How to Use Smart Home Devices with Mi Home App Across Different Regions and with other brands

4 min read
Some Xiaomi smart devices can work only with Mi Home app set for China region, other devices can be added to Mi Home only if there set other region, many cheap and popular smart devices, like Tuya, cannot be added to Mi Home app directly. How we can use all such devices together?

How to Use Smart Home Devices with Mi Home App Across Different Regions

Managing smart home devices can be challenging when some devices only work with specific regional settings in the Mi Home app. This guide will help you navigate these challenges and integrate other smart devices, such as Tuya, into your Mi Home system.
Mi Home for different regions and Tuya

Handling Regional Restrictions in Mi Home App

Option 1: Install Two Versions of the Mi Home App

One effective way to manage devices that require different regional settings is to install two versions of the Mi Home app on your smartphone. Here's how:
  1. Install the Official Mi Home App:
  • Download and install the Mi Home app from the official app store.
  • Set the region to China for devices that only work with the Chinese server.
  1. Create clone for Mi Home App: (this is not works for Apple users, there only one option is switching regions in the Mi Home app)
  • If you are using Xiaomi smartphone with MIUI shell, go to Settings -> Apps -> App Clone and select Mi Home app. In result, you will have 2 independent Mi Home apps, where you can set different regions.
  • On other Android smartphones you can install third-party application for app clone.

Option 2: Use a Region-Free modified Mi Home App

Another approach is to use a region-free version of the Mi Home app, which allows you to control devices from different regions within a single app. This method involves downloading a modified app that bypasses regional restrictions:
  • Uninstall the official Mi Home app.
  • Download a modified version of the Mi Home app that supports multiple regions from a trusted source.
  • Enable installation from unknown sources in your phone settings.
  • Install the modified app and feel free to use devices designed for different regions

Integrating Tuya Devices with Mi Home System

To integrate Tuya devices into your Mi Home system, you can use the following methods:

Method 1: Use Home Assistant

Home Assistant is a powerful platform that can bridge different smart home ecosystems. Here's how to integrate Tuya devices with Mi Home using Home Assistant:
  1. Install Home Assistant:
  • Set up Home Assistant on a compatible device (e.g., Raspberry Pi, server). Here is the example how to run Home Assistant in router.
  1. Add Tuya Integration:
  • In Home Assistant, go to Configuration > Integrations.
  • Click on Add Integration and search for Tuya.
  • Follow the prompts to log in with your Tuya account and link your devices.
  1. Add Mi Home Integration:
  • Similarly, add the Mi Home integration to Home Assistant.
  • Link your Mi Home account and devices. In the link above you can read about Xiaomi Gateway 3 integration project, which allows to add and manage all existing Mi Home devices by Home Assistant.
  1. Create Automations:
  • Use Home Assistant to create automations that involve both Tuya and Mi Home devices, allowing them to work together seamlessly.

Method 2: Use Google Home

If you prefer a simpler setup, you can use Google Home to control both Tuya and Mi Home devices:
  1. Link Mi Home to Google Home:
  • Open the Google Home app and go to Add > Set up device > Works with Google.
  • Search for Mi Home and follow the prompts to link your account.
  1. Link Tuya to Google Home:
  • Similarly, link your Tuya account to Google Home.
  1. Control Devices via Google Home:
  • Use Google Home to control both Tuya and Mi Home devices through voice commands or the Google Home app.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and integrate your smart home devices, regardless of regional restrictions.