Apple HomeKey
The Best Smart Locks with Apple HomeKey (2027)
Apple HomeKey smart locks for 2027: tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, even with a dead battery.
The short answer
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best Apple HomeKey lock and the best iPhone-household lock overall. Mixed-platform homes should pair it with a keypad lock like the Yale Assure Lock 2 for non-iPhone users.
Our top picks at a glance
- Schlage Encode PlusApple HomeKey plus WiFi, in a Grade 1 deadbolt.Best HomeKey lock
- Yale Assure Lock 2The flexible keypad lock that fits every smart home.Best keypad companion
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)Keep your key and deadbolt; add brains inside.Best retrofit for HomeKit
- Aqara Smart Lock U200Retrofit Matter lock with Apple HomeKey support.Best Matter retrofit
- Aqara Smart Lock U50The Home Key deadbolt with keypad entry and a rekeyable cylinder.Best for Apple HomeKit
- Level Lock+ WiFiA Home Key deadbolt that hides its electronics inside a standard-looking lock.Home Key in a lock that looks standard
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Tapping a watch to open the door while the phone stays in a pocket feels effortless daily
- Power reserve unlocking after a phone battery fades covers the exact arrival owners worry about
Common complaints
- Android guests and family members cannot use the tap feature and fall back to codes
- The best HomeKey hardware still carries a premium over a plain keypad deadbolt
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Security grade | Unlock methods | Connectivity | Access codes | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schlage Encode Plus | Best HomeKey lock | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 | Apple HomeKey, keypad, key, app | Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth | Up to 100 | 2x AA (keypad model) |
| 2 | Yale Assure Lock 2 | Best keypad companion | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 | Keypad, key, app | Bluetooth; WiFi via module | Up to 250 | - |
| 3 | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) | Best retrofit for HomeKit | - | App, auto-unlock, key (existing) | Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth | - | 2x CR123A |
| 4 | Aqara Smart Lock U200 | Best Matter retrofit | - | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | Aqara Smart Lock U50 | Best for Apple HomeKit | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | Level Lock+ WiFi | Home Key in a lock that looks standard | - | - | Wi-Fi via Level Connect bridge (included) | - | CR2, housed in the bolt |
Best HomeKey lock
Schlage Encode Plus
Apple HomeKey plus WiFi, in a Grade 1 deadbolt.
The Encode Plus remains the reference HomeKey lock: Grade 1 deadbolt, built-in WiFi, and Express Mode tap-to-unlock that works for hours after the iPhone battery dies. Nothing else combines this security grade with this integration.
Strengths
- Apple HomeKey: tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, even with a dead phone battery
- Built-in WiFi for remote access with no separate hub or bridge
- ANSI Grade 1 certified, the highest residential security rating
- Fingerprint-resistant touchscreen keypad with up to 100 access codes
Limitations
- No fingerprint reader; keypad codes or phone are the keyless methods
- HomeKey is Apple-only, Android users lose the headline feature
- Premium price for the hardware
| Security grade | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 |
|---|---|
| Unlock methods | Apple HomeKey, keypad, key, app |
| Connectivity | Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Access codes | Up to 100 |
| Battery | 2x AA (keypad model) |
Best for: iPhone households that want tap-to-unlock and top-tier build quality.
Skip if: You are on Android or want fingerprint unlock.
Best keypad companion
Yale Assure Lock 2
The flexible keypad lock that fits every smart home.
For mixed-platform households where only some members carry iPhones, the Assure Lock 2 gives everyone keypad codes while iPhone users get HomeKit control. A pragmatic second lock for the back door.
Strengths
- Modular radio design: WiFi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee modules for any hub
- Auto-lock with DoorSense confirms the door is actually closed
- Slim, modern keypad design that suits contemporary doors
- Yale Access app with temporary guest codes and entry history
Limitations
- WiFi module is a separate purchase on base models
- No biometric unlock option
- ANSI Grade 2, a step below Grade 1 deadbolts
| Security grade | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 |
|---|---|
| Unlock methods | Keypad, key, app |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; WiFi via module |
| Access codes | Up to 250 |
| Auto-lock | Yes, with DoorSense |
Best for: Households that want keypad entry with a choice of WiFi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee.
Skip if: You want fingerprint unlock or Apple HomeKey.
Best retrofit for HomeKit
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Keep your key and deadbolt; add brains inside.
Full HomeKit support including Siri unlock and automations, in a retrofit body renters can install. No HomeKey tap, but auto-unlock on approach covers the hands-free case.
