HomeKit Weekly: Abode Lock and Keypad highlights the advantages of platform integration

I’ve been utilizing Abode as my safety system for over 4 years at this level. Even after I constructed a brand new home in 2022, I made a decision to decide on Abode as soon as once more regardless of with the ability to choose from something. It strikes a very nice steadiness between ease of use, robust expertise, and reliability. The merchandise are reasonably priced, and the monitoring plan works nice. As a result of the corporate has a UL-certified monitoring station. Abode lately launched a brand new Abode Lock & Keypad sensible lock, and I’ve had somewhat time to combine it into the Abode ecosystem to see the way it works.

HomeKit Weekly is a collection targeted on sensible residence equipment, automation suggestions and tips, and the whole lot to do with Apple’s sensible residence framework.

Good residence compatibility

The key draw back of the Abode Lock & Keypad is it’s solely appropriate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Though the precise Abode safety system and plenty of equipment are appropriate with HomeKit, the lock isn’t. I’d have liked to see HomeKit help it, however I nonetheless love the Abode ecosystem. You’ll probably have the ability to management it over Homebridge, at the very least considerably.

Set up course of

If you happen to’ve ever put in the August Good Lock, you’ll be very snug putting in the Abode Lock & Keypad. Much like August, it solely replaces the inside a part of the deadbolt. This type is both an enormous bonus or a serious unfavourable for you. The half-and-half possibility is incredible for somebody very involved in regards to the design of a wise lock on the outside. If you would like one thing that may provide a full lock expertise, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

One factor I’ve skilled after putting in numerous of those is that changing simply the inside a part of a lock a lot simpler, so should you’re involved in regards to the bodily set up a part of a wise lock, preserve that in thoughts.

As you may see within the video, you’ll wish to tape the skin of your deadbolt so it received’t fall off. You’ll then wish to take off the screw to your present deadbolt after which begin within the set up course of. It’ll take round fifteen minutes. One factor to notice: you’ll wish to be certain the battery is totally charged. The sunshine will flip blue as soon as it’s charged. The rechargeable battery is charged by USB-C. I had somewhat bother getting the entrance cowl off, however as soon as I did, it was a breeze.

When you’ve put in the lock, you’ll go into the Abode app so as to add it to your app. You’ll select Safety Add-ons, Abode Lock, stroll by way of the steps, enter your Wi-Fi data, after which it’ll scan to search for the lock. The Abode Lock may be paired to both a 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi community.

Utilizing the lock

The Abode Lock & Keypad presents a number of methods to work together with the lock by way of the Abode app, permitting for guide operation or integration with Abode’s CUE Automation as an actionable merchandise. You possibly can add as much as 10 folks to the app. Every consumer can create a singular PIN and register a fingerprint for entry. Nevertheless, establishing fingerprint entry requires the presence of each the account holder and the consumer, making certain safe enrollment.

To lock your door, the Abode Lock may be secured straight from the app or by way of a CUE Automation. If you wish to lock the door with out the app, you should use your bodily key or by urgent and holding a single button on the keypad for about 5 seconds. One factor to notice that whereas PINs and your finger can unlock the system, they can not lock it.

Moreover, the Abode Lock & Keypad has an Auto Lock operate, which I like. It robotically secures the Abode Lock after a predetermined interval. This function is adjustable by way of the lock’s settings within the app, with time delays various from 10 seconds to half-hour.

Wrap up

The key draw back of the Abode Lock & Keypad is the shortage of HomeKit help. You possibly can add it as an iOS residence display screen widget, although. There are some good integrations throughout the Abode app, should you use the Abode safety system, I extremely advocate it.

You should purchase the Abode Lock & Keypad from Amazon or straight from Abode.