Hello everyone, I wanted to share my recent experience setting up my new Kwikset 916 smart lock with the Samsung SmartThings hub. It was a bit of a journey, but I managed to get everything working smoothly, and I thought I’d document the process in case anyone else is going through a similar setup.
The Goal:
I wanted my door to automatically unlock when either myself or my wife arrived home. It seemed like a straightforward feature, but I quickly realized there were a few hurdles to overcome.
The Challenges:
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Geofencing Setup: I struggled with setting up the geofence in the SmartThings app. Initially, I wasn’t sure where to start, but after some digging, I found the geofence settings hidden under the “SmartThings” section. I set up a geofence around my home and linked it to both my and my wife’s devices.
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Unlocking Mechanism: The Kwikset 916 has a feature that locks the door 30 seconds after unlocking. While this is great for security, it posed a problem for our geofencing setup. If the door locked again before we could open it, it defeated the purpose of the automation. After some research, I discovered that disabling this feature temporarily during the setup phase was the key to testing the geofencing without frustration.
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Automation Rules: I wanted the lock to automatically unlock when either of us arrived home. This required setting up an automation rule in SmartThings. I used the “Someone Arrives” activity and linked it to both my and my wife’s devices. Initially, I was confused about how to add multiple users, but the community forums were a huge help. I learned that I could add multiple users under the “Any of these people” section.
The Solution:
After disabling the auto-lock feature temporarily, I set up the geofence and automation rule. I tested it by walking around the perimeter of my home, and it worked like a charm! The door unlocked as soon as I approached, and I could open it without any issues. Once I was confident everything was working, I re-enabled the auto-lock feature, knowing that it would now work seamlessly with the geofencing automation.
A Word of Thanks:
I want to extend a huge thank you to the SmartThings community for their invaluable support. Without the helpful tips and troubleshooting advice I found in the forums, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome these challenges so quickly. It’s amazing how a supportive community can make such a difference!
Final Thoughts:
Setting up a smart lock with geofencing might seem daunting at first, but with patience and the right resources, it’s entirely achievable. I’m now enjoying the convenience of my smart lock, and I feel more secure knowing that my home is protected by both the latest technology and my own careful setup.
If anyone has questions or needs advice on setting up their own smart lock, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help!
Best regards,
[Your Name]