Can a locksmith open a smart lock?

If you’ve locked yourself out of your home or business and it’s a smart lock, you’ll need to get back in. Perhaps you’ve lost your phone or Bluetooth access device. Now, you’re on the hunt for a locksmith who can get access to the property.

But can a locksmith open a smart lock? The answer, unfortunately, is no. That’s probably not what you wanted to hear. But, if you’ve set up your smart lock correctly (which we’ll go into below), it should be so secure that it renders it unbreakable to locksmiths.

If you’re new to smart locks, and the idea of an impenetrable, convenient device that locks your property interests you – then read on because we’re going to explore smart locks, what they are, how they work and how to make sure you utilise yours effectively.

And, if you do have a smart lock and have locked yourself out – give us a call because you never know.

What is a smart lock?

A Smart Lock is an electronic locking mechanism that connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to a device like your phone. It enables easy access to your home or business without the need to carry around a physical key. You can view an example here.

We all walk around with our phones now, and the benefit of a smart lock is convenience. For example, multiple people can have individual access, which means you don’t need multiple keys.

They offer features such as digital keys, access logs, and temporary access codes.

How safe are smart locks?

1. Choose a secure access code

Ensure that your lock and associated accounts have strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorised access.

Ie. Don’t make the password for your home 1-2-3-4! – It’s easy to remember but easier to guess.

Using a password storage app, like OnePassword, can help you keep track of your passwords, old and retired passwords and generate fresh, complex passwords that are uncrackable.

Create a password for each member of the household. Smart locks often let you know which code or user unlocked the door in a history log.

And, don’t share passwords!

2. If your lock has a scheduling feature, use it

The benefits of individual unique user access codes extend to scheduling. For example, if you have a cleaner, a dog walker, or someone who accesses your property on certain days or times, then you can limit their access to those periods.

Perhaps you have guests staying at your home, and they will only be there for the weekend. Enable their access on Saturday and Sunday only. That means that on the other days of the week, their access codes will not work, which reduces unauthorised access to your home.

3. Monitor battery life and keep the firmware updated

A dead battery could mean you get locked out of your own property. So, keep an eye on your battery to prevent that from happening.

Much like our phones, manufacturers update their software and firmware to address safety issues and bugs. Outdated technology can leave your smart lock open to faults while updating it can enhance its performance and security.

4. If it has a traditional key, keep the key somewhere safe

Some smart locks will include a mechanical key, useful should your battery die, and you need to manually override the device, so you’re not locked in! Make sure you keep this key in a safe location that can be accessed when you need it.

5. Lock your phone

Just like a physical key, it’s always possible to lose your phone. With a smart lock, your phone is now the key to your property – even more significantly, many smart lock apps can unlock your home from wherever the phone is, they don’t have to be at the property. And if you lose it, anyone that finds your device will be able to access your property if you don’t lock your phone.

Keeping your phone locked is a recommended safe practice anyway, but especially important when using a smart lock. Always keep your phone locked.

6. Have a strong door

In all circumstances, a lock is borderline redundant if it’s locking a weak door. Intruders can access your property by damaging your door and door jamb. A strong, secure door is an essential part of home security. Don’t forget it!

7. Set up safety features

Some smart locks will include enhanced safety features such as:

• Remote connectivity
• Alarm
• Auto-lock
• Decoy numbers

 

In this digital age, a smart lock can be the perfect choice to keep your home secure and convenient to access (for you and no one else!).

If you’ve found yourself locked out of your property with a smart lock, a locksmith is unable to pick it up, and you might be looking at a costly mistake.

Think through whether a smart lock is right for your property and weigh up your options before deciding.

To keep your home safe and secure, choose a trusted Locksmith service. Contact our team for a quote.