Apple Home Key turns your iPhone or Apple Watch into the key to your front door. The key is stored in Apple Wallet, and you unlock the door by holding your device near the lock, the same way you pay with Apple Pay. The newest locks go one step further and unlock as you walk up, while your iPhone stays in your pocket.
However, a lock that works with Apple Home doesn’t always support Home Key. It needs specific hardware inside the lock, so the list of Apple Home Key compatible locks is still short. Below are eight of them: two hands-free locks, three tap-to-unlock deadbolts from Schlage, Level and Yale, and three lower-priced options from Aqara (including one for doors without a deadbolt). If you don’t need Home Key, our HomeKit smart locks guide covers more options.
Quick Recommendations
- Aqara Smart Lock U400 — Best overall. Hands-free unlocking, a fingerprint reader and a rechargeable battery, for less than the other hands-free lock.
- Schlage Sense Pro — Best premium hands-free lock. Schlage’s hands-free deadbolt, with built-in Wi-Fi and no keyhole.
- Schlage Encode Plus — Best with built-in Wi-Fi. A tap-to-unlock deadbolt with a key backup that works without a hub.
- Level Lock Pro — Best invisible design. It looks like an ordinary deadbolt, with Home Key hidden inside.
- Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus — Best mid-range. A keypad deadbolt without a keyhole from a well-known lock brand.
- Aqara Smart Lock U200 — Best retrofit. It fits over the deadbolt you already have, so you keep your keys.
- Aqara Smart Lock U100 — Best budget. Home Key and a fingerprint reader for around $150.
- Aqara Smart Lock U300 — Best for doors without a deadbolt. A lever lock with Home Key for side doors and garage entries.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Product | Ecosystem | Key Feature | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqara Smart Lock U400 | Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings | Hands-free and tap, fingerprint | ~$270 | Best overall |
| Schlage Sense Pro | Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings | Hands-free and tap, built-in Wi-Fi | ~$339 | Premium hands-free |
| Schlage Encode Plus | Apple, Alexa, Google | Tap to unlock, built-in Wi-Fi | ~$329 | Homes without a hub |
| Level Lock Pro | Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings | Tap to unlock, looks like a regular deadbolt | ~$349 | Invisible design |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus | Apple | Tap to unlock, no keyhole | ~$220 | Mid-range |
| Aqara Smart Lock U200 | Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings | Tap to unlock, keeps your deadbolt | ~$190 | Retrofit |
| Aqara Smart Lock U100 | Apple (others with an Aqara hub) | Tap to unlock, fingerprint | ~$150 | Lowest price |
| Aqara Smart Lock U300 | Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings | Tap to unlock, lever handle | ~$200 | Doors without a deadbolt |
Compatibility Matrix
| Product | HomeKit | Alexa | Google Home | Matter | Thread | Hub Required | Wiring/Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqara Smart Lock U400 | Yes (Home Key, hands-free and tap) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes | Yes | Thread border router | Rechargeable battery |
| Schlage Sense Pro | Yes (Home Key, hands-free and tap) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes | Yes | None on Wi-Fi; Thread hub for hands-free | 4 AA batteries |
| Schlage Encode Plus | Yes (Home Key, tap) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (Apple Home only) | No (Wi-Fi built in) | 4 AA batteries |
| Level Lock Pro | Yes (Home Key, tap) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes | Yes | Thread border router | CR2 battery |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus | Yes (Home Key, tap) | With Yale Wi-Fi module | With Yale Wi-Fi module | No | No | Apple home hub for remote access | 4 AA batteries |
| Aqara Smart Lock U200 | Yes (Home Key, tap) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes | Yes | Thread border router | Rechargeable battery, 4 AAA in the keypad |
| Aqara Smart Lock U100 | Yes (Home Key, tap) | With Aqara hub | With Aqara hub | With Aqara hub | No | Apple home hub or Aqara hub for remote access | 4 AA batteries |
| Aqara Smart Lock U300 | Yes (Home Key, tap) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes (via Matter) | Yes | Yes | Thread border router | 4 AA batteries |
Four of these locks (the U400, U200, U300 and Level Lock Pro) use Thread to connect to your smart home, so they need a Thread border router such as a HomePod mini. The Schlage Encode Plus and the Yale don’t support Matter, which matters if someone at home uses Google Home or SmartThings.
