Smart locks are no longer just for tech enthusiasts. More and more households are adopting keyless access solutions. Despite their growing popularity, some misconceptions persist: from the fear of a dead smartphone battery to the risk of the lock being hacked. Nuki, a European pioneer in smart locks, addresses the five most persistent myths.
Smart locks have one primary goal: to simplify everyday life. The hassle of exchanging keys, frantically searching through a bag, or the costly replacement of a lost key are now a thing of the past. Spontaneous visits from loved ones can be handled stress-free. With a smart lock, opening your door becomes a simple, flexible, and secure action. Despite these advantages, many people are still hesitant to take the plunge into keyless living. For Martin Pansy, co-founder and CEO of Nuki, this hesitation is perfectly understandable: "After all, it's about accessing a particularly sensitive place: your own home." Ten years ago, Nuki created the smart lock category in Europe and has continued to shape it ever since. The company intends to fully embrace its pioneering role, not only through product innovation but also through education: "We take our pioneering role very seriously—and with it, any lingering doubts."
So, what are the most widespread misconceptions?
A smart lock can be easily stolen.
That's false! Smart locks like Nuki's are installed on the inside of the door. Therefore, they cannot be removed from the outside. To steal a Nuki Smart Lock, you would first have to physically enter the home or force the door. From the outside, there's no indication that a smart lock is installed.
Burglars can easily hack the lock
This is one of the most persistent myths — and it is completely unfounded. Thanks to powerful encryption algorithms, comparable to those used in online banking, and the so-called “challenge-response” method, it is impossible to spy on, copy or replay the opening commands sent to the lock.
Furthermore, all Nuki electronic locks have been rigorously tested by independent AV-TEST laboratories since the first generation of products. This requirement continues with the current range: Smart Lock Go, Smart Lock Pro, and Smart Lock Ultra all bear the “Approved IoT Product” label issued by this cybersecurity research organization.
“You absolutely need a smartphone to use it.”
False! You can also use accessories such as a keypad or fingerprint keypad, or a remote control fob. It's also possible to open the door with a physical key, provided the cylinder has an emergency function—which allows you to lock or unlock it from the outside even if a key is already in the lock on the inside.
This ensures that access management is not solely based on electronics:
An elderly person, a child without a smartphone, or even the person who takes care of your pet in your absence can continue to use a classic key.
In summary, even if the battery is flat, access is still guaranteed.
“Changing the cylinder is complicated”
Good news: this is often not necessary.
With a cylinder already equipped with an emergency function, the Smart Lock Pro can be installed in minutes, without tools or drilling. Even the Smart Lock Ultra, which includes a new cylinder, can be installed in less than 15 minutes thanks to the Nuki app, which guides the user step by step.
“You need Wi-Fi and my data goes to the cloud”
Common misconception! Many people don't know that Nuki locks can operate exclusively via Bluetooth, without a Wi-Fi connection or online storage, if the user prefers. Data protection is a top priority for the Austrian brand: no personal data is stored in the cloud.
According to Nuki, "The most secure data is the data you never need to share." That's why Nuki locks—unlike those of some competitors—require no user account and no data is stored on Nuki servers.
For Martin Pansy: "The fact that these myths persist shows that there is still a lot of educational work to be done. If we can help even the most skeptical people take the plunge and switch to a smart lock, their daily lives will become simpler and more convenient. Once you've experienced the advantages of an electronic lock, it's hard to imagine going back to a traditional key."
The potential is immense: in Europe, more than 200 million doors[1] can be transformed into keyless access in minutes.
Nuki has already equipped more than 400.000, and more than a million users worldwide now benefit from the simplicity and security of its products.
[1] European Real Estate Market Index 2024 – Deloitte
