Aliro could change the future of smart locks, but I’m not buying it right now
aliro is the latest buzz word smart home technology. I heard it mentioned by many people for the first time smart lock ahead of companies ces 2026. Now, a few months later, the first wave of compatible devices is starting to arrive.
At its core, Aliro lets you unlock your door with just a tap phone This. Your phone’s digital wallet effectively becomes your key. I’ll go into technical details below, but the main idea is straightforward: It’s designed to make unlocking faster and more seamless. Given that it is based on existing proximity-based technologies, it is expected to be launched in a fairly sophisticated, ready-to-use state.
Beyond convenience, Aliro also aims to simplify access sharing. Instead of juggling different apps or codes, you can manage who has access directly through your phone’s Wallet. It also improves interoperability, working on major smart home ecosystems like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung.
On paper, the Aliro is a worthwhile upgrade to a flagship range of smart home devices. Still, I’m not planning on buying an Aliro-compatible smart lock right away—and you probably don’t need to, either. Here’s why this might happen.
Aliero explained: turning your phone into a universal key
Developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, Aliro is a universal digital key standard. Compatible smart locks will have Near Field Communication (NFC) built-in, the same technology used by your phone’s wallet app when you pay at a retailer. Aliero was developed in collaboration with major phone manufacturers, so it will verify your digital wallet to unlock your door. In practice, Aliro will make opening your deadbolt the same as tapping to pay for your morning coffee.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because you may already have a lock compatible with the Apple Home Key. The Aliro is functionally the same – your credentials are stored in your phone’s wallet, so you simply bring your phone close to the sensor to open the door. NFC works so fast that verification should happen in milliseconds, as it does with the home key, and it draws so little power that your phone can unlock your door even when the battery is dead and turned off.
Unlike Apple Home Key, Aliro is not limited to any one platform. The Connectivity Standards Alliance is the same group that developed the smart home standard. CaseAnd Aliro will serve a similar purpose, unifying basic functionality across platforms. Whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone, and no matter what digital wallet you use, you will be able to unlock your door through Aliro. even smart watches Will work with your wallet credentials and NFC.
In addition to unlocking your door, Aliro will also make it easy to share access to your lock. You can just manage access to your phone’s Wallet app, without having to mess with any additional apps for the lock. Others can then join using their wallet apps. If you already have an iPhone and use an Apple Key, this will be the main advantage of Aliro over your current technology. You’ll be able to share access to your lock with family and friends who have an Android device, and they’ll get the same simple tap-to-unlock experience. You can also set rules, schedules, and permissions using your wallet.
Why is your current smart lock still stuck?
At this point, you might be thinking that the Aliro sounds great, and I agree. You may soon be able to purchase a compatible smart lock, and your options will expand exponentially in the near future. Ultraloq recently announced Aliro certification, so expect the hardware to follow in the coming weeks. There are other companies, such as Aqara, Nuki and Schlage. Jumping on board with Aliro too.
However, if you already have a smart lock that works well, I would argue that you don’t need to get an Aliro-compatible model. An Ultraloq spokesperson told me the technology isn’t backward-compatible with existing locks, so you need new hardware to access it, but the Aliro won’t necessarily change the way you unlock your door.
The UltraLoc Bolt Fingerprint comes with a keypad equipped with a fingerprint sensor (Credit: John R. Delaney)
take ours Favorite Smart LockEditor’s Choice-Winner ultralok bolt fingerprintFor example. One reason we like that lock is that it already offers multiple ways to open your door. You can scan your fingerprint, issue a voice command, use the keypad, or even open it from an app on your phone. It even offers automatic unlocking based on your location via geofencing, which is a relatively common feature for smart locks. As you approach your door with an armful of groceries, the lock will detect your phone’s location and automatically unlock.
Ultraloq and other companies have begun using ultra-wideband (UWB) for the same purpose. Offering centimeter-level accuracy, UWB is used for Find My technology in smartphones, smartwatches, and most other devices with location tracking. With UWB, auto-unlock can be incredibly accurate.
Other smart locks unlock by scanning your palm or your face. Aliero won’t affect any of these unlock methods, so if you have a smart lock and have a method of unlocking your door you like, Aliero can’t add any features. You may also not benefit from its advanced sharing functionality. You’ve probably already shared access to your lock with your family, friends, and pet sitters, and Aliro only affects the initial permission of access.
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I prefer to open the door for myself, but a keypad is nice too (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
I like to use auto-unlock to open my door. I’m often approaching it with my arms full of something, and I won’t bother grabbing my phone, even for the simple act of tapping it to lock. I have a smart lock installed that works well, so I don’t need to upgrade to the Alero as it won’t add any convenience to my daily routine.
Shopping case in Aliro
If you don’t already have a favorite smart lock and you’re just in the market for one, it’s worth making sure it’s compatible with the Alero.
As mentioned, Aliro doesn’t affect many existing methods of unlocking your door with a smart lock. Devices with Aliero may still have auto-unlock, palm recognition, and other cool tricks. Aliero simply makes sure that the lock supports tap-to-unlock and works with any phone brand. The collaborative nature of the standard ensures that as the technology companies behind it evolve, compatible locks will remain up to date. In other words, it makes your smart lock future-proof.
Next time I’m installing a smart lock, I hope it has Alero (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
When I’m ready to switch to a new smart lock, the ease of sharing through Aliro will make a big difference. I don’t have to ask my family and friends to download a new app and create another irrelevant account. I will send the permission to their wallet right now.
Aliro will also give me peace of mind. If my phone turns off while I’m out, I’ll still be able to enter my house even if I don’t bring the backup key. Additionally, the functionality will be certified by a third party, so the Aliro lock will be less vulnerable to potential failures of a single platform.
So while Aliro doesn’t offer any essential tips guaranteed to replace your existing smart lock, what it does add is future-proofing, optionality, and sustainability. All of these things are worth exploring the next time you’re ready to upgrade.
About our expert
Andrew Gebhart
Senior Writer, Smart Home and Wearables
Experience
I’m a senior writer for PCMag covering smart home and wearable devices. I’ve been reporting on technology professionally for nearly a decade and been passionate about it for even longer. Before joining PCMag, I created educational videos for an electronics store called ABT Electronics in Illinois, and before that, I spent eight years covering the smart home market for CNET.
I promote many flavors of stupidity in my personal life. I am an avid board gamer and video gamer. I love fantasy football, which I see as a combination of role-playing games and sports. Plus, I can talk to you for hours about craft beer and am on a personal quest to sample a flight of beers at every microbrewery in my home city of Chicago.
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