A Guide to Wi-Fi and Your Smart Door Lock

Smart door locks are increasing in popularity as security-conscious homeowners and rental property managers continue to embrace the convenience of these Wi-Fi-, Z-Wave-, or Bluetooth-enabled locks.

In fact, experts estimate that the smart locks market — which reached $544.3 million in 2020 — will grow to $730.4 million by 2027.

Wi-Fi smart lock market growth is no surprise, given the convenience of these Wi-Fi-enabled keypad entry systems. Add in the features of a smart security system that comes with keyless entry — such as Kwikset Smart Locks offered by Vivint — and it’s easy to see why smart locks sales are booming.

This guide explores the appeal of smart locks (including how they benefit both homeowners and renters), some best practices for where to install smart door locks, and how smart lock automation can integrate with your other smart devices to enhance your home security system.

What is a smart door lock?

A smart door lock is a keyless entry system you can control remotely using a smartphone app like the Vivint app. Often, smart door locks come with programmable numeric keypads so you can open the door using one or more unique access codes.

For example, Vivint’s smart door locks allow you to program and assign as many as 30 unique codes to family, friends, and guests. It even allows you to know when a particular access code is used so you can track who’s entering and exiting your home and when.

Because smart door locks use your home’s Wi-Fi network, you can communicate with the lock from your smartphone to lock or unlock the door.

Some smart door locks also work with other smart home devices (like smart speakers) or a home security system (like those offered by Vivint).

Who should get a smart lock?

Smart locks can appeal to both homeowners and renters.

Homeowners

If you’re a homeowner who puts a lot of stock in convenience and peace of mind, a smart lock could be the right choice for you. Once you replace your regular deadbolt with a smart lock, you gain a new level of control over who enters and exits your home.

With features like remote access, keyless entry, 24/7 notifications, and integration with existing smart devices and home security systems, there’s no greater way to stay in control of who enters and exits your home.

And since smart locks come in many different finishes, you can easily add a smart lock touch to your existing decor. Satin nickel, Venetian bronze, and matte black are just a few of the lock finishes offered by most retailers.

Renters

Along with all of the conveniences that a smart lock offers, renters don’t have to worry about previous tenants or service providers having an old key to their home.

Because your access with a smart lock keyless entry system is unique, rest assured that only your landlord and you can enter your home. That security — coupled with the convenience of remote keyless access — makes renting a home with a smart lock a wise choice.

Remember: If you’re a renter thinking of installing a smart lock over or in place of an existing deadbolt lock, it’s a good idea to check with your landlord first.

Which doors to secure in your home

You can replace a regular lock with a smart lock on every door in your home, including interior doors.

• All entrance doors: Many people who decide to use a smart lock system use it on their front door. They may also place smart locks on a rear entrance or other ground floor entryway.
• Garage doors: You can also choose to secure your garage door with a smart lock instead of a deadbolt or another type of lock.
• Bedroom doors: Some people feel more secure if they have a smart lock on their bedroom door. This might be the case if you have roommates, children in the home who you want to keep out of your bedroom, or frequent houseguests. A smart lock on your bedroom door can give you that extra level of privacy without worrying about carrying an extra key.
• Closet doors: You might also want to install a smart lock on a closet door. It’s a way to keep valuables like jewelry or potentially dangerous items — like firearms — secure without keeping track of a key.

Advantages of having a smart door lock

Smart door locks offer a number of advantages over a regular lock deadbolt. They are convenient, allow remote access, let you leave your keys behind, can integrate with other smart platforms, and offer compatibility with other home security devices, like video doorbells and your security system’s home hub.

Convenience

You’ve probably had the experience of leaving the house with a perfectly balanced armful of packages or boxes, only to have to set everything down and turn around just to lock the front door behind you.

Or you’ve racked your brain trying to find a safe place to hide a key for a guest who’s slated to arrive before you get home.

With the convenience that a smart door lock provides, you can avoid these and other frustrations.

Remote access

The remote access feature of smart door locks using your home’s Wi-Fi is great in a pinch.

Let’s say your pet sitter needs to get into the house to walk Rover, or a neighbor needs to borrow a cup of sugar while you’re away from home. Use your smartphone app to let them in from anywhere.

You can even unlock the garage door for a package delivery person using the mobile app, thwarting would-be porch pirates before they can even think about stealing your belongings from outside your front door.

No keys needed

Because smart locks are keyless entry door locks, you never have to worry about hiding a spare key outside in case you lose yours or need to give someone access to your house.

And with programmable touchscreen keypads, you don’t have to worry about getting or retrieving keys, changing the existing deadbolt, or rekeying the locks every time a roommate or tenant (if you own or manage a rental property) moves out.

Smart platform integrations

Imagine using voice commands to unlock or auto-lock your door by remote control. Today’s smart door locks can easily integrate with your voice assistants, like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

With smart device integration, you can say, “Alexa, open the front door,” and, just like that, you’re using voice control to unlock your door.

Is a Wi-Fi door lock safe?

The internet of things (IoT) has changed how we live. As more of our everyday devices communicate with each other, we can live and work with greater efficiency and flexibility.

But all this connectivity has a drawback: It can make electronic door lock devices susceptible to hackers. While using a Wi-Fi-enabled smart door lock can put you at risk of being hacked, there are ways to enhance smart key security to keep your home, possessions, and family safe.

Tips for securing your smart lock

By following a few tips, you can increase the chances that all the smart things contributing to your everyday life — including your smart deadbolt system — stay secure.

• Create a strong passcode. Create a strong, long, and unique passcode you’ve never used anywhere else for each of your IoT devices. Never use easy-to-find information like your birthday, address, or dog’s name. Hackers are well-versed in tampering with passwords from your history and past usage. If you make each password unique and seemingly random, you have a greater chance of keeping it secret.

• Use two-factor or multi-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires the receipt of a passcode sent to your phone before you can access the app that controls your smart lock. Similarly, multi-factor authentication requires facial or biometric (fingerprint scanner) recognition. Setting up your smart lock app to only work with this added layer of security can stop would-be hackers in their tracks. Even if they have your correct login and password, they won’t be able to access your system.
• Use a secure router. For smart locks that use Wi-Fi connectivity, ensure the router is password-protected and secure.
• Only use the most trusted smart locks. All smart locks are not created equal. Look for a system that comes from a trusted home security provider and incorporates a well-known and trusted lock brand into its system. Vivint, for example, is not only a leading home security provider, but we also offer smart locks from Kwikset, a respected lock brand.

Secure your home with a Wi-Fi door lock from Vivint

A Kwikset smart door lock from Vivint offers convenience, dependability, and peace of mind when it comes to your home and family’s safety.

Contact one of our Vivint pros at 855.822.1220 if you’re interested in learning more about the smart locks available. See how Vivint’s smart home systems can make life easier and keep your home secure.