THE Smart Lock to Rule Them All? The Aqara U200, with Matter, Thread, and Apple HomeKey!

[@R-Aaron-W]

Hello there. Thank you very much for your latest video and the presentation of the new smart lock from Aqara. I really hope your channel continues to grow because I think you do an excellent job and your videos are always a feast for the eyes and very informative, without blah, blah, blah. Really good job 👍🏼 Greetings from Germany

[@homekitnews]

@@R-Aaron-W Vielen Dank, und genießen Sie den Rest Ihres Tages!

[@johnq4794]

Thank you for such a thorough review. This helps a lot.

[@andysreviewsandsmarthometips]

Thank you so much for the mention! You have done an amazing video and as always you are a pleasure to watch 😊

[@homekitnews]

@@andysreviewsandsmarthometips cheers Andy!

[@juha-tapioteno2984]

Went for the lock and finally got it working. It did indeed fit my door frame, but just barely, so thanks for the measurements! I'm a bit puzzled by the pairing procedure by the lock. I first took the Aqara Home app into use, and updated firmware, setup keypad and fingerprint. I don't have the latest Apple TV 4K with Thread Border support. I instead use Amazon Echo as the Thread Border Router. After configuring the lock in the Aqara Home App, I needed to reset the lock in order to continue with the pairing through Matter/Thread in Amazon Alexa App. This enables me to create a Matter device sharing code that can be used in Apple Home and add the lock to HomeKit with Home Key functionality. But what happens next is pretty puzzling. I cannot add the lock anymore to Aqara Home App via Bluetooth. If I try to add the matter device to Aqara Home app, it asks me for sync an Aqara M3 Hub.. don't want or ain't going to get one. In your review did everything work o.k or did you experience similar problems? I noticed that you did mention difficulties with the M3 Hub?

[@homekitnews]

I did experience some issues with the U200 and M3, in part due to adding and removing the lock multiple times for the purpose of testing it. At this time I’m using it in Apple with Thread, but also have it connected to the Aqara app but only via Bluetooth. It may be that you need to reset it again to get everything working as it should, which was the case with me. One time I got it working but HomeKey wouldn’t work, but I got everything working as it is now eventually.

[@Tty85]

Great review as always. You and Shane are inspiration when we talk about Apple Homekit/ smart home.

[@homekitnews]

High praise indeed! Thanks very much.

[@MrGordy6040]

Doesn’t pick up my apple phone. It does work with the scandi style door where you have to lift the handle first but it’s a randomly deciding if it opens or closes

[@jakubvavru]

Thank you for the wonderful review. Will the U200 lock work if I use CN servers? It is not listed in the Aqara app, but supposedly it should be possible to add it using a QR code?

[@evanliem]

quick technical question, does it require hub m3 to connect to network (apple home, google home, etc.).?

[@homekitnews]

@@evanliem as long as the platform you use has a Matter Controller and a Thread Border Router, this will work without an Aqara hub. You don’t need the M3, unless you don’t have the aforementioned devices. If you only plan to use it in Aqara Home, the M3 is highly recommended, although not required.

[@Swimmerchild]

@@homekitnewshow did you get the M3 to connect to the U200? I just bought both and I can’t add under the Aqara app child device because it constantly states Bluetooth timeout. And I can’t do it via HomeKit because it says connection error. Right now I have the hub connected to the app, the lock connected to HomeKit which shows up only as greyed out, and no matter how many factory resets I do they don’t want to talk. When I add the lock as child device in the Aqara app it makes a new entry that says it’s not connected to anything

[@homekitnews]

@@Swimmerchild Hi, I believe initially the lock has to connect to your phone's bluetooth signal, so if you don't have Bluetooth active on your phone, and it's not nearby, you could end up with the timout issue you mention. Additionally, even if you get it connected to the Aqara app, it will show as greyed out until you 'wake' the lock by pressing the keypad or the fingerprint sensor.

[@juha-tapioteno2984]

Any idea on the outdoor unit battery functionality in Northern European winter? a bit worried that the battery option will die in a few days in -20 degrees celcius. Of course, that's why the wiring is most likely meant to be used.

