Aqara Hub E1 Zigbee 3.0 USB Smart Mini Gateway Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

The Aqara Hub E1 is a compact and versatile smart home gateway designed to connect and control a wide range of smart devices. It acts as a central hub for your Zigbee 3.0 devices, enabling seamless integration with popular smart home platforms such as Mi Home App, Apple HomeKit, and Aqara Home App. With its USB power supply and 210° adjustable shaft, the Hub E1 offers flexible installation options and can extend your Wi-Fi signal through its relay function. It supports remote control via app, voice control through Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, and provides security monitoring and home automation capabilities.

Figure 1: Aqara Hub E1, compatible with Mi Home App and Apple HomeKit.

2. Product Overview

The Aqara Hub E1 is a mini gateway that facilitates communication between your smart devices and your chosen smart home ecosystem. Its key features include:

• USB Power Supply: Conveniently powered via any standard USB port (5V/0.5A).
• Zigbee Gateway: Connects and manages Zigbee 3.0 compatible sub-devices.
• 210° Adjustable Shaft: Allows for flexible positioning and optimal signal reception.
• Relay Function: Extends Wi-Fi coverage by creating a new wireless hotspot.
• Broad Compatibility: Works with Mi Home App, Apple HomeKit, and Aqara Home App.
• Voice Control: Supports Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant for hands-free operation.
• Home Automation: Automate ordinary appliances like lights, curtains, air purifiers, and thermostats.
• Security Monitoring: Monitors your home and sends alerts to your phone for events like intrusion or water leaks.

Figure 2: Key features of the Aqara E1 Hub.

3. Specifications

Figure 3: Detailed features and specifications of the Aqara Hub E1.

4. Setup

4.1 Initial Gateway Setup

1. Power On: Plug the Aqara Hub E1 into any standard USB port with an output power greater than 2.5W (5V/0.5A), such as a wall socket with a USB port, power strip, or power adapter.
2. App Installation: Download and install the desired smart home app (Mi Home App, Apple HomeKit, or Aqara Home App) on your mobile device.
3. Region Selection (Mi Home App): If using the Mi Home App, it is crucial to select the "China region" in the app settings for proper functionality.
4. Connect to Wi-Fi: Follow the in-app instructions to connect the gateway to your home Wi-Fi network. Ensure your mobile phone is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network during this process.
5. Platform Selection: The Aqara Hub E1 can work with Mi Home App, Apple HomeKit, and Aqara Home App. Note that Mijia and Aqara Home APP cannot be connected simultaneously. You can use Mijia APP + HomeKit or Aqara Home APP + HomeKit. Switching between platforms will restore the gateway to factory settings, requiring network, automation, and sub-device reconnection.

Figure 4: Navigate to Settings in the app.

Figure 5: Select 'Mainland China' as the region in app settings.

4.2 Adding Zigbee Sub-Devices

Zigbee sub-devices must be connected through the gateway to the app. Follow these steps:

1. In your chosen smart home app, initiate the process to add a new device.
2. Select the Aqara Hub E1 as the gateway to bind the sub-device.
3. Follow the specific pairing instructions for your Zigbee sub-device (usually involves pressing a button on the sub-device).
4. Once connected, you can view the list of bound sub-devices within the gateway's settings in the app.
5. To change the gateway bound to a Zigbee sub-device, first delete the sub-device from the app's homepage, then re-add it and select the new gateway.

5. Operating Instructions

5.1 Smart Home Ecosystem

The Aqara Hub E1 integrates various smart devices to create a comprehensive smart home experience. This includes:

• Home Automation: Create automated scenes and routines involving devices like smart wall switches, smart door locks, smart curtain controllers, and other compatible appliances.
• Security Monitoring: Receive push notifications for events such as intrusion detection (e.g., from door/window sensors) or water leaks (e.g., from water leak sensors).
• Environmental Monitoring: Monitor home climate, such as humidity, and automate responses like turning on a humidifier.
• Lighting Control: Manage smart lights and switches.
• Remote Control: Control your devices from anywhere using the app.
• Voice Control: Use voice commands with Siri, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant to manage your smart home.

Figure 6: Overview of the Aqara Smart Home ecosystem.

