What is Apple Home Key?

Apple first introduced Home Key at WWDC 2021, launching it alongside iOS 15 as part of Apple Home. Since then, support from smart lock manufacturers has been slow, but momentum is finally building. The first widely available lock to support Home Key was the Schlage Encode Plus in North America, with Europe following later through locks such as the Aqara A100.

If you are unfamiliar with Home Key or unsure what it actually means for your Apple Home setup, this guide walks through what it is, how it works, how to set it up, and how to use it properly day to day.

What Apple Home Key is

Home Key is a virtual key stored in the Wallet app on your iPhone and Apple Watch. It uses NFC in the same way as Apple Pay, allowing you to unlock your door by simply holding your device near the lock.

To use Home Key, you need an iPhone XS or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, as these devices support NFC. Home Key works locally at the door and does not require an internet connection to unlock.

How Home Key unlock modes work

Home Key supports three different unlock modes, giving you control over the balance between convenience and security.

Express Mode allows you to unlock the door without unlocking your iPhone or authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID. You simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock and it unlocks instantly. This works in the same way as Express Transit and is the fastest way to enter your home.

If you prefer an extra layer of security, you can require authentication. In this mode, you hold your device near the lock and then authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before the door unlocks.

The third is some newer Apple Home smart locks also support Ultra Wideband, often referred to as UWB unlocking. While Home Key uses NFC and requires you to tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock, UWB allows the lock to detect your device at short range and unlock automatically as you approach.

Ultra Wideband provides precise distance and direction awareness, meaning the lock can tell when you are actually standing at the door rather than just nearby. This enables hands free unlocking without needing to take your phone out of your pocket or raise your wrist.

You can read more about UWB unlocking and how it works in Apple Home here.

Using Home Key when your battery is low

One of the most important advantages of Home Key is Power Reserve support. Even if your iPhone or Apple Watch battery is critically low, Home Key continues to work for up to five hours after the low battery warning appears.

This means you are not locked out of your home simply because your phone ran out of charge, something app based smart locks cannot guarantee.

Guest access and access codes in Apple Home

Apple Home also supports guest access through supported smart locks with keypads. This allows you to create temporary access codes for visitors such as dog walkers, cleaners, or family members.

Access codes are managed directly in the Home app, rather than through a manufacturer app. Guests simply enter the code on the lock keypad to gain access, and you can revoke or change that access at any time.

Which locks support Home Key

Home Key support is still limited, but it is expanding. The Schlage Encode Plus was the first major Home Key lock to launch, initially in North America. Aqara followed with the A100 for European markets, and more manufacturers are expected to adopt Home Key as Apple continues to push secure access standards forward.

When shopping for a smart lock, it is important to note that Home Key support must be explicitly listed. General Apple Home compatibility does not automatically mean Home Key support.

How to set up Home Key in Apple Home

Setting up Home Key is part of the normal Apple Home setup process for a compatible lock.

• Open the Home app and tap the plus icon.
• Choose Add Accessory and scan the Home code on your lock.
• Follow the on screen steps to add the lock to a room.
• Choose your preferred unlock option, either Express Mode or Require Face ID or Passcode.
• Enable optional features such as Lock After Door Closes or Lock When Leaving Home.

Once setup is complete, Home Key is automatically added to Apple Wallet for all users who have access to your Apple Home.

How to use Home Key day to day

After setup, Home Key lives in Apple Wallet, but you do not need to open Wallet to use it.

To unlock the door, hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the NFC reader on the lock. The lock detects your device and unlocks automatically based on your chosen authentication settings.

To lock the door, repeat the same action as you leave. A simple tap is all it takes.

This direct, app free interaction is what makes Home Key feel fundamentally different from traditional smart lock control.

What happens if you lose your iPhone or Apple Watch

If your iPhone or Apple Watch is lost, Home Key can be disabled instantly using Find My.

• Open the Find My app.
• Select the missing device.
• Enable Lost Mode.

Lost Mode disables all Wallet items, including Home Key, ensuring no one can use the device to unlock your door.

Creating a guest access code

If your lock supports keypad entry, you can create guest access directly in the Home app.

Open the Home app and press and hold on the lock.

• Tap Settings, then Manage Access, then Add Guest.
• Give the guest a name and choose which locks they can access.
• Set an access code and share it with the guest.

You can return at any time to change the code, restrict access, or remove the guest entirely.

Why Home Key matters

Home Key is one of the most important features in Apple Home because it removes friction. There is no app to open, no Bluetooth delay, and no reliance on cloud services. It is fast, private, and reliable, even when your battery is almost empty.

If you are choosing a smart lock for an Apple Home setup, Home Key support is not just a nice extra. It fundamentally changes how your smart home feels every time you walk through the door.