YoLink Local hub -> Matter Integration Guide

Hardware
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1

The YoLink local hub ($200) finally appears to work without internet! :tada:

Performance is very good, even with the Internet disconnected, with my limited testing… the HomeAssistant app had trouble because it kept trying to go to cellular Internet, but the desktop HomeAssistant portal was working flawlessly with the Internet unplugged.

There seems to be very little info so far about how to set it up / not much documentation on YoLink’s page. Here are the steps I went through.

Prerequisites:

  1. Remove/uninstall the YoLink integration from Home Assistant (optional, just pointing out it’s not required)
  2. Add the “Matter (BETA)” integration
  3. Install the official Home Assistant App - it is required for pairing
  4. Install the YoLink app - it is required for onboarding the sensors and hub to your YoLink account, and then allows you to transfer the sensors from YoLink Cloud → “Local network”. (If already installed - make sure it has been updated to latest version before proceeding.)
  5. Maybe not required, but I would recommend: put everything on the same VLAN and wifi as HomeAssistant and disable AP isolation to help narrow down any issues. The local hub does not need to be joined to WiFi but it may certainly help.
  6. Update sensors with the YoLink app before moving them to the local hub (optional - but it appears they are not updatable while connected to local hub at this time, so it is a good time to make sure that has been done already).

Limitations:

  • Sensors can be paired to a single local hub, or the YoLink cloud (through multiple hubs), but not combinations of (local/cloud) or (local/additional local)
  • Sensors do not presently implement mesh protocol as far as I am aware (but happy if I am wrong)
  • No external antenna on the local hub
  • Hub can be connected with ethernet or 2.4 ghz wifi (5 ghz wifi not supported)
  • It does appear the YoLink app is required for managing the pairing/onboarding of new sensors at the present time - but there is a physical “Set” button (and maybe HTTP management interface in the future, should they choose to add it), and a working MQTT/HTTP API capability for further exploration.

Links

I. Connect & update the local hub firmware:

  • Add the local hub to the YoLink app
  • Firmware 605 was not working for me.
  • Locate the firmware info and apply firmware 606.
  • Be patient - mine took a while and it had no confirmation that it succeeded. I ran it multiple times. If you interrupt, it may brick the hub.
  • Physically power cycle the local hub with the slider switch. Wait 10 seconds for the light to go completely off before powering back on.
  • Close/reopen the app if necessary to confirm it shows firmware 606.

Screenshot_20250715_192546_YoLink
Screenshot_20250715_192546_YoLink1080×2078 106 KB

II. Enable the matter integration in the local hub:

  • Should show version 0.0.2 (after updating to firmware 606)
  • Mine sometimes fails to show the integrations tab. Force closing the app / viewing the hub details would usually resolve it the next time. My network is a mess - may not be the app’s fault.

Screenshot_20250715_192536_YoLink
Screenshot_20250715_192536_YoLink1080×2051 96.1 KB

III. Move devices from YoLink cloud to Local Hub

  • Create a Local Network (I did not take a screenshot, I think it prompts you to do this initially when opening the hub device). The term “Local Network” is specific to LoRa (it’s not an IP subnet).
  • Add devices to the Local Hub. This isolates them from YoLink cloud and pairs them to this specific hub.

Screenshot_20250715_192531_YoLink
Screenshot_20250715_192531_YoLink1080×991 65 KB

Screenshot_20250715_192524_YoLink
Screenshot_20250715_192524_YoLink1080×1004 80.9 KB

IV. Pair the YoLink hub to the HomeAssistant Matter integration

  • This was a struggle until I updated the hub, power cycled it, and moved everything to the same lan/vnet. Be advised … when it works, it takes only a few seconds to connect.
  • It appears the pairing process is only needed a single time. Additional sensors will subsequently work their way into HomeAssistant with a little “help” by restarting the YoLink local network and/or reload the Matter integration in HomeAssistant.
  • Open the YoLink app → Local Hub → Local Network → Integrations tab and record the Matter pairing code.
  • Now open the HomeAssistant App. Assuming you have already configured Matter (BETA) integration, go to Devices & Services → Devices → Add Matter Device.
  • Pick “No, it’s new” when prompted

Screenshot_20250715_192620_Home Assistant
Screenshot_20250715_192620_Home Assistant1080×823 74 KB

Code from integrations tab needed below:

Screenshot_20250715_192627_Google Play services
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Screenshot_20250715_192659_Google Play services
Screenshot_20250715_192659_Google Play services1080×1254 43.5 KB

Success! :partying_face: Devices show up with good responsiveness, but fewer details than I remember seeing in the YoLink integration:

Screenshot_20250715_193026_Home Assistant
Screenshot_20250715_193026_Home Assistant1080×1681 119 KB

Additional devices:

  • Try reloading the HomeAssistant Matter integration, or restarting the “Local Network” in the YoLink app.

