Connecting Air Conditioner to Xiaomi Smart Home: From Module Selection to Automation Customization

Integrating air conditioning into the Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem allows you to control the climate by voice, on schedule or through automation scenarios – for example, turn on cooling when you return home or turn it off when you open a window. However, not all air conditioners support direct connection, and the wrong choice of module can lead to malfunction or even damage to equipment. In this guide, we will examine all the steps from checking compatibility to fine-tuning through Mi Home or Aqara Home.

The main difficulty lies in the variety of air conditioning control protocols, manufacturers using proprietary IR signals, Wi-Fi protocols, or even wired interfaces (for example, wired interfaces, RS-485). Xiaomi offers several integration solutions, but each has limitations: for example, the Xiaomi MiJia IR panel is only suitable for IR-controlled models, and the Aqara Air Conditioning Companion module requires a physical connection to the internal unit. We have analyzed all the options and compiled a checklist to choose the best way.

Important: If your air conditioner is released before 2015, it is likely that it does not support modern protocols, in which case additional equipment will be required, such as BroadLink. RM4 Pro for emulating IR commands, but everything in order.

1. Checking the compatibility of air conditioner with Xiaomi Smart Home

Before you buy modules, make sure your air conditioner can be integrated at all.There are three main ways to connect, and each depends on the type of control your model has:

• 🔄 IR control: Most household split systems (e.g. Midea, Gree, Haier) use an infrared remote. IR Remote Controller or Aqara Hub + IR remote.
• 📶 Wi-Fi module: some modern models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Air Conditioner or other models) TCL Smart AC) They have built-in Wi-Fi, and they can be connected directly through the manufacturer's app and then synced with Mi Home.
• 🔌 Wired Connection: Industrial or inverter systems (e.g. Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric) often support Modbus or inverter protocols. RS-485. Aqara Air Conditioning Companion or Sonoff TH Elite.

To determine the type of management:

1. Find the air conditioner model on the back of the inner unit.
2. Check for an IR receiver (usually located under the front panel).
3. Check your technical passport for Wi-Fi, Smart or IoT.
4. If nothing is found, your model is likely to support only IR control.

⚠️ Warning: Wired-controlled air conditioners (e.g. Daikin) VRV) Incorrect connection to the control board may result in loss of warranty or failure of electronic components.

2. Selection of integration equipment

Depending on the type of air conditioner, you will need one of the following devices:

For most users, the best solution will be Xiaomi MiJia. IR Remote Controller. It supports more than 2,000 air conditioners and doesn't require any electrical circuitry to be tampered with. However, if you need feedback (like displaying the current temperature in an app), you'll have to consider wired modules.

When choosing, pay attention to:

• 🔌 Power voltage: some modules (e.g. Sonoff) TH Elite requires connection to 220V, which complicates the installation.
• 🔄 Compatibility with other devices: for example, Aqara Air Conditioning Companion requires Aqara Hub to be on the network.

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Before buying a module, check its compatibility with your air conditioner model on the Mi Home website (Smart Home section). → Compatible devices.“If your model is not listed, contact Xiaomi support and request firmware for the IR remote.

3. Connecting the air conditioner through an IR module (step-by-step instructions)

If your air conditioner is controlled by an IR remote, follow this instruction. IR Remote Controller:

Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone|

Connect the IR module to a Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz)|

Place the module opposite the IR receiver of the air conditioner (distance not more than 5 m)|

Prepare the original air conditioning remote

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Step 1: Adding a module to Mi Home

1. Open Mi Home and press + → Add the device.
2. Choose the category of Smart Home → Control panels.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to connect the module to Wi-Fi.
4. After successful connection, click Add IR device → Air conditioner.

Step 2: Set up the IR commands

1. Choose your air conditioner brand from a list (e.g. Midea, Gree).
2. Point the original remote to the IR module and the module to the air conditioner. Follow the prompts in the command testing app.
3. If the model is not found, select Another brand and manually record commands from the remote (you will need to press each button in turn).

Step 3: Verification of the work

After setting up, check the main functions:

• 🔘 Switch on/off
• ❄️ Cooling/heating modes
• 🌀 Adjustment of fan speed
• 📱 Status mapping in the annex

⚠️ Attention: If the air conditioner is not responding to commands, check: Distance between module and IR receiver (maximum 5 m, no obstruction); Direct sunlight - they can interfere with the IR signal; Condition of batteries in the original remote (if you record commands manually).

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IR modules don't support feedback! You can't see the current temperature or the air conditioning in the app -- just send commands.

4.Integration of Wi-Fi air conditioners in Mi Home

If your air conditioner has built-in Wi-Fi (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Air Conditioner or Wi-Fi). TCL Smart AC), It can be connected directly through the manufacturer’s cloud and then synced with Mi Home.

Step 1 Connect to Wi-Fi

1. Install an official brand app (e.g. Midea Air or the Air). TCL Home).
2. Follow the instructions to connect the air conditioner to your Wi-Fi network (usually you need to press Wi-Fi on the remote and enter a password).
3. Make sure the air conditioner is connected to the same router as your Xiaomi Hub (if used).