The Best Apple Home Key Locks for 2026
Aqara Smart Lock U400 — Best Overall
The U400 is the best Apple Home Key lock for most homes. It unlocks hands-free as you walk up, it also has a fingerprint reader for everyone who doesn’t carry an iPhone, and it costs less than the other hands-free lock.
Best for: iPhone households that want the door to unlock as they arrive.
What stands out in real use
The U400 uses ultra-wideband (UWB), a radio that measures exactly where your iPhone or Apple Watch is. The lock knows which side of the door you’re on, so it unlocks when you approach from outside and stays locked when you walk past it inside. If your phone doesn’t support UWB, you can still tap it on the lock. It was also the first lock certified for Aliro, the new standard that brings wallet keys to Android phones.
Key specs
- Home Key: hands-free (UWB) and tap (NFC)
- Matter over Thread and Bluetooth (it doesn’t have Wi-Fi)
- Fingerprint reader (up to 50 prints), codes, NFC card, physical key
- Rechargeable battery, up to 6 months per charge, USB-C
- IP65 outdoor panel
Pros
- The most affordable hands-free Home Key lock
- Fingerprint reader and codes for family and guests
- Rechargeable battery, so you don’t buy AA batteries
- Works with every major platform through Matter
Cons
- Needs a Thread-enabled Apple home hub
- Aqara doesn’t state its BHMA grade
- You charge the battery about twice a year
Installation and compatibility notes
It replaces a standard single-cylinder deadbolt. Hands-free unlocking needs a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd gen) or an Apple TV 4K with Thread, and an iPhone 11 or later (see the hands-free section below for the full list). Add the lock to Apple Home first, then share it to Google Home or Alexa through Matter.
Price: ~$270
Schlage Sense Pro — Best Premium Hands-Free Lock
The Sense Pro is the hands-free lock to choose if you want one from Schlage. It has the same walk-up unlocking as the U400, and it adds built-in Wi-Fi and a design without a keyhole.
Best for: Apple homes that want hands-free entry from a long-established lock brand.
What stands out in real use
Schlage lets you choose how hands-free the lock is. In Intuitive mode it unlocks as you approach. In Touch mode it waits until you touch the keypad, and in Delay mode it waits a moment while you stand at the door. All three use your home key in the background, so you never take your iPhone out. Since it doesn’t have a keyhole, nobody can pick or bump it.
Key specs
- Home Key: hands-free (UWB) and tap (NFC)
- Matter over Thread and built-in Wi-Fi
- Keypad with up to 250 codes
- 4 AA batteries, up to 6 months; USB-C port for emergency power
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
Pros
- Three hands-free modes to choose from
- Wi-Fi built in, so remote access works without a hub
- Lock without a keyhole
- Schlage says wallet keys for Android phones will come in a later update
Cons
- Costs more than the U400
- It doesn’t have a fingerprint reader
- You can’t use a physical key as a backup
Installation and compatibility notes
It replaces a standard deadbolt and runs on 4 AA batteries. If they run out, you power the lock from outside through the USB-C port and enter your code. Hands-free unlocking with Home Key needs a Thread-enabled Apple home hub and a recent iPhone or Apple Watch. The price below is for the Matte Black finish.
Price: ~$339
Schlage Encode Plus — Best With Built-In Wi-Fi
The Encode Plus was one of the first locks with Home Key, and it’s still a very good tap-to-unlock deadbolt. Wi-Fi is built in, so everything works even if you don’t own an Apple home hub yet. Our Schlage Encode vs Encode Plus comparison explains what it adds over the cheaper Encode.
Best for: Anyone who wants Home Key, a regular key as a backup and remote access without extra hardware.
What stands out in real use
You tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the keypad and the bolt opens. The lock connects directly to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so you can lock it, unlock it and create codes from anywhere in the Schlage Home app. If you have a HomePod or Apple TV with Thread, the lock can use Thread to connect to Apple Home. It also has the highest residential grade (AAA) for security, durability and finish.
