Schlage Launching Sense Pro Door Lock With Hands-Free Unlocking via iPhone or Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Schlage today announced that the Sense Pro smart deadbolt it unveiled at CES 2025 will finally be available for purchase in the U.S. and Canada beginning June 29, with U.S. pricing set at $399 and Canadian pricing set at $549. The smart deadbolt will be available at Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe's, and select other retailers.

Sense Pro utilizes Ultra Wideband technology to allow for hands-free unlocking with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch model. After adding a digital key to the Apple Wallet app, you can simply approach your door with your iPhone in your pocket or your Apple Watch on your wrist and the door will automatically unlock.

Schlage said the hands-free feature works by calculating speed, trajectory, and motion to unlock the door precisely as you reach your door.

The deadbolt has no keyhole, but it does have a keypad for keyless entry with an access code.

Sense Pro has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing it to be managed remotely through the Schlage Home app. You can lock and unlock the deadbolt from anywhere, manage up to 250 unique access codes, set timed auto-lock and daily locking schedules, and customize lock settings. The deadbolt can also be managed in Apple's Home app.

Hands-free unlocking is available with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later (excluding the Apple Watch SE) running watchOS 11.5 or later, and the iPhone 11 and later (excluding the iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE 3, iPhone 16e, and iPhone 17e) running iOS 18.5 or later.

Matter over Thread support allows the Sense Pro to pair with a Thread-enabled Apple Home hub, including the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), Apple TV 4K (3rd generation), HomePod (2nd generation), and HomePod mini.

The lock is equipped with disposable batteries that offer up to six months of battery life. A built-in USB-C port can provide temporary power.

Samsung Wallet and Google Wallet support will arrive later this year, as part of the lock's compatibility with Aliro, according to Schlage.

Article Link: Schlage Launching Sense Pro Door Lock With Hands-Free Unlocking via iPhone or Apple Watch

 

[poematik13]

Don’t ever use or rely on anything electronic to access your house. Massive security hazard + won’t work reliably or fast enough in an emergency or natural disaster

 

[avkills]

Probably has a physical unlock in the inside house side, so I do not get your emergency situation comment.

Hands free is cool; but I hope it requires either device to actually be unlocked to work.

 

[spazzcat]

Don’t ever use or rely on anything electronic to access your house. Massive security hazard + won’t work reliably or fast enough in an emergency or natural disaster

If the battery is dead it works like any other deadbolt.

 

[spazzcat]

Best value for your buck right now is Aqara.

 

[ilikeavocados5893]

Finally! They announced this a year and a half ago, then crickets. I suspected it might be vaporware.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

If the battery is dead it works like any other deadbolt.

Unless you're outside the door, as it doesn't have a keyhole that you could use if the battery was dead.

 

[k1121j]

Wish these kind of things could be solar or something i don't need anymore battery's to change.

 

[spazzcat]

Unless you're outside the door, as it doesn't have a keyhole that you could use if the battery was dead.

I agree on that point, which is why I only buy smart locks with physical key backup. But at this point, all my smart locks have a USB-C power backup port, so I could throw a small powerpack in the car.

 

[spazzcat]

Wish these kind of things could be solar or something i don't need anymore battery's to change.

Most smart locks need to be charged once a year.

 

[dwaite]

The key bit missing from this summary is that it is Aliro compatible.

Aliro is a smart lock standard by the CSA, the same group that does Matter, which launched in February of this year. It provides a HomeKey-like experience to other devices, with Apple, Samsung and Google all supposedly agreeing to support it (on their own timelines).

 

[robertcoogan]

No determined thief is going to go through the front door.

However, if it can be unlocked with a proximity sensor, that same determined thief could simply steal you phone after incapacitating/killing you, and then enter the house. Hmm.

 

[poematik13]

If the battery is dead it works like any other deadbolt.

where is the key lol

 

[capamac]

Too complex. Mechanical keys are simpler. My favorite cars for that matter had manual key locks. There's something really nice about simplicity and mechanical stuff, tools that engage the user.

Devices like these also remind me of electronic NuTone intercomes I've seen in various homes and apartments. I've never come across one that was functional.

Thing is, in 10, 15, 20 years it's entirely possible no one uses the wireless protocol this lock uses. In 10 years people mind say "Remember the 2020s, when everyone used smartphones?" And a lot of today's tech will look as decrepit as this NuTone intercom.

 

[svish]

Took a long time for it to be available. Not going to buy one. Battery life could be better.

 

[spazzcat]

No determined thief is going to go through the front door.

However, if it can be unlocked with a proximity sensor, that same determined thief could simply steal you phone after incapacitating/killing you, and then enter the house. Hmm.

You mean like taking yuor keys?

 

[spazzcat]

where is the key lol

For this one it would be a USB-C power pack.

 

[TKSX]

Not bad. I might put one in my house; however, it will go on the garage door connected to the house and not the front door.

 

[macduke]

Don’t ever use or rely on anything electronic to access your house. Massive security hazard + won’t work reliably or fast enough in an emergency or natural disaster

It depends on your setup and what tradeoffs you're willing to accept. Most of these smart locks can be unlocked with a bump key or other similar, very easy to pick methods of entry. For someone like me who also has other entry methods into my home such as a garage door, ditching the key is completely fine.

I agree on that point, which is why I only buy smart locks with physical key backup. But at this point, all my smart locks have a USB-C power backup port, so I could throw a small powerpack in the car.

Exactly this. Could probably even plug my iPhone Pro into it to power it. Leave a 6" USB-C cable in a ziplock bag under the flower pot, and I always have USB-C in my car, since my Telluride has 8 USB-C ports.

