Lockly Secure Pro Deadbolt review | MacSources

Enjoy enhanced access to your smart home with the most advanced smart lock money can buy.

As we quest to retrofit our homes with newer smarter technology, we can opt for package deals like those through VIVINT, or we can create a patchwork system. I have been with Vivint for nearly a decade and have enjoyed outdoor cameras, doorbell cameras, door sensors/window sensors, fire alarm sensors, carbon monoxide sensors, thermostats, and I have two out of our three external doors with smart locks. While on COVID-19 lockdown, we have been using our backdoor more frequently to go out on the deck, to access the hammocks, and to get to the newly installed zip line. It became quite annoying to need to carry our key or to walk around the home to then walk through the home to unlock the lock. I wanted a smart-lock option for the backdoor also and thus, I turned to Lockly.

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If you are looking for matching door sets, you can find these options at local retailers. If not, you can pick and choose your options/designs. The Lockly Secure Pro Deadbolt Edition arrived in a 9 1/4 inches wide by 8 7/8inches tall by 4 5/16 inches thick retail package. Designed to replace the deadbolt only, you will need to either keep your previous handle option or purchase another that may or may not match the deadbolt. On first impression, I was very pleased with the presentation of the Lockly packaging. Along the top left of the cover, you will find the Lockly Home/Office/Rental title. The main focal point of the cover was the attractive 2 5/8 inches wide by 6 1/8 inches tall image of the deadbolt lock. Along the right side of the panel, you will find an icon for Bluetooth, Advanced 3D fingerprint, Wireless Door sensor, and a CES Innovations Awards sticker. Along the bottom of the cover, you will find a LINK icon (Secure Link Wi-Fi Hub included, and icons for Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa). Between the cover art and the listed details, I was excited to peruse the remaining panels.

Rotating the heavy 87.16-ounce packaging, I found the top panel to be empty and the bottom panel had a warning label to not return/restock if previously opened. The right side panel listed the product dimensions (7.05-inches/179mm tall by 2.91-inches/74mm wide), the What’ Inside (Secure pro smart lock, bolt assembly, screws, strike plate/housing, back plate, physical keys x 2, AA alkaline batteries x 4, Secure link Wi-Fi Hub, Secure Link Power adaptor, Secure Link door sensor, quick start guide, installation manual, and user manual), and listed that the product was used for doors 1 3/8 inches to 2 inches thick. Beneath this section, I was pleased to find the product specifications: model Secure Pro Deadbolt Edition, Color options Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze, Matte Black, single-cylinder door lock, door thickness, backset, 1" bolt and working temperatures -4 to 140 degrees F (-20 through 60C). Lastly,you will find copyright information and an SKU barcode.

The opposite side panel was dedicated to the device and App features. Each of eight functions was detailed in paragraph form (Universal Direction installation, packed with the latest technology, offline access codes, worlds first secure digital touch screen, advanced 3D fingerprint access, premium-grade quality, Easy Installation (IN MINUTES), Secure LInk Wi-Fi included. The back panel provided a longer, more detailed, description of the product. If you are like me, the packaging of a device is often just as important as the device itself. I love to read about the product, to learn a little about the technology, and to feel like I am getting a useful piece of tech. I was excited to test out the cell phone Lockly App door access, fingerprint access, and the modulating keypad display to allow a unique experience with each event. I was also excited to learn more about the Amazon integration and secure link wireless door sensors. With a lower icon detailing the Best in class Warranty, I was invested in the Lockly experience.

I removed the outer plastic, slid the cardboard slipcover upward, and then cut “the seal.” I lifted the top flap and read the “Meet Lockly” paragraph on the inner sky blue panel. The company congratulated me on my selection, detailed the company credentials, and provided the https://lockly.com/help address for immediate assistance. Within the box, you will find a 7 13/16 inches wide by 7 3/4 inches tall by 3/8 inches thick Lockly Secure cardboard box with Secure Plus/Secure Pro installation manual, Secure Deadbolt Edition User Manual, hanging tab for guests to access your home with their phone, Quick start guide, blue warning panel, a white two-sided FAQ/troubleshooting guide, and an easy interactive build through BILT. Beneath this box, you will find a removable blue panel with included Initial code/door serial card. This provided the master key code, which will allow you to reset your lock. The manual noted the importance of not losing that panel because the company will require the number to reset your lock. Beneath the card, you sill find blue/black molded foam cutouts for the lock and components.

