This is my review of the Aqara Rim Lock U500.
Aqara U500 Rim Lock Review and Setup, Apple Home Key, Matter, Home Assistant and Alexa
Here is the description so you know what you can expect in the video.
In this video, I take a detailed, real world look at the Aqara U500 Smart Rim Lock, including installation, Aqara app setup, Apple Home Key, HomeKit, Home Assistant, Alexa, user setup, lock settings, automations, and my final thoughts.
The Aqara U500 series comes in three different versions. In this video, I focus on the U500 Rim Lock, but Aqara also make a U500 Gate Lock and a U500 Glass Door Lock. Each version is designed for a different type of installation, so it is important to choose the correct one for your door, gate, or glass door setup.
The U500 Rim Lock is a surface mounted smart lock designed for classic entrance doors, internal doors, cupboards, storage rooms, parcel rooms, and other situations where a traditional rim style lock makes more sense than a Euro cylinder or mortice style smart lock.
In this video, I show a slightly unconventional installation. My parcel room door was not perfectly flush with the frame, so I had to mark up, chisel out the wood, drill through the door, and make a few adjustments to get the lock fitted properly. This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect if your own door or frame is not perfectly straightforward.
The Aqara U500 Rim Lock supports multiple unlocking methods, including fingerprint, keypad passcode, NFC, Apple Home Key, Aqara app control, HomeKit, Matter, Home Assistant, Alexa, and a physical backup key. It also has USB-C emergency power, so if the batteries run out, you can temporarily power the lock from a power bank.
The lock uses 4 AA batteries, supports Matter over Thread, and works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant, and the Aqara app, depending on your setup and Matter controller.
In this video, I cover everything from measuring & marking, cutting & chiseling out to installation, setup in multiple ecosystems and troubleshooting.
One of my favourite features is Apple Home Key. Once the lock is added to Apple Home, you can unlock it using your iPhone or Apple Watch, which is incredibly useful for everyday access and could also be helpful for people who struggle with keys or have reduced dexterity.
I also show how the built in doorbell button can be used in Aqara automations. In my setup, pressing the doorbell button on the lock can trigger sounds on Aqara cameras around the home, which makes the lock much more useful than a basic smart lock.
Aqara kindly sent this lock to me free of charge, but this is not a paid promotion. They had no control over what I say in this video, and all opinions are my own. As you will see, I do point out a few frustrations with the setup and calibration process, as well as the parts I really like.
If you are looking for a smart rim lock with Apple Home Key, fingerprint unlocking, keypad access, Matter over Thread, Home Assistant support, Alexa support, Aqara automations, and a physical backup key, this video should give you a clear idea of whether the Aqara U500 Rim Lock is right for your setup.
Product links
Aqara Smart Rim Lock U500
https://www.aqara-shop.co.uk/product/aqara-smart-rim-lock-u500/
Aqara Smart Gate Lock U500
https://www.aqara-shop.co.uk/product/aqara-smart-gate-lock-u500/
Aqara Smart Glass Door Lock U500
https://www.aqara-shop.co.uk/product/aqara-smart-glass-door-lock-u500/
Chisel sharpening video mentioned
Aqara did send me the U500 Rim Lock free of charge for review, but they did not pay me, and they had no control over the content of this video. Clicking the product links still helps the channel by showing engagement and interest in the products I review.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:14 What’s In The Box
05:29 Prepping and Checking
07:05 Marking Up
07:53 Cutting Time
08:11 Chiseling Out The Wood
14:11 Attaching The Strike Box
17:42 Drilling Out The Door
19:54 Fitting The Lock
25:56 Setup In Aqara
30:45 Troubleshooting
32:27 Setup In HomeKit
35:17 Setup In Home Assistant
38:28 Setup In Alexa
41:56 Adding A New User
43:30 Settings Walkthrough
45:52 Automation Setup
48:02 Final Thoughts
52:28 Outro
If you found this video helpful, please consider liking and subscribing. It genuinely helps the channel grow and allows me to keep making detailed smart home reviews, setup guides, and real world installation videos.
If you have any questions about the Aqara U500 Rim Lock, Apple Home Key, Matter over Thread, Home Assistant, Alexa, lock calibration, or fitting this lock on an unusual door frame, leave a comment below and I will do my best to help.
