How to Remotely Lock and Unlock Your Doors: 4 Tips for Remote Home Management

Chances are you've forgotten your keys and locked yourself out of your home more than once. The bad news is that amid a life of social commitments and work, you'll likely forget your keys again in the future. The good news, though, is that forgetting your keys doesn't necessarily mean locking yourself out.

Remote home management is changing how we think about home security and door lock access. Smart lock functionality makes controlling your front door as easy as tapping an icon on your mobile app, eliminating the need for a spare key and enhancing your door security.

In this guide to remote locks, we share a few ways smart door locks can give you more peace of mind. Find out how remote home management can make your life simpler while keeping you and your loved ones safer.

Woman checking the Vivint App on her phone.

How remote locks work

A remote door lock can enhance front door security while adding convenience to your daily life. Kwikset Smart Locks from Vivint provide universal access control, letting you lock, unlock, and monitor multiple doors in your home from a single mobile app. Simply log into the Vivint app to remotely control your doors, set custom actions, and adjust your notification settings with the touch of a button.

Take a look at some of the benefits of remote door locks:

Remote control of your doors. A smart door lock from Vivint lets you control your door access through the mobile app from anywhere in the world.
Know who's coming in and out. Worried about your kids arriving home safely after school? A smart lock notifies you whenever someone enters or leaves your home, whether it's kids, guests, or the pet sitter.
Auto-lock. A smart door lock lets you know your home is safe, even when you forget to lock the doors behind you. With autolocking, you can program your smart lock system to lock after a specified time, offering much-needed peace of mind when you're in a rush.
Lock your doors with voice control. "Alexa, lock the door!" is all you have to say to lock any of the doors in your home when you have a Bluetooth- or Wi-Fi-connected smart lock system integrated with a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

4 tips for securing your home with smart locks

Remote home management is here to stay, and for good reason. It enhances home security and makes daily life much easier. Follow these tips to get the most out of your smart locks and keep your home as safe as possible.

Set unique access codes

Forget about hiding your spare key under that fake rock. With 50 customizable entry codes, a Kwikset from Vivint Smart Door Lock allows you to let family members and friends into your home safely and securely.

Remote access control can also come in handy when you're expecting a babysitter, a pet sitter, or other houseguests. Instead of a spare key, you can give them a customizable remote access code. You can delete or change user codes that you no longer need to ensure front door security. It's that easy.

Have roommates, or live in a multifamily home? You can install a smart lock on your bedroom door for extra privacy using your own private entry code. If you're a property manager, smart locks eliminate the need to change existing deadbolt locks when new tenants move in. Just change the PIN code.

Integrate smart locks with other smart home components

Smart door locks can do much more than control the doors when part of a complete home automation system. For example, thanks to Z-Wave technology, you can program your smart home system to have your smart lighting turn on or the smart thermostat change when you get home and unlock your front door's smart lock.

You can also connect your door locks to smart home apps, such as Apple HomeKit (if you have an Apple device) or Google Assistant (if you own an Android device). Connecting smart locks to your home security system allows you to do things like lock and unlock your doors with just your voice.

Use a doorbell camera with your smart lock system

Remotely locking and unlocking your doors sounds great, but did you know you can integrate your doorbell camera with your smart lock system? Together, these devices provide complete front door security: monitoring what's happening outside your doorstep and warning you about suspicious activity.

Featuring 1080-pixel HD video resolution and infrared night vision, the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro allows you to see live footage of your home in high definition no matter the time. Speak to visitors in real time through your mobile phone or smart hub, whether it's to ask who's outside before opening your door or give delivery instructions to a mail carrier.

Use smart lock systems for vacation rentals

Considering that 76% of vacation rental guests don't behave as the hosts expect, leaving your property in the hands of strangers can be nerve-wracking for many homeowners. From smoking inside to leaving the AC on and losing the keys, vacation rental hosts can face a handful of problems after their guests check out.

Installing a smart lock system can help eliminate some of these problems and save on damages. A remote door lock means you don't need to provide guests with physical keys to your Airbnb or similar rental at check-in. A connected Vivint home system can also help you remotely manage your smart devices: Turn off the AC when it's not in use, switch off the outdoor lighting during quiet hours, and check the doorbell camera to make sure your guests checked out on time.

Smart door lock FAQ

We have answers to some commonly asked questions, from installing your smart door lock to using your mobile phone to unlock your house.

Frequently asked smart door lock questions

What happens to smart locks when the power goes out?

If your home's network connection or power goes out, you don't have to worry about being locked out or not being able to control your doors as long as you use [battery-powered smart locks](https://www.vivint.com/products/smart-locks) (like those offered by Vivint).

Can I use my phone to unlock my house?

With a Kwikset from Vivint Smart Lock, you can lock and unlock your house through your mobile phone or the smart lock's keypad above the door knob or lever. This provides keyless entry through main entrances and interior doors.

You may assign up to 50 unique codes for people who need to access your home (like guests, friends, and pet sitters), which you can delete or change later. Whenever someone arrives at your door, your smart home security system will send a notification to your smartphone or touchscreen base station, tracking passcodes and keeping you in the know about what's happening back at home.

Most smart lock systems work with both iOS and Android devices, so you likely don't have to worry about device compatibility.

How hard is it to install a smart lock system?

If you've ever tried to install a smart device yourself, you know the hurdles of DIY installation. Avoid the frustration of trying to install and connect your smart device by hiring a professional installer.

Vivint Smart Home Pros know exactly how home security systems work. They can also provide expert insights on placement, advanced features, and seamless integration with existing smart home and security systems.

A professionally installed system, like one from Vivint, allows you to use all the features and benefits of smart home technology—which may not happen if you don't correctly install and integrate the device with your existing smart home setup.

Discover Vivint smart lock systems

It's important to install a reliable smart lock system to keep your home and family safe and protected. Book a free consultation with one of our Smart Home Pros to learn more about getting your own Vivint smart lock system, and find out why our Kwikset Smart Lock is a best seller. Choose between three lock finishes to match your decor: satin nickel, brass, or bronze, and rely on our team for easy installation.

Give us a call at 855.822.1220.