I see there are various way to get this this lock into Home Assistant but I have a few questions.
So this lock does not work reliably with HA Homekit integration or Bluetooth? I assume do to zigbee security requiring an encryption key.
The most reliable method looks to be a hub which I plan to get, is there any differences or benefits of adding the hub to HA between Homekit and Matter. Why use one over the other?
I don’t plan on using Home Key, main reason to get this lock is for fingerprint.
The Aara U100 cannot connect to a generic Zigbee network, it is limited to connecting to Aqara base stations at least for now. I don’ think anyone has figured out a jailbreak yet.
Rude? Rude is calling something shit out of pure speculation. I’m not going to adjust my tone of writing in any case.
What you suggest is impossible - the lock has no way of communicating with any other accessory device, not over its secure BT nor over its secure Zigbee. It’ll communicate with its own app and Homeklit and its hub.
If you want to address your problems you need to look elsewhere - but I couldn’t personally care less.
For anyone else in summary (as has been pointed out by dozens of people all over the inter-webs):
U100 uses ONLY Bluetooth when you don’t have a Hub:
You can add it to the Aqara app to control fine details such as finger prints
You can add it to Google and Alexa with the Aqara app
You can add it directly to your Apple Home where it will support Home Key natively
You CANNOT add it to Home Assistant
If you add an Aqara Hub:
All of the above
You can BIND the lock to the Hub using the Aqara app
You can add the Hub (and bound lock) to Homekit directly by scanning its code. This will give you the Hub’s Alarm Station feature, but you will NOT get Home Key support
Via the Matter Menu on the Aqara App, you can add the Hub and bound lock to Homekit. You will NOT get the Hub’s alarm feature and you will NOT get Home Key
Via the Matter Menu you can add the Hub and bound lock to Home Assistant. You need to first install the HA Matter Add-On and START IT. Then you need to add the Matter Integration. Then you need to “Add Integration” AGAIN and this time “Add Matter Device”
The BOLDED steps above are how you get the lock and hub into Apple Home AND Home Assistant. This is how you get bulletproof support and very fast updates. In Apple Home you will see TWO locks. The native one supporting Home Key and the one via the Hub. Hide the one supporting Home Key inside an “Admin” room that won’t show up in your summaries and use the Hub bound one for all interaction and Siri (it’s the FAST one).
You need an Aqara Hub to use this lock with Home Assistant - and to have fast response time without being within BT range with your personal mobile device.
Well then keep being rude AND ignorant. I explained clearly that the problem is the pairing with the M2 Hub and how the issue is software. I know who I’m not supposed to listen to as far as advice at least.
I’ve been thinking about buying this lock and integrating it via Matter. Probably with the M2 unless Matter is available on all Aqara Hubs now. Just wondering but for anyone who is using it with the Matter integration, does it lock and unlock quickly using the dashboard, NFC tags, or automations? Let’s say around 1 second?
I think I read something somewhere that said that it’s a bit slow to respond using Homekit. Something noticeable like 3-4 seconds I guess. Just wondering how quick it works in HA using Matter?
It’s mostly quick. Sometimes it takes a few extra seconds but for the most part is around a second or so.
I ended up going with the switchbot lock instead due to the following reasons:
Swichbot is cheaper, easier to install.
I can keep my existing key without the hassle of re-keying.
The lock works natively with HA without hubs.
Not connected to some server on the internet, which looks to be the case even when added to the hub as the hub needs an internet connection.
Reviewers on YouTube and Reddit have reported the lock becomes unresponsive and has caused people to be locked out of their homes.
Switchbot Cons are:
Its bulky and kinda ugly
Doesn’t actually replace your lock.
Non-standard Batteries.
I bought the Aqara M1S due to the speaker, the app is bad - I keep getting network errors and no it isn’t my setup it is the app or aqara servers. This is fine coz I just added it to HA for HomeKit and do all my automations in HA, so other than adding the sensors to M1S or getting notifications the app is of no use. Even generating the matter code gives me errors until i delete and reinstall the app. If the U100 worked reliably with HA over Bluetooth for Homekit I would reconsider or the hub worked reliably offline.
