Xiaomi Smart Home Device FAQ

heineken016 on 06/12/2017 - 14:36
Last edited 06/12/2017 - 15:46 by 1 other user

I've been bingeing on Xiaomi parts lately, and the same questions crop up so thought an FAQ could help, be an easy link for related posts.

What is ZigBee?
Think Wifi, but specifically for smart home gear. Unfortunately not all ZigBee devices talk to each other, so don't assume other brand ZigBee devices will work with Xiaomi stuff.

Do I need a Gateway for this device?
If it is ZigBee, yes. Otherwise it has nothing to talk too. The Gateway also has Wifi, letting it talk to the app. eg temp sensors, ZigBee sockets, wireless switches, etc
If it is Wifi, no. Use your regular home router. eg Yeelight WiFi bulbs, LED strip lights

Should I buy the 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 pack?
If you need all the bits in it, sure, it's not a bad deal. If you don't, you are probably better off buying a gateway then bits and pieces as they pop up for reduced prices.

Can this talk to Alexa/Google/etc?
The Gateway and associated ZigBee devices can't by default.
The (wifi) Yeelights can using the Yeelight app.

Are you sure it can't work with Alexa/Google/etc?
Well this is where HomeAssistant, which you've no doubt heard about, comes in.
If you are technically inclined, you can set up a local server (say a Raspberry Pi) using open source software, that lets you interact with pretty much any smart home devices. Think of it like a translator and new gateway.
There is a nice guide here: https://smarthomehobby.wordpress.com/2017/10/21/up-your-smar…

What's the deal with this Mainland China server I need to use in the Mi Home App?
These ZigBee devices and the Mi Home app actually need to talk to an external server to work. As they are only officially supported in China, there are a bunch of Mi Home servers but only the Mainland China one actually works. It looks like there will be others in the near future (Singapore) but they don't work yet. The China server means that some of the devices will have options in Chinese, and there isn't much you can do about it (besides HomeAssistant)

So it needs a server, will it still work if my net drops out?
Yep, the Gateway will be programmed and everything will still talk to each other locally (inc WiFi devices). You won't get app notifications however as the app needs to talk to the external server.

I'm worried about those crazy commies spying on my home!
Well, don't be, but if you are properly worried you should set up HomeAssistant and then block the Gateway from external connections in your router after setup.

What about this IR box/Universal Remote thing, what do I need to get it working, what can it do?
It's wifi, so you don't need a gateway. Control it with the Mi Home app. Apparently it can only send out one command at a time, but I don't have one so can't help here. It can (basically) control anything that has an IR remote.
The Broadlink version doesn't natively talk to Xiaomi gear - if you get HomeAssistant going though, you can tie them all together.

I've bought so many Xiaomi smart devices, and I don't even have somewhere to live!
Addicts can't help other addicts, I recommend just lean into it :)

Any other things, lmk and I'll update.

Electrical & Electronics Remote Control Universal Remote Xiaomi

Comments

  • myusername on 06/12/2017 - 14:47
    +3

    great post!!!

  • Latino on 06/12/2017 - 15:03
    +1

    Thanks!!!

  • chewbot on 06/12/2017 - 15:05
    +1

    Thanks heaps for this post!

    I have just decided to jump into this Xiaomi smart home world and still pretty overwhelmed.

    A few questions that I am stuck on at the moment:

    Can anyone tell me what happens if your internet goes down? Can the devices still communicate with each other?

    I am planning on having half a dozen motion sensors and a few cameras. If I loose internet (but still have power) will the motion sensor still be able to tell the yeelight (or the lamp plugged into the smart wall plug) to turn on?
    Will a siren that is set on the gateway device still go off?
    Will it be able to notify me on my phone that something has triggered a motion sensor?
    Will a camera be able to send a photo/short video to my phone?

    I appreciate anyones knowledge on this,
    Thanks.

    • SimBech on 06/12/2017 - 15:15
      +2

      sensors and devices can communicate without internet

      siren will still go off

      you wont get notifications from miHome without the internet
      you wont get camera connectivity without the internet

  • kiwijunglist on 06/12/2017 - 15:22

    If you read the post it sounds like there is a lot of chinese language / writing in app. In reality there is very little chinese as atleast 95% is english and most users will be fine. There are no instructions with the kit, however there are online guides and videos and it is very very easy.

