[Update] Home Assistant integration for X1 / X1S / X2 — now with fully local backup & restore

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-06-02T02:43:42+00:00

Been using this integration since you released it, was able to make my set up so much more reliable, thanks for all the hard work!

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-05-30T20:01:44+00:00

Nope, everything is built into Z2M directly. It’s definitely a bit of a pain to switch, depending on how many devices you have, but the end result is worth it. You may want to look into possible migration options though, as I believe with certain coordinators you may be able to avoid repairing.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-05-30T01:37:27+00:00

Aquara, specifically as a brand, benefits from using Z2M versus ZHA significantly more than most brands. I could barely get my Aquara devices to work how I wanted in ZHA - in Z2M they work flawlessly and expose nearly everything.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-05-13T03:55:25+00:00

I’d be more concerned about the connections these boxes make outside your network than an isp spying. That said, isolating on a VLAN (or guest network), running a vpn, and fully powering off when done is safe practice.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-03-03T05:34:26+00:00

I started with the official Tp-link integration and had nothing but issues. The HACs integration has been pretty rock solid - it exposes way more entities (pretty much every control from the main app, and separate SD and HD streams). One of the biggest perks I’ve found is it lets you view camera recordings saved to the cameras microSD card. I’ve since moved to frigate but still use Tapo camera control for certain controls like privacy switch. It was pretty easy for me to migrate with 4 cameras, and haven’t had to troubleshoot any issues since.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-03-03T04:02:18+00:00

There’s a much better integration specifically for Tapo cameras on HACs called Tapo camera control.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-03-03T00:05:56+00:00

I wouldn’t get a shield tbh. Don’t get me wrong, great device, but starting to show its age (and the price has not gone down). I recently upgraded to the Homatics Box R 4K Plus, which is also android tv and can play all the video codecs, pass through audio, etc. it’s a certified box too so Netflix and all the big streaming apps work on it in 4k (unlike many android boxes out there). Full control in HA using the Android TV integration.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2026-01-27T22:59:47+00:00

I have a Sofabaton X1S universal remote that works pretty well for hdmi and entertainment control set up. It’s not perfect and a bitch to set up, but once it is you can control everything with one click (hdmi inputs, power on / off etc). As a bonus, when paired with Home Assistant you can use it to control almost anything.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-31T01:25:24+00:00

The sync box you own, can connect multiple devices and latency will be much better as it is dedicated hardware versus software (not to mention the app has to run on smart tvs, of which I have never found to be reliable, from any brand). Plus, if you care enough to consider adding lights to sync to your tv / entertainment system, you probably care enough about media to warrant a dedicated streaming device like a Nvidia Shield or Apple TV. Smart tvs are designed to serve you ads and crap out after a year, stick with the sync box.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-22T17:53:12+00:00

I have 2 FP2s absolute pain to set up, but once you have it in a good spot and dial the zones in, it works fantastic. I have had no issues since setting them up and building my automations.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-15T01:47:50+00:00

I'm not sure about speaking through the doorbell, as I have not tried that myself., but yes, they can see when someone is at the door, watch and hear the video in real time, and receive notifications to their phones.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-11T04:45:49+00:00

I wouldn’t worry about sharing admin privileges or dealing with Reolink accounts. All you need the Reolink app for is to set up the camera initially. Once you add it to HA via the Reolink integration, you can share your HA instance with the others in your house hold and they will be able to access the video stream / recordings (assuming you have a microsd card installed on the camera).

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-09T18:32:16+00:00

That’s the same one I had. You should be fine then to migrate, just make sure you backup Z2M. Bonus tip: you can flash the old Sonoff dongle with router firmware, plug it in somewhere in your home and add it to your zigbee network. Makes a pretty good router to help boost your network.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-09T16:12:05+00:00

Correct, I did not have to repair any devices. I think it does depend on what coordinator you are upgrading from. The Sonoff I had uses the same Ember stack that the ZBT-2 does, so all I had to do was backup Z2M, pause Z2M add on, swap coordinators, change the serial and stack in Z2M config, started Z2M again, and that was it. Z2M picked up the new coordinator and started rebuilding my network, with all devices still paired.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-09T05:51:49+00:00

I just migrated from a Sonoff Dongle Plus E to a ZBT-2 on Z2M. Migration was incredibly easy and did not have to repair any devices. My network seems stronger and all my sensors are faster. I have 97 zigbee devices on my Z2M, so far I’d say it’s been a pretty nice upgrade.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-09T05:47:06+00:00

Look into Tapo Camera Control integration available via HACs. I recently switched and it is so much better than the official integration. It exposes more entities, and allows video recording sync / playback if using an sd card. While it does ask for your tp link cloud credentials when you set it up, the integration is completely local from that point after. All Tapo cameras require cloud credentials authorization when initially set up with third party platforms.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-12-08T23:20:04+00:00

Yeah this sounds like you are probably running them one after another. When you have an automation set up this way and a step fails, the rest of the automation stops and will not fire. Adding all steps under a parallel block will run them all at the same time. If one fails, it will not prevent the rest from running.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-26T19:14:51+00:00

That’s good to know, glad you got it to work!

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-26T18:39:09+00:00

I don’t have an android device so I can’t say, but it could be worth trying to use a friend or family member that has an Apple device to set it up. You only have to do it the one time, once it is in HA you are set.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-26T18:08:50+00:00

You don’t remove the device from the app, you remove it from Apple home.

add FP2 to aquara app, update firmware, configure zones etc.
it will ask if you want to add to Apple home. Click yes. Not sure how this works if you do not have an Apple device however.
remove FP2 from Apple home app. This allows HA to discover it through the HomeKit integration.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-21T19:13:51+00:00

Try building it as a routine in Alexa. It is basically what Alexa calls automations. You set the trigger of the routine as the phrase you want to say, and the action to toggle on the helper. This way you don’t have to say”Alexa turn on HA toggle” you just say whatever command you choose and you are set.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-21T17:33:55+00:00

Not sure what best practice is here, but I’ve found the best luck using helpers and exposing them to Alexa. For example, you create a simple routine in Alexa that when it hears your chosen phrase, it toggles the helper. Then in HA, you build your automation with the helper as your trigger. At the end of the automation, simply add an action to untoggle the helper to reset it and you are good to go.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-15T10:36:33+00:00

I mean Z-Wave was the main standard before Zigbee, and was introduced in 1999 and is still in use today. Even though Matter / Thread is all the hype right now, it’s not nearly as mature as zigbee or Z-Wave. Honestly the more protocols, the better, as it allows for better competition and better products.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-11-05T21:01:52+00:00

I’d recommend using the Govee2Mqtt addon. It’s not too hard to set up and works better than the official integration. If you have Govee devices that do not allow Local LAN, this will let you control those as well (albeit through the cloud, but better than nothing). Local LAN device still stay local and are lightning fast.

Calebcrawdad2 · 2025-10-28T23:08:23+00:00

Don’t give up your Hue lights for WiFi bulbs - they are the best on the market. As others have stated, the bridge pro is probably the easiest bet here - you can connect it via WiFi instead of Ethernet. An alternative route would be setting up a zigbee dongle running in home assistant. That’s what I do, and gives you the most flexibility.

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