Best Value HomeKit Lock with Apple Home Key - Aqara U100 Review!

[@jajuanlove4718]

I bought this before I saw this video, and I love the lock. I use it with my apple watch, and it looks good with my black door.

[@beardfm]

Nice!

[@kevronreid3234]

I love this lock so far. Really hope it continues to perform well overtime. It works so seamlessly

[@dillard715]

How are the batteries holding up?

[@StrifePulse]

It's a fantastic lock for sure! Hoping that the more people buy the lock, the more Aqara feels the need to push software updates and continuously improve the lock over time.

[@beardfm]

They’ve been pushing hard with many new devices recently. Excited for their momentum!

[@joeytingle8302]

Subscribed after watching the first video about smart locks and definitely affirmed my choice by watching more. Good job describing everything i wanted to know in a short time. Good points and good opinions. Thanks

[@beardfm]

Appreciate the sub and glad it was helpful! I also have a U50 review up which is cheaper but just lacks fingerprint

[@jackharvest1]

@@beardfm And notably uses the normal physical key style instead of proprietary junk that the u100 uses (and thus, rekeyable).

[@vsChris]

I tried to install this at my mom's house and we unfortunately had to return it shortly after installation. My two biggest problems with this lock were both related to the physical keys. Quickly getting duplicate keys made was a bit of a pain, and not something we could quickly do because of the way aqara forces you to go about copying the keys. You have to have a locksmith copy the key from the tip of the key rather than the shoulder like most other keys and most other key making machines want to do. The second being how difficult it is to rekey the lock. Unfortunate because this lock offers amazing value with its featurset. Physical keys are important to both myself and my mom and the rest of the house especially in the event that for whatever reason the battery dies while everyone is away or in the event that the lock becomes unresponsive.

[@beardfm]

That's unfortunate for sure, I didn't really try to duplicate or re-key the lock. Schlage Encode with Home Key may be a better option for you on that front, and it still has Home Key.

[@Tigernoah27]

Thanks for the video! I’m new to smart locks and automation, but really interested in this. So would I need the aqara hub to be able to unlock the door over WiFi? Just trying to understand the whole hub versus home key concept

[@beardfm]

You're welcome! If you already have an Apple TV or HomePod, you can add this lock to your Home app without an Aqara hub at all.

[@ladiesofhiphop_]

Can I open from another city?

[@karenguest7997]

I am having trouble with a couple of things: when I try to have my daughter add aqara to her home app on iPhone it states you need to reset the hub prior to doing so BUT when I do that it deletes it off my home, How do you add family members and how does each family member be able to use their iPhone or their Apple Watch to open the door. do you have a step by step video??? Thanks in advance

[@SIGroupLLC]

Excellent review, Stephen! I'm currently building my new home and have gained a bunch of knowledge from your videos. Do you have any recommendations on black contact sensors for doors/windows (Apple home only)? The only ones I've seen are the ones Philips Hue recently announced. I'm new to the smart home world so I have been buying a bunch of things hoping they will work 😂

[@beardfm]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏🏼 and a black contact sensor is a tough one. All that I’ve used (Aqara, Eve, Meross) are all white. The closest I see that you can buy today are from Abode, but they do require the Iota hub. If you were looking into security system options that work with HomeKit, it may be a great option. They’re not perfectly black, but this model is discreet with one piece being a dark color: goabode.com/product/slim-strip-sensor

[@asciilogic]

Great review. Will you review the new Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus (w/ wifi) - Apple Home Keys. I just picked one up from Amazon. Anxious for delivery.

[@beardfm]

I’ll try to get my hands on one!

[@DaNerd01]

I have 2 Level locks and I hate them! So buggy and annoying, I don’t trust that I won’t get locked out of my house with them. I am replacing them with the Aqara lock today! Thanks for your advice

[@beardfm]

I've heard from a few people that the Level Lock wasn't ideal too...Aqara has been solid!

