Smart locks & entry / platform-explainer
Aliro explained: what the new smart-lock key standard does and does not do
Aliro 1.0 standardises phone and watch keys for locks over NFC, Bluetooth and UWB. What it needs, how it differs from Matter, and what is certified.
Platform matrix
| Device | Apple Home | Google Home | Alexa | SmartThings | Home Assistant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Sense Pro | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread |
| Aqara Smart Lock U400 | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread | Via Matter Matter over Thread |
Each cell is a sourced record; requirements and limits per device are listed below the article. "Unknown" means no source we accept states it either way.
What you need
- A lock that is Aliro-certified (check the CSA certified-product database, not only the box).
- A phone or watch whose wallet supports Aliro keys. Apple, Google and Samsung have committed to this; availability is per wallet and per lock maker.
- NFC for tap-to-unlock, or UWB plus Bluetooth for hands-free unlock.
Aliro is a credential standard, not a smart-home platform. It defines how a phone or watch proves to a lock that it holds a valid key. It does not control the lock from an app, run automations or connect the lock to Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa. That remains Matter’s job, or the maker’s own app.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), which also runs Matter, released Aliro 1.0 on 26 February 2026.
What Aliro covers
According to the CSA announcement, Aliro uses asymmetric cryptography between the user’s device and the reader, over three methods:
| Method | Radio | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Tap to unlock | NFC | Holding the phone or watch to the lock |
| Longer range | Bluetooth LE | User-initiated unlock from a short distance |
| Hands-free | Bluetooth LE + UWB | The lock detects an approaching authorised device |
Apple, Google and Samsung have committed to supporting Aliro keys in their wallets. The CSA calls it a “living standard”: key sharing and other features are planned for later versions, with backward compatibility.
What it is not
- Not Matter. A lock can be Matter-certified without Aliro, and the reverse is possible too. The Schlage Sense Pro holds separate Matter and Aliro certificates on the CSA database.
- Not Apple Home Key. Home Key is Apple’s existing Wallet key for HomeKit locks. Aliro is the cross-platform standard the wallets have committed to. A lock can support Home Key today and Aliro later, or both.
- Not a guarantee your wallet works today. Schlage says Aliro keys for Samsung Wallet and Google Wallet on the Sense Pro are “expected” once certified, and that hands-free unlock at launch is Apple-only.
What is certified
Certification runs through CSA Authorized Test Labs, and the CSA database is the place to check.
- Schlage Sense Pro: holds Aliro 1.0 certificate CSA2600EALR80014-UW, certified 5 May 2026.
- Aqara U400: Aqara calls the U400 “Aliro enabled”, meaning UWB unlocking “will extend to more devices across different ecosystems”. That is a forward-looking statement, not a listed Aliro certification.
What to check before buying for Aliro
- Search the lock on the CSA certified-product database and look for the Aliro program, not only Matter.
- Check that your wallet (Apple, Google or Samsung) supports Aliro keys for that lock today, and whether hands-free needs UWB on your phone model.
- If you also want app control or automations, check the platform route separately in the smart lock compatibility matrix.
Known limitations
- Aqara Smart Lock U400: UWB hands-free unlock works with select iPhone and Apple Watch models and requires a Thread-enabled Apple home hub (HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K, per Aqara).
- Aqara Smart Lock U400: Aqara states a Thread-enabled Matter controller of the chosen ecosystem is required.
- Schlage Sense Pro: Hands-free unlock needs a Thread-enabled Apple home hub, iPhone 11 or later (not SE 2/3 or 16e) on iOS 18.5+, or Apple Watch Series 6+ (not SE) on watchOS 11.5+.
- Schlage Sense Pro: Schlage: guest access codes, history, auto-lock and hands-free modes need the Schlage Home app.
Sources
Change log
- — First published.