As a homeowner who values both convenience and security, I’ve been exploring how smart locks can integrate seamlessly into my smart home ecosystem. One of the standout devices I’ve come across is the Nuki Smart Lock 2.0, which offers a blend of innovative features and robust security. However, there’s a particular aspect of its HomeKit integration that I believe could be improved to enhance user safety and satisfaction.
Currently, when using Apple’s Home app or third-party apps like Eve, triggering the lock to “Unlock” immediately opens the door rather than simply unlocking it. This behavior is not only misleading from a user interface perspective but also poses a potential security risk. Imagine the frustration of unintentionally leaving your door wide open, especially when controlling it remotely!
To address this, I propose that Nuki introduce a user-selectable mapping option within their iOS app settings. This feature would allow users to choose between triggering the “Unlock” command, which keeps the door secure but accessible, or the “Open Door” command, which physically opens the door. This flexibility would better align the HomeKit functionality with the intuitive behavior of the Nuki app itself, which distinguishes between locked, unlocked, and open states.
From a user experience standpoint, this change would significantly improve safety and reduce the likelihood of accidental door openings. It would also provide a more consistent and reliable interaction with the lock, whether controlled through voice commands, the Home app, or manual operation.
I’ve reached out to Nuki to share my feedback and encourage them to explore this enhancement. In the meantime, I’ve temporarily disabled the HomeKit functionality to avoid any unintended consequences, which is unfortunate given how seamless the integration was the primary reason for upgrading to the Smart Lock 2.0.
If anyone else has encountered similar issues or has suggestions on how to improve the HomeKit integration, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s work together to make our smart homes both smarter and safer.