Why integrate Xiaomi’s smoke sensor with Aqara Hub?
Xiaomi's smoke sensors are some of the most affordable and reliable solutions for protecting your home from fires, but their real effectiveness is only revealed when integrated with a central hub, such as the Aqara Hub. Without connecting to the hub, the sensor will only work locally (with a loud beep), but you will not receive a notification to your phone, and in fact, only through the hub you can configure automation, for example, when the sensor is triggered, lights will turn on on on on on on the way to the exit or smart locks will open.
In this article, we'll look at all the steps of connecting, from model compatibility to scripting in Mi Home or Aqara Home, and focus on the typical synchronization errors that users make and how to fix them, and if you've tried to connect the sensor but you haven't succeeded, you'll find a solution here.
Important: the connection procedure may vary depending on the version of the hub firmware and the sensor model. We will look at the current methods for 2026 for the most popular devices: Xiaomi Mi Smoke Detector 2, Xiaomi Honeywell Smoke Detector and Aqara Smoke Alarm (despite the brand, the latter is also compatible with the Xiaomi ecosystem).
Compatibility of Xiaomi smoke sensors with Aqara Hub: model table
Not all Xiaomi smoke sensors can work with the Aqara Hub. The main compatibility criterion is support for the Zigbee protocol. If your sensor uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it will not be possible to connect to the hub. Below is a table with current models and their compatibility:
| Sensor model | Protocol | Compatible with Aqara Hub | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Smoke Detector 2 (JTYJ-GD-02MI) | Zigbee | Yes. | Requires a hub firmware not lower than 1.4.7 |
| Xiaomi Honeywell Smoke Detector (JTYJ-GD-01MI/03MI) | Zigbee | Yes. | Maintains communication with the hub at a distance of up to 50 m (under ideal conditions) |
| Aqara Smoke Alarm (SJCGQ11LM) | Zigbee | Yes. | Better compatibility, recommended for the Aqara ecosystem |
| Xiaomi Mi Home Security Smoke Detector (JTYJ-GD-04MI) | Wi-Fi | No. | It only works via Mi Home, it doesn’t integrate with Aqara. |
If your model is not in the table, check its specifications on the official website or in the documentation. Please note that even if the sensor supports Zigbee, it may be necessary to update the hub firmware to the latest version to successfully connect. You can check the current version in the Aqara Home application in the Devices → Hub Settings → Software Update.
Preparing for the connection: what to do in advance
Before you start synchronizing, follow a few mandatory steps that will help avoid most errors and save time.
⚠️ Note: If the smoke detector has already been connected to another hub or application (e.g. Mi Home), it must be reset to factory settings. Otherwise, the Aqara Hub will not be able to detect it. 📱 Update the Aqara Home app: The outdated version may not support new devices. download the latest version from the App Store or Google Play. 🔄 Check the firmware of the hub: Go to the hub settings and update the software if a new version is available. This is especially important for the Aqara Hub M1S and M2. 🔋 Charge the sensor: If the device is battery-operated, make sure the charge is not lower 50%. Low charge levels can interrupt the connection process. 📡 Place the devices next to each other: Maximum distance between the sensor and the hub during the connection phase — 1-2 Once synchronized, the sensor can be moved to a permanent location. If you are connecting the sensor for the first time, remove it from the package and remove the protective film from the battery compartment (if any). Some models (such as Xiaomi Honeywell) have a special testing button on the case - press it once to make sure the device is working (short signal should sound).|Check the hub's firmware version|Charge the smoke sensor (if necessary)|Place the hub and sensor next to you|Remove the protective film from the battery--> Step-by-step: How to connect the smoke sensor to the Aqara Hub Now let's get to the connection process itself. Follow the instructions carefully - skipping even one step can lead to an error. 1 Start the add-on mode in Aqara Home: Open the application and go to Add device (icon «+» Select the category Security Sensors, then Smoke Sensor. If your model is not listed, select Another Zigbee device. 2. Activate the pairing mode on the sensor: For Xiaomi Mi Smoke Detector 2: press and hold the button on the case for 5 seconds until the blue indicator flashes. For Aqara Smoke Alarm: press the button once - the device will automatically go into pairing mode. 3. Wait for the process to complete: the Hub will start searching for the device. This can take up to 2 minutes. If the search is delayed, check that the indicator on the sensor flashes blue (green or red color means an error on the device, for example, select the device from the device's a signal). 💡If the hub does not find the sensor, try restarting both devices: disconnect the hub from power on the 10 and the sensor removes the battery. 30 And then repeat the connection process. Common errors and their solutions, even if you follow the instructions accurately, users often encounter problems. ⚠️ Note: If the smoke detector has been previously connected to Mi Home, it must be removed from this application before being added to Aqara Home. Otherwise, there will be a conflict of devices and the hub will not be able to detect it. → Devices → Select a sensor → Delete. 