Key specs
- Home Key: tap (NFC)
- Built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, plus Thread for Apple Home
- Touchscreen keypad with up to 100 codes, physical key
- 4 AA batteries, up to 6 months
- ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA, built-in alarm
Pros
- Works without a hub
- Key backup and a keypad
- The highest security grade of all the options
- Works with Alexa and Google Home too
Cons
- It doesn’t unlock hands-free
- It doesn’t support Matter
- Costs almost as much as the newer Sense Pro
Installation and compatibility notes
It fits a standard deadbolt hole and installs with a screwdriver. Use alkaline AA batteries, because Schlage says its locks aren’t compatible with lithium ones. To share home keys with your family, you still need an Apple home hub.
Price: ~$329
Level Lock Pro — Best Invisible Design
The Level Lock Pro hides all its electronics inside the deadbolt. From both sides of the door it looks like an ordinary lock, and you still unlock it with a tap of your iPhone.
Best for: Homeowners who don’t want a smart lock that looks like a smart lock.
What stands out in real use
The motor and the battery are inside the bolt itself, so you won’t see a keypad outside or a large housing inside. You unlock it with Home Key on your iPhone or Apple Watch, the Level app, the Home app, one of the included NFC fobs or a regular key. A single CR2 battery lasts about a year. It also senses whether the door is open or closed, and it can lock automatically after you leave.
Key specs
- Home Key: tap (NFC)
- Matter over Thread and Bluetooth
- CR2 battery, about 1 year
- ANSI Grade 1 cylinder
- Door sensing, auto-lock and auto-unlock
Pros
- Looks like a regular deadbolt
- Long battery life from one small battery
- Works with every major platform through Matter
- Regular key included
Cons
- The most expensive lock in this guide
- Codes need Level’s keypad, which is sold separately
- It doesn’t unlock hands-free with UWB
Installation and compatibility notes
It replaces your deadbolt and strike plate. You need a Thread border router, such as a HomePod mini or an Apple TV 4K with Thread, to use it in Apple Home. Guests without an iPhone will need a fob, the key or the optional keypad.
Price: ~$349
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus — Best Mid-Range
The Assure Lock 2 Plus is Yale’s Home Key deadbolt, and the Bluetooth version costs about $100 less than the Schlage locks. It’s a touchscreen keypad lock without a keyhole.
Best for: Apple-only homes that want a keypad deadbolt from a well-known lock brand at a lower price.
What stands out in real use
You get two simple ways in: tap your iPhone or Apple Watch, or type a code. Yale’s DoorSense sensor knows when the door is closed, so Auto-Lock only locks the bolt once the door is shut. This version connects over Bluetooth, and your Apple home hub gives you remote access through the Home app. You create and share codes in the Yale Access app.
Key specs
- Home Key: tap (NFC)
- Bluetooth (the Wi-Fi module is sold separately)
- Touchscreen keypad, no keyhole
- 4 AA batteries, 9V terminal for emergency power
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2, DoorSense included
Pros
- Lower price than the Schlage and Level locks
- Lock without a keyhole
- Auto-Lock that waits for the door to close
- DoorSense sensor included
Cons
- Remote access needs an Apple home hub
- Alexa and Google Home need Yale’s Wi-Fi module
- It doesn’t support Matter or Thread
- You can’t use a physical key as a backup
Installation and compatibility notes
It replaces a standard deadbolt. If the batteries run out, you hold a 9V battery to the terminal on the keypad and enter your code. Yale also sells a Wi-Fi version of this lock, which costs more.
Price: ~$220
Aqara Smart Lock U200 — Best Retrofit
The U200 adds Home Key to the deadbolt you already have. It fits over the inside of the lock, so the outside of your door and your keys stay the same.
Best for: Renters, and anyone who wants to keep their current deadbolt and keys.
What stands out in real use
The kit has two parts. A motor unit goes on the inside of the door, in place of the thumb turn, and a small keypad goes outside, next to the door. The keypad is where you tap your iPhone, and it also has a fingerprint reader and number keys. You can remove everything when you move out, which is why it’s also in our guide to smart locks for renters. A scheduled quiet mode makes the lock quieter at night.
Key specs
- Home Key: tap (NFC) on the keypad
- Matter over Thread and Bluetooth
- Fingerprint reader, codes, your existing keys
- Rechargeable battery in the lock (about 6 months), 4 AAA in the keypad
- IPX5 keypad
Pros
- Keeps your deadbolt, keys and exterior hardware
- Installs without drilling
- Fingerprint reader included
- Works with every major platform through Matter
Cons
- Home Key needs a Thread-enabled Apple home hub
- Two sets of batteries to look after
- More parts on the door than a regular deadbolt
Installation and compatibility notes
Check that your deadbolt has a thumb turn inside, since the U200 fits over it. The keypad mounts with adhesive or screws, and you can also wire it to a 12 to 24V power supply so it doesn’t need batteries. For Apple Home, you need a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd gen) or an Apple TV 4K with Thread.
