Expected lifespan for a Smart lock

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Expected lifespan for a Smart lock

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timbosan

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#3430520 3-Nov-2025 13:55

farcus:

Behodar:

This thread is about locks (for doors), not clocks :)

oops!! 😂
Oh well. In that case my Yale Assure smart lock is about four years old or so. All I have ever had to do is replace the batteries a couple of times.

I have two Yale Unity locks, one installed about 2 years ago, the other a few months. Both are working 100% and show no signs of issues.

As someone else said above - if it was a Tuya job from Temu etc. I wouldn't expect more than 12 months.

alasta

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#3430523 3-Nov-2025 13:59

Do these things have some sort of failsafe or do you get spontaneously locked out of your house when they randomly stop working?

gcorgnet

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#3430525 3-Nov-2025 14:00

alasta:

Do these things have some sort of failsafe or do you get spontaneously locked out of your house when they randomly stop working?

It depends on what you buy. Mine did:
- A micro USB port on the outside so you can plug it in with a battery pack and get it back and running if it suddenly runs out of battery (it warns you days in advance though)
- There is an actual/machanical key with this lock

gcorgnet

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#3430529 3-Nov-2025 14:04

Just to close this out.
The lock was from Eufy (one of those)

Eufy's support has been amazing and did the right thing.
I'm now sorted with a lock that works!

timbosan

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#3430535 3-Nov-2025 14:30

alasta:

Do these things have some sort of failsafe or do you get spontaneously locked out of your house when they randomly stop working?

Depends on the 'locked out' problem. As @gcorgnet mentioned some, including mine, have backup battery connections just in case. However the Unity models I have are only smart and have NO BACKUP KEY option. It's stated in the manual that you need another entry in case the lock fails. I read somewhere (Reddit?) that someone had this problem and had to break in through a window.

farcus

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#3430563 3-Nov-2025 16:09

alasta:

Do these things have some sort of failsafe or do you get spontaneously locked out of your house when they randomly stop working?

The Yale Assure locks have two pins on them that you can hold a 9 volt battery to.
There is also keyed entry in the picture below but my version has no keyed entry.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Goosey

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#3430630 4-Nov-2025 06:21

I’ve been contemplating a smart lock…

do you need to maintain the mechanicals or otherwise e.g. give it a lube each year? (Just as you do for normal locks)? Or does the act of lube upset the electronics?

tweake

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#3430691 4-Nov-2025 10:50

Goosey:

I’ve been contemplating a smart lock…

do you need to maintain the mechanicals or otherwise e.g. give it a lube each year? (Just as you do for normal locks)? Or does the act of lube upset the electronics?

i don't have one and i also don't lube my locks every year.

i expect the electrical locks will require well lubed mechanicals. they don't have to power of someone turning a key. tho the motor driven locks are probably better than the solenoid operated ones, depending on how they are geared. but ones with more force to overcome sticky mechanicals will use more power and go through more batteries.

richms

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#3430695 4-Nov-2025 10:59

I can't find a lock platform that has locks that will fit on all my different door types that is affordable. Im at the stage where the unifi protect stuff that I can connect to a suitable strike or magnet on each different door is looking like a better option.

Richard rich.ms

dahc

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#3430715 4-Nov-2025 11:45

gcorgnet:

Just to close this out.
The lock was from Eufy (one of those)

Eufy's support has been amazing and did the right thing.
I'm now sorted with a lock that works!

That's a great outcome! Allegion Schlage haven't been as supportive; they gave me a list of locksmiths for a repair (after saying they have no spare parts) and a list of retailers to purchase a new lock. Fair to say, I don't think I'll be shelling out another $600 for a Schlage.

gcorgnet

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#3430716 4-Nov-2025 11:48

Interesting and disappointing to hear about Shlage...
Depending on the sisutation, mentioning our good friend the CGA (and showing you're informed about the process to claim against it) can help with this.

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