Probably too late for you, but Switchbot is releasing a new lock called the Switchbot Lock Pro. I think it looks a little nicer, but it’s still this big thing sticking out of your door that turns the thumb turn.
I brought it up to my wife who said no to the original. Her answer is still no to the new one. Her answer is also no to the U100. But she doesn’t mind the U200. So I’ll just keep waiting for that or something else.
I must say it’s not as simple as I thought it would be to find a lock that can be locally integrated that has features that I want while also having spouse approval.
I looked it up, it’s a little nicer for sure but it’s still a ugly black wart on your door.
The real benefit for the Pro is the increased battery life and rechargeable battery but meh.
I’ve been wanting a door lock for years, finding one that works reliably locally and spouse approval has been impossible. I’ve looked into Zigbee ones but they are way too expensive for what you get in my area.
Now with the convenience the approval factor is less of issue.
Had mine for months now.
The keypad started to not respond at just above 0 degrees C. Keyboard is outside, but the door is covered by an awning, so no rain gets to the keypad.
Remote unlock works though.
Could be just bad unit.
Matter integration is extra broken right now in HA, I wouldn’t prioritize that aspect at that moment. The firmware of both Aqara hub and locks is very poorly designed, so many aspects that don’t make sense and they work poorly. I would avoid Aqara and this is coming from someone that has 3 U100 and an M2 hub and regrets spending that money.
Not to burst anyone’s bubble (this certainly hit me with buyer’s remorse), but a new lock is now announced for next quarter - the U300:
Smart Lock U300
The Aqara Smart Lock U300 is one of the first smart lever locks announced to feature Matter and Thread compatibility, and offers unprecedented interoperability with various smart home platforms. This versatility is coupled with an extended battery life of up to 8 months and enhanced local control, which improves responsiveness, privacy and security.
Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the U300 replaces the traditional US lever or knob on single-bore doors and is ideal for including side entries, garage entries, home offices, basements and storage rooms. It enables a key-free lifestyle with multiple access options, including fingerprints, PIN codes, NFC, or voice assistants. Homeowners can control the lock remotely, grant temporary access to guests, and receive real-time notifications of who comes and goes – all from a smartphone.
Appreciate the warning. Although I will say I have a lot of Matter devices and they’ve all worked perfectly since pairing them. But they’re almost entirely switches and bulbs. I guess it’s a different story with this lock.
For now I’m sticking with my U-Bolt Pro. I’m just so eager to get something new that integrates with HA right now, but I’m going to be patient because I’m pretty interested in some of the new locks I saw at CES this weekend.
Just chiming in that I have finally installed the U100 I bought last year and it’s working great, no issues*
Setup:
The only issue I have had is with Alexa’s skill. I will ask to lock/unlock the door, and it DOES do what I want immediately, howeer 1 minute later Alexa will respond “sorry, I don’t know what went wrong.” The skill seems to have an identical problem to other smart locks in the last few months provided by different skills related to read state.
I also had an issue trying to use the lock exposed through HA to Alexa – it would fail to be recognized by voice, although I could control it on the app.
Otherwise all is good - for now. I’ll see how it is a few weeks down the road.
So I’m clear, you’re connecting to the lock using Matter using the M3 hub or some other way?
Matter over WiFi via the M3 hub.
Hi Adamo,
Can I know if you are getting Key ID or User ID into Home Assistant, I would like to use ID to trigger different automations.
Nothing like that is available in HA over matter, not yet at least. HA isn’t even told when the lock is jammed (the Aqara app knows it but there is no automation trigger unless you use the Alexa skill).
However, you CAN automate on user who unlocked in the Aqara app. With this you could trigger a shared sensor between HA and Aqara to get that into HA.
I have the u100 and E1 hub and can’t get it connected to home assistant through matter integration, tried from my android phone and even first adding it to google home then sharing it to HA but no dice.
Install and Review video just released! Works well with HA!
And they happen to be on sale this weekend if your interested!
https://geni.us/YlOW74