Price: ~$190
Aqara Smart Lock U100 — Best Budget
The U100 is the lowest-priced lock we recommend with Home Key. For around $150 you get a full deadbolt with a fingerprint reader, a keypad and a key.
Best for: Apple homes on a budget that still want a fingerprint reader.
What stands out in real use
It gives you the most ways to unlock for the money: a tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch, a fingerprint, a code or the key. It pairs with Apple Home over Bluetooth, so you don’t need an Aqara hub to use Home Key. A built-in sensor detects when you close the door and locks it for you. If the batteries run out, you can power it from a USB-C power bank.
Key specs
- Home Key: tap (NFC)
- Zigbee and Bluetooth (it doesn’t have Thread or Wi-Fi)
- Fingerprint reader (up to 50 prints), touchscreen keypad, physical key
- 4 AA batteries, up to 8 months
- IP65, BHMA Level 3
Pros
- Lowest price in this guide
- Fingerprint reader and keypad included
- Key backup and USB-C emergency power
- Works with Apple Home without an Aqara hub
Cons
- Alexa, Google Home and Matter need an Aqara hub
- Lower security grade than the Schlage and Yale locks
- It doesn’t unlock hands-free
Installation and compatibility notes
It replaces a standard deadbolt on doors 1-3/8″ to 2-11/64″ thick. You need an Apple home hub to share home keys with other people and to control the lock when you’re away.
Price: ~$150
Aqara Smart Lock U300 — Best for Doors Without a Deadbolt
The U300 is a lever lock, so it works on doors that only have a handle. It’s the only option in this guide for a door that doesn’t have a deadbolt.
Best for: Side doors, garage entry doors and home offices.
What stands out in real use
Most Home Key locks are deadbolts. The U300 replaces the handle instead, and it locks the latch. You tap your iPhone on it, use your fingerprint or type a code, then push the lever down. Passage mode keeps it unlocked for as long as you choose, which is useful when you’re carrying things in from the garage. Keep in mind that a latch isn’t as strong as a deadbolt, so it’s a better fit for secondary doors than for a front door.
Key specs
- Home Key: tap (NFC)
- Matter over Thread and Bluetooth
- Fingerprint reader, touchscreen keypad, 2 physical keys
- 4 AA alkaline batteries, up to 10 months
- USB-C port for emergency power
Pros
- Home Key for doors that only have a handle
- Fingerprint reader and keypad
- Long battery life
- Works with every major platform through Matter
Cons
- It locks a latch, not a deadbolt
- Home Key needs a Thread-enabled Apple home hub
- Aqara doesn’t publish a BHMA grade for it
Installation and compatibility notes
It fits a standard single-bore door, the kind with one large hole for the handle. For Apple Home, you need a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd gen) or an Apple TV 4K with Thread. The price below is for the black finish.
Price: ~$200
How Apple Home Key Works
Setup is automatic. When you add a compatible lock to the Home app, a home key appears in Apple Wallet on your iPhone, and on your Apple Watch too. Everyone who is a resident of your home in the Home app gets the key automatically. Apple explains each step in its home key guide.
Express Mode makes it a tap. With Express Mode on, you hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock and it opens. You don’t have to wake the screen or use Face ID. If you prefer more security, you can require Face ID or your passcode for every unlock.
It works when your iPhone needs charging. With Express Mode on, power reserve keeps the home key working for up to five hours after the battery runs out.
You need a fairly recent device. Home keys work on an iPhone XS or later and an Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
A home hub does the sharing. You need a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV to share home keys with the people you live with and to control the lock when you’re away. Our article on whether HomeKit needs a hub explains what each one does.
Guests get codes. A home key is for the residents of your home. For a dog walker or a guest, you create an access code in the Home app or in the lock’s own app, which is one reason a keypad is useful.
