Aqara has introduced several new products at this year’s CES, the lock certainly sounds interesting but obviously also at quite apremium price. We currently have a Schlage I think it’s the Encode Plus, which connects directly to Wi-Fi and which does support Apple Home Key except you do have to hold your Apple Watch or unlocked iPhone directly up to the lock so if you have an Apple Watch, I’d say it would be another 2 or 3 seconds before it unlocks compared to what is described here.
From: VIPhone <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 7:32 AM To: VIPhone <[email protected]> Subject: Aqara Smart Lock U400 launches with Apple Wallet support for fully automatic unlocking: 9 to 5 Mac 9to5Mac - Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Aqara Smart Lock U400 launches with Apple Wallet support for fully automatic unlocking The Aqara Smart Lock U400 has been launched today at CES with support for the Home key feature in Apple Wallet. This means your door can automatically unlock as you approach it from the outside, with no user action required. It uses ultra-wideband technology to detect someone carrying an iPhone or wearing an Apple Watch registered with the lock … The company says this is a major step in convenience. Equipped with the cutting-edge ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, this deadbolt lock uses high-precision location tracking to offer intuitive, hands-free unlocking with home key on iPhone or Apple Watch. With incredible accuracy, the U400 automatically unlocks when an authorized user walks up to the door, marking a major leap forward in secure, convenient, and reliable access control. “We are excited to be among the first manufacturers to deliver UWB technology in home locks to consumers,” said Cathy You, Aqara Senior Vice President of Global Business and Strategy. “At Aqara, we envision a future where smart home technology is seamless, intuitive, and even invisible—your home responds naturally to the people within it, without requiring constant user interaction. With the U400 lock, we’re redefining how consumers engage with their access control systems, providing instant, automated access without compromising privacy.” Akara notes that UWB is far more sophisticated than Bluetooth. Unlike traditional proximity-based technologies like Bluetooth, UWB utilizes Time of Flight (ToF) distance measurement and Angle of Arrival (AoA) calculations to track the user’s trajectory. This ensures the lock only grants access when the authorized user approaches from the outside and minimizes accidental unlocks when the user is inside or merely passing by When you pair the lock with the Home app on your iPhone, a Home key is automatically added to Apple Wallet, and it also supports Siri voice commands for lock and unlock. The U400 additionally offers a range of other unlocking options: a physical key, fingerprint recognition, and passcodes which can be recurring or one-time use for granting visitor access. If the battery-powered lock runs out of power, you can plug in an external power bank for emergency access. The lock is based on the Thread protocol, which means you do need a Thread-compatible hub in the home. This includes the Apple TV 4K, second-generation HomePod, HomePod Mini, and a range of third-party Thread Border routers. It requires an iPhone 11 and later running iOS 18.5 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 and later. The iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) and iPhone 16e are not compatible because they don’t have the UWB chip. The Smart Lock U400 lock is available today in the USA for $270. You can buy on Amazon US and Amazon Canada, and from Apple stores in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It’s expected to come to US Apple stores later this month. Original Article at: https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/06/aqara-smart-lock-u400-launches-with-apple-wallet-support-for-fully-automatic-unlocking/ -- The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: [email protected]. 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