🔴 Error: "Device not found" Check that the hub and sensor are no more distant 1-2 Make sure the sensor flashes blue, if it flashes green, it's already connected to another hub. Restart the hub (turn off power for 10 seconds). 🔴 Error: "Incompatible device" Check the sensor model in the compatibility table above. Your device may be running on Wi-Fi. Update the hub firmware to the latest version. Try adding the sensor as another Zigbee device. 🔴 Error: "No communication after connection" Check the signal level of Zigbee in the application (Hub Settings) → If the signal is weak, move the sensor closer to the hub or add a repeater (for example, Aqara Wall Switch). Make sure there are no interference sources (microwaves, cordless phones) within a radius of 5 meters from the hub (JTYJ-GD-03MI) It is not connected to the Aqara Hub. M1S, The solution is to roll back the firmware to 1.4.7 or upgrade to 1.6.0.+ (How do you roll back the Aqara Hub firmware? 1. Download the required firmware version from the official Aqara website (section "Support"). 2. Connect the hub to the computer by USB and use the Aqara Firmware Tool. 3. Follow the instructions of the program by selecting a firmware file with the.bin extension. ⚠️ Rolling back the firmware can cause device settings to lose, so pre-back up in the Aqara Home app (Settings section). → Backup) Notification and automation configuration After the smoke sensor is successfully connected, you need to configure notifications and automation if desired, this will allow you to receive alerts to the phone and run scenarios when the sensor is triggered. 1. In the Aqara Home app, go to the sensor settings. Activate the push notification option and SMS-Indicate the phone number for alerts (you can add several numbers). 2. Creating Automation: Go to Automation (Icon) ⚙️ Click Create a script and select the condition Smoke Sensor worked. Add actions, for example: 💡 Turn on all the lamps in the house (Xiaomi Yeelight or Aqara Bulb). 🔊 Enable the siren (Aqara Alarm or Xiaomi Gateway Alarm). 🚪 Unlock the Aqara Smart Lock for quick evacuation. 3. Script Test: Press the test button on the sensor (usually used to check the health of the phone), make sure that the notification comes to the phone and the automation works (for example, the lights go on). 💡For reliable automation, it is recommended to use local scenarios (without the cloud), which will eliminate delays and ensure that the operation is triggered even when there is no Internet. 🏠. Optimal placement of the smoke sensor in the house The correct location of the smoke sensor is as important as connecting it. Installation incorrectly can lead to false positives or, worse, to a lack of response to real danger. 🏠 Bedroom: Install a sensor on the ceiling in the center of the room or on the wall in the distance 10-30 Avoid corners, because the air circulation is worse. 🍳 Kitchen: Place the sensor at least a distance 1 Meter from the stove and hood to avoid false positives from steam or smoke when cooking. 🚪 Corridor: The ideal place is the ceiling next to the stairs or the exit, which will allow you to quickly detect smoke in a fire anywhere in the house. ❌ Not recommended: In the bathroom (high humidity can damage the sensor) Near air conditioners or fans (airflow can prevent smoke detection). In the garage (if there are flammable substances, use specialized sensors). For homes with an area of more than 100 m2, it is recommended to install several sensors connected to a single network via Aqara Hub. This will provide reliable coverage and quick alert in case of fire in any room. Remember: one smoke sensor can not guarantee complete safety - its effectiveness depends on the correct placement and integration with other smart home devices. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you connect the Xiaomi smoke sensor to the Aqara Hub without an application? No, for the initial setting, you must use the Aqara Home application or Mi Home (in case, however, you can perform some smoke sensor after the device is connected to the device). False positives can be caused by several factors: 🌫️ Dust or steam: Install the sensor away from the kitchen and bathroom. 🔋 Low battery charge: Replace the batteries. 📡 Interference from other devices: Check the stability of the Zigbee network in the application. If the problem recurs, reset the sensor and reconnect it. How to reset the Xiaomi smoke sensor to the factory settings? To reset: Press and hold the button on the sensor for 10 seconds. Wait until the light flashes red (some models have yellow). Release the button. The sensor will sound to confirm the reset. After that, the device will be ready for a new connection. Can you use a single smoke detector with multiple hubs? No, a single Zigbee device can only be connected to one hub at a time. If you need to duplicate alerts, consider integrating the Aqara Hub with the Home Assistant or other centralized smart home control. How often should you check the sensor's performance? It's recommended to test the sensor at least once a month. To do this: Press the test button on the case. Make sure the audible signal is heard and the notification is received in the application. Check the battery's power in the device settings. Also monitor the life of the sensor - it is usually 5-7 years, after which the sensitivity of the sensor decreases.