.

        • Same Issue too ! All my water sensor can’t connect now to my hub.

          And, now, in my « add accessories » part in Aqara app, i get the « cube » available (Europe) but i just can’t Add it. I Hear the hub say « device connected ». But it is Never connected.

  • I have two Aqara Hub in different locations, and same issue too on both . After update only Wall Switch (double rocker) connected which is near to hub, two more Wall Switches doesn’t work and not possible to reconnect it again after I deleted not responding switches. Temperature and humidity sensors which are far then 5 meters from Hub are not responding too, only works sensor which is in the room where Hub is located. One of four Water leak sensors I have even trigered and two are not responding. I am very disappointed about this firmware update and wait for corrections.

  • There is no answer from their support team. Does anybody know if there is option to downgrade firmware? Or does anybody know any other way to contact them and check when new firmware will be available because we have very annoying problems (automations etc. don’t work).

  • Very upset with recent firmware 1.60 and problematic to 1.61 keep failing update.

  • I was on the verge of buying a few sensors and and a hub? Should I wait for the updated versions?

    • Hard to say, as there’s no current timeline as to when these new hubs and child devices will be available. It’s important to note, that it’s possible the newer Hub will only be compatible with the newer T1 sensors mentioned, which could also take some time to find their way onto shelves, so that’s another thing to bear in mind if you want these for your home sooner than later. The good news is that the current hubs and sensors are really cheap, so unless you’re on a very tight budget, it won’t hurt to buy a hub and a couple of sensors.

      • at the moment only these gateways are compatibile with t1 sensors:

        – aqara (homekit)
        – aqara g2

        v3 china and xiaomi global gateways does not support them.

        • The T1 sensors are not out yet, so things could change, but as it stands, and as already alluded to in the article, the T1 sensors can only be added via the Aqara Hub and the M2, not the G2. The G2 is the camera hub, but you’re unable to add it to the Aqara app.

          • wanna bet? 😉 i have g2 and i can assure you these t1 sensors are already supported in the firmware:

            lumi.sensor_ht.agl02 – Temperature and Humidity Sensor T1
            lumi.motion.agl02 – Motion Sensor T1
            lumi.magnet.agl02 – Door and Window Sensor T1
            lumi.flood.agl02 – Water Leak Sensor T1

          • That’s great news. All I’m saying is things can (and often do) change. Aqara still needs to get the G2 into the Aqara app before anything else, unless the T1 sensors eventually make an appearance in the Mi Home app.

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