Where are all the HomeKit enabled smart locks gone?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Where are all the HomeKit enabled smart locks gone?

GSManiac

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#315788 15-Aug-2024 20:22

Currently use a Schlage deadbolt that is Apple HomeKit compatible and needing to get a second one but there seems to nothing on the market these days that is HomeKit enabled. Everything seems to be Alexa or Google. Any idea what has happened? or any suggestions on where I might be able to pick something up.

TIA

RunningMan

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#3272261 15-Aug-2024 21:20

There was a new vesion of the Schalge that worrked with matter (I think?) and Homekit but the NZ importer didn't list it. Aqara do one too.

Handle9

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#3272294 16-Aug-2024 00:14

I’ve got an Aqara a100 from Amazon (I live overseas.) I wanted something with its specific form factor.

It’s very capable and works well. Its HomeKey performance is a bit lacklustre as it relies on Bluetooth. It has to connect to the Apple tv to get authentication before it opens. It works but it’s slow. If you didn’t have an AppleTv or HomePod near the door it may not work.

Other than that it’s very good. The finger print sensor is excellent and you can use inexpensive nfc tags. The app is decent but only used for programming the users, other than that there’s no real need for it.

The “zigbee” isn’t really zigbee. It has some proprietary components which means you can’t connect it to Zigbee2MQTT. You can only use it to connect to their proprietary hub. It doesn’t have matter support but I believe the u100 which is a bit newer does if it’s connected to a Aqara matter hub.

I’m happy with it, I’d be happier if it had matter support or proper zigbee but that’s a double edged sword. I’d buy it again.

johno1234

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#3272309 16-Aug-2024 07:19

That Aqara range is widely available in NZ.

The blurb mentions zigbee but you don’t need a zigbee hub right? Just a HomeKit hub?

boosacnoodle

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#3272339 16-Aug-2024 09:18

Deadbolts aren't that common in NZ and most of these tend to be deadbolts. Add the fact that they retail for around $500 and typically only work with one ecosystem (either. HomeKit or Google+Alexa) and they're just not that popular I suspect. I ordered a Yale Assure Lock 2 from Amazon.com.

johno1234

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#3272343 16-Aug-2024 09:31

Yale Assure range supports HomeKit over wifi as far as I can see and has a few different form factors including deadbolt and latch.

johno1234

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#3272344 16-Aug-2024 09:32

boosacnoodle:

Deadbolts aren't that common in NZ and most of these tend to be deadbolts. Add the fact that they retail for around $500 and typically only work with one ecosystem (either. HomeKit or Google+Alexa) and they're just not that popular I suspect. I ordered a Yale Assure Lock 2 from Amazon.com.

I'm looking at the Yale Assure lever model. It says it comes with HomeKit support but I wonder what if any features it offers the Android users in the house?

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Handle9

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#3272592 16-Aug-2024 15:08

johno1234: That Aqara range is widely available in NZ.

The blurb mentions zigbee but you don’t need a zigbee hub right? Just a HomeKit hub?

Correct. The hub is only used for automations.

johno1234

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#3272600 16-Aug-2024 15:58

Handle9:
johno1234: That Aqara range is widely available in NZ.

The blurb mentions zigbee but you don’t need a zigbee hub right? Just a HomeKit hub?

Correct. The hub is only used for automations.

I thought you would also need the hub for remote access outside of the home LAN too?

Handle9

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#3272608 16-Aug-2024 16:07

johno1234:

Handle9:

Correct. The hub is only used for automations.

I thought you would also need the hub for remote access outside of the home LAN too?

No. Homekit takes care of that.

Edit: The hub (AppleTV in my case) connects to the lock via bluetooth and unlocks.