[@mvp04nv]

Awesome video, very detailed. What doorbell for HomeKit do you use? I currently have a Nest doorbell, but really want everything to be HomeKit enabled. Thanks

[@beardfm]

Logitech Circle View! It's been great, I show it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqe0eJupbMh-idEsi=i_W54IGgkJBE68rq

[@SeijiIshizu]

Thanks for the video! If I have an apple tv 4k and a homepod, do I still need the aqara hub to open the door remotely?

[@beardfm]

No! It will work directly in HomeKit with the HomePod and Apple TV

[@michaelb6671]

Nice review, it really helped. Wondering, does anyone know of a Deadbolt Lock Cylinder brand/type that will work with the keys provided in the U100 installation kit?

[@beardfm]

Thanks! And they keys seem to be a standard size, so you should be able to re-key a "normal" lock to it.

[@sympsonbr]

Hello! Great video! If you have  TV (hardware, box), don’t you need its proprietary hub (optional)?

[@beardfm]

If you already have an Apple TV, you can pair this lock via HomeKit without the Aqara hub

[@marcdupuis4679]

Very detailed and well explained video. Thanks.

[@beardfm]

Glad it was helpful! Appreciate it 🙏🏻

[@c130cc6]

I got one a month ago or so and I don’t know if I like it. I don’t have matter enabled (no need at this time) have it paired to the Aqara m2 hub and HomeKit. Lock is always a no response in HomeKit. It’s as if it communicates via Bluetooth to the Apple hub (Apple TV in my living room) and signal is hit and miss. I figured if I had it bound to the hub it would work better but that’s not the case. Thoughts?

[@beardfm]

That’s unfortunate. You could try to factory reset and only connect to HomeKit and see how that works. I did that to mine and it helped battery life a little but it’s fairly close to an Apple TV too.

[@mitchelldorrance]

Excellent review! Bought it.

[@beardfm]

Appreciate that, enjoy!

[@bbruce65]

Good review and video. As an owner of multiple Aqara products, I was excited for this lock. Unfortunately it is not able to be rekeyed and that was a non starter for me. I bought the Schlage Encode + instead.

[@shaochending9957]

Thanks for the video! can I set up homekit if I don't have any apple hub at home?

[@beardfm]

Welcome! Unfortunately not, you need at least a HomePod mini or Apple TV

[@SniperJo.]

I have a question, you mentioned that the only way to add a fingerprint to the lock is through the aquara app which is fine, as long as you don’t need to buy an aquara hub to use the app with the lock. Do you need one? (At least just to set codes or fingerprints up on the lock)

[@beardfm]

Ryan london

[@wadexyz]

Do you think this is still a good option for an Android user? Or are there other products I should be looking at? I'm attracted to the fingerprint reader.....best fit for my 11 year old.

[@beardfm]

Aqara works with Android and other smart home ecosystems so I would think so!

[@eyeDavid]

Test the aqara HomeKit doorbell too please

[@beardfm]

As a matter of fact 😏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5q6Z2p8hN5og80si=Uc-grkSiPUxj-sRZ One addition, I’ve heard from some users of intermittent connectivity issues for the camera. I haven’t left it setup so can’t speak to the long term reliability, but you’ll see some of slow response in my video.

[@josephpusateri1020]

Great video. After seeing this, I bought 8 of them, as I am building a new home as well. I am curious if these can be rekeyed so they would all be the same, in the event you needed to use the key. Anyone ever do something like this??

[@yesdharam]

Following

[@beardfm]

Thanks! And wow that’s a serious project! I don’t think it’s possible to rekey, but could be wrong

[@roneilmorris6725]

Do I need a hub to use this doorlock? I don’t have apple tv or any other home pod or hubs in my house.

[@beardfm]

You do need at least one HomePod or Apple TV to use it, or you can use an Aqara hub and no Apple Home devices.

[@MorbidGod391]

1:46 so did you only change the batteries once? 😮

[@beardfm]

I’ve changed them 5-6 times and then uninstalled it.

[@Poshgoondas]

Would the Aqara M2 hub be needed to control lock when away from home ?

[@beardfm]

No! You can control it when away from home through HomeKit, no hub needed.

