Unconventional, surprisingly good – SwitchBot Lock Retrofit Door Lock

Daniel

The SwitchBot company has been with us on SmartApple for quite a while now. Even though there is only one native HomeKit device from the manufacturer, the SwitchBot Plug Mini adapter plug, which is only available in the US, all SwitchBot devices can be integrated into HomeKit via Homebridge. We have been using the Homebridge plugin, which SwitchBot offers itself, permanently and can report a consistently reliable function in interaction with the SwitchBot Hub Mini.

SwitchBot is now entering the European and German market with a new product, the SwitchBot Lock. This is a low-budget retrofit door lock that attaches to the existing door lock along with the inserted door key in just a few seconds.

Thereby, the attachment of the lock turns out to be really simple and only holds permanently with the included adhesive pad. We were also skeptical at first, but we believe that the new SwitchBot Lock has a right to exist in the segment of smart, inexpensive, retrofit door locks.

The lock should fit most common doors and cylinders. However, we recommend that you read the compatibility check on the SwitchBot website beforehand. With the firmware version 6.4+ of the lock and the SwitchBot app version 6.19.1+, pulling the door latch is also supported. An indispensable function for German doors. It can also be individually set how long the door latch should be pulled, up to a maximum of 30 seconds. The firmware will be distributed gradually.

Premium keypad

We were particularly excited about the SwitchBot Keypad. Many other smart lock manufacturers can take a leaf out of this book. The weatherproof keypad is powered by 2x CR123A batteries, as is the SwitchBot Lock itself.

The illuminated keypad is compact, has a high-quality build, and offers NFC card and token compatibility as well as a fast-responding fingerprint sensor in addition to the number field. By the way, in addition to SwitchBot’s own key cards, inexpensive third-party key fobs can also be connected to the keypad in accordance with ISO14443A. For example, a pack of 10 is already available for less than EUR 9.

One feature of SwitchBot Lock hopefully never comes into play. The SOS fingerprint. Should you ever be forced by another person to unlock your door, a fingerprint can be registered in the keypad in advance, triggering an emergency notification. For example, if you have registered your ring finger as such an imprint and open the door with it, a family member will receive a notification that something is wrong and can rush to help. This is not apparent to the person standing next to you at the moment.

And should someone tamper with the keypad, there is an audible alarm in case of unauthorized removal of the keypad, as well as push notifications. We recommend to use the SwitchBot Hub Mini for the interaction with all SwitchBot devices. Although the lock and keypad also work locally, notifications and remote control are only possible with the hub.

Homebridge and Siri shortcuts

Siri shortcuts are directly possible out of the box. For us as an Apple Home household, the question of full HomeKit integration naturally arose directly. Here, too, there is excellent news. With the well-known plugin homebridge-switchbot, which can also be used to reliably bring the manufacturer’s other devices into the Apple ecosystem, the new SwitchBot Lock is also integrated without any problems.

Via the Apple Home app, and of course other HomeKit apps, the lock can be controlled via Siri, automations and scenes, just like any other HomeKit-compatible lock.

If the new SwitchBot Lock is something for you, we will add a 25% community discount code. Use the code “SMARTAPFEL25LOVEBOT” when checking out at the SwitchBot Store and you will receive the SwitchBot Lock incl. Keypad Touch for only 150,- EUR. Pre-order of the lock in the color silver is also possible.

SwitchBot has also recently launched the SwitchBot Points bonus program for its online store. With this you automatically collect points with every purchase, which you can then redeem for a next purchase as cashback. Once you have registered your SwitchBot devices in the app and linked your store account, you will immediately receive the corresponding points. This also applies to existing SwitchBot devices in your household.

By the way, as a SmartApple reader you also benefit from SwitchBot. If you ever need the help of SwitchBot support, you will get the VIP support. Through our email link, click here, your message will be handled quickly with priority. We are looking forward to further developments at SwitchBot at the beginning of the new year. For the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from 05 January 2023, we also expect news from SwitchBot on Apple Home and Matter. We keep you informed.