Smart Lock Installation: getting ready

Half the evenings someone asks whether the back door got locked, and nobody is sure. A lock that relocks on its own, shows its state in an app and reports when it was last opened would settle the question.

Worth answering before the call

How strong is the Wi-Fi signal when you stand at that door? Which door is the smart lock for, and what is it made of? Is there already a keypad or app lock on the door, and who set it up?

Can the lock be set to lock itself?

Most models offer auto-lock, and it is one of the settings the locksmith configures with you. You choose the delay, from a few seconds to several minutes, and the lock throws the bolt on its own once the door has been closed that long. Models with a door sensor wait until the door is actually shut, which avoids the bolt extending into thin air. Families who have ever wondered whether the back door got locked tend to value this most.

Do I need a hub or a bridge?

Only if the model you choose uses one to reach the internet. Some locks have Wi-Fi built into the interior unit and connect straight to your router. Others save battery by using Bluetooth at the door and a small plug-in bridge nearby to relay to the network. Locks designed for a home hub join whatever hub you already run. The locksmith checks signal strength at the door itself and recommends the arrangement that keeps the lock reliably connected.