Strengths
- Retrofit design keeps your existing key, deadbolt, and exterior hardware
- Built-in WiFi with no bridge required for remote access
- DoorSense tells you if the door is open, closed, or ajar
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock based on phone proximity
Limitations
- No built-in keypad; the keypad is a separate accessory
- Interior-only unit means no exterior upgrade in looks or weather sealing
- Auto-unlock can trigger while you are still nearby but outside
| Design | Retrofit, interior mount |
|---|---|
| Unlock methods | App, auto-unlock, key (existing) |
| Connectivity | Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Door sensor | DoorSense open/closed detection |
| Battery | 2x CR123A |
Best for: Renters and anyone who cannot replace the exterior deadbolt.
Skip if: You want a keypad on the door itself.
Best Matter retrofit
Aqara Smart Lock U200
Retrofit Matter lock with Apple HomeKey support.
The U200 brings Apple HomeKey to a retrofit lock: tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock while the existing exterior cylinder stays in place, with Matter over Thread for local control.
Strengths
- Apple HomeKey: unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch
- Matter-over-Thread for local smart home control
- Retrofit design keeps the existing exterior cylinder
- Keypad accessory for code entry
Limitations
- Needs a Thread border router for Matter features
- Adapter fit varies by deadbolt brand
- Aqara app setup has more steps than August
| Install type | Retrofit over existing deadbolt |
|---|---|
| Smart home | Matter-over-Thread, Apple Home |
| Entry methods | HomeKey, app, keypad add-on, original key |
| Power | Rechargeable battery |
| Auto-lock | Yes |
Best for: Apple households that need a retrofit lock with HomeKey.
Skip if: Your door uses a non-standard deadbolt the adapter cannot fit.
Best for Apple HomeKit
Aqara Smart Lock U50
The Home Key deadbolt with keypad entry and a rekeyable cylinder.
A full deadbolt with Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock including power reserve, keypad codes for guests, and a rekeyable cylinder, at a mid price below the flagship HomeKey locks.
Strengths
- Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch, including power reserve
- Keypad codes including one-time and periodic passwords
- Rekeyable cylinder can match an existing 5-pin key
- Auto-lock with built-in gyroscope door sensing
Limitations
- No fingerprint reader
- Remote access and Matter features need an Aqara hub
- NFC card for tap entry is sold separately
| Smart home | Apple HomeKit and Home Key; Matter, Alexa, and Google with an Aqara hub |
|---|---|
| Keypad | Touch keypad with PIN codes |
| Entry methods | Home Key, code, key, app, NFC card (sold separately) |
| Power | 4 AA batteries, USB-C emergency power |
| Auto-lock | Yes, with built-in gyroscope |
Best for: Apple Home households that want Home Key tap-to-unlock without flagship pricing.
Skip if: You want a fingerprint reader; the U50 has none, so choose a fingerprint model instead.
Home Key in a lock that looks standard
Level Lock+ WiFi
A Home Key deadbolt that hides its electronics inside a standard-looking lock.
The Lock+ supports Apple Home Key with power reserve, so an iPhone or Watch tap opens it even after the phone battery fades, while the door keeps the look of ordinary BHMA AAA stainless hardware instead of a gadget.
Strengths
- Apple Home Key unlocks with a tap of iPhone or Apple Watch, including power reserve after the phone battery dies
- Electronics hide inside a lock that looks like ordinary premium hardware
- BHMA AAA rating, the highest residential grade, with a stainless steel build
- Also opens with included key cards, fobs, the app, or a physical key
Limitations
- Wi-Fi runs through the included Level Connect plug-in bridge rather than the lock itself
- Runs on a single CR2 battery inside the bolt, a less common cell to keep spare
- Premium pricing for a deliberately minimalist feature set, with no keypad or fingerprint on the lock
| Model | C-L16U-S1 (Satin Nickel) |
|---|---|
| Home Key | Apple Home Key with power reserve |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi via Level Connect bridge (included) |
| Battery | CR2, housed in the bolt |
| Grade | BHMA AAA, stainless steel |
Sources: CamelCamelCamel, Desertcart product details, Level product documentation
Best for: Apple households that want Home Key tap-to-unlock without a visibly smart lock on the door.
Skip if: You are outside the Apple ecosystem; Android households get more from a fingerprint or keypad model.
Questions, answered
What is Apple HomeKey?
HomeKey stores a digital house key in Apple Wallet. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock to unlock, with Express Mode working without waking the device, and for hours after the phone battery dies via power reserve.
Does HomeKey work for guests?
Yes. You can share HomeKey access through Apple Wallet with time limits, and revoke it anytime. Guests need an iPhone or Apple Watch; Android guests need a keypad code instead.
Is HomeKey more secure than a code?
Yes. HomeKey uses NFC with cryptographic authentication tied to your Apple ID and device biometrics. Codes can be shoulder-surfed or shared; a HomeKey cannot be copied by watching.
What if I switch to Android?
You lose HomeKey but keep everything else: the Encode Plus keypad, app, and WiFi all work platform-free. This is why we recommend locks with multiple independent unlock methods.