[@GerryDiGirolamo]

Hi Stephen, first off I just want to say amazing videos, you have helped me a lot with my home automation projects!! I am also thinking about upgrading my sound system to Sonos! Concerning the U100, I was just wondering were you able to get Homekey to work when the lock is bridged to Homekit through Matter using the Aqara Hub? I am only able to get the HomeKey functionality to work when paired with Bluetooth?

[@beardfm]

Thank you for saying so! And I was able to get HomeKit to work both ways. I did pair it with HomeKit after adding it to the hub, and it was during that process Home Key is enabled. Are you scanning the HomeKit code after adding to the Aqara hub or adding through the prompt in the Aqara app?

[@julioalvarado9427]

Hi Stephen hope you’re very well… may you can help… I put one Yale Lock at home but there is no way to match with home app iphone… I can’t use any Yale app too… I from Costa Rica… and I think the reason is the module come is just for USA… the yale model I have doesn’t come with Bluetooth tecnology, so It’s no possible open with Apple Watch or iphone… my question is if a buy one of this aquara could I use remotly using app home? Or I could have some problems for be outside to USA? Thanks I appreciate any help… thanks again

[@beardfm]

Hi there! I’m not 100% sure what’s required in your country, but if you want to try this Aqara lock, it may be best to also get an Aqara hub (E1 is cheapest), for remote access.

[@julioalvarado9427]

@@beardfm thanks

[@tsizzle]

Is it better than U-etc Ultraloq U-bolt Pro Wi-Fi smart lock? Felt like this was the best few years ago and now it’s outdated junk. How future proof are smart locks these days?

[@k9-charlie711]

Hi, nice video. How do I add family members to Apple home?

[@beardfm]

In the Home app, tap the three dots in the upper right, home settings, then invite!

[@juancaracoza9404]

This comment probably way too late but which would you recommend more. Aqara or the Yale assure with key entry?

[@beardfm]

Well the Yale with key doesn’t have HomeKey unfortunately. But of the two I prefer the Yale.

[@dgross007]

Hey! Great video!, Already got it, waiting to install! Question: can I use a AQARA G2H Pro as a hub?

[@beardfm]

You can! G2H acts as a hub 👍🏼

[@dgross007]

thank you very much@@beardfm

[@kinseycreategoods]

Thanks for share, Stephen

[@beardfm]

Thanks for watching!

[@Gordidon]

How is the battery for you? I had an issue that when the battery was 40% it wouldn’t open with Apple Key. Changed battery and it started working.

[@beardfm]

Better is till high 90 % after a month or so, haven’t experienced that issue either

[@kingd3823]

are there any lock that are POE or can run power to with apple home kit?

[@beardfm]

No options for that just yet

[@ymohiuddin]

Hey Steven, great video. I noticed you mentioned that you added it to HomeKit first initially then bound it to the Aqaqa hub- and found that it was not working properly. What issues were you having specifically? I made the same mistake of adding it to HomeKit before the Aqara hub and find that Homekey sometimes doesn’t work. Not sure if that is the issue and I need to reinstall by adding it to the hub first then HomeKit or there is some other issue with Homekey (using my Apple Watch) not working all the time.

[@beardfm]

Thanks! And I just couldn't add it to the Aqara app at all if I did HomeKit first, which then made the fingerprint reader unusable as that's an Aqara-specific feature.

[@ymohiuddin]

@@beardfm ok sounds good - it must be some other issue with HomeKey. Do you find that Homekey works pretty reliably for you with this lock?

[@Danielm316]

How do I use with Alexa ? And will I be able to lock and unlock from any in the world ?

[@beardfm]

Yes on the second question if you connect it to Amazon or Apple Home, but I don' have an Alexa so unsure about that.

[@algooch]

Have you seen the “No Response” message in HomeKit? I see it on my Yale lock and cannot find a way around it.

[@beardfm]

I see it often on my Leviton switches. Sometimes I reset the wifi on those or restart the wifi network. All else fails you may need to factory reset

[@alwayspreparedforzombies1408]

Is this lock really stable and consistent? I’m using a Kwikset lock I really like but can’t add to HomeKit.

