Smart locks are awesome. But until you start using them yourself, you don’t understand this.
A year ago we installed such a lock in our office. I don’t understand how we lived without him before. Now no one carries keys. You also don’t need to lock the door when you leave. I come to us by simply touching my iPhone to the digital panel. I can remotely open the door for a courier without going down to it. Or write out one-time passwords for those who need to enter something or log in in our absence.
Why am I again, a year later, recommending that you overcome the stigma of installing such a device on your front door? It’s simple: the other day Aqara.ru began selling the company’s new generation of smart locks in Russia. Read U200 combines all the advantages of previous generations, without replacing your regular lock. He also became smarter and more modern.
We have already installed this new lock in our new studio. I will further share the process, setup and impressions of the functionality and capabilities of the new product.
Why the new Aqara U200 is a top lock
When I talk about how satisfied we are with the “previous” top model of the Aqara lock, I often get a counter-argument. The company’s younger (now) models of smart locks had a feature: they replaced the entire lock on the door. The old key, like the cylinder with the crossbar, is for the exit. Not an ideal option when you’ve already invested in an expensive door lock. Or when a smart lock does not visually match the door.
The new Aqara U200 does not have these shortcomings. He placed on top of an existing door lock – from the inside of an apartment or office door. And the external unit, where the NFC key reader, fingerprint sensor and numeric keypad are located, can be glued anywhere – for example, on the wall next to the door.
The result was the most “omnivorous” solution. You put it on your regular lock instead of a regular lock. You glue or screw the panel on the other side to any convenient place next to the door (or on the door itself). It couldn’t be better: you won’t have to change the key, the handle will remain the same, and the appearance of the door will not be affected. And such a door on the floor will not attract attention as much as doors with conventional smart locks.
Also Aqara U200 supports Matter over Thread. This means that you can easily transfer the lock to other ecosystems, control it without the Internet, and take advantage of other advantages of the most advanced communication protocol for smart home devices.
All the advantages of previous generations of Aqara locks are in place: auto-closing, notifications, integration into a smart home with automation, as well as a lot of possibilities for opening the lock in different ways depending on preferences or the situation:
fingerprints
permanent or temporary passwords
NFC tag
wireless opening and closing in the application
regular physical key
Apple Home Keys (that is, attaching an iPhone)
Let’s look at what is included with the Aqara U200.
What’s included
Aqara U200 comes with a complete set of everything you might need to install the lock. In addition to the remote unit with a numeric keypad and the internal one, which is hung with a lock, there is:
▴ two types of power: rechargeable battery or compartment for four batteries (AA)
▴ two replaceable panels: one with the texture and pattern of wood, the other black plastic
▴ adapters for different types and shapes of cylinder
▴ key, 3M sticker for the indoor unit, EVA lining, set of screws
▴ 4 AAA batteries for the external unit
▴ USB-C cable for charging the battery
To install a lock in our new studio office, we didn’t need anything else. Well, except for the Phillips screwdriver. A solid A for the set. The choice between eating methods is especially pleasing. Personally, we installed a battery in the indoor unit, not batteries.
How to install a smart lock on a door
For the studio, we purchased a lock with a screw – it just needed to be changed, so together with the U200 installation we solved two problems at once.
Installation of Aqara U200 is easier compared to other smart locks from the company. The door handle will remain intact, just like the appearance of your regular lock. The only exception is the screw (the thing you turn to close the door): it will need to be removed, since the lock will be in its place.
Aqara has provided several different adapters so that the smart lock can be installed on common types of handles and molded into the door. One of them suited us perfectly. Further actions will depend on what kind of lock you have installed.
Here’s our step-by-step installation process:
Inserting the cylinder adapter into the screw position.
1. We take out the wrapper and insert the adapter for the cylinder.
2. We attach the fasteners of the internal block of the smart lock to the screw, trying on its position so that its rotating part docks with the screw cartridge.
Trying on the adapter and fasteners for the internal lock block.
3. If necessary, we attach a lining under the indoor unit so that it does not hang on the lock. We decided to trim ours a little.
4. We install the indoor unit on the fasteners. Loosely tighten a few screws and check whether the smart lock mechanism moves freely. Did you turn it back and forth, making sure that the bolt closes and opens all the way? Then you can complete the installation by tightening the remaining screws.
5. Insert the battery pack or compartment for four AA batteries into the internal unit. Do not close it with a decorative lid yet.
