Does the Tapkey Smart Lock lock automatically?
Generally, the Tapkey Smart Lock does not lock automatically. To lock the door properly, you need to turn the external knob to the right once more. Only then is the door truly locked. However, the answer to this question largely depends on the type of door and lock you have installed. To determine how your smart lock behaves, let’s first have a closer look at the different types of doors:
Different Door Types: Door Handle or Fixed Knob?
Door Handle: If the Tapkey Smart Lock isn’t actively locked, the door remains unlocked and can be opened from both inside and outside by pressing the door handle. Once you lock the door with the Tapkey Smart Lock, the handle is blocked from the outside, and the door can only be opened from the inside using the internal knob on the smart lock.
Fixed Knob: If there’s a fixed knob on the outside, the door cannot be opened from outside without authorisation. From the inside, the door can be unlocked and opened at any time by pressing the door handle.
Difference Between “Closed” and “Locked”
“Closed”: When the door is “closed,” it means it is only held shut by the latch mechanism. If there is no handle on the outside, the door cannot be opened from outside. However, it can be opened easily from inside by pressing the handle. Important: Even if the door cannot be opened from outside, it is not actually locked!
“Locked”: With the Tapkey Smart Lock, you can actively lock the door if you have the appropriate permissions. Whether it’s a door handle or a fixed knob—when the door is locked, it cannot be opened from outside under any circumstances.
Overview of Different Lock Types
But it doesn’t stop there: There are various types of locks that can be installed in doors.
Important: Tapkey does not sell these lock types—our Smart Lock must be compatible with your existing locking mechanism. This means you need to ensure that our cylinder fits your door. If it’s incompatible, you may need to purchase a suitable mortise lock separately. Which type of lock is right for your door depends on your specific requirements.
Here’s an overview of the most common variants and their specific characteristics:
Profile Cylinder Lock
The profile cylinder lock is the standard type found in most doors. It features a latch that ensures the door doesn’t reopen on its own.
Latch-Bolt Lock
With a latch-bolt lock, the door is automatically locked when it closes. In this case, the door is locked, and you’ll need to turn the knob on the Tapkey Smart Lock from inside to open it.
Self-Locking Panic Lock
This type of lock also locks automatically and offers an additional panic function: Even if the door is locked from outside, it can always be opened from inside by pressing the handle. With this type of lock, a special cylinder with an EE (Emergency Exit) function is often required.
Conclusion
Whether or not your Tapkey Smart Lock locks automatically depends on the combination of your door and lock. While standard profile cylinder locks usually need to be locked manually, there are specialised lock types that offer automatic locking. Make sure your lock fits your specific use case to get the most out of your Tapkey Smart Lock!
If you have further questions or need assistance, our support team is happy to help!
For any further questions or assistance, our support team is happy to help.