HomeKit Unofficial Homekit modules from AliExpress

[samotivad]

Hello, has anyone tried the unofficial Homekit stuff from AliExpress? I'm wondering if they're safe and reliable. I think some of them use a generic Homekit number to connect to the Homekit app. I'm not sure what that means in terms of security / performance.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Itinj24]

Hello, has anyone tried the unofficial Homekit stuff from AliExpress? I'm wondering if they're safe and reliable. I think some of them use a generic Homekit number to connect to the Homekit app. I'm not sure what that means in terms of security / performance.

Thanks for any insight!

What are you looking at in particular? I ordered a lot of Aqara sensors from there and GearBest. They came with Chinese print on the boxes and instructions but they were all sealed and connected fine to the required Aqara HomeKit hub. Aqara is also a well known manufacturer of third party HomeKit devices.

 

[samotivad]

What are you looking at in particular? I ordered a lot of Aqara sensors from there and GearBest. They came with Chinese print on the boxes and instructions but they were all sealed and connected fine to the required Aqara HomeKit hub. Aqara is also a well known manufacturer of third party HomeKit devices.

Thank you, I will check out Aqara. It was mostly a question for curiosity because a lot of the time, the plugs and modules are cheaper on Aliexpress.

 

[Itinj24]

Thank you, I will check out Aqara. It was mostly a question for curiosity because a lot of the time, the plugs and modules are cheaper on Aliexpress.

?. I order them in bulk from those sites. Not sure where your located but it does take a while for them to ship to the U.S. (NY). Think one order took about a month and a half.

And since we’re on the topic, Can’t recommend Aqara enough. Absolutely amazing products in every way.

 

[Edelheid]

I used to have unofficial HomeKit plugs I purchased on those sites before I knew they were unofficial. I originally got them because they were the only ones I could find in my region before that were advertised to be HomeKit compatible.

While they do work in the Home app (it just warns you that the accessory hasn't been certified) I'm not sure it's worth the risk. It might be better to just run Homebridge and purchase cheaper plugs from established companies. That being said I eventually replaced all of my unofficial HomeKit plugs with official HomeKit certified plugs. (WeMo, Gosund, and Hue plugs)

I couldn't vouch for their quality be it in hardware or software; never found out if they're only rebranded Tuyas. But just the uncertainty alone in the hardware forced me to replace them because I wasn't comfortable with plugs in particular that may turn out to be faulty. I occasionally see negative Amazon reviews for smart plugs from established brands with a picture of a charred smart plug, don't know if the problem is a user fault but in any event I thought if that can happen to them what are the chances this no-name plug won't do the same at a higher certainty?