Xiaomi Smart Home: a complete guide to all devices and their configuration

Xiaomi Smart Home is one of the most affordable and functional systems for home automation. Since its launch in 2014, it has grown to hundreds of compatible devices, from simple sensors to complex robot vacuum cleaners. But many users are faced with the challenges of how to connect devices correctly, configure their interactions and avoid typical errors.

The feature of the Mi Home system (now Xiaomi Home) is its cross-platformity: devices work with both branded hubs (Mi Home Hub, Aqara Hub) and voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri). At the same time, the prices for sensors start from 500 rubles, which makes a smart home available even for budget projects. However, without the right configuration, even the most advanced equipment turns into a set of useless gadgets.

In this guide, we'll take a look at:

• 🔌 How to Select and Connect a Central Hub to Manage All Devices
• 📱 Step-by-step setting up the mobile application Xiaomi Home (former Mi Home)
• 🔄 Creating automation scenarios with examples for different rooms
• ⚠️ Typical Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them (From Device Conflicts to Wi-Fi Problems)

1. Central hub: the heart of Xiaomi's smart home

Without a hub, most Xiaomi devices will work in isolation — for example, a motion sensor will only send notifications to the phone, but not turn on the lights. The hub connects all gadgets into a single system and allows you to create automation. In 2026, three models are relevant:

For most users, the Mi Home Hub 2 is the best option — it’s cheaper than Aqara and supports all major Xiaomi devices. However, if you want local scripts (which work without the Internet), you’d better go for the Aqara Hub. M2. Note: Hubs are not compatible – devices tied to the Mi Home Hub won’t work with Aqara, and vice versa.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi hubs require a constant connection to the outlet. If the lights in the house turn off, the entire system will stop working. For critical devices (such as alarms), use UPS or backup batteries.

The process of connecting the hub:

1. Download the Xiaomi Home app (App Store/Google Play).
2. Register or log in to your Mi Account (be sure to link your phone number!).
3. Connect the hub to the outlet and wait for the indicator to flash.
4. In the app, click Add Device → Hub and follow the instructions.

2. Device connectivity: from sensors to robots

All Xiaomi Smart Home devices are divided into three types by the way they connect:

• 📶 Wi-Fi (robot vacuum cleaners, lamps, sockets) – connect directly to the router.
• 🐝 ZigBee (sensors, switches, relays) – work only through the hub.
• 🔵 Bluetooth (some temperature sensors) – communicate directly with your phone.

The most popular devices and their features:

• 💡 Xiaomi Mi LED Smart Bulb – 16 million shades lamp, supports 1600–6500K (Warm/cold lights. Important: Neutral wire in the switch is required to operate!
• 🔌 Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug - power consumption socket with maximum load - 2200 watts (not suitable for heaters!).
• 🚪 Aqara Door/Window Sensor - door/window opening sensor. 2 battery-year CR1632.
• 🤖 Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro – vacuum cleaner with laser navigation and function of floor washing. Requires a clean card for correct operation.

The general connection algorithm:

1. Make sure the device is charged/on-line.
2. In the Xiaomi Home app, click Add Device and select a category.
3. Follow voice prompts or instructions on the screen (for example, a lamp may need to turn on/off the lights 3 times).
4. Call the device meaningfully (e.g., "Bedroom Lamp" instead of "Device 1").

Make sure the hub is on and connected to the internet|

Check battery power (for wireless devices)|

Name the device in advance (so as not to get confused)|

Shut down. VPN (It can block Xiaomi servers)-->

Critical feature: Xiaomi devices are tied to the region of the account in the app. If you choose China when you register, many devices (for example, European sockets) will not appear in the list of available.

1. Go to Profile → Settings → Region.
2. Choose Russia (or Europe).
3. Restart the app.

Automation setup: scenarios for comfort and safety

The main advantage of a smart home is the ability to create scenes (simple commands) and automation (complex scenarios with conditions).

• 🌅 "Morning: at 7:00 the blinds rise, the coffee maker turns on, the warm lights light up.
• 🚪 "No one at home: when all family members go out, the alarm goes on, the vacuum cleaner cleans the floor.
• 💧 "Leakage: Water sensor is activated → The electric faucet is closing, it's coming. SMS.

How to create automation in the Xiaomi Home app:

1. Go to the Automation section → Create.
2. Select the trigger (activation condition): time, sensor, geolocation, etc.
3. Add action (what should happen).
4. Set up exceptions (for example, do not work at night).

Example of settings "Night mode":

Trigger: Time → 23:00


Action:




1. Turn off all lamps




2. Lower blinds by 80%




3. Turn on the nightlight at 10% brightness




4. Activate Do Not Disturb mode on your phone




Exceptions: If someone is home (by geolocation)

⚠️ Attention: Too complex automation with many conditions can freeze or fail with a delay. Optimally, no more than 5 actions in one scenario.

4.Integration with voice assistants

You can manage Xiaomi devices by voice via Alice (Yandex), Google Assistant or Siri (HomeKit).

1. In the Xiaomi Home app, go to Profile → Settings → Voice assistant.
2. Choose a service (Yandex, Google or Apple).
3. Log in and allow access to the devices.

Examples of voice commands:

• 🗣️ "Alice, turn on the lights in the hall at 50%"
• 🗣️ "Okay, Google, run the kitchen vacuum cleaner"
• 🗣️ "Ciri, activate the scene of 'Cinema'"

Limitations of voice control:

• ❌ Not all devices are supported (for example, some Aqara sensors are not visible in Google Home).
• ❌ Delay in execution of commands can reach 2-5 seconds.
• ❌ HomeKit requires additional configuration via Home Assistant or HOOBS.

1. Reconnect the device in the Xiaomi Home app.

2. Update the hub firmware.

3. Remove and reintroduce integration with the assistant.-->

Typical problems and their solutions

Even in a well-functioning system, there are periodic failures, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the device has completely stopped responding, try resetting it to factory settings:

• For hubs: press the reset button for 10 seconds (until flashing yellow).
• For lamps: turn on / off 5 times in a row.
• For sensors: Remove and insert the battery, then press the button on the case.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the device will disappear from all scenarios. Before reset, take screenshots of the settings or export the configuration through Settings. → Backup.

6 Advanced Features: Home Assistant and Local Scenarios

Xiaomi Home’s proprietary app limits functionality – for example, you can’t create a script with a delay of more than 60 minutes or use logical operators (OR).

The advantages of Home Assistant:

• 🔗 Local management without cloud (even without internet).
• 📊 Detailed schedules of energy consumption, temperature, etc.
• 🤖 Support for Python scripts for custom automation.

How to connect Xiaomi to Home Assistant:

1. Install Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi, NAS or PC.
2. In the configuration file configuration.yaml add:

xiaomi_aqara:


discovery_retries: 5




gateways:




Key: YOUR_HUB_KEY # Key from the Mi Home app

1. Restart Home Assistant and add devices to the interface.

Example of automation in Home Assistant (turn on the light when driving, but only when it is dark):

automation:


- alias: "Corridor: light by movement"




trigger:




platform: state




entity_id: binary_sensor.motion_sensor_158d0001234567




to: "on"




condition:




- condition: numeric_state




entity_id: sensor.illumination_158d0001234567




below: 10




action:




service: light.turn_on




entity_id: light.corridor_light

💡

Home Assistant allows you to bypass the limitations of a proprietary app, but requires technical skills. For beginners, it is better to start with basic scripts in Xiaomi Home.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions