What Xiaomi devices can work as a gateway for a smart home: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi’s smart home concept is based on centralized device management through a gateway, a device that connects sensors, lamps, sockets and other gadgets into a single network. However, not everyone knows that not only devices like the Mi dedicated Gateway can play the role of a gateway, but also many other devices in the ecosystem, from routers to TVs. This article will help you understand which Xiaomi models can become a gateway, how to configure them and what limitations should be considered.

The main problem when choosing a gateway is compatibility with the ZigBee, Bluetooth Mesh or Thread protocols, which use most smart home devices. Classic gateways (for example, Mi Gateway 3) support ZigBee 3.0, but what to do if you want to save money or already have another Xiaomi device? It turns out that many routers, speakers and even smart displays can partially or completely replace the dedicated gateway. Next, we will discuss each of these devices, their capabilities and nuances of integration.

1. Xiaomi's classic gateways: Mi Gateway and Aqara Hub

Starting with dedicative solutions, devices that were originally designed as gateways for the Mi Home ecosystem (now the Mi Home App or Xiaomi Home), which offer maximum compatibility and stability, but have limitations on the number of devices connected and protocols supported.

The most popular models:

• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Gateway 3 - Up-to-date version with support for ZigBee 3.0, backlighting and nighttime operation. Supports up to 32 devices at a time.
• 🔹 Aqara Hub M2 — A gateway from Aqara subsidiary, compatible with Mi Home. IR-blaster.
• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Gateway 2 is an outdated model (released until 2019), supports only ZigBee 1.2 and has problems with some new devices.

The main advantage of classic gateways is that they automatically integrate into the Xiaomi ecosystem without the need for manual adjustment.

• 🚫 Limited number of connected devices (usually up to 32–64 per gateway).
• 🚫 No Thread or Matter support (relevant for devices from other brands).
• 🚫 Requires a permanent connection to the cloud Xiaomi, which can be a problem with poor Internet.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a gateway with Home Assistant or other third-party systems, classic Mi Gateways will require alternative firmware (e.g., the Home Assistant or other third-party systems, Zigbee2MQTT). This will void the warranty and may lead to unstable work.

2. Xiaomi routers with built-in gateway: Mi Router 4A Gigabit, AX3600 others

Not everyone knows, but some Xiaomi routers have built-in support for ZigBee or Bluetooth Mesh, which allows you to use them as a gateway for a smart home.This is convenient if you do not want to buy a separate device or seek to reduce the number of gadgets on the network.

List of routers with built-in gateway:

• 📶 Xiaomi Mi Router 4A Gigabit Edition – supports ZigBee 3.0 via an optional module (activation required in Mi Home App).
• 📶 Xiaomi AX3600 — It has built-in Bluetooth 5.0 and can control devices on this protocol (e.g. Mi Sensor sensors).
• 📶 Xiaomi Mi Router AC2100 — Outdated model with limited support ZigBee (only for Xiaomi devices).

How to set up a router as a gateway?

1. Connect the router to the Mi Home App and update the firmware to the latest version.
2. Go to Settings. → Smart home. → Add a lock.
3. Select the protocol type (ZigBee or Bluetooth) and follow the instructions.

It is important to understand that routers as gateways have limitations:

• 🔌 Support only for devices Xiaomi/Aqara (Incompatible with other brands on ZigBee).
• 🔌 No more than 10-15 devices can be connected (vs. 32 for dedicated gateways).
• 🔌 When resetting the router, all connected smart home devices are untied.

💡

If your router does not support ZigBee out of the box, you can buy more USB-module CC2531 (~1500 rubles.) and flash it through Z-Stack. This will allow you to use the router as a full gateway for Home Assistant.

3.Smart speakers and displays: Mi AI Speaker, Redmi Smart Display

Xiaomi’s smart speakers and smart displays often have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules built in, allowing them to be used as a limited gateway to control other devices. AI Speaker or Redmi Smart Display Pro can interact with temperature, lighting and even some sockets.

Models with gateway support:

• 🎤 Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker – manages Bluetooth Mesh devices (e.g. Yeelight lamps).
• 🖥️ Redmi Smart Display Pro 8 has a built-in IR-blaster and can work as a gateway for IR devices (air conditioners, TVs).
• 🎤 Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control - a specialized model with support for ZigBee (rarely found on sale).

How to connect devices to the column?

1. Open the Mi Home App and select your column.
2. Go to Settings → Smart Home → Add the device.
3. Follow the instructions for connecting compatible gadgets.