INSTALLATION:
For the installation process, you can choose to follow the included paper version installation manual or you can use the BILT app, which I highly encourage you to use. I scanned the QR code on the panel, navigated to the App, and downloaded the App from the iOS App Store. The Secure lock installation suggested that the process should take a single person 20 minutes if they follow the listed 30 steps, and it recommended a Phillips screwdriver and optional flathead/drill. I measured my back door and found it to fit the <2 inches wide requirement. I removed the old deadbolt assembly and activated the BILT App. If you have not used the App before, it will ask you to download the device of your choosing and will then walk you through a “How-To” feature. The App will then walk you through the assembly process with visual and auditory cues. Rotate the image, see into the door to visualize the mechanism. For this system to work, your door will need standard cutouts. For example, the cross borehole (side holes) must be 2 1/8 inches diameter and the edge bore hole (where the lock sticks out) should be 1 inch in diameter. If your door was cut using standard measurements then the lock should line up just fine. As an added optional step, you can drill an extra hole for the top of the lock, or you can choose to use adhesive to affix the door lock to your door.

You will need to measure the length of the side borehole to determine the backset distance and adjust if needed. I had to reduce backset to 2 3/8 inches by pushing the bolt plate inward. Make sure that the deadbolt is right side up and deployed before fastening it to the door with the appropriate screws. Following the next step, I removed the adhesive strip from the outer lock portion, made sure that the torque blade was vertical, and installed the lock through the “+” of the deadbolt. I used adhesive strips for the mounting plate and removed the backing from the plate and installed the device vertically onto my door. The cable slid through the opening easily and the torque blade fit it into the middle of the circle. I then inserted two screws beside either side of the torque blade. With the mounting bracket installed, I plugged the cable into the internal assembly, making sure that the colors matched. I made sure the connector was securely affixed and tucked the cable under the hook. I made sure that the inner door section meshed with the bracket and then installed two screws. These steps proved to be easy using the included assembly App.

With the installation nearly complete, I was instructed to install 3/4 of the Alkaline AA batteries. Before installing the fourth battery, you need to press and hold the program button until you hear a beep from the Lockly. The device will run an auto evaluation to see if it is a left-open or right-open door. Install the battery cover and install the battery cover screw. I removed the door strike plate and tried to realign the new one. I found that it was offset enough that it would not fit flush. I marked the edges of the plate with one of the screws cut down into the wood with a razor knife and then with a hammer and chisel, I seated the plate into the doorjamb. With the lock fully installed, I turned to the user manual for the next steps. The inner door lock mechanism measured 3 inches x 7 inches and had a thumb turn and a display keypad switch on/off toggle. If you lift the battery cover, you will find placement for the four AA batteries and the reset button, program button, beep alert button.

The outer door section had a 2 3/8 inches wide by 3 1/8 inches tall touch screen, and a keyhole cover along the front. Along the lower edge, you will find a reboot button and 9V emergency charging socket to enter the home. If desired, you can toggle the keypad display switch to the off position and deactivate the keypad switch. The outer door section had the same measurements as the inner door section. If you look along the left side of the outer door section, you will find the circular fingerprint reader. The main touch screen was arranged into a group of four circles, each with three numbers within the circle. Each time you turn on the screen, the numbers reorient themselves. This will prevent someone from guessing which buttons you pushed previously and trying to figure out the number sequence. I found that feature to be quite intriguing.

Manual Programming:
Out of the box, the default code for the Lockly was set to 123456. Locate each of these buttons, tap them and then press the lower okay button for the lock to slide into the open position. Per the instruction manual, the device will conveniently store up to 8 different access codes. To program the lock, remove the reverse compartment to access the hidden program button. Press the program button (deactivated if using app/synced with smart phone) to enter the programming mode. When you are in the programming mode, the screen will change to 3 circles with 1 (AO) Add Access Code, 2 (OE) Delete Access Code, 3 (CH) View Access Code. To add a new code, tap option 1 and the screen will return to the numbers 123, 456, 789, 0. Tap out the desired 6–8 digit code into the circles and then press the lower okay button. Repeat the code a second time and you will see the code displayed on the screen. Select yes to move to the next step. You can add another code by selecting option 1 or you can choose option 2 to delete an access code. You can touch each of the circles to move amongst the available access codes. When the desired code is selected, hold the okay button for 3 seconds and it will be deleted from the device. There must be at least one code on the device. The instruction manual was quite helpful and noted that the failsafe makes sure that you have at least one saved code. Thus, you will not be able to delete the factory preset code until you add one of your own.

