Smart Locks with Apple Home Key: Which Ones Support It?
Tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock
Which smart locks support Apple Home Key? Confirmed models, what you need (hub, Apple Watch), and how to check a lock before you buy.
Quick answer: Locks with Apple Home Key let you unlock by tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch. Confirmed on manufacturer pages: the Schlage Encode Plus, the Aqara Smart Lock U400 and the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus. The standard Schlage Encode and Yale Assure Lock 2 do not have Home Key.
Specifications checked against manufacturer pages on 23 October 2026. We have not physically tested these products; this guide is based on manufacturer documentation.
What is Apple Home Key?
Home Key stores your door key in the Wallet app. You hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock to unlock it, with no app to open. Some locks also offer hands-free unlock. A lock can work with Apple Home and still lack Home Key, so check both.
Smart locks that support Apple Home Key
| Lock | Home Key | Connection | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Yes: Tap to Unlock and hands-free unlock | Built-in Wi-Fi; Matter Certified; Thread | Remote access needs a Thread-enabled Apple home hub |
| Aqara Smart Lock U400 | Yes: Home Key in Wallet (UWB) | Matter over Thread | Needs a Thread-enabled home hub (HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K); UWB works with select iPhone and Apple Watch models |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus | Yes (Plus model only) | See the Yale page for the model you choose | The standard Assure Lock 2 works with HomeKit but has no Home Key |
Locks that work with Apple Home but not Home Key
- Yale Assure Lock 2: HomeKit over Bluetooth, but Home Key is only on the Plus model.
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: Works with Siri and HomeKit (built-in HomeKit over Bluetooth); remote control needs an Apple home hub.
What you need for Home Key
- An iPhone, plus an Apple Watch Series 6 or later for hands-free unlock where the lock supports it.
- A Thread-enabled Apple home hub (HomePod mini, HomePod 2nd gen or Apple TV 4K) for remote access and automations.
- The lock's own app for access codes and guest access.
How to check any lock
Search the manufacturer's product page for the words "Home Key". If it is not mentioned, treat it as unconfirmed. Our Apple Home smart lock list only marks a lock as compatible when the manufacturer documents it. See also best smart locks for Apple Home and Schlage Encode vs Encode Plus.
FAQ
Do I need an Apple Watch for Home Key?
No. You can tap an iPhone. An Apple Watch (Series 6 or later) adds hands-free unlock on locks that offer it.
Does Home Key work without a home hub?
Tapping to unlock works at the door, but remote access and automations in Apple Home need a Thread-enabled home hub.
Is Matter the same as Home Key?
No. Matter is a connection standard. Home Key is an Apple feature that needs lock-level support.
Sources
Where to Buy
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