Forget fingerprints and codes — the new Aliro standard is about to revolutionize smart locks

Forget Fingerprints: Aliro Is About to Make Smart Locks a Lot Easier to Use

In a major leap forward for smart home technology, a new universal standard called Aliro has officially launched after three years of rigorous testing. Designed to make smart locks more accessible, seamless, and user-friendly, Aliro promises to let any smartphone—regardless of brand—unlock any compatible smart lock with just a tap or even a simple walk-up. Think of it as Matter, but for your front door.

Aliro operates much like Apple’s HomeKey, where you can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to a compatible lock to open it instantly. But unlike HomeKey, Aliro isn’t limited to Apple devices—it works with Android phones and other wearables too. In some cases, you won’t even need to tap at all. Thanks to Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, your lock could detect your approach and unlock automatically, just like the recently launched Aqara U400 smart lock.

“When we talk about Aliro, it’s that digital key throughout your life,” explains Nelson Henry, who leads the Aliro Working Group. “And that could be any kind of smart device—phones, watches, fitness trackers, and more.” Aliro uses a combination of NFC and Bluetooth to create a secure, standardized connection between your device and the lock. If your phone and lock both support UWB, the system can even detect your proximity and unlock the door as you approach.

The goal, Henry says, is to create a “baseline” that can be achieved with commonly available chipsets and parts. “If you go get the things that are commonly available, a company can certainly build it and it’s not some crazy ask.”

Who’s On Board?

Aliro has already garnered support from around 200 companies, including tech giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung, as well as lock manufacturers like ASSA ABLOY, Kwikset, and Future Brands. This broad coalition signals strong industry backing and hints at widespread adoption in the near future.

What’s Available Now?

Several smart locks already support Aliro, while others are set to roll out updates soon. Here’s a quick rundown:

Locks available now:

• Aqara U400
• Level Touch
• Level Lock Pro

Locks coming soon:

• Nuki Keypad 2 with NFC (Q1 2026)
• Schlage Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt
• Ultraloq Latch 7 Pro (Q1 2026)

Just days after Aliro’s announcement, Samsung unveiled its own Digital Home Key feature, which will allow Galaxy users to unlock Aliro-compatible locks in the coming months. However, the locks will need to be set up via Samsung SmartThings, and the phone must have either NFC or a UWB chip (most Galaxy phones since 2021 support this).

Can Existing Smart Locks Be Updated?

Unfortunately, retrofitting older smart locks with Aliro support isn’t as simple as a software update. For example, the Kwikset Halo Select Plus, despite having NFC, won’t be updated to support Aliro. This means early adopters may need to upgrade their locks to take advantage of the new standard.

Beyond the Front Door

While Aliro is a game-changer for residential use, its potential impact is even greater in commercial settings. Imagine no longer needing a card key to access your office, gym, or apartment building. With Aliro, your phone becomes a universal key, simplifying access for individuals and administrators alike.

“Your phone or your handset or your wearable can be that centralized device to give you that opening experience in all the places you’re in, instead of just one or two,” says Garrett Lovejoy, General Manager of Connected Security at Fortune Brands, which owns Yale, August, and Master Lock.

Lovejoy envisions a future where Aliro transforms everyday interactions. “When you come up to your Tesla, you get a special experience. When you come up to your house now, right? But you don’t get a special experience when you go to Planet Fitness and scan your barcode. But this tech makes everything so standard and accessible that allows that kind of explosive growth of that application.”

Should You Upgrade Now?

With Aliro still in its infancy, it might be wise to wait before replacing your current smart lock. Widespread adoption could take a few years, but the convenience and potential for Aliro to make smart locks more appealing to non-tech-savvy users is undeniable.

“Someone’s going to come home, they’re going to have the door magically unlock in front of them, and they’re going to do it without having to take groceries out of their hand, without having to put their kid down, without having to do any of those things as they come home,” Lovejoy says. “You do it in front of your friend and he goes, man, that’s really cool, I kind of want that.”

“This might be the first product you can give your mom, dad, grandfather, grandmother—the non-tech person in your family—and you go, I can be totally sure this is going to work for you.”

Aliro represents a significant step toward a more connected, convenient, and secure future. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone looking for a simpler way to manage your home, Aliro is poised to make smart locks a lot easier to use—and a lot more magical.

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