Step 2 Sync with Mi Home

Not all Wi-Fi air conditioners support direct integration with Xiaomi.

• 🔄 Through IFTTT: Create an applet that will transmit commands from Mi Home to the manufacturer’s app.
• 🌐 Home Assistant: If you have a Home Assistant setup, use the Mi Home Integration plugin + Climate Platform.
• 📱 Via virtual devices: in Mi Home you can create a virtual remote that will duplicate commands from the original application.

Example of settings via IFTTT:

1. Create an account on IFTTT.
2. Connect Mi Home services and your air conditioner app (such as Midea Air).
3. Create an applet with the trigger "If the Mi Home command is activated 'Enable air conditioning'" and the action "Send a command to Midea Air".

5. Wired connection: Aqara Air Conditioning Companion

Wire-controlled air conditioners (e.g. Daikin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) will require an Aqara Air Conditioning Companion module that connects to the internal unit control board and allows you not only to send commands, but also to read current parameters (temperature, mode, errors).

Installation requirements:

• 🔧 Electrical skills (or specialist assistance).
• 📄 Access to the service menu of the air conditioner (instructions are usually attached to the module).
• 🔌 Aqara Hub (for example, Aqara Hub) M2) net.

Step 1 Preparation of the air conditioner

1. Turn off the air conditioner.
2. Remove the front panel of the inner unit (usually mounted on the latches).
3. Find a control board and connector for external modules (usually signed as CN105 External Control or External Control).

Step 2: Connecting the module

The connection pattern depends on the air conditioner model.

1. Connect the Aqara Air Conditioning Companion to the socket on the control board using a complete cable.
2. Connect the module to the power supply (usually) 5V or 12V, check the manual!).
3. Install the front panel back and turn the air conditioner on to the network.

Step 3: Set up in Aqara Home

1. Open the Aqara Home app and add a new module through + → Add the device.
2. Choose the brand and model of the air conditioner from the list. If your model is not, select Another and manually specify the protocol (for example, Modbus). RTU).
3. After successful connection, the module will display the current parameters of the air conditioner (temperature, mode, fan speed).

⚠️ Attention: Inappropriate power supply voltage of the module can cause the control board of the air conditioner to burn out. Always check the parameters in the instructions to the module and on the air conditioner board (usually indicated next to the connector).

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If the air conditioner makes an error after connecting the module (for example, E1 or P4), Check the cable's correct connection. Some models require a jump between the contacts. GND and DATA.

6. Setup of automation and scenarios

Once the air conditioner is successfully connected, it can be integrated into smart home scenarios, such as:

• 🏠 Geozone: automatically turn on air conditioning when you return home.
• 🌡️ Temperature Sensors: Adjust the mode depending on the Aqara Temperature Sensor readings.
• 🪟 Windows/Doors: Turn off air conditioning when opening windows (using Aqara) Door/Window Sensor).
• ☀️ Weather: Turn on heating if the outside temperature has dropped below +10°C.

Example of the script in Mi Home:

1. Open Mi Home → Automation → Create a script.
2. Select the trigger: Device → Window sensor → Open.
3. Add the action: Air conditioning → Turn it off.
4. Save the script and test it by opening the window.

For more complex scenarios (such as those with delays or conditions), use Home Assistant or Node-RED.

automation:


- alias: "Air conditioning: turn off when the window is open"




trigger:




platform: state




entity_id: binary_sensor.window_contact




to: "on"




action:




service: climate.turn_off




entity_id: climate.air_conditioner

7. Solving common problems

When integrating air conditioning into a smart home, users often face the following mistakes:

If your problem is not resolved, check:

• 🔄 Firmware Updates: In Mi Home, go to the module settings and check for updates.
• 📡 Wi-Fi signal: module must be no further than 10 m from the router (no obstacles).
• 🔧 Air conditioner service menu: some models block external control (you need to disable External Lock in the settings).

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If the air conditioner after connecting the module is unstable (spontaneously switches off, does not keep the temperature), return the factory settings and repeat the connection procedure.

8. Alternative integration methods

If your air conditioner is not supported by Xiaomi devices, consider alternative solutions:

• 🤖 BroadLink RM4 Pro: Universal IR remote with support for cloud management. You can integrate into Mi Home via IFTTT or Home Assistant.
• 🔌 Sonoff TH Elite: a module for wired connection with support for Modbus and MQTT. Requires rationing skills.
• 🌐 Cloud services: Some brands (such as Midea) allow air conditioning to be controlled through their own home. API. You can write a script for integration with Mi Home.

Example of BroadLink setup RM4 Pro:

1. Install the e-Control app and add RM4 Pro online.
2. Record commands from the original remote for all modes.
3. In Mi Home, create a virtual device through a smart home → Virtual devices.
4. Set up automation in IFTTT Transferring commands from Mi Home to e-Control.

For advanced users, we recommend using Home Assistant with the BroadLink Integration plugin, which will allow you to create full-fledged scenarios taking into account temperature, humidity and other parameters.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting air conditioner to Xiaomi