Aliro Smart Lock Standard Launches This Year
▼ Summary
– The Aliro smart lock standard, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, has completed verification and is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
– It is an open standard that provides a uniform way for smart locks to communicate with smartphones and wearables for tap-to-unlock (NFC) and hands-free unlocking (UWB), regardless of device brand.
– This will extend features like Apple’s Home Key to Android phones and other platforms, allowing different phone users to unlock the same compatible smart lock.
– Aliro is a collaboration involving major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung, along with lock and chip manufacturers, with several lock brands already planning support.
– The system offers secure, direct device-to-lock communication without needing an app or cloud, functioning offline by storing encrypted credentials on the user’s device.
The long-awaited Aliro smart lock standard is set to launch this year, bringing a unified approach to digital access for homes and businesses. Developed by a major industry consortium, this open protocol promises to make tap-to-unlock and hands-free entry features available across a wide range of smartphones and smart locks, breaking down the current barriers between different manufacturers and operating systems. This move could significantly simplify how we secure and enter our spaces.
According to the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the first official specification is scheduled for release early in the year. The standard focuses on credential and communication protocols that allow trusted smartphones and wearables to function as secure digital keys. A key milestone was recently passed, with final verification completed, paving the way for products to reach the market.
Aliro is designed as an open standard, meaning it provides a common technical language for smart locks to communicate with devices like phones and smartwatches. The goal is to extend capabilities similar to Apple’s Home Key, which allows iPhones and Apple Watches to unlock doors via a simple tap, to the broader Android ecosystem and other platforms. This interoperability means that in a household with mixed devices, everyone can use their own phone as a key for the same lock.
The initiative represents a significant collaborative effort. Major tech companies including Apple, Google, and Samsung have worked alongside leading lock manufacturers and chipmakers to develop the standard. Several lock brands have already announced plans to integrate Aliro into their future products.
Certified Aliro locks will support multiple unlocking methods to suit different user preferences. The primary options include using Near Field Communication for a simple tap-to-unlock action, similar to contactless payments. For a more seamless experience, Bluetooth Low Energy can initiate an unlock as you approach. The most advanced method combines BLE with Ultrawideband technology for true hands-free access, allowing a door to unlock automatically as you walk toward it with your phone in your pocket.
It is important to note that existing smart locks likely will not be upgradeable to support Aliro, as the standard requires specific hardware components like compatible radios and antennas. Consumers should look for new, certified models to gain these features.
A major advertised advantage of the Aliro system is its focus on security and reliability. The protocol facilitates direct, encrypted communication between the user’s device and the lock itself. Credentials are stored locally on the smartphone or wearable, and the system uses asymmetric encryption for each transaction. Crucially, because the process does not rely on a cloud connection or require an app to be open, it will function even when a phone has no cellular service or internet access, much like a traditional physical key.
With the foundational specification, certification program, and testing systems now in place, the alliance anticipates rapid adoption by the industry. Consumers can expect to see the first wave of Aliro-compatible smart locks and supporting devices arriving in the near future, marking a step toward a more connected and convenient standard for digital access.
(Source: The Verge)
