Aqara Launches Smart Lock U200 With Apple Home Key Support

Tuesday July 9, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Smart home device maker Aqara today announced the launch of the Smart Lock U200, its latest HomeKit-compatible lock option. The U200 has a number of smart features, including compatibility with home key for hands-free door unlocking.

aqara u200 smart lock
Aqara's latest smart lock uses the Matter smart home protocol, so it works with HomeKit and other Matter-compatible smart home platforms. Aqara says the Smart Lock U200 is one of the first Matter-over-Thread locks that supports the NFC-based home key feature for the iPhone and Apple Watch.

Home key is designed to allow the U200 to unlock when an ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch is tapped against the lock, with a digital key stored in the Wallet app. The feature can be set up to allow for unlocking without authentication thanks to an Express Mode feature for quick entry, and unlocking works even if the user's Apple Watch or ‌iPhone‌ runs out of battery.

Like last year's U100 Smart Lock, the U200 is able to sense if the door is open, sending an alert if someone forgets to close the door. It is also able to lock the door automatically after it is shut, which is a handy option.

Multiple entry methods are supported, including unlocking with an ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch, a mechanical key, PIN code, fingerprint scan, Aqara app, or an NFC card. There are options for providing one-time passwords and periodic passwords to guests. When enabled, the U200's Quiet Unlock mode disables all beeping and other notifications that typically accompany an unlock, with noise limited to the whir of the motor.

The U200 is sleeker and less industrial looking than the U100 Smart Lock, and it is designed to fit over existing locks without needing modification. There is a rechargeable battery inside that is designed to last for up to six months, and the keypad is powered by AAA batteries or a hardwired connection.

As a Matter-over-Thread device, using the Aqara U200 with a ‌HomeKit‌ setup will require a home hub like the HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet.

The Smart Lock U200 is available from Amazon for $270. It comes in either black or silver.

Tag: Aqara

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Top Rated Comments

Menhir

15 months ago

On the Aqara site, it says that you can ask Siri to open the door. This might be a stupid question, but how does one prevent someone saying that fairly loudly from the crack at the bottom of the door into the house and have a HomePod unlock it?

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jcooper17

15 months ago

"home key for hands-free door unlocking."

So is it hands free unlock or not? The article says hands free but he current implementation of HomeKey requires you to tap your phone on the lock? If they will be first to market with support for UWB and actual hands free that would be fabulous. But there is no mention of that?

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

octopi

15 months ago

Hmmm, give them to 'The Lock Picking Lawer' on YouTube then we'll see how robust they are.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

bigboy29

15 months ago

Locks with large keypads mounted toward the street are a bit of a joke, IMO. Go to any place that has keypads on doors (like some stores, some places in the airports, etc.) - it is very easy to see the PIN as people enter it. Kind of PINs on phone screens, actually (or those hilarious sign-in patterns on Android phones).

IMO, I love the ability to have a keypad but I want it to be remote. Level lock allows this. So I can install the keypad but install it in a way that it is hidden when people type a PIN.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Yammabot

15 months ago

$300 to replace a $25 keyed lock is just wrong. Especially if it’s in need of batteries a phone/watch and most likely a spare key for when it just doesn’t work. I have a $50 electronic lock on my inner garage door and a year after installing it (and liking it) I came home late from an over seas trip and it was just dead. No warning no nothing just dead. So at 1am after a 8hr flight and two hour car ride I had to break into my own home because the lock crapped out. Needless to say I was not happy and it cost me $800 to fix the door which now has a keyed lock again.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)