Apple Home Key - New feature of iOS 15 to your Smart Home
Apple designs home products around three keys: easy to use (tech works for you), seamless integration (iPhone, Apple TV, iPod, and devices leverage each other), and private/secure.
On this foundation, Apple announced features on June 7, including fantastic iOS 15 updates for 2021. Yeah! New Apple Home Key comes to Apple wallet.
What is the Apple Home Key?
Apple Home Key is one of iOS 15's new features. I unlock my front door with a simple tap of my iPhone or Apple Watch. It's an easy, secure entry method.
I natively control smart home devices on my Apple Watch. First, I integrated HomeKit with a smart lock, then tap my iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock. It's convenient, cool, and adds smart home mobility.
What is Apple Wallet?
Apple Wallet on my Apple Watch and iPhone organizes debit/credit cards, student ID, car keys, and more in one spot. It replaces my physical wallet entirely.
Apple Wallet added secure payment cards, transit cards with express mode for iPhone, car keys with ultra-wideband support, and Apple Home Key.
For HomeKit fans, check how to enhance Tesla with Apple CarPlay or connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit devices.
Heard of Apple Home Key Yale, Apple Home Key Schlage, Apple Home Key August, or Apple Home Key Level lock? I dove into Apple Home Key enabled locks.
What are the Best Apple Home Key Compatible Locks
There will be several smart home locks compatible with the Apple Home key in the near future. Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the fist door lock with Apple Home Key feature. Following are the few Apple Home Key compatible smart locks on the market.
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Lock
Schlage is a famous smart lock with a wide range of style and finishes options. The Good news is that Schlage announces the first Apple Home Key-compatible smart lock. And yeah! Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is the first Apple home key smart lock. It works with both Apple HomeKit and new Apple Home Key feature.
- Brand: Schlage
- Lock Type: Deadbolt
- Smart Home Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit
- Connectivity options: Wi-Fi
- Number pad and Alarm: Yes
- App: Android/iOS
Aqara A100
Aqara has announced the Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Zigbee as their latest smart door lock that compatible with Apple Home Key feature. However, it is necessary to have Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub to support the Apple Wallet.
- Brand: Aqara
- Smart Home Compatibility: Google Assistant, HomeKit
- Connectivity options: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee
Apple announced Aqara and Schlage as partners. These manufacturers have introduced their new smart locks with Apple Home Key feature. We can expect this feature from major Smart Lock partners such as Level and August in the near future.
There are many smart door locks on the market that are compatible with Apple HomeKit. These smart locks will be compatible with the Apple Home Key feature in the near future.
How Does the Apple Home Key Work?
I use different passes in Apple Wallet easily. Some automatically appear based on time and location. I use my Apple Watch or iPhone as a door key. Wallet now supports remote keyless entry controls.
How to Add a Pass to Wallet?
I add passes to Apple Wallet on iPhone, iPod touch, or Apple Watch several ways:
On iPhone Touch or iPad
- Firstly, use Wallet-enabled apps.
- Scroll down in Wallet. Then edit "Passes" and tap Find Apps for Wallet.
- Scan QR code or barcode.
- When scrolling down in Wallet, tap on Edit Passes > Scan code and scan with iPhone camera.
- Pay with Apple pay to a supported merchant and get a notification. Then tap the wallet notification.
- Use messages or Mail and go through the web browser.
- Share through AirDrop and use a Mac.
- For car keys, use the app provided by the manufacturer of the car. Then add keys from email and use the information display of the car.
On Apple Watch
- Follow the instructions in the email sent by the pass issuer.
- There is an app at the pass issuer, then open the app.
- After recieving a notification from the pass issuer and tap Add.
What Are the New Other iPhone Features in iOS 15?
- FaceTime Enhancement: Apple added Spatial Audio to FaceTime. Each participant's audio comes from their screen position. It removes background noise, and Portrait Mode blurs the speaker's background.
- Apple Maps Feature: Augmented reality walking directions inspire from Google Maps. New additions include interactive globe and detailed city experiences.
- New Camera Tricks: Added Live Text, Visual Lookup, and Zoom in QuickTake videos.
- Better, Faster Siri: Improved on-device processing speed and privacy. Added on-device Siri personalization, offline support, and dictation.
- A more Dramatic Weather: Shows current conditions via computer-generated graphics.
- Spatial Audio Upgrades: Added dynamic head-tracking component to spatial upgrades.
Which iPhones Will Get iOS 15?
Installing iOS 15 software updates to several devices is possible. Here are all the iOS devices compatible with Apple Home Key.
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone SE (2016)
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- All iPhone 13 models
- iPod touch
How Safe is the Apple Home Key in Wallet?
My keys and cards are securely tied to my Apple ID, letting me manage cards, passes, and keys across devices. iCloud adds extra security by encrypting Wallet data over the internet and storing it encrypted on Apple servers.
What Are Apple Home Key 2026 Updates
Apple Home Key expands in 2026 with Ultra Wideband (UWB) support on new locks like Aqara U400 and Level Lock Pro. CES 2026 showcased UWB Home Key smart locks alongside Matter-over-Thread thermostats.
The Home app architecture deadline hits February 10, 2026, boosting Home Key performance with new hubs like HomePad (A18 chip, Face ID). Expect deeper Apple Intelligence integration for contextual unlocking and presence detection.
New locks from Schlage Encode Plus, Yale Assure, and ULTRALOQ add Matter + Home Key compatibility. iOS 26 Wallet upgrades enable faster NFC taps and multi-user family sharing for Home Keys.
These updates make Apple Home Key more seamless across HomeKit, Siri automations, and non-Apple ecosystems via Matter.
FAQs
You can unlock your door with the Apple Home Key on your compatible iPhone and Apple Watch. This Apple Home Key feature is provided by Smart Lock manufacturers. You can add an Apple Home key to your Apple Wallet.
- First, you need to add a supported lock to the Home.
- There're two unlocking options available. You can choose Express Mode or require face ID or Passcode.
- Next, you have to select automations.
Yes. If you want to safely sign on iPhone, you can set up your phone's built-in security key.
Schlage Encode Plus is the first smart lock with Apple Home Key support. Also, Aqara A100 is now compatible with Apple Home Key feature.
Now, you can easily use Near Field Communication(NFC) technology to unlock your car and home with keys in Wallet on iPhone. You'll need a tap using NFC and then unlock the door. When you get to your door, you can see the right key on your iPhone.
First, you need to go to your door and then open your Wallet App on your iPhone and Apple Watch. After that, you have the ability to unlock the door. You Apple Home Key will work as a pass inside of the Apple Wallet like credit cards, and Apple Car Key..
