While several high-profile smart deadbolt systems such as Lockitron and August have experienced significant delays, Kwikset has been shipping its Kevo Bluetooth deadbolt for some time now, and today the system is receiving a software update to provide new access options for users.

Similar in appearance to other electronic deadbolt locks with a relatively large housing on the inside of the door, the Kevo system allows users to lock and unlock their deadbolts with a simple touch, relying on a Kevo iPhone app or physical fob to determine whether access should be granted. After a simple set-up process, the Kevo deadbolt can determine relative positioning of the device or fob, only granting touch access when the user is outside the door. A standard key can also be used to operate the deadbolt.

kwikset_kevo
Much of today's upgrade centers around the system's eKeys that allow users to unlock the door using the Kevo smartphone app. The new features include free and unlimited Guest eKeys that can be sent to guests to allow access for 24 hours, as well as a new Scheduled eKey type that allows to restrict the days and times a standard eKey is valid.

From giving a neighbor day-long access to keep an eye on your kids, or letting in a weekend guest who beats you home from a busy day at work, the Guest eKey provides ultimate convenience and flexibility.

The new Scheduled eKey enhances home access control by allowing users to set day and time constraints right from their phones. Ideal for house cleaners, dog walkers, nannies or others that need regular access at pre-determined times, like on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. Kevo owners can schedule these eKeys to be active prior to sending, so they don’t have to remember to grant or revoke access to these users in real time.

kevo_guest_scheduled_ekeys

Guest eKey management (left) and Scheduled eKey setup (right)

Kevo comes with two free Anytime or Scheduled eKeys, and additional ones can be purchased in-app for $1.99 each. The new Guest eKeys are available free of charge without limits.

Kevo is available from Apple, Amazon, and other retailers for approximately $220. The updated Kevo app for iPhone is available now through the App Store [Direct Link], and the app also facilitates a firmware update for the lock itself.

Top Rated Comments

Rayd5365 Avatar
138 months ago
I can't believe that after the insane amount of money they get for these things, they CHARGE you for each key.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
138 months ago
They still need to connect wifi to this,not just Bluetooth. They need to make so you can lock or unlock your door (same with August) from ANY desktop or smartphone with Internet access.
What if I'm out for a jog,I take my phone and the batter dies?
What if I loose my cellphone?

What if my wife leaves her cell in the house and is locked out? It would be nice to send a signal from another phone to unlock the door. Or go to a neighbors house,use their computer,login and unlock your front door.
Just like my garage door opener. I can open it from any smartphone or PC.

When they accomplish that,I'll be the first to buy one.

Can't most of these issues (What if I leave inside, lose, forget etc) be applied to normal keys as well??
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Locoboof Avatar
138 months ago
They still need to connect wifi to this,not just Bluetooth. They need to make so you can lock or unlock your door (same with August) from ANY desktop or smartphone with Internet access.
What if I'm out for a jog,I take my phone and the batter dies?
What if I loose my cellphone?

What if my wife leaves her cell in the house and is locked out? It would be nice to send a signal from another phone to unlock the door. Or go to a neighbors house,use their computer,login and unlock your front door.
Just like my garage door opener. I can open it from any smartphone or PC.

When they accomplish that,I'll be the first to buy one.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
octothorpe8 Avatar
138 months ago
Considering the Iphone battery life which never lasts a full day without recharging, I can see myself or my houseguest sleeping on the doormat just because there is no way to power up the Iphone to open my darn door.

What a life. I can imagine spending my day running around the city and planning smart use of my smart phone so that I can open the door to my home at nite, before it shuts down due to empty battery. It is ridiculous, really.

.

You see that jagged slot in the middle? It fits a metal key.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keane16 Avatar
138 months ago
They still need to connect wifi to this,not just Bluetooth. They need to make so you can lock or unlock your door (same with August) from ANY desktop or smartphone with Internet access.
What if I'm out for a jog,I take my phone and the batter dies?
What if I loose my cellphone?

What if my wife leaves her cell in the house and is locked out? It would be nice to send a signal from another phone to unlock the door. Or go to a neighbors house,use their computer,login and unlock your front door.
Just like my garage door opener. I can open it from any smartphone or PC.

When they accomplish that,I'll be the first to buy one.

I imagine this is a fairly regular request they have. And as you point out it can be very useful to lock/unlock from almost anywhere.

But as with everything, once you're on the internet - the security risks rise so much.

This gets me thinking about Apple's HomeKit. There's been talk of having a HomeKit server type device (possibly even a new Apple TV box). That could sit between your home network of devices and the internet. Not just locks like this, but the DVR, washing machine, fridge, lights, oven - whatever. This would act as the security layer between the internet and your devices.

I don't like the idea of all my future connected devices accessing the internet directly. But if they could sit behind something provided by Apple it should help security and allow for all these devices to be controlled by 1 interface.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tasset Avatar
138 months ago
I have one and mechanically it works pretty well. Software can be a bit finicky, sometimes I have to open the app if I haven't used it in a recent enough time for it to be active in the background.
My biggest gripe with sending people the eKeys is actually that the user has to install the app AND sign up with their email address! That kind of offsets the temporary convenience factor in my opinion.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
Apple Maps 2024

Apple Maps Might Start Showing Ads

Sunday February 16, 2025 7:22 am PST by
Apple is "exploring" the idea of showing search ads in the Apple Maps app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Back in 2022, Gurman said software engineering was "already underway" to display ads in the Apple Maps app, but Apple did not move forward with the idea at the time. Today, he said Apple is "giving this notion more thought" again. This time around, he said Apple has yet to...
Tim Cook Apple Park

10+ Announcements Apple Could Have Rolled Into a February Event

Saturday February 15, 2025 8:00 am PST by
Apple appears to have enough upcoming product announcements to justify a full event this month, yet all signs indicate these reveals will be handled through a series of press releases instead. There are a multitude of rumors from reliable sources about specific announcements in the coming weeks, so here's everything that Apple could have feasibly included in a hypothetical February event: ...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

What to Expect From the 'Apple Launch' Next Week

Thursday February 13, 2025 11:48 am PST by
Apple has yet to announce any new devices this year, but that could change starting next week. Apple CEO Tim Cook today said to "get ready" for a "launch" on Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," said Cook, in a social media post. The post includes an #AppleLaunch hashtag, along with a short video featuring an animated Apple logo inside of a circle....
iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro With All-New Camera Bar Design Allegedly Revealed

Thursday February 13, 2025 5:49 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro will feature three rear cameras arranged in a familiar triangular layout, but the cameras will be housed in an all-new rectangular camera bar with rounded corners, according to YouTube channel Front Page Tech. iPhone 17 Pro camera design render created by Asher for Front Page Tech In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser said the camera ...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple Teases Its Next Major Product Launch

Friday February 14, 2025 9:38 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the imminent Apple product "launch" that is widely expected to be the fourth-generation iPhone SE. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos In a social media post on Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of...