Smart Locks: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

Are you tired of dealing with lost keys and considering a switch to a smart lock? That’s a great decision! Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant, or business owner, a smart lock offers many benefits. However, before you make your choice, there are a few things you should know. After all, not every lock fits every door, and installation can have its own challenges. Here’s your guide to getting started on the right foot in the world of smart locks.

Before You Buy: What You Need to Know

Before investing in a smart lock, make sure it’s compatible with your door and suits your needs. Here are the most important factors to consider:

Is your door suitable for a smart lock? Check the type of cylinder in your door.

There are three main cylinder types commonly used in Europe:

Euro Profile Cylinder: This is the most widely used cylinder type in Europe, often found on front and entrance doors. It’s characterised by its distinctive shape with a notch.

Swiss Round Cylinder: As the name suggests, this type is primarily used in Switzerland. It has a round shape and is quite different from other cylinder types.

Scandinavian Cylinder: Mainly used in Nordic countries, this cylinder has an oval shape. Since it’s less common, ensure you get the correct form factor when ordering.

Get Your Measurements Right!
Before purchasing a new smart lock, it’s crucial to measure the cylinder on your door accurately to ensure a perfect fit. To determine the right cylinder length, measure both the inside and outside of your door. This will help you choose the correct cylinder, ensuring your new smart lock works seamlessly and can be securely installed. You can find a detailed guide on how to measure correctly here.

Is a Pull-Protection Necessary?
Determine whether you need a door cylinder with pull-protection, a mechanism that prevents the cylinder from being pulled out of the lock. Be sure to consider the door fitting (the external frame around the lock that provides both decorative and protective functions) in detail. Find out in this article whether pull-protection is necessary and what to consider during installation.

Emergency or Panic Function?
An emergency function allows you to open the door from outside, even if there’s a key inserted on the inside. The panic function lets you open the door from the inside without a key—particularly important in offices or public buildings.

Knob or Handle?
Decide whether you prefer a knob that can only be electronically unlocked or a handle that you can also open mechanically. Each option has its own advantages: the knob offers maximum security, while the handle provides more flexibility.

Power Supply Considerations
Depending on the smart lock, you may need to provide a power supply to the door. The Tapkey Smart Lock works completely autonomously with a battery, so no additional power supply is needed. Decide whether you need to plan for additional installation steps or not.

Making the Right Choice: Your Purchase Decision

Yes, there’s a lot to consider before choosing the right smart lock—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve put together a handy overview of all Tapkey-compatible smart locks, so you can see all the key features and functions at a glance. This will make it easier to decide which lock best suits your door and needs. Whether you need a smart lock for indoor use or one that’s weatherproof for outdoor areas—we have it all covered. You can find all the smart locks available for purchase in our shop.

To make your decision even easier, be sure to check out our detailed article on the 7 factors to consider when selecting an access control system. There, you’ll find essential information on what to look for in a digital access control system to ensure it perfectly meets your needs.

Installation Checklist

You’ve ordered your smart lock—now it’s time to prepare for the installation. Here are some practical tips to make sure everything runs smoothly:

Check the Accessories: Do you have all the necessary parts for installation? Make sure you have the correct cylinder and fitting for your smart lock.
Test Before Installing: Test the smart lock before fully mounting it to ensure everything works perfectly.
Align the Door Properly: Make sure your door and frame are properly aligned. Even minor misalignments can affect the lock’s function.
The Installation Itself: Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer to play it safe—Tapkey-compatible digital locks offer flexible installation options. Many users choose to retrofit their Tapkey Smart Lock themselves, as it’s straightforward and quick. For more complex locks, such as the DOM Tapkey Guard, you can always opt to have a professional handle the installation if you prefer expert support.
Updates: After installation, be sure to update your app and smart lock to the latest firmware.
Configuration: Now you can easily set up access control using the Tapkey App or Web Portal and assign access rights! Manage individual access rights for employees, family, or guests—flexibly and in real-time.

Retrofitting the Smart Lock Yourself

The best news: You can retrofit your Tapkey Smart Lock yourself in just a few minutes! If you’re unsure, simply check out our tutorial video, where we show you step-by-step how to retrofit your smart lock—no prior experience needed. Watch the video here.