ALIRO is the specification that defines exactly how a smartphone or wearable unlocks a smart lock using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio — hands-free, before you reach the door, without touching your phone. It’s the standard that makes the best smart locks of 2026 work the way proximity-based locks should have always worked.
What ALIRO Is (and What It Isn’t)
ALIRO is a credential standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) — the same organization behind Matter. Where Matter defines how devices communicate across ecosystems, ALIRO defines how digital credentials (keys) are shared and used for physical access control.
ALIRO is not the same as Apple HomeKey. HomeKey is Apple’s proprietary implementation of NFC-based smartphone credential delivery for smart locks. ALIRO is a subsequent, open standard that covers both NFC and UWB, and is designed to work across Apple, Android, and third-party ecosystems simultaneously.
ALIRO is the evolution of HomeKey. Apple contributed to ALIRO’s development as part of the CSA, and HomeKey locks often receive ALIRO compliance via firmware update.
The Technical Difference Between Bluetooth, NFC, and UWB Access
Understanding why ALIRO matters requires understanding why previous unlock technologies were limited:
Bluetooth smart locks (the previous generation):
- Trigger unlock when your phone’s Bluetooth signal is detected — typically at 5–15 meter range
- Can’t determine whether you’re walking toward the door or past the sidewalk in front of your house
- False positives (unlock before you’re at the door) and false negatives (phone at wrong angle doesn’t trigger) are common
NFC smart locks (HomeKey generation):
- Require your phone or watch to be within 1–5cm of the reader
- Deliberate tap required — not hands-free, but more reliable than Bluetooth proximity
- HomeKey NFC works instantly when the phone is held near the reader; no app launch required
UWB (ALIRO generation):
- Time-of-flight radio measurements accurate to within centimeters
- Determines precisely: your phone is 40cm from the door face, pointed toward it, moving forward
- Unlocks exactly when you’d reach for the handle — no phone touching required
- Can distinguish between someone at the door versus walking past the house
ALIRO Technical Specifications
| Aspect | ALIRO Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard body | Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) |
| UWB frequency | 6.5–8.5GHz (per IEEE 802.15.4z) |
| NFC frequency | 13.56MHz |
| Positioning accuracy | ±10cm for UWB |
| Authentication | Challenge-response cryptographic |
| Phone requirements (UWB) | iPhone 11 or later, select Android (UWB chip required) |
| Phone requirements (NFC) | Any NFC-capable phone |
| Ecosystems supported | Cross-ecosystem (not Apple-only) |
Which Devices Support ALIRO in 2026
ALIRO-certified locks:
- Aqara U400 — ALIRO UWB + NFC, Thread/Matter
- Level Lock Pro — ALIRO UWB + NFC, Thread/Matter
HomeKey (NFC, ALIRO-compatible NFC credential):
- Yale Assure Lock 2 with HomeKit module
- Schlage Encode Plus
- Most Aqara locks with HomeKey support
In development (announced, not yet shipping): Multiple manufacturers have announced ALIRO integration for 2026–2027 products. Check CSA’s ALIRO product listing for current certification status.
What ALIRO Means for Buying Decisions
If you use an iPhone 11 or later: ALIRO UWB is available on your device hardware. Buying an ALIRO-certified UWB lock (Aqara U400, Level Lock Pro) gives you the best hands-free unlock experience currently available.
If you use Android: UWB ALIRO is device-specific. UWB is built into select Android phones (Pixel 6 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and later S-series, some others). Verify UWB support for your specific model before buying a UWB lock. NFC ALIRO works on all modern Android phones.
If guests need access without smartphones: ALIRO-certified locks typically still include PIN keypads as a fallback credential. Aqara U400 includes a keypad; Level Lock Pro does not.
ALIRO vs. Matter: How They Work Together
ALIRO and Matter are complementary, not competing. A lock can be both Matter-certified and ALIRO-certified:
- Matter handles smart home ecosystem integration (Alexa can see the lock, Apple Home automations trigger on lock events)
- ALIRO handles the physical credential delivery (UWB proximity unlock, NFC tap unlock)
The Aqara U400 is the reference device for this combination in 2026: it’s both a Matter-over-Thread smart lock and an ALIRO UWB/NFC lock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ALIRO replacing HomeKey?
ALIRO extends what HomeKey started. HomeKey (Apple’s NFC lock credential system) works alongside ALIRO. Apple HomeKey-compatible locks that receive ALIRO firmware updates support NFC credentials in both Apple Wallet and — eventually — other digital wallet platforms. ALIRO’s cross-platform design means the same physical credential infrastructure works for Android Wallet users in the future.
Does ALIRO work without internet?
Yes. UWB and NFC credentials are cryptographically authenticated locally — no internet connection is required for unlock once the credential is provisioned. This is essential for smart locks: the front door must work when the internet is down.
Will existing HomeKey locks support ALIRO UWB?
NFC-only HomeKey locks cannot become UWB locks via software update — UWB requires a specific radio chip that must be present in the hardware. Locks with NFC only support ALIRO’s NFC credential component. UWB requires hardware with a UWB radio (like the Aqara U400 or Level Lock Pro).
Is ALIRO available on all Android phones?
UWB ALIRO requires a UWB radio chip in the phone. Not all Android phones have this. NFC ALIRO works on any Android phone with NFC, which is most Android phones made after 2019. Check your phone’s specifications for UWB support.
HTR Take on ALIRO
- Buy ALIRO-certified now if you have an iPhone 11 or later and hands-free unlock is your primary goal — the Aqara U400 is the right first ALIRO lock.
- NFC-only is fine if hands-free proximity isn't a requirement — all HomeKey-compatible locks provide reliable tap-to-unlock.
- Bottom line: ALIRO is the first hands-free smart lock standard that actually works as advertised, backed by the same standards body as Matter. The hardware to support it exists now in the Aqara U400 and Level Lock Pro.
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