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Apple Home Key and Matter smart locks
Updated
Only trust these terms when the listing spells them out. Of our seven picks, only the Aqara U100 listing names Apple Home Key, and only the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE listing names Matter over Thread as a direct feature. Apple Home, Home Key and Matter are three different things, and a lock can have one without the others.
The three terms
- Apple Home (HomeKit). The lock shows up in the Home app on your iPhone.
- Home Key. A key in Apple Wallet. You hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock to open it. Apple's support page says not all locks that work with the Home app support home key. With Express Mode on, you do not need Face ID first.
- Matter. A shared smart home standard. The group behind it says Matter runs over WiFi, Thread and Ethernet, uses Bluetooth for setup, and lets devices use a local connection. It also says only certified devices carry the Matter logo. Apple's page notes the Home app supports Matter locks too.
What each listing says
| Lock | Apple Home | Home Key | Matter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqara U100 | Yes | Yes | Through an Aqara Zigbee hub plus the platform's hub, per the maker FAQ |
| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE | Through Matter | Not named in what we read | Yes, over Thread. Needs a Thread border router |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi | HomeKit named | Not named in what we read | Not named in what we read |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | HomeKit named | Not named in what we read | Not named in what we read |
| Schlage Encode | Not named | Not named | Not named |
| eufy C220 | No, says the listing | No | No, says the listing |
| Wyze Lock Bolt v2 | Not seen | Not seen | Not seen |
"Not named" means we did not see it on the listing. It is not proof the lock lacks it. Makers add features with updates, and some sell a separate Matter version. Check the listing on the day you buy.
The hardware you may need
- For Home Key sharing: the Aqara listing says sharing home keys needs an Apple home hub.
- For Matter over Thread: a Thread border router. The ULTRALOQ listing says so plainly.
- For the Aqara outside Apple Home: an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub, per its FAQ.
Picks
- Aqara U100: for iPhone homes that want tap to unlock. Caveat: owners report mixed reliability and auto-lock at odd times.
- ULTRALOQ Bolt SE: for Matter by name, with WiFi too. Caveat: WiFi is 2.4 GHz only, and owners report connection trouble.
- Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi: for Apple Home without Home Key. Caveat: short battery life in some owner reports.
Measure first with the fit checker. More on connections in smart locks without WiFi.