One of the newest features of iOS is the ability to use your iPhone or Apple Watch as the key to your home. It’s a simple convenience that is arguably priceless.
The folks over at Schlage now have a new smart lock that has the ability for users to unlock their doors from their iPhone or Apple Watch via the Wallet app. It is Schlage’s Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt.
This smart lock retails for $249 through retailers like Home Depot and allows consumers to have a convenient, technical and stylish way to lock and unlock their door. It is set to be released sometime this spring.
To use the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt, the user will have to have their iPhone running iOS 15 and their Apple Watch running the latest version of watchOS.
Here are some of the features of this new Schlage smart lock:
- With Apple Wallet, you can use home keys to lock and unlock your door, even without an Apple home hub. As long as you’re close enough to the door to tap to unlock, you can use your compatible Apple Watch or iPhone to enter. It’s the same as if you were paying for groceries with the Wallet app or showing your boarding pass at the airport. They’re all simple, convenient and secure.
- Add and delete up to 100 unique access codes using the Schlage Home app on any smartphone or the Apple Home app on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Please note that if you choose to use your Apple device, you will need to be near the lock to activate a new code unless you’re synced with a compatible Apple home hub. More on remote access with Apple Home in a minute.
- If you want to schedule codes ”“ have them active on a recurring or temporary basis ”“ you’ll want to use the Schlage Home app. This way, you can set the codes to be active only on Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m. or on June 10-15, for example. Codes created via the Apple Home app will remain “always on,” activated all day, every day.
- If you like using Alexa or Google Assistant at home, you can still do that, even if you’ve paired the Schlage Encode Plus lock with an Apple device, too. The deadbolt’s built-in WiFi means you can connect directly to those two voice assistants to check the status of the lock or to lock the door with a simple voice command.
The lock does also provide consumers the ability to use Siri and be able to give commands to it related to the smart lock.
This lock at this time looks like it will be sold through Home Depot, as previously mentioned, but also through other retailers such as Amazon, Lowe’s, Build with Ferguson, Ring, True Value and Do It Best.
What are your thoughts on a smart lock like this being on the market now? Comment below or let us know on Twitter at @appleosophy.
