Aqara U400 + Apple TV + Home Assistant setup, any real-world feedback?
I’m considering installing an Aqara U400 lock and wanted to sanity-check my planned setup before buying.
Current setup:
- iPhones in the household
- Home Assistant running directly on a PC
- No current Matter controller / Thread border router
- Planning to add an Apple TV 4K with Thread support as the hub
My current plan is:
- Use Apple TV / Apple Home for remote access, Home Key, notifications, and general iPhone integration
- Add the lock to Aqara Home for firmware updates, fingerprints, PIN management, and lock-specific settings
- Add it to Home Assistant for automations and custom notifications, especially alerts when the kids unlock the door
For anyone actually using the U400, would you recommend this setup, or would you do something differently? Would an Aqara hub be worth adding instead of, or in addition to, the Apple TV?
Also curious how well Home Assistant exposes user-specific unlock events. For example, can you reliably tell which kid unlocked the door by fingerprint/PIN, or does it mostly just show locked/unlocked?
Small concern: I’m also a bit wary of the proprietary rechargeable battery. I’d likely buy the version with two batteries so I can rotate them, but I’m wondering how people feel about long-term battery availability and lifespan (10+ years).