No determined thief is going to go through the front door.

However, if it can be unlocked with a proximity sensor, that same determined thief could simply steal you phone after incapacitating/killing you, and then enter the house. Hmm.

Pretty sure if someone has killed you, you have bigger problems to worry about than if someone is breaking into your house. Don't see how this is any different than carrying a physical key.

Took a long time for it to be available. Not going to buy one. Battery life could be better.

I like the idea, seems easy to use and doesn't have a key which I prefer. You're right about battery life being a bit short. Not sure why it needs WiFi when it has thread and they could just use BT LE. I'd also like to see reviews on how well it works and if there are any issues with it unlocking from the inside if you approach the door, which seems like a big potential security issue that I want confirmation about. Also needs a price drop. If it is well reviewed without issues, I might get it in a year or two when the price comes down during a sale closer to $300.

 

[powaking]

Does the proximity only unlock if it sense from outside or also inside? Like what happens if you walk too close to the lock indoors will it unlock the door if you didn’t intend to do so?

 

[spazzcat]

It depends on your setup and what tradeoffs you're willing to accept. Most of these smart locks can be unlocked with a bump key or other similar, very easy to pick methods of entry. For someone like me who also has other entry methods into my home such as a garage door, ditching the key is completely fine.


...

This mostly false expect for the retrofit smart locks.

• Keyless Smart Locks (Bump-Proof): Many popular smart locks (like certain Schlage models) do not feature a physical keyway at all. Because there is no cylinder, they are structurally immune to bump keys or lock picking.
• Locks with Anti-Bumping Tech: Leading brands like Kwikset use patented cylinders (such as SmartKey Security) that are specifically designed to resist standard bumping and lock picking.
• Keyed Smart Locks (Vulnerable): Some smart locks are built as add-ons to traditional deadbolts or use standard pin-and-tumbler cylinders. In these cases, it is physically possible to bump them or pick them just like a normal mechanical lock.

 

[spazzcat]

Does the proximity only unlock if it sense from outside or also inside? Like what happens if you walk too close to the lock indoors will it unlock the door if you didn’t intend to do so?

Not only does it only work from outside it can even sense from different directions depending on the lock features and only open when you approach from the right, left or facing the lock.

 

[xpxp2002]

No determined thief is going to go through the front door.

However, if it can be unlocked with a proximity sensor, that same determined thief could simply steal you phone after incapacitating/killing you, and then enter the house. Hmm.

This is the one downside to the UWB-based locks I saw when support for it was first announced.

I like the way Home Key without UWB works where you tap an unlocked phone/watch to the lock. This demonstrates intent, and requires that you're at least using Face ID to authenticate yourself or wearing an unlocked watch.

If someone steals your watch, the watch will automatically lock when it's taken off your wrist and won't work as a key until you unlock it. If someone steals your phone, they would need your passcode (really should be set to a passphrase) or Face ID authentication to use it as a key.

 

[xpxp2002]

Not sure why it needs WiFi when it has thread and they could just use BT LE.

Likely for use without a Thread router or "home hub" type device.

The Schlage Encode Plus also has Wi-Fi support for this reason. You can choose to use it in an Apple Home configuration with a Home Hub and Thread, or you can use it in a hybrid/non-Apple environment where Android devices also need to remotely control the lock.

Without the Apple Home Hub, remote control would need to be facilitated by a third party service; in this case, Schlage Connect. And in order for the lock to access Schlage Connect directly, it needs to be connected to Wi-Fi.

The configuration with Wi-Fi is, in theory, less secure and drains the batteries far faster. But Schlage offers the flexibility to use the lock how you wish and accept the compromises. Just as importantly, you can choose to keep the lock off the internet and manage access through Apple Home.

 

[xpxp2002]

Thing is, in 10, 15, 20 years it's entirely possible no one uses the wireless protocol this lock uses. In 10 years people mind say "Remember the 2020s, when everyone used smartphones?" And a lot of today's tech will look as decrepit as this NuTone intercom.

I remember those NuTone intercoms. One of my neighbors had one back in the 90s. Unsurprisingly, the plastic buttons eventually became unworkable after years of UV exposure from the sun. This is how I feel about the "Ring" style doorbell cameras. They've largely replaced the function of those NuTone intercoms, but I won't be surprised (especially after the "lost dog" Super Bowl ad debacle and all the attention on Flock) if people begin ripping these things off their homes in the next few years.

I get where you're coming from. But these aren't permanent like those intercoms. There's no in-wall wiring. It's no worse than the keypad remotes for garage door openers that most people have on the side of their garage trim. My house came with one that eats through 9V batteries like nobody's business. I think I may have used it once since I moved in.

After replacing the battery a few times, I realized what a waste and security risk it probably is and just abandoned it in place in favor of a HomeKit-enabled garage door opener. To any unsuspecting person, it looks like I have a keypad remote to open my garage, but it's completely dysfunctional. Meanwhile, I get more convenient access through the Home app on my phone, commands using Siri on authenticated Apple devices, and on my car's infotainment system through CarPlay.

The smartphone became popular nearly 20 years ago now and remains as pervasive as ever. Some tech is ephemeral, and some persists and evolves. The way I see it, if you buy these in 2026 and they go unsupported in 10-20 years, you can easily remove and replace them. Most traditional/mechanical residential grade locks can be easily defeated by a skilled person. An electronic lock just changes out one risk model for another. In the meantime, if one of these provides value for a decade or more and you accept the "risks," I don't really see the downside. It beats giving a physical key to someone and then having them lose it, forcing you to have to rekey a bunch of locks. Instead, you can just revoke their access and/or change their keypad passcode.