[@homekitnews]

It’s true the cold will affect battery life, but I’m not sure what you can do to counter this other than, as you say, wire the keypad to electricity. This issue would affect any device with batteries in an outdoor device.

[@evilclaystudios]

Does the lock connect directly to wifi and apple home, or does this need som kind of extra hub? Thank you.

[@homekitnews]

@@evilclaystudios in Apple Home it uses Matter over Thread to connect, so you would need either a HomePod mini, HomePod 2nd Gen, or Apple TV with a Thread Border Router inside. For additional settings in the Aqara app, you can just connect directly to the lock via Bluetooth in your phone, but you’d need to be within Bluetooth range to adjust any of these settings.

[@evilclaystudios]

@@homekitnews Thank you very much. Great channel. Very usefull

[@Codyak13]

Yup, I was sure we’d use home key the most but after months with the U100, fingerprint is used by far the most. Also a shame and kinda confusing the NFC key doesn’t also lock, I wonder if that’s true for the U100 as well. Great content as always!

[@homekitnews]

It’s the case that the NFC key doesn’t lock the U50, so going to guess it’s the same with the U100.

[@lovejoyone]

Did you by any chance try to use it with the M2 Hub? (by enabling Expose to Matter in settings on the M2) And if yes - would it then be able to be used like the M3 hub? REally annoyed i bought the M2 recently because they stated it would work with Matter back then.... (maybe I should have read more carefully....) I am looking for a way to use all options remotely - without having to shell out 3 times as much as the M3 cost.

[@homekitnews]

@lovejoyone hi, if you mean did I try to add the U200 to the M2, it’s not possible. The M2 is only a Matter Bridge, which means it only exposes Zigbee devices connected to the M2 to other Matter platforms. you can’t add Matter devices to it, so you do need the M3 if you want to make full use of the U200 with Aqara home. You can do it without, but you’ll only be able to connect to the lock from your phone using Bluetooth, which means no remote connection.

[@rogerniverski9856]

Hi, do you know if Aqara U200 is fast as Yale linus 2? Thank you

[@homekitnews]

@@rogerniverski9856 I haven’t tested the Linus 2, and have only tested the u200 with a deadbolt, not a mortice lock, so it’s impossible to give you an answer, unfortunately.

[@hopkinsjonathanuk]

Great review! Thank you. If you were buying your first smart lock for a European barrel set up in an Apple HomeKit/Home Assistant/Matter ecosystem - would you buy the U200 or the Switchbot Smart Lock Pro?

[@homekitnews]

@@hopkinsjonathanuk definitely the U200. The SwitchBot lock pro is good, and easy to install, but the fact it relies on a hub via Bluetooth is a big minus point. The even larger minus point is the lack of Apple HomeKey, which maybe be coming later, but it’ll be too little too late I feel.

[@romantashevRT]

Excuse me but I am new to this, How can the knob from the outside be turned when you have the key plugged from the inside? This is my major concept question. Most door locks cannot be opened with a key from outside if the key is plugged from the inside. Anyone help me?

[@homekitnews]

@@romantashevRT if you’re using a Eurocylinder lock, as typically found in Europe, for you to be able to have a key on the inside and outside, you would need a cylinder with what is called an Emergency Function. This allows a key to be inserted from both sides, and allows the keys to turn in sync. The U200 will not work without such a cylinder if you have a lock on the inside too.

[@iGarni]

Is it going to work with the cylinder that rotate twice?

[@homekitnews]

@@iGarni if it’s a Eurocylinder, yes I believe it will, just like Nuki lock does.

[@andreasheinemann3949]

Yes, it does. I just bought and installed it, works great!

[@Carlos76gato]

Hello Thanks for your excellent video I hsve a question, I am yet to install this lock. I dont have a cilinder deadbolt. Do I need to Prichard one separately, I don’t know Or I just need to purchase the turn piece, Please I need help in this matter, appreciated your response in advance Regards

[@homekitnews]

What lock is the U200 going to replace?

[@Carlos76gato]

⁠ I will put it in my bathroom The lock there is very simple So what I did with other U100 installed in several places at my home is that I have still kept them above the Locks But in this case. Don’t know what to do with the U200 since I see from the videos that it is a cilinder lock not the one that I see in my house. This is the confusion, I don’t know what to d

[@homekitnews]

@@Carlos76gato if you can send a photo of what lock you have on the door to [e-mail], I can probably help suggest a solution. Alternatively, you can do the same directly via Facebook Messenger if you use Facebook.

