Nuki has announced the launch of its new Keypad NFC 2 , which brings support for the Aliro standard and enables one-touch unlocking via Apple Home Key and Samsung Digital Home Key . The new product is the first Aliro - compatible keypad module for retrofitting smart locks, marking a new era in smart security system interoperability.
Aliro is a new open standard for smart locks supported by all major smartphone platforms and manufacturers, including Apple , Samsung , Google and others. It is designed to allow any smart lock to be securely unlocked by any smartphone, regardless of manufacturer, without the need for special apps. The digital key is stored in the phone’s wallet and can be used with a simple tap, similar to contactless payments. The standard supports three technologies: NFC , Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra Wideband (UWB) , offering flexibility to manufacturers and users .
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Nuki do n’t have to remove your existing lock. Instead, you only replace the internal turning mechanism with the Nuki system, making installation simple and ideal for renters or people who don’t want to replace the entire lock. This approach has made Nuki the leading choice in the European retrofit market. Because there is no visible smart lock on the outside of the door, an external keypad to activate the tap-to-unlock function, while keeping the aesthetics of the door unchanged.
Technical Capabilities of the Nuki Keypad NFC 2
The Keypad NFC 2 can be set to two modes: Smart Home Mode or Nuki App Mode. The Smart Home mode allows the lock to work with Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings via the Matter, which is the new universal standard for smart homes. The Nuki lock works with Thread, so you will need an Apple or Samsung SmartThings Matter/Thread hub to use the mode.
Nuki App Mode allows you to use tap-to-unlock without being tied to a specific smartphone platform or manufacturer. All you need is an NFC- and the Nuki. Unlike other solutions like the Aqara U400 that supports Ultra Wideband (UWB) for hands-free unlocking, the Keypad NFC 2 only supports NFC, which limits its functionality but reduces cost and complexity.
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Interoperability Challenges and Future Developments
The Aliro standard is still in its early stages of development and compatibility remains limited, but progress is encouraging. Its adoption by major players such as Apple , Samsung and Google indicates a significant shift towards universal digital key standards. Nuki is following this development, having already integrated Matter and now Aliro into its products.
Martina Stix says that for now, you can use the keyboard with both the Apple Home Key and the Samsung Digital Home Key at the same time, but that only works if the Apple Home is paired first and the Samsung SmartThings is added later. “We are constantly working with mobile wallet providers to improve interoperability between their systems,” she says. “But we can’t give any timelines for future changes or improvements.” Along with touch unlock, the new keyboard offers fingerprint and keyboard unlocking.
These restrictions reflect the challenges the industry faces in the effort to create truly universal standards.
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The integration of Aliro into the Nuki Keypad NFC 2 represents a significant step towards universal interoperability in the smart lock space, according to The Verge. As the standard matures and more manufacturers adopt it, we can expect to see more compatible devices and an improved user experience across all platforms. Nuki, with its decade-long experience and leading position in the European market, is ideally positioned to benefit from this development and further expand its global presence.