[@beardfm]

It’s been solid since I installed it!

[@jeremiahpowell3028]

How are you liking the U100 9 months later? What’s your battery life like?

[@beardfm]

Apparently I had a lemon as my battery life wasn't great. I heard from many commenters that their experience with the U100 is excellent, so I would still recommend!

[@Valentepeña-k6w]

Will it work in México?

[@330iBMW330i]

You have to use Aqara for fingerprints? SO you have to do both, not just apple?

[@beardfm]

For fingerprints yes. If you want to use pin pad and home key, you can do all that in the Home app itself without pairing with Aqara

[@apostoloskoritas9149]

Hi. Can I make the same key in two different Aqara Locks? Thank you

[@beardfm]

Each Aqara lock comes with its own key, if that's what you mean.

[@apostoloskoritas9149]

No. The same key with both of the locks. For example like Schlage door locks. You can buy a pin kit and you can take off the cylinder and rebuild again. Thanks for the quick response. Happy holidays

[@elconquistadorII]

Will the Apple phone and I watch work with the lock without the hub or the aquaria hub?

[@beardfm]

They both work without the hub, no hub required!

[@elconquistadorII]

Thanks for clarifying that for me.@@beardfm

[@elconquistadorII]

ok I bought the lock and I installed the lock, added my passcode , then fingerprint and then my phone. Added wife's passcode and then fingerprint, however it will not allow me to add her iPhone or Apple Watch . I cannot seem to figure out why. Does it only allow only one iPhone to have a key? Do I have to buy an Apple HomeKit to make it work for my wife's phone. I bought this lock because I believed it did not need additional hubs. Appreciate your help on this matter.

[@Buharialtinee]

Thanks for sharing

[@beardfm]

Thanks for watching!

[@wilmi79]

Does it have geofencing?

[@beardfm]

Not built in to HomeKit, and I don't think the Aqara app support that either.

[@eyeDavid]

Alright fine you convinced me.. been sitting in my saved for later for a month

[@beardfm]

It’s a great value!

[@AaronFigFront]

How does it not require aqara hub when it is Zigbee based?

[@beardfm]

It uses Bluetooth 5 for communication if you don't have an Aqara hub

[@davidhouston7812]

Can I just use this without the hub or home key 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@beardfm]

You can! No hub required

[@davidhouston7812]

@@beardfm thank you for the quick response. I have one coming in today I'm excited to use it

[@rlebz]

Cool but will stick to Schlage. Not crazy about IoT devices when their HQ is in China

[@oliverhargrove3849]

Can these be hacked???

[@beardfm]

Have not heard of anything like that happening. If you use with strictly HomeKit that’s even less likely.

[@bowenchen4908]

I used this lock unfortunately this is not very reliable for me. I live in a tall townhouse where the lock is very far with this lock, I will need a wifi version,. going with yale assure lock 2 plus instead

[@beardfm]

Yale Assure 2 is great! I reviewed that one here too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHe2n4N4oLWBppYsi=5G21t5rhJrXMZ99l

[@Michael-Elo]

Doesnt seem very secure. That physical key would take seconds to pick. Isnt there an option to disable the hardware key or put a blocked cylinder. I really hope someone will make a hardware keyless system with the hardware on the inside and nothing on the outside of the door, maybe just a small RFID pad or a minimalistic pad that is a separate part and can be placed anywhere on the outside. If anyone know of a such system, please link it here.

[@beardfm]

It would be the same as a normal key hole, I suppose you could fill it?

[@MelanieMills-c1v]

Thomas Susan Martin Ronald Miller Robert

[@RoseWilson-u2t]

Miller George Jackson Margaret Robinson Daniel

[@selphie99]

This lock is nowhere to buy it, don't know why even advertise it and make reviews about it if no one can buy it.

[@beardfm]

You can get it on Amazon! amzn.to/3GGp5La

[@selphie99]

@@beardfm For many months its on Amazon not available, nor any other website sell it

[@Yanfgt]

Amazon?

[@jonnywoo5831]

How about you check the video’s description before you make yourself look even dumber.