Smart Lock and Video Doorbell Integration - Complete Setup
Integrate smart lock with video doorbell. See who's at door before unlocking remotely, automate based on doorbell press, and create seamless entry experience.
Quick Answer
Integrate doorbell + lock for: Visual verification before remote unlock, automated guest access (see who rang → send unlock notification), delivery logging (who accessed when). Most platforms support both devices - create automation: "When doorbell pressed → Send notification with unlock option" OR "When specific person detected (Ring, Nest) → Auto-unlock". Requires both devices on same platform (HomeKit, Google, Alexa, SmartThings).
Benefits:
- See who's there before unlocking
- Quick remote unlock from doorbell notification
- Automated trusted person entry
Compatible Combinations
Popular Pairings
Ring + Compatible Locks:
Ring Video Doorbell +
- August Smart Lock - best integration
- Yale x Nest Lock
- Kwikset SmartCode - via Alexa
- Any Z-Wave lock - via Ring Alarm
Integration level: Medium-High
Nest + Compatible Locks:
Google Nest Doorbell +
- August Smart Lock - Google Home
- Yale x Nest Lock - direct integration
- Any Matter lock
- SmartThings connected locks
Integration level: Medium
Arlo + Locks:
Arlo Video Doorbell +
- August - via IFTTT
- Z-Wave locks - via SmartThings
- HomeKit locks - if both in HomeKit
Integration level: Medium-Low
Eufy + Locks:
Eufy Video Doorbell +
- Eufy Smart Lock - direct
- HomeKit locks - if both supported
- IFTTT integrations
Integration level: Low-Medium
Integration Levels
Level 1: Basic (Separate Apps)
What you get:
- Two separate apps
- Doorbell notification
- Switch to lock app
- Unlock manually
Flow:
1. Doorbell rings
2. Open doorbell app
3. See who it is
4. Close doorbell app
5. Open lock app
6. Unlock
Time: 30-45 seconds
Benefit: Works with any combination
Level 2: Platform Integration
What you get:
- Both in same platform - HomeKit, Google, Alexa
- Unified notifications
- Quick actions from notification
- Basic automations
Flow:
1. Doorbell rings
2. Notification shows video thumbnail
3. Tap "Unlock" button in notification
4. Authenticates
5. Unlocks
Time: 10-15 seconds
Requires: Both devices in same ecosystem
Level 3: Deep Integration
What you get:
- Native app integration
- Unlock button in doorbell app
- Automated unlock based on person detection
- Combined activity logs
Flow:
1. Doorbell rings
2. Face recognized as "John"
3. Auto-unlock (or prompt)
4. Door opens
Time: 5 seconds (automated)
Examples:
- Ring + August - via Alexa
- Nest + Yale Nest Lock
- Arlo + Arlo Lock
Setup Methods
Method 1: HomeKit (iOS)
Requirements:
- Both devices HomeKit compatible
- Home Hub - HomePod/Apple TV
- iOS 16.1+
Setup:
□ Add both to Home app
□ Create automation:
1. Home app → Automation → +
2. "When Doorbell detects motion/press"
3. "Send notification"
4. Include: "Unlock Front Door"
5. Requires confirmation (security)
□ Result:
- Doorbell rings
- iPhone notification appears
- Shows doorbell camera
- "Unlock" button available
- Tap → Face ID → Unlocks
Limitation: Always requires authentication
Method 2: Google Home
Requirements:
- Both devices Google compatible
- Google Home app
- Android or iOS
Setup:
□ Add both devices to Google Home
□ Create routine:
1. Google Home → Automations → +
2. Starter: Doorbell rings
3. Action: Send notification
4. Include lock control option
□ Advanced: Person detection
1. Nest Doorbell recognizes face
2. If familiar face → Unlock
3. If unknown → Just notify
Method 3: Alexa
Requirements:
- Both devices Alexa compatible
- Alexa app
- Skills enabled for both
Setup:
□ Enable skills for both devices
□ Discover devices
□ Create routine:
1. Alexa app → Routines → +
2. When: Doorbell pressed
3. Add action: Send notification
4. Include: "Unlock door via voice"
□ Voice unlock:
- "Alexa, show front door"
- See camera feed
- "Alexa, unlock front door"
- Provides voice PIN
- Unlocks
Method 4: SmartThings
Requirements:
- Both devices SmartThings compatible
- SmartThings hub
- SmartThings app
Setup:
□ Add both devices to SmartThings
□ Create automation:
1. If doorbell button pressed
2. Send push notification
3. With link to unlock
□ Advanced automation:
1. If doorbell + specific person
2. AND between 9am-5pm
3. Auto-unlock
4. Log event
Useful Automations
1. Visual Verification + Quick Unlock
Most