How to Update Smart Lock Firmware Safely

✅ Bug fixes
   - Connection stability improvements
   - Battery life optimization
   - Command timeout fixes

✅ Security patches
   - Vulnerability fixes
   - Encryption improvements
   - Protocol updates

✅ New features
   - Platform integration (HomeKit, Google, etc.)
   - Enhanced automation
   - New user management options

✅ Performance improvements
   - Faster response times
   - Better mesh routing
   - Reduced power consumption

⚠️ Security vulnerabilities remain unpatched
⚠️ Known bugs persist
⚠️ Missing new features/compatibility
⚠️ May lose support from manufacturer
⚠️ Integration issues with updated hubs

☑️ Battery level >50% (preferably >70%)
   - Low battery = Update may fail mid-way
   - Replace batteries if <50%

☑️ Lock is online and responding
   - Test lock/unlock from app
   - Should respond within 1-2 seconds

☑️ Hub/gateway firmware updated first
   - Update hub before lock
   - Ensures compatibility

☑️ Internet connection stable
   - WiFi or cellular strong signal
   - Don't start during storm/outage

☑️ Time available (30-45 minutes)
   - Don't start if you need to leave soon
   - Update can't be interrupted

☑️ Backup key accessible
   - In case update fails
   - Can still enter with physical key

☑️ Note current firmware version
   - Settings → About → Firmware Version
   - Document before updating (rollback reference)

□ Check what's new
   - Bug fixes (do you have these bugs?)
   - New features (do you need them?)
   - Known issues (are they blockers?)

□ Check user reports
   - Search "[Lock Model] firmware [Version] issues"
   - Reddit, manufacturer forums
   - Wait if many complaints

□ Decide if update worth risk
   - Major security fix? → Update ASAP
   - Minor feature? → Can wait
   - Lots of bugs reported? → Wait for patch

□ Ensure battery >50%
   - Check app dashboard
   - Replace if needed

□ Verify lock online
   - Status shows "Connected" or "Online"

□ Disable auto-lock temporarily (optional)
   - Prevents lock from locking during update
   - Re-enable after update

□ Inform household
   - "Lock updating for 30 min, don't try to use"
   - Prevents confusion

□ Open smart lock app
□ Navigate to lock settings
   - Usually: Lock → Settings → About/Firmware
   - OR: Settings → System → Software Update

□ Check for updates
   - App queries manufacturer server
   - Shows if update available

□ Read update details
   - Version number
   - Size (MB)
   - What's included

□ Tap "Download" or "Update"
   - Some apps: Separate Download + Install
   - Others: Single "Update" button

□ Confirm update
   - App warns "Don't interrupt"
   - Confirm you want to proceed

□ App downloads firmware
   - Shows progress bar
   - Time: 2-10 minutes (depends on size + speed)

□ DON'T close app
   - Keep app open and active
   - Don't let phone sleep

□ DON'T lock phone
   - Some apps pause if phone locked

□ Stay near lock
   - WiFi locks: Stay near router
   - Zigbee/Z-Wave: Stay near hub

□ Firmware transfers to lock
   - From hub/phone to lock
   - Progress shown in app
   - Time: 5-15 minutes

□ Lock may:
   - Beep occasionally
   - Flash LEDs
   - Display "Updating" on screen (if equipped)
   - Be unresponsive to keypad

□ CRITICAL: Do NOT:
   ❌ Turn off lock (remove batteries)
   ❌ Close app
   ❌ Remove lock from door
   ❌ Try to use lock
   ❌ Restart hub

□ If progress stalls:
   - Wait 10 minutes before worrying
   - Check lock still has power (LED active)
   - Check hub/phone still connected

□ Lock reboots automatically
   - May take 2-5 minutes
   - LEDs cycle, beeps, etc.

□ Lock reconnects to network
   - Auto-connects to hub/WiFi
   - Shows "Online" in app

□ App confirms success
   - "Update successful" or similar
   - New firmware version displayed

□ Test basic operations:
   ☑ Lock via app (should work immediately)
   ☑ Unlock via app
   ☑ Lock via keypad PIN
   ☑ Unlock via keypad PIN
   ☑ Manual lock (thumb turn)
   ☑ Manual unlock (key if equipped)

□ Check settings preserved:
   ☑ User codes still present
   ☑ Auto-lock setting same
   ☑ Notifications still enabled
   ☑ Integrations still working (Alexa, Google)

□ Test automation:
   ☑ Auto-lock works
   ☑ Auto-unlock works (if enabled)
   ☑ Voice commands (if applicable)

□ Verify new firmware version:
   ☑ Settings → About → Firmware
   ☑ Should show new version number

□ Monitor for 24 hours:
   ☑ No unexpected behavior
   ☑ Response time normal
   ☑ Battery drain normal

Via Yale Access app:
1. Lock → Settings → About
2. "Firmware Update Available" (if any)
3. Tap "Update"
4. Takes 15-20 minutes
5. Lock beeps when complete
6. Test immediately

Via Schlage Home app:
1. Lock → Settings → Device Info
2. Check firmware version
3. If update available: "Update" button
4. Download + install: 20-30 minutes
5. Lock restarts automatically

Note: Some Schlage locks auto-update (check settings)

Via Kwikset app:
1. Lock → Device Info
2. "Software Update" if available
3. Tap to start
4. Takes 10-20 minutes
5. Verify in app after restart

Via August app:
1. Lock → Settings → Lock Details
2. "Firmware Version"
3. If update available: Prompts automatically
4. Auto-downloads and installs
5. Usually happens in background

August locks often auto-update at night

Via hub:
1. Devices → Lock → Settings
2. Check firmware version
3. OTA update available? → Install
4. Takes 20-40 minutes (slower over Z-Wave)
5. Don't interrupt hub during update

Some Z-Wave updates require manufacturer app

□ Battery too low
   → Cancel update (if possible)
   → Replace batteries
   → Restart update

□ Connection lost
   → Check lock still online
   → Move closer to hub/router
   → Restart hub
   → Retry update

□ Interference
   → Change Zigbee channel (if applicable)
   → Disable other devices temporarily
   → Retry during off-peak hours (2-4am)

□ Step 1: Power cycle
   - Remove all batteries
   - Wait 30 seconds
   - Reinsert batteries
   - Lock should boot normally

□ Step 2: Check firmware version
   - May have partially updated
   - OR: Rolled back to previous version

□ Step 3: Retry update
   - Wait 10 minutes after power cycle
   - Start update process again

□ Step 4: Factory reset (last resort)
   - Only if completely bricked
   - Lose all codes/settings
   - Re-pair and reconfigure

□ Power cycle lock
   - Remove batteries 60 seconds
   - Often clears glitches

□ Re-pair with hub
   - Remove device
   - Factory reset
   - Pair as new device

□ Downgrade firmware (if possible)
   - Some manufacturers allow
   - Most don't (security)

□ Contact manufacturer
   - Report bug
   - May have emergency patch

☑️ Don't update immediately (wait 1-2 weeks)
   - Let early adopters find bugs
   - Check forums for issues

☑️ Update during off-hours
   - 2-4am when house asleep
   - Minimal impact if issues

☑️ Update one lock at a time
   - If multiple locks
   - Verify first update successful before others

☑️ Document updates
   - Date updated
   - Old → New version
   - Any issues encountered

☑️ Test thoroughly after
   - All features
   - All user codes
   - All integrations

❌ Battery <50%
❌ Lock offline/unstable
❌ About to leave on vacation
❌ Critical event tomorrow (Airbnb guest arriving)
❌ Many users reporting bugs
❌ Update is minor feature you don't need