Response time from any voice or mobile app commands is very quick, thanks to that Wi-Fi radio. Apple’s notifications even tell you who unlocked the door, based on which device was used. The only difference is, here you tap your Home Key device to the lock and it unlocks. The Home Key experience is no different than using a phone or watch to pay for something at a retailer. So how does Home Key work? In a word: Fantastic! Since they’re in my Apple Home family, I didn’t have to manually send them a key. Even better, my wife and daughter automatically got the key on their devices. Once I turned on Home Key Express Mode, a digital key pass appeared in the Apple Wallet of my iPhone and my Apple Watch. You can opt to require FaceID or a Passcode if you want that extra security. I chose the Express option which doesn’t require me to authenticate with Apple’s FaceID on my iPhone to use it as a key. I then set up a numeric pin for us to unlock the door and was then asked if I wanted to use the Home Key functionality. Connecting the Wi-Fi network worked perfectly the first time even though the Schlage Encode Plus uses a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radio. I ran through the typical options of naming the lock and choosing a room for it in my smart home. Thanks to the NFC chip inside the lock, however, I was able to tap my phone to the lock for a faster setup. You typically scan a device’s HomeKit code with your phone’s camera to do this. Once I set up an account in the Schlage mobile app, I proceeded to use the Apple HomeKit setup process to find the lock. So I installed the Schlage app which told me a Schlage account was required so I spent a few minutes failing to get my phone to see the new lock. Usually, you can set up a HomeKit device without a manufacturer app. I did encounter a hiccup when setting up the Schlage lock, although I think the issue was mine. Then again, I think most smart locks are simple installs. To say the installation is easy would be an understatement. In under 10 minutes, I removed my old lock and installed the new Schlage hardware. The Schlage model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios inside the lock housing, so there’s no additional bridge or gateway needed. That bridge moves lock data and information from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi. Instead, there’s a Bluetooth radio that communicates to a small Next Lock bridge. It uses Wi-Fi as well, but that radio isn’t integrated into the lock itself. Up until last week, I had a Nest x Yale smart lock installed on my front door. What’s the installation and setup process like? Other than that though? I don’t see a difference. Clearly there’s the addition of an NFC chip inside. In fact, the new Schlage Encode Plus model looks just like Schlage’s “non-Plus” lock. The Encode Plus integrates with Amazon’s and Google’s smart home platforms as well. So although Home Key may be the star of the show in my eyes, this smart lock doesn’t require HomeKit. Of course, like the older Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi deadbolt, this newer model offers a numeric keypad. The ability to use those devices as a key is very appealing. Like me, they always wear an Apple Watch and carry an iPhone with them. I say that because my wife and daughter, who usually don’t get excited by new smart home gear, already love this lock. It’s a little pricey at $299.99, but well worth it if your smart home runs on the Apple HomeKit platform. For the past week, I’ve been testing the Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi deadbolt with Apple Home Key support. With Home Key, an iPhone or Apple Watch acts as a digital key for your smart home. Home Key uses the same NFC technology as ApplePay on iOS devices. Ever since Apple announced Home Key last year, I’ve been anxiously waiting to try a smart lock that supports it.
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