There are four ways to access and open the lock from the outside. You can move the keyhole cover and use the manual key, you can enter an access code on the touch screen, you can use the App or you can use your fingerprint. While in programming mode (option 1), choose the FP option for fingerprint instead of PD (pad). The green LED will illuminate around the lockly fingerprint scanner. This process will require six successful attempts at placing your fingerprint. Once your fingerprint is scanned, you can tap the fingerprint sensor to open the lock. Similar to the method discussed above to delete access codes, you can delete fingerprints in the same manner. My older two boys and I were able to use the access code, but my five-year-old daughter could not figure it out. We did program her fingerprint but the manual recommended against it, as her fingerprints will likely change with time. Amazingly, this device can register up to 99 fingerprints. To activate the lock slide your hand across it to activate the features. If the wrong code is entered x 3, it will place the device into safe mode for ten minutes the first time and then twenty minutes the second time. To get out of that mode, you will need to have an approved fingerprint, the physical key, or you will need to enter a correct access code twice in a row.

Using the App:
To access the App, you can scan the QR code on page 26 of the manual or you can navigate to the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. With the APP downloaded, select a new account along the bottom, enter your name, email, phone number, and then the number texted to you. You will need to enter the code from the email that they sent you and then enter a password of your choosing twice. The next screen will allow you to add whichever device you purchased. You will need to locate the security card that came with the device, you will need to scan the door serial number, and then enter the code that was on that card. It is important to note that you should not lose this number as it is the main piece of information for the setup. The app will ask you to set the 6–8 digit admin code for the device and confirm the code (can be changed later if desired). Once the app setup was complete, you will see the main screen. Along the middle of the screen, you will see a 1 3/8 inches diameter blue circle with a lock inside of it. If you tap this circle, the lock will unlock, and the circle will turn red with an unlock icon in the middle. Along the bottom of the App, you will see icons for Control, Log, Access, and Settings. Along the top of the panel, you will see three horizontal lines that will allow you to access home, set up a new device, add WiFi to your lock, I received an invitation, App Security, Save and Encrypt in PG Vault, Store, Help, Share the App, Review the App, About US. I tapped Add WIFI and it took me to an Amazon page. I assume this feature was useful for those locks that did not come with the WiFi module.

Through the App, you can add users, you can generate offline codes, grant temporary access, add fingerprints and you can create a widget (very useful). From settings, you can change the Lock Name, change the access code, activate quick access widget, adjust auto-lock timer, update the firmware, and more. I found that the device required an immediate 55MB firmware upgrade and completed the process over a five minute period. To add the secure link feature click the Add New Button, scroll down to the Secure Link, and add the device. Press the button on the secure link for two seconds and then select the device from within the App. Similar to the other steps of the setup, you simply need to follow the instructions. If you have not installed the door sensor, install it during this step because Alexa cannot know that your door is open/closed without the sensor.

I continued to play around with the lock, navigated to my Alexa App, and added the lock to the devices. Once set up, I was able to use voice commands for Alexa to find out the status of the lock, open or closed, as well as the status of the door, open or closed. I was able to tell Alexa to lock the door but without special permission, the setup would not open the loc for safety reasons. Although on the pricier end, I do not think that the $249 lock could have incorporated more bells and whistles. The device combined manual entry with a high tech touchscreen, 9V battery emergency access, fingerprint scanner, App integration, Alexa integration, smart door sensor, and an easy to use installation process. I absolutely loved the Bilt app and found it to be very easy to use. I believe the only truly difficult aspect of the installation was adding the strike plate on the door jam because the included plate was slightly larger than the one I had previously. You do not have to be a tech wizard to enjoy this setup and it will work perfectly for home and small businesses alike. I loved the color of the silver, the placement of the screen, and the placement of the fingerprint scanner. The instruction manuals were well laid out, the App was intuitive and the features simply worked. I believe the promised 30-minute installation was right on the money. If this device is out of your price range, you can opt for the Secure Model instead of the Secure Plus with Fingerprint model and save $50. You can also get a few models that have a door latch.

Whether you are building a new home or upgrading your existing home, Lockly seems to be the Cadillac of door locks. Aesthetically pleasing and easy to operate to my wife and technologically appealing to me, I may have found the Unicorn of tech devices.

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Originally published at https://macsources.com on May 21, 2020.