Screenshot_20250715_194153_Home Assistant
Screenshot_20250715_194153_Home Assistant1080×1660 135 KB

Troubleshooting:

  • Update to the latest YoLink app
  • Make sure at least one device has been added to the local hub before trying to set up Matter integration
  • Try moving everything to the same local network
  • Disable “AP Isolation” mode for wifi, at least temporarily
  • Make sure your phone is actually on the correct wifi (same subnet) as the YoLink hub and HomeAssistant
  • I’m not familiar with Matter protocol or what ports it uses - try a base HomeAssistant installation (with IPv6) if you are not having any luck
  • Make sure you remembered to move the sensors/devices to the YoLink “Local Network” - they don’t appear in the integration unless you have disconnected them from the cloud.
  • If you power cycle the hub (or if it locks up) - remember to leave the switch OFF for 5-10 seconds. It really does take a while to fully go dark before it will boot properly. The LAN leds may flash on/off multiple times before it finally finishes booting. There is also an internal battery to be aware of - don’t just pull the power cord only.
  • I don’t know what the “Set” button is for on the back - probably also functions as a reset - it did not appear to be required for pairing to occur.
  • Can’t speak for the longterm reliability or performance yet since the Matter integration (and YoLink local hub) are both still quite new-ish…
  • All said, best of luck. If this ends up being all we get from YoLink, it is still a good step toward redemption in my book. I would like to run my iot gadgets completely independent from the cloud (as in, blocked from accessing the Internet) and I don’t know the long term implications if the hub cannot receive updates or renew security certificates … it is very possible the app may become the problem in the future since it appears very much needed for the onboarding and pairing process (unless the set button works for this, I haven’t checked). But it should still continue working even if YoLink goes out of business - you just may be limited what additional configuration is possible after such time.

Screenshot_20250715_192754_Google Play services
Screenshot_20250715_192754_Google Play services1080×1901 164 KB

4 Likes
2

Does this local hub also work well with API? Or only Matter supported?

3

This looks like a good and conprehensive guide.
It should really be moved to the Community Guide category, so it will not drown in all the question posts here.

1 Like
4

I checked the YoLink integration issues and community feedback tabs in GitHub. I didn’t find any release notes, pull requests or anything mentioning the local hub / ys1606 besides what has been mentioned here in the forum.

My first impression is that the local API and cloud API are functionally identical, so it may be possible for the official YoLink integration to support it in the future. It appears Matter is the only option for right now.

LoRa components are widely available outside of YoLink, and there are other ecosystems (Meshtastic, Chirpstack) which are fully local, with the same battery life and range, but not packaged as smarthome sensors. The YoLink ecosystem is closed/proprietary, but it does not stop independent efforts of competition (or hobbyists) from appealing to the same market. The only competition happening right now is who can do it the slowest, apparently. :sweat_smile: I think after waiting 3-4 years for the local hub, patience is the name of the game with this company. But the products work well and I hope they continue to make good on fully local (no app required) configuration in the future, to protect the investment in both money (personally), and the time that goes into community/open source integrations.

5

I spent several hours trying to get the Local Hub working with Home Assistant via Matter and going in circles validating Unifi network configuration. After upgrading the Yolink Local Hub firmware from 605>606, it paired instantly. Thank you for documenting your lessons learned with this walkthrough!!

6

That is not my experience. All my sensors continue to update in the Yolink cloud, even though they have all been added to the local network in the Yolink app. I can easily verify that by putting my smartphone on cell network, and opening the app. Opening/closing a door sensor on my desk still updates on the phone.

The doc states that you also need to repair all sensors to the hub by pressing the set button on them. I believe this stops them from talking to third party LoRA devices, which then upload your sensor status to the Yolink cloud. I was seeing sensor status update in the app on cell network even with my hub powered off. And I no longer see those updates.

However, with the local hub powered on, and connected to the Internet, it’s still updating the status of the sensors to the Yolink cloud, and the Yolink app on cell network is then able to retrieve it. I believe the only way to fix that is to block the hub from accessing the Internet in the firewall.

7

I finally was able to add and connect to yolink local hub and its devices and control/read the devices ,on apple app and i rinsed and repeated this like removing the bridge from apple to see if it shows up Restarting/installing matter on the HA
All I can tell you is NO JOY on the HA side of things, if anyone knows or can direct me to the “fix” it would be greatly appreciated

8

Any updates on if the problems have been fixed by YoLink for better HA intergration?

9

I am considering the purchase of the local hub. Thanks for the guidance and advice on previous posts.

I have one question though; if anyone has any advice I would very much appreciate it:

What happens if, aside from using Yolink devices in HA, I am also using them as part of alarm strategies within the Yolink App? Will those still work? Do I have to recreate the strategies (and the scenarios) after putting the devices under the local hub?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.