Tap, Hands-Free and Aliro
Tap to unlock. Every Apple Home Key lock supports the tap. It uses NFC, the same short-range radio as Apple Pay, so it only works when you hold your device right next to the lock.
Hands-free unlock. A UWB smart lock measures the distance and direction of your iPhone, and it unlocks when you approach from outside. Today that means the Aqara U400 or the Schlage Sense Pro. You need an iPhone 11 or later (the iPhone SE, 16e and 17e don’t have UWB) with iOS 18.5 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later (not the SE) with watchOS 11.5 or later. You also need a home hub with Thread: a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd gen), an Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) or an Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) with Ethernet.
Aliro. Home Key only works with Apple devices. Aliro is a newer standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (the group behind Matter), released in February 2026, and it covers the same tap and hands-free unlocking for both iPhone and Android wallets. An Aliro smart lock makes sense if someone in your home uses Android. The U400 already offers a Samsung Wallet key through SmartThings, and Schlage says the Sense Pro will get Samsung and Google Wallet keys in a later update. For locks that work with every platform, see our Matter smart locks guide.
How to Choose an Apple Home Key Lock
Start with the hub you own. The Aqara U200, U300 and U400 and the Level Lock Pro need a Thread border router, and so does hands-free unlocking on the Sense Pro. If you don’t have a HomePod or an Apple TV 4K with Thread, the Schlage Encode Plus works on Wi-Fi alone.
Decide how you get in when a battery dies. The Encode Plus, Level Lock Pro, U400, U200, U100 and U300 all take a physical key. The Sense Pro and the Yale don’t have a keyhole, so they rely on emergency power from a USB-C port or a 9V battery.
Think about everyone else. A home key only helps people with an iPhone or Apple Watch. For children, guests and Android users, look for a fingerprint reader (the four Aqara locks) or at least a keypad. Our guide to the best fingerprint door locks has more locks that work for everyone in the house.
Replace or retrofit. Most of these locks replace your whole deadbolt. The U200 fits over the one you have, and the U300 replaces a handle. Before you buy, measure your door, and read our smart lock installation guide for the measurements that matter.
Conclusion
For most homes, the Aqara Smart Lock U400 is the best Apple Home Key lock: it unlocks hands-free, it has a fingerprint reader, and it costs less than the Schlage Sense Pro, which is the premium choice if you want built-in Wi-Fi. If a tap is enough, the Schlage Encode Plus works without a hub, the Level Lock Pro is the one nobody notices, and the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus costs less than both. The Aqara U200 keeps your existing deadbolt, the U100 is the budget option, and the U300 is the one for a door with only a handle. Before you order, check that you have the right home hub for the lock you choose.
What is Apple Home Key?
Apple Home Key is a digital key for your door, stored in Apple Wallet on your iPhone and Apple Watch. You hold your device near a compatible lock to unlock it, and some newer locks unlock hands-free as you walk up.
Which locks work with Apple Home Key?
Locks with Apple Home Key include the Aqara Smart Lock U400, U200, U100 and U300, the Schlage Sense Pro and Encode Plus, the Level Lock Pro and the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus. A lock that works with Apple Home doesn’t always support Home Key, so check before you buy.
Do you need a home hub for Apple Home Key?
You need a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV to share home keys with other people and to control the lock when you’re away. Aqara’s Thread locks (U200, U300 and U400) and hands-free unlocking also need a home hub with Thread.
Does Apple Home Key work when your iPhone battery is dead?
Yes, for a while. With Express Mode turned on, power reserve keeps the home key working for up to five hours after your iPhone needs charging.
Which Apple Home Key locks unlock hands-free?
The Aqara Smart Lock U400 and the Schlage Sense Pro unlock hands-free with UWB. You need an iPhone 11 or later (not the SE, 16e or 17e) with iOS 18.5 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later, plus a home hub with Thread.
Does Apple Home Key work with Android phones?
No. Home Key only works with an iPhone or Apple Watch. Aliro is the newer standard that brings wallet keys to both iPhone and Android, and the Aqara U400 already offers a Samsung Wallet key through SmartThings.
Written by Evan Mercer
Founder & Lead Researcher, Smart Home Matrix
Evan digs through spec sheets, firmware changelogs, and thousands of owner reviews so you don’t have to. Every guide starts with a compatibility check and ends with picks he would install in his own home. Read more about Evan and this site, or see exactly how we choose products.