What You Will Need

Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro (PoE model)
Aqara Home app (iOS or Android)
PoE switch or PoE injector (IEEE 802.3af compliant)
Ethernet cable (Cat5e or Cat6 recommended)
MicroSD card (up to 512 GB, for local recording — sold separately)
Drill and mounting hardware for outdoor or permanent installation
Optional: Aqara Zigbee accessories to pair directly with the camera hub

Step 1: Plan Your Cable Route

The PoE model receives both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, which simplifies installation in locations far from power outlets. Plan your cable route from your PoE switch or injector to the camera's mounting location. Measure the distance to ensure your cable run does not exceed 100 meters (328 feet). If running cable through walls or ceilings, plan your drill points and use cable clips or conduit to keep the installation clean.

Step 2: Mount the Camera

Use the included mounting template to mark drill holes at the desired location on the wall or ceiling.
Drill pilot holes and insert the included wall anchors if mounting on drywall, masonry, or concrete.
Attach the mounting bracket to the wall using the included screws.
If installing outdoors, ensure the mounting location is under an eave or overhang for additional weather protection, even though the PoE model is rated for outdoor use.

Step 3: Insert a MicroSD Card (Optional)

Before mounting the camera in its final position, insert a microSD card into the card slot on the camera. This enables local video storage without any cloud subscription. The camera supports cards up to 512 GB and can record continuously or on motion events.

Step 4: Connect the Ethernet Cable

Run your Ethernet cable from the PoE switch or PoE injector to the camera location.
Connect one end of the cable to a PoE-enabled port on your switch or the "PoE" port on your injector.
Connect the other end to the Ethernet port on the camera.
The camera will power on automatically once it receives PoE power. Wait for the status indicator to begin blinking, indicating it is ready for setup.

Step 5: Add the Camera to Aqara Home

Open the Aqara Home app and tap the + icon to add a new accessory.
Select Camera Hub G5 Pro from the device list or scan the QR code on the camera body.
The app will detect the camera on your local network via the Ethernet connection. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete pairing.
Assign the camera to a room and give it a name such as "Front Porch Camera" or "Garage Camera."

Step 6: Adjust Camera Settings

Open the camera's device page in the Aqara Home app to configure key settings:

Video Quality — The PoE connection supports full 2K streaming without WiFi bandwidth concerns.
Night Vision — Enable infrared night vision for clear footage in low light.
Motion Detection Zones — Draw activity zones on the camera's field of view to focus alerts on entry points like doors and driveways.
AI Detection — Enable on-device recognition for people, vehicles, pets, and packages to receive smarter notifications.
Recording Schedule — Set continuous recording, event-based recording, or a custom schedule.

Step 7: Use the Built-In Zigbee Hub

Like the WiFi model, the PoE Camera Hub G5 Pro functions as a Zigbee 3.0 hub. You can pair Aqara Zigbee accessories such as door sensors, motion sensors, and temperature sensors directly to the camera. Navigate to the camera's settings in the app and select Child Devices to begin pairing. This is especially useful for monitoring areas where you do not have another Aqara hub nearby.

Step 8: Integrate with Smart Home Platforms

The Camera Hub G5 Pro supports Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. With HomeKit Secure Video, all recordings are end-to-end encrypted and stored in iCloud (requires an iCloud+ plan). For Google Home or Alexa, link your Aqara account in the respective companion app to view the live feed on smart displays and TVs.

Tips

PoE provides a more reliable connection than WiFi, making this model ideal for critical security locations.
Use weatherproof Ethernet connectors if any part of the cable run is exposed to the elements.
If your PoE switch supports VLAN segmentation, place the camera on a dedicated IoT VLAN for improved network security.
Keep the camera firmware up to date through the Aqara Home app.

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