Batteries
- Replace on a schedule, not when the lock complains.
- Cold weather shortens battery life.
Backup
- Keep a physical key somewhere safe.
- Know if your model has external power contacts.
Network
- Find out what happens when Wi-Fi drops.
- Codes stored on the lock still work on most models.
Housekeeping
- Delete old codes.
- Give each person their own.
Battery habits that prevent lockouts
Replace batteries on a schedule instead of waiting for the low-battery warning, use the type the manufacturer recommends and keep a fresh set inside the house. Cold weather shortens battery life, so check more often in winter. Test the lock from outside with the door open after changing batteries.
Know the backup before you need it
Find out whether your lock has a key override, external battery contacts or a keypad code that works without the app. Try each one once so you know how it behaves. Tell every adult in the household where the spare key or backup instructions are kept.
If the lock fails outdoors
Try the key override first. Some locks accept a nine-volt battery held against the external contacts for a single unlock. If neither works, call a technician rather than forcing the door or removing the lock in the cold. See frozen locks for winter tips.
A yearly test
Once a year, remove the batteries and put them back in to see how the lock behaves. Try the keypad, the key and the app with the phone in aeroplane mode. Note how many months the last set of batteries lasted and use that as your replacement schedule. Write the lock model on a note in your phone so you can find the right manual quickly when something changes.
Need a locksmith? See our emergency locksmith and pricing and process pages.