[@Carlos76gato]

@@homekitnews​​⁠ I will put it in my bathroom The lock there is very simple So what I did with other U100 installed in several places at my home is that I have still kept them above the Locks But in this case. Don’t know what to do with the U200 since I see from the videos that it is a cilinder lock not the one that I see in my house. This is the confusion, I don’t know what to do

[@Carlos76gato]

@@homekitnewsgreat may thanks i can do that, appreciated your kindness

[@TheBHinett]

A great video review, I’d be interested to know if you can use the same power from the doorbell at the same time as the G4 🤔

[@homekitnews]

@@TheBHinett it should be possible, if you’re able to send separate wires to both devices from the power supply, and the power supply has enough power to provide the minimum requirements for both.

[@andysreviewsandsmarthometips]

Yes you can, if you have an adapter that supplies 18-24v and 1A, you can use 2x 3way Wago connectors. Connect 1 3 way connector to the positive and one to the negative wire of the adapter. Then you can run 2 more positive wires from the 3 way connector and the same with the negative. This way you’ll have effectively wired both devices to the one adapter. You need the adapter to supply 1 Amp as both devices draw up to .5 Amps at peak. Hope this helps.

[@KABUTO2006]

@@andysreviewsandsmarthometips DC 12-24v for the keypad and 8-24v for the Aqara G4. I am planning to use a little 12v 1A DIN power supply inside the house electrical panel to power both devices.

[@juha-tapioteno2984]

One note regarding this review and the "A close look" segment. You have different dimensions reported in this video as in the official specs? The lock unit is NOT 1.75inches deep (45mm), the correct dimensions are: 62.3 x 60.6 x 152.5 mm (2.4 x 2.4 x 6 in.)? Or is the 45mm shown depth of the lock unit (not including the knob) and Aqara website reports the whole unit?

[@homekitnews]

I didn’t include the size of the thumb turn.

[@juha-tapioteno2984]

@@homekitnews thank you for verifying this, couldnt find this in the official aqara specs!

[@homekitnews]

@@juha-tapioteno2984 I tend not to take them measurements from the company websites, as sometimes they’re wrong, so I measure them myself on most occasions.

[@scottymeuk]

Do you think this is going to work well in the UK with our multi point locks?

[@homekitnews]

I believe it does, but check out this video for sure - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXbJioihpcapa68si=o4ti4k11ZzWMr4Lf

[@mankeyman2455]

I had the same question about multi-point locks. It also occurred to me that these UK locking systems with Euro barrels would require far greater torque to turn the spindle. Most need a handle that offers sufficient leverage to engage all the locking points. Nice review.

[@scottymeuk]

@@mankeyman2455 oh it 100% wouldn’t engage the multipoint. You would need to lift the handle. I’ve ordered a Yale AutoEngage, so I’ll see how that goes.

[@mankeyman2455]

Good to know, I’ll check it out but hope the AutoEngage works out.

[@EsaElias]

How easy is the a100 to install in uk

[@homekitnews]

It should be fairly straightforward for lock installers as long as they have the template for cutting the right holes. It’s probably not wise to try it yourself unless you have the right tools though.

[@EsaElias]

@@homekitnews can it work with multilock stystem

[@homekitnews]

@@EsaElias possibly not. The whole lock system is replaced by the A100, so the mechanisms users as part of multi locks would be replaced.

[@EsaElias]

oh jus read the a100 is indoor

[@homekitnews]

@@EsaElias it’s not weatherproof. I do mention that in the video.

[@madychan3164]

Hello! Thanks for the great review. Should one be able to use home key feature if devices like Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini (which are part of the primary WiFi network) are not situated near the U200 lock does hampering the thread signal?

[@homekitnews]

@@madychan3164 hi, it shouldn’t matter with regards to Apple HomeKey, but if you think your nearest Apple Home Hub might be too far away from the U200, you can always place a Thread Router device in a location between the nearest hub and the lock. Anything that is not battery powered and is using Thread will act as a relay between the lock and hub. This would be a Thread bulb, or smart plug for example.

