Smart locks and guest permissions
If carrying and lending spare keys has become a nuisance, consider digital keypads to manage access for teenagers, housekeepers, or out of town guests. Smart locks eliminate the need to leave a physical key under a doormat. When evaluating digital hardware, decide which entry methods and remote features you want. For example, the Schlage Encode Plus connects directly to a home Wi-Fi network and supports the Apple home key feature, allowing a resident to unlock the door by tapping a compatible phone or watch.
Remote functions need the supported network setup, while local entry has its own device and power requirements. We explain the features you can still use if the home internet goes down.
Assigning unique PIN codes makes permissions easier to manage. Activity records show use of a code, which is helpful but does not prove who held it. It also makes revoking access simple. After deleting a guest code, check that the change has reached the lock and that the code no longer works. However, physical backup key tracking remains a critical part of smart lock ownership.
Backup entry varies by model: some retain a key cylinder, while others use a different approved method. Revoking a digital PIN does not change which key operates the backup cylinder. If a guest kept a working backup key, include that cylinder in the access-change plan.