6. We decide where the external unit will be installed on the outside of the door. It is mounted on adhesive tape or secured with self-tapping screws. The installation location does not matter, as long as it is within a radius of one and a half meters from the lock. We ended up sticking it at face level, right on the door.
Inserting the battery pack into the inside of the smart lock and the location of the outside, which you can choose yourself.
Installation is complete. There were no difficulties, everything took much less time than during the installation of other smart door locks. For the rest, I advise you to read carefully instructions on the official website or bundled with the Aqara U200.
Our example is one of the simplest installation cases, but there are many other options. Ultimately, it all depends on the type of lock you have, and Aqara has options for each of the common ones. By the way, you can also look video instructions from Aqara.ru on YouTube.
How to set it up and what you liked
To connect the lock to it and carry out the initial setup with calibration, you need to click on the “plus” in the upper right corner in the Aqara application, select Aqara U200 in the locks section and follow the instructions on the screen.
In addition to the standard steps, you will be asked to select the installation position of the internal lock block: there is an option for Russia and Europe (lock under the handle) and an option for the USA (lock above the handle).
Next, automatic calibration of closing and opening the lock will be carried out. Each step comes with clear instructions and must be followed carefully to ensure the process goes smoothly. Basically you will open and close the door. By the way, the lock makes funny sounds while it is being calibrated.
Then you will be asked to set a master password, which you should remember and not lose. And after that, you can start adding fingerprints and other login codes, binding an NFC tag and setting up the software functionality of the lock, including smart home scenarios.
For security, most of the lock’s features can only be configured via a Bluetooth connection. Remotely, through Matter over Thread, you can only find out the status (open/closed) and, in fact, close or open the lock.
What did I like about the additional functionality of the lock?
Quiet mode. With it there will be no sound signals, and the lock will open and close the door almost silently. Helpful if you come home late at night or have light sleepers at home.
Blocking on unsuccessful login attempts. If someone bad starts messing with the external digital panel, entering codes incorrectly, and putting fingers with a fingerprint that is not registered in the system, then it will first begin to emit unpleasant and loud signals. And if this does not stop the attacker, then the lock will completely block the ability to enter using a digital keypad and fingerprint until you use an NFC tag, a regular key to open the lock, or manually open it from the inside.
Prohibition of opening at night. For added peace of mind, you can prevent the lock from being opened during certain periods of time. When such protection is enabled, Aqara U200 will only open from the inside, or using a physical key. For those for whom it is important to sleep as peacefully as possible.
Ability to configure auto-close. Not every door needs to automatically slam shut, agree. For the entrance, it makes obvious sense to enable auto-closing, but for office or, especially, interior rooms, you can get by with closing it manually (or through scripts and automation, including after a signal from other smart devices).
Disabling the external panel by time (“do not disturb”) To ensure that no one disturbs you at night, including couriers who think the external panel of the lock is an intercom, turn on this feature when you are definitely sleeping.
Full integration with Apple HomeKitincluding opening the door with the touch of an iPhone. To be honest, my favorite feature is the lock in our main office. Not only can you open the lock through Siri or the Home app in iOS, but with it you just need to touch your iPhone to the digital panel for the door to open. As for me, it’s much more convenient than using codes or a fingerprint sensor. True, such a “key” can only be created by those who have access to your House. So you can’t give this to all office employees, but it’s just the thing for yourself and your family.
I recommend this castle to anyone
Aqara U200 incorporates the best that the company has created over several years of development of the smart lock category. It provides a high level of security, ease and flexibility of controlling access to the premises, and is integrated into a smart home according to all modern standards. With support for multiple access methods and ease of installation, this lock can be a great, if not better, choice for those who want to stop carrying around office or apartment keys.
Now that making a lock smart without replacing the handle or mechanism has become as easy as shelling pears, I’m seriously considering purchasing a lock of this model not for work, but for my home. You will no longer have to worry on the way to work whether you forgot to close the door. And minus a bunch of keys – why not a plus in itself? If I left and need to let relatives or other necessary people into the house, then I can do it remotely. Or I’ll give them a temporary password. And how many scenarios can be attached to events around the closing or opening of a door…
You can buy Aqara U200 in Russia on the official website Aqara.ru at a price 39,990 rubles. Sales have already begun.
All photos in the article:
Source: www.iphones.ru