[@madychan3164]

@@homekitnews Hello. So the lock arrived few days back. Setting it up wasn't as smooth as I thought it would be. I just couldn't get it to pair with HomeKit and every time it ended up with "unable to add accessory' error. Looked up online and thanks to a reddit post, removing the battery and pressing the set button on the lock did the trick on the 4th try. This is certainly not the experience I expected. I have 2 latest Apple 4k TV (ethernet model) and 4 HomePod Minis and all of them including the iPhone on latest OS. Does this have anything to do with Matter's IPV6 requirements on the network side? I have UniFi Dream Router configured with IPv4.

[@homekitnews]

Unfortunately I also had a few issues, although they were mainly related to the M3 hub, not Apple Home. I do mention it wasn’t “plain sailing” with the setup, but having installed and uninstalled it a few times over the course of testing it, I didn’t really have any major issues on the HomeKit side. Whether your problems are related to Matter and IPV6, I couldn’t say, but possibly.

[@gilfredpaul8957]

Hi, I need only home key & fingerprint support , which lock is better A100 or U200, thanks

[@homekitnews]

The U200 is probably better, as it’s easier to purchase, cheaper, and importantly , it’s easier to install.

[@matteoforoni2309]

Does it works with knob? Or only with key?

[@homekitnews]

It should work with knobs and thumb turns, as long as you can remove the knob, and place one of the provided adaptors on the remaining part of the thumb turn.

[@Kekimus]

Sucks that it doesn’t support eu cylinder with non removable knob

[@RickyAngg]

Hi sorry for off the topics, Currently i have G3 CN version but it didn’t work with d200i and A100zigbee, but is it possible to use G3 hub Global version for H1 switch and T2 lamp D200i and A100zigbee at the same time? Thanks in advance

[@homekitnews]

Are all of the devices international? I know the A100 Zigbee is. I’m not familiar with the T2 lamp.

[@RickyAngg]

@@homekitnews A100 Zigbee D200i are global version, ingot the T2 lamp and H1 from china,but they are still available in the accessories section on the aqara app when i change the region to global, i was wondering if i could use the automation for all the product

[@homekitnews]

@@RickyAngg you can use the international products with an international hub, but it also depends on what server/region you set the hub to. For example, the A100 Zigbee can work on the ‘other’ server, but possibly not the Europe servers. Some Chinese devices models will work on international servers too, but only older devices. Newer devices are region locked, and whether they appear in the Aqara app or not, depends on a few factors.

[@RickyAngg]

@@homekitnews ahh i see.. i would try to buy global hub for the doorlock, and try to connect the switch and lamp since they have the option for it, hopefully it work for me. Thank you for always being so informative

[@ignaciomunoz8635]

I have my u200 connection to my Apple home app and I was wondering can I add it to my Aqara app even if I don’t have the M3 hub ?

[@homekitnews]

@@ignaciomunoz8635 yes you can still add the U200 to the Aqara app, you just won’t be able to use it in scenes or automations without the M3. It will only connect via Bluetooth in this situation, so you have to be within Bluetooth range to operate it via Aqara.

[@ignaciomunoz8635]

@@homekitnews thanks I’m just wondering until my M3 comes in

[@lovejoyone]

@@homekitnews Have you tried if M2 will work with Expose to Matter enabled?

[@RamonBalthazar]

Awesome review 👏

[@homekitnews]

@@RamonBalthazar thanks!

[@iChaseCorals]

Thanks for the review!! Unfortunately the U200 from Amazon US doesn’t ship to SE Asia. Thanks Aqara! 😒

[@homekitnews]

@@iChaseCorals I’ll check if they’ve got it in Taiwan and let you know.

[@iChaseCorals]

@@homekitnews thanks! I wonder if there is a difference between ones that are released in Asia vs western countries.

[@homekitnews]

@@iChaseCorals I don’t think so.

[@shanksre6186]

Thank you.

[@jakubkasparekcz]

I think nuki will give a big problem...

[@homekitnews]

How so?

[@jakubkasparekcz]

@@homekitnews aqara has outsmarted them.

[@homekitnews]

@@jakubkasparekcz you said Nuki will given ‘me’ a big problem.