No Key, No Problem? Smart Door Setup with Aqara… or Time for Ubiquiti?

[RudyK]

Question for the community:

I’m currently installing a new front door with a motorized lock, and of course the goal is to fully integrate it into my smart home setup. My environment is mainly Aqara-based and runs through Home Assistant.

My initial idea was to control the lock via an Aqara relay and pair it with an Aqara doorbell (G400 or G410). That part seems straightforward.

But the real question is: how do I unlock the door from the outside without a key?

Face recognition would be one option. However, Aqara currently doesn’t offer a dedicated fingerprint reader, NFC reader, or PIN keypad as standalone devices.

So I was wondering:

Would it be possible to use the keypad from the U200 Smart Lock independently, without installing the actual lock mechanism it normally comes with?

Or am I going down the wrong path altogether?

An alternative I’m considering is switching to Ubiquiti for access control. My entire network stack is already based on Ubiquiti, and their ecosystem looks quite compelling. For example, the G6 Entry doorbell offers a camera with face recognition, and the Pro version even includes NFC and a keypad. Combined with the Door Mini Hub, I could control the motorized lock and potentially integrate everything into Home Assistant.

So I’d really appreciate your input:

Does anyone have experience with either approach? Or a completely different recommendation?

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[DEChrisE]

Hi @RudyK for me the best solution is the U200 with fingerprint reader- I open the door 95% by this opportunity

[josh_lyon]

@RudyK

But the real question is: how do I unlock the door from the outside without a key?

Face recognition would be one option. However, Aqara currently doesn’t offer a dedicated fingerprint reader, NFC reader, or PIN keypad as standalone devices.

The recently released U400 has hands-free unlock as you walk up to it with a supported UWB device (iPhone / Apple Watch).

Smart Lock U400

@RudyK

Would it be possible to use the keypad from the U200 Smart Lock independently, without installing the actual lock mechanism it normally comes with?

Can you clarify why you would need to do that? The U200 has fingerprint and NFC / Apple Home Keys unlocking. Or the U100 if you prefer that style. And the U400 adds the completely hands-free unlock if you’re in the Apple ecosystem.

[jan_obrycki]

I think the point is that the OP doesn’t want to use the Aqara lock at all, the doors that they are buying come with a mechanical lock? (If that’s the case, id be interested to see some more about such doors)

[josh_lyon]

@jan_obrycki

I think the point is that the OP doesn’t want to use the Aqara lock at all, the doors that they are buying come with a mechanical lock? (If that’s the case, id be interested to see some more about such doors)

@RudyK

I’m currently installing a new front door with a motorized lock, and of course the goal is to fully integrate it into my smart home setup.

Ah, ok. I misread that part thinking they meant they were looking for a motorized lock - not that the door already had a motorized lock. I would be curious to hear more details too.