A key card can be added to the Wallet app via Apple’s home keys feature instead of using a physical key. To lock or unlock the door that Encode Plus is installed on, all you have to do is place an iPhone or Apple Watch near the Encode Plus. The NFC-powered feature requires an iPhone XR or later running iOS 15 or an Apple Watch Series 4 running watchOS 8 to be used on either device.
When using Express Mode, you can unlock the door by simply holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock, or you can choose to use Face ID or Touch ID as an additional layer of security. For up to five hours after your iPhone’s battery dies, you can still use Power Reserve to unlock the door.
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Encode Plus is also compatible with HomeKit, allowing users to control the lock using Siri voice commands on an iPhone or Apple Watch, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. A keyhole and a physical keypad are included in the lock, allowing you to unlock the door even if you don’t have an iPhone or an Apple Watch.
The Schlage Encode Plus doesn’t need a smart home bridge or any other hardware because it has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The lock is powered by four AA batteries, and the keypad has a low-battery indicator.
Using the Home app on an iPhone, you can create temporary access codes for guests who need to enter your property.
The Encode Plus smart lock is the first to support Apple’s home key feature, but other options should become available in the future.
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