    • heineken016 on 06/12/2017 - 15:29

      yeah I think we've talked about this in another thread hah.
      I've found it more like 80%, particularly when you start doing automation stuff.

      YMMV though I guess

  • testeagles on 06/12/2017 - 15:30

    WiFI socket is much harder to integrate into Home Assistant as you need to extract the key from inside the MiHome app. Zigbee socket is much easier as it is picked up as soon as it is connected

    • heineken016 on 06/12/2017 - 15:33

      got a link for this?

    • No on 06/12/2017 - 15:45

      Do I need a zigbee adapter for my pi to be able to use this in HA?

      Thanks

      • heineken016 on 06/12/2017 - 15:46
        +1

        No, the gateway is essentially the ZigBee adapter. It has wifi as well

    • t3chshopper on 08/12/2017 - 15:25

      Yeah, I had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get the code for my vacuum - unencrypt my phone, update Java on my PC as well, run MiToolkit as Administrator, enable Developer options and usb debugging.

  • L0zBargain on 06/12/2017 - 15:35

    Well done, good post!

  • chewbot on 06/12/2017 - 15:38

    Does anyone have any opinions on how sensitive the "human body sensors" are?
    If i have one set up at my front window would a car driving past 3 metres away trigger it?
    Or a big moth or a gecko?

    • kiwijunglist on 06/12/2017 - 16:56

      I can say it's not sensitive to fine movements, my girlfriend sitting on couch reading a book barely moving doesn't set it off. However when I walk into the room it goes off instantly. It reports no motion event each 1 minute i think, but motion is reported immediately.

      • chewbot on 06/12/2017 - 17:20

        Thanks.

        • kiwijunglist on 07/12/2018 - 08:39

          What I mean to say is.

          Motion after no motion is reported immediately.

          If there is no motion for 60s or 120s (I forget which) it will send a no motion event.

          If there is motion within 60s (or 120?) of there already being motion it will not send another motion event as the state will still be motion detected and not change.

  • Waffles on 06/12/2017 - 17:58

    Thanks for this. Convinced me to take the plunge.

  • drick on 07/12/2017 - 08:52

    Can anyone advise if more than one gateway will be required in your home (given the range of the gateway and/or the layout of walls in the house)?
    Also, do several gateways just work together or do they require additional setup?

  • kpyam2000 on 07/12/2017 - 08:57

    Hi, I've a Smart Switch. Has anyone figured out how to program / setup the Smart Switch to arm / disarm the alarm sensors i.e. door sensors, PIR sensors with 1 click? Thks

  • Joberu on 08/12/2017 - 09:00

    Hi. Would the door/window sensor be ok on an outside gate?

    • heineken016 on 08/12/2017 - 11:12
      +1

      As far as I know, they aren't for outdoor use. That said they are cheap so can two and see what happens!

    • t3chshopper on 08/12/2017 - 15:27
      +1

      They're not waterproof. If you are able to solve that problem somehow (I've certainly pondered it), could be fine.

  • havebeerbelywillsumo on 08/12/2017 - 15:32

    Headsup on the Zigbee Smart Socket - seems to have some form of earthing protection built in such that it won't accept a 2 pin Oz socket. Had to use a 3 pin plug powerboard then the lamp I wanted to on and off.

    • fefris on 08/12/2017 - 15:46
      +2

      this i believe can be bypassed using a toothpick (wooden one ;-))

      • havebeerbelywillsumo on 08/12/2017 - 21:04

        Thanks fefris, good idea but I think I'll remain cautious with these overseas electrics.

  • kacak on 30/05/2018 - 21:45
    +1

    For those who have a google home device, some good news – you can now use the China server and link your mi home account to Google Assistant. Besides the advantage of controlling devices such as the robot vacuum or air purifier, it also means we no longer need to put Yeelights on a separate Singapore server just to use google assistant.

    • walaj on 12/06/2018 - 18:03

      and now I believe you can use google home and your devices on "usa (singapore)" server…

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