READING TIME: 3 MINUTES
In this guide, I will show you how to add an Ikea TRADFRI Wireless Motion sensor to Home Assistant in 2021. This device uses the Zigbee prototcol, not zwave, so you will pair it using the ZHA integration within Home Assistant.
For reference, here is what it looks like:
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Unbox Device
The first step is to obviously unbox the device. It contains two batteries, a piece of 3M tape, and the motion sensor itself.
To install the batteries, you must remove the backplate. You may be able to do this with your thumbnail, but I had to use a small flathead screwdriver and gently pry it off.
Then, using a small phillips screwdriver, remove the battery cover.
Insert the two batteries afterwards.
For testing, I would keep the battery cover and backplate off until successfully added to HA.
How To Pair Ikea Motion Sensor to Home Assistant
You will see 3 buttons inside the backplate.
Factory reset by pressing the middle “link” button 4 times rapidly. A red LED should display on the front indicating it has been reset.
This also puts the device into pairing mode.
In Home Assistant, navigate to Configuration > Integrations > Zigbee Home Automation (or ZHA).
Click Configure > Add Device.
Change the device name and assign it to an area.
Turn On Lights When Motion Detected by Ikea TRADFRI Motion Sensor
This is actually two different automations: one for turning on the light during a certain time, and another for turning the light off if no motion was detected for 1 minute.
For this example automation, I am going to turn on the in-wall switch located in my master closet only if it’s between 6:30am and 11:00pm.
Automation 1: Turn On Lights When Motion Detected
Go to Configuration > Automations and create a new blank automation. Give it an appropriate name and configure the settings to match mine.
Automation 2: Turn Off Lights after 1 Minute of no motion
This one is a little more simple, but follow my automation below for this one as well.
Reboot Home Assistant
The final step before the automations will start working is to reboot Home Assistant from Supervisor > System > Reboot Host.
If you don’t reboot or reload your automation, you will see errors in your log file and the automation won’t trigger correctly.
Wrapping Up
After you confirm everything is working well, go ahead and screw in the battery cover and re-attach the backplate. Attach the motion to a wall or ceiling using the included 3M sticker.
My Favorite Home Assistant Devices
Below are some of the Home Assistant-compatible devices I personally use in my home. I highly recommend each of them.
- Zwave/Zigbee hub: Nortek GoControl HUSBZB-1
- Smart Plugs: Sonoff S31 Lite Zigbee
- Motion Sensors: Hue Indoor Motion
- Outdoor Camera: Amcrest IP5M Turret
- Robot Vacuum: Roborock S7
The full list of all Home Assistant compatible & recommended devices I use can be found on my Equipment List page.
6 comments
The IKEA motion sensor doesn’t work with Home Assistant, because of the timer (180 sec.) problem.
I was able to get it working, but it’s detection was a little too slow for my liking so I returned it. I went with a Philips Hue Motion Sensor and it’s bee fantastic:
I have followed your advice but am unable to connect. Initially I get a request to select serial port for signee radio, clicking submit provides 5 alternative radio types. Trying all of them does not connect. Any thoughts as you do not mention this step.
Thanks
Unfortunately I can’t remember exactly – I ended up returning mine in favor of the Hue Motion Sensor, which works 100x better and paired instantly: https://amazon.com/dp/B076MGK22M?tag=smarthomepursuits-20
Mine paired without problems but I can’t detect motion with it. I get not reaction in HA.
Yeah, mine paired too but it was very flaky so I returned mine on state changes. If you watch Developer Tools you’ll probably see it’s slow to respond. I ended up getting Hue Motion Sensors which are a little more pricy, but the status updates instantly with no cooldown period and it’s been rock solid.