HomeKit HomeKey Sharing

[utsava]

So, I was holding out hope that Apple's strange wording on key sharing would actually include sharing a HomeKey, but alas I cannot find any way to share a HomeKey in iOS 16.1 outside of adding a person to my home. Adding someone to your home seems an absurd length to go to share a house key. Why bother offering "key sharing" if the #1 use case, HomeKey, is not supported. I really love HomeKey, but the lack of options for sharing keys with extended family members or friends is a major oversight. Advertising "key sharing" as a headline feature of iOS 16.1 just rubs salt in the wound.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Hi.
I was curious about this after reading your post.
But it seems simpler now?

Allow for key sharing from the Wallet App would be much more insecure, since you cannot track
how many people got the keys after a while.

Unlock your door with a home key on iPhone

With a compatible HomeKit door lock, use a home key to unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Set up an access code for a guest​

In the Home app you can set up an access code for people who need temporary access to your home.

1. Open the Home app
   
   on your iPhone.
2. On the Home tab, touch and hold the lock, tap Accessory Details, tap
   
   , tap Manage Access, then tap Add Guest.
3. Give the guest a name—Dog Walker, for example—then turn on the locks you want them to have access to.
4. Tap Change Access Code, enter an access code, then tap Done.
5. Touch and hold the access code, tap Share, choose a sharing option, then share the access code with the guest.

You can return to this screen to change the access code, turn off access to some or all of the locks, or remove the guest.

 

[utsava]

Hi.
I was curious about this after reading your post.
But it seems simpler now?

Allow for key sharing from the Wallet App would be much more insecure, since you cannot track
how many people got the keys after a while.

Unlock your door with a home key on iPhone

With a compatible HomeKit door lock, use a home key to unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Set up an access code for a guest​

In the Home app you can set up an access code for people who need temporary access to your home.

1. Open the Home app
   
   on your iPhone.
2. On the Home tab, touch and hold the lock, tap Accessory Details, tap
   
   , tap Manage Access, then tap Add Guest.
3. Give the guest a name—Dog Walker, for example—then turn on the locks you want them to have access to.
4. Tap Change Access Code, enter an access code, then tap Done.
5. Touch and hold the access code, tap Share, choose a sharing option, then share the access code with the guest.

You can return to this screen to change the access code, turn off access to some or all of the locks, or remove the guest.

Thanks for this, but this is not sharing a HomeKey. This is simply adding an access code to your lock, which could be given to anyone. What I would like is to be able to share my actual HomeKey, like it is with the members of my immediate family, and have them be able to use their watch and/or iPhone to unlock the door. The way it stands now, they would have to remember and punch in the number code.

 

[alexandr]

Hi.
I was curious about this after reading your post.
But it seems simpler now?

Allow for key sharing from the Wallet App would be much more insecure, since you cannot track
how many people got the keys after a while.

Unlock your door with a home key on iPhone

With a compatible HomeKit door lock, use a home key to unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Set up an access code for a guest​

In the Home app you can set up an access code for people who need temporary access to your home.

1. Open the Home app
   
   on your iPhone.
2. On the Home tab, touch and hold the lock, tap Accessory Details, tap
   
   , tap Manage Access, then tap Add Guest.
3. Give the guest a name—Dog Walker, for example—then turn on the locks you want them to have access to.
4. Tap Change Access Code, enter an access code, then tap Done.
5. Touch and hold the access code, tap Share, choose a sharing option, then share the access code with the guest.

You can return to this screen to change the access code, turn off access to some or all of the locks, or remove the guest.

Right, but what if your lock doesn't have a keypad, like the Level? Won't do much good...

 

[alexandr]

Thanks for this, but this is not sharing a HomeKey. This is simply adding an access code to your lock, which could be given to anyone. What I would like is to be able to share my actual HomeKey, like it is with the members of my immediate family, and have them be able to use their watch and/or iPhone to unlock the door. The way it stands now, they would have to remember and punch in the number code.

I'm amazed at this. I just installed a Level lock with home key capability, and was looking for a way to share it. This is a joke.

 

[utsava]

I'm amazed at this. I just installed a Level lock with home key capability, and was looking for a way to share it. This is a joke.

It really is a glaring omission... especially when they are allowing things like car key sharing already...

 

[alexandr]

It really is a glaring omission... especially when they are allowing things like car key sharing already...

I don't understand what this is even based on. A digital key is a digital key, who cares if it's a car or the key to hear heart? Stupid.