5.2 Wi-Fi Relay Function

The Hub E1 can extend your Wi-Fi signal. To use this feature:

1. Navigate to the "WiFi Relay" function within the app's device settings page.
2. Turn on the function. The device will have a default hotspot name and password, which you can modify.
3. The relay function allows the gateway to create a new wireless hotspot, expanding signal coverage for other Wi-Fi devices. It supports up to two lower-level devices to access this hotspot.

5.3 HomeKit Remote Control

To enable remote control of your Aqara devices via Apple HomeKit:

1. Add your Aqara devices to the Apple Home App.
2. You must have a HomePod, Apple TV (tvOS 11.0 or higher), or an iPad (iOS 12.0 or higher) set up as a home hub.
3. Refer to the Apple Home App prompts for specific operations and setup of your home hub.

6. Maintenance

• Firmware Updates: Regularly check for and upgrade the device firmware in the app to ensure optimal performance, compatibility, and stable communication between devices.
• Sub-Device Battery: If a sub-device frequently goes offline, check its battery level and replace it if exhausted.
• Cleaning: Keep the gateway clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.

7. Troubleshooting

7.1 Gateway Connection Issues

• Gateway E1 can't connect to Wi-Fi:
  • Place your mobile phone close to the gateway during connection.
  • Ensure your phone's Wi-Fi is turned on.
  • Confirm your mobile phone is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.
  • If the mobile app prompts connection failure, reset the gateway by long-pressing the button for 10 seconds until the orange indicator light flashes.
• Can't connect to the Youth Edition gateway hotspot (after Wi-Fi relay is on):
  • If your wireless router receives frequent connection requests, it might refuse to assign IP addresses. Try restarting your router or waiting for a period before attempting to connect again.
  • In environments with multiple routers sharing the same SSID but using different channels (e.g., office), the gateway may switch between routers, causing communication issues. It is recommended to use the Wi-Fi relay function in a single router environment.
• Failing to add a second device to the Wi-Fi relay hotspot:
  • For some mobile phone models, connecting the phone to the hotspot first might fill the device limit. After the first device transmits information successfully, disconnect your mobile phone from the relay hotspot to ensure the second device can connect.

7.2 Sub-Device Issues

• Sub-devices often go offline:
  • The sub-device may be too far from the gateway, or there might be metal obstructions. Try moving the sub-device closer to the gateway and avoid metal barriers.
  • The battery of the sub-device may be exhausted and needs replacement.
• Some sub-devices not found in the Home App:
  • Only sub-devices that support the HomeKit function will be displayed in the Apple Home App. Devices not authorized by "Works with Apple HomeKit" cannot access HomeKit.
• Remote control not working with HomeKit:
  • Ensure you have a HomePod, Apple TV (tvOS 11.0 or higher), or an iPad (iOS 12.0 or higher) set up as a home hub.
• Alarm function:
  • The Gateway E1 does not have a built-in speaker or buzzer. Alarm functions are realized through the linkage of sub-devices under the gateway via automation configurations.
• Identifying sub-devices of the same type:
  • You can query the information log of the device to distinguish them. When adding a device, it is recommended to rename it in the app based on its installation location or purpose.
• Adding Bluetooth sub-devices:
  • This gateway does not support the addition of Bluetooth sub-devices.
• Adding Wi-Fi smart devices:
  • Wi-Fi devices communicate directly through the LAN/router or cloud and do not need to be added to the gateway.

7.3 Gateway Settings

• Prevent accidental deletion:
  • This function prevents accidental resets caused by long-pressing the function key. When enabled, the device can only be unbound from the app (when connected to a normal network). This function can be turned on via "Preventing Erroneous Deletion Settings" in the app's device settings.

8. User Tips

• Region Setting: Always ensure the "China region" is selected in the Mi Home App settings for the Aqara Hub E1 to function correctly.
• Firmware Updates: Regularly update the device firmware to maintain compatibility and stable performance.
• Wi-Fi Environment: For optimal performance of the Wi-Fi relay function, it is recommended to use it in a single router environment.
• Device Naming: When adding multiple sub-devices, rename them in the app according to their location or function for easier identification and management.
• HomeKit Hub: Remember that an Apple HomeKit hub (HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad) is required for remote control functionality with HomeKit.

9. Warranty and Support

The Aqara Hub E1 comes with a one-year warranty. We guarantee official genuine goods. In case of any issues, please refer to the troubleshooting section or contact customer support.