Limitations of columns as gateways:

• 🎵 Support only Bluetooth Mesh and Wi-Fi (no ZigBee for most models).
• 🎵 It is not possible to connect security sensors (for example, Mi). Door/Window Sensor).
• 🎵 Dependence on the voice assistant Xiao AI, which only works in Chinese or English.

4. Xiaomi TVs with IoT support: Mi TV 4S, Redmi Smart TV

Modern Xiaomi TVs (starting with the 2020 models) have a built-in IoT module that allows you to control some smart home devices directly from the screen. Functionality is limited, but for basic tasks (lights on, sensors check) this is enough.

Models with gateway support:

To use the TV as a gateway:

1. Connect the TV to the Mi Home App.
2. In the settings, find the Smart Home section.
3. Add compatible devices (e.g. Yeelight lamps or Mi Smart Plug sockets).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs do not support ZigBee without additional modules. USB-Adapters (e.g. Sonoff Zigbee 3.0) USB Dongle).

5.Alternative solutions: Mi Box S, Mi Home Security Camera

In addition to the obvious devices, some Xiaomi gadgets can act as a gateway in non-standard scenarios.

• 📺 Mi Box S – Android console TV Can manage devices via Google Home, but does not have direct ZigBee support.
• 📹 Mi Home Security Camera 360° — Some models have a built-in Bluetooth module for communication with motion sensors.
• 🔌 Mi Smart Plug – Wi-Fi-enabled outlets can act as a bridge for other devices (e.g. Yeelight lamps).

These solutions are suitable for limited tasks:

• 🔸 Managing Lighting with Google Assistant or Alice.
• 🔸 Integration with cameras for security automation.
• 🔸 Using sockets as triggers for other devices (e.g. turning on the heater at low temperature).

Example of setting up the Mi Box S as a gateway:

1. Connect the console to Google Home.
2. Add compatible devices (such as the Mi Bedside Lamp).
3. Configure voice commands through Google Assistant.

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6. Comparison of Xiaomi devices as gateways: which one to choose?

To facilitate the choice, we will summarize the key characteristics in a table:

Selection recommendations:

• 🏆 For a full-fledged smart home: classic gateway (Mi Gateway 3 or Aqara Hub) M2).
• 💰 For savings: router Mi Router 4A Gigabit (if you already have a compatible model).
• 🎤 For voice control: smart column Mi AI Speaker + Home Assistant.
• 🖥️ For visual control: TV Mi TV Q1 s USB-ZigBee module.

💡

If you need to connect more 30 device or device Thread/Matter, Xiaomi’s classic gateways won’t work – consider Home Assistant solutions + Zigbee2MQTT.

7.Setting up the gateway to work with Home Assistant

Many users prefer to use Home Assistant over Mi Home App because of the greater flexibility and lack of cloud-based connectivity.

1. Switching to alternative software (for example, Zigbee2MQTT Mi Gateway).
2. Connect the gateway to Home Assistant via MQTT or ZHA.
3. Configure automation through YAML-configs or visual editor.

Example configuration for Zigbee2MQTT:

#configuration.yaml for Home Assistant


zigbee2mqtt:




data_path: /config/zigbee2mqtt




devices: devices.yaml




mqtt:




base_topic: zigbee2mqtt




server: mqtt://localhost




serial:




port: /dev/ttyACM0 # port of your gateway




adapter: zstack

Advantages of this approach:

• 🔧 Complete control of devices without depending on the cloud Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Support for devices of other brands (for example, IKEA Tradfri or Philips Hue).
• 🔧 Advanced automation (e.g., sensor communication with non-sensors)-ZigBee device).

⚠️ Warning: Firmware on alternative software to Xiaomi gateways voids warranty and may lead to "bricking" of the device.Be sure to back up the original firmware before the procedure.

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

When using Xiaomi devices as gateways, users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: Devices are disconnected from the gateway.

• 🔹 Check the distance between the gateway and the devices (maximum 10-15 meters in line of sight).
• 🔹 Update the gateway and devices firmware through the Mi Home App.
• 🔹 Make sure there is no interference from other Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices (e.g. microwaves) on the network).

Problem 2: The gateway is not finding new devices.

• 🔹 Reboot the gateway (turn off power for 30 seconds).
• 🔹 Reset the device to factory settings (usually by holding the button for 5-10 seconds).
• 🔹 Try connecting your device through another app (e.g. Aqara Home instead of Mi Home).

Problem 3: Delays in the operation of automation.

• 🔹 If you use cloud services (Mi Home), check the Internet speed (minimum 5 Mbit / s).
• 🔹 For local solutions (Home Assistant), make sure the gateway is connected via cable, not Wi-Fi.
• 🔹 Reduce the number of devices on one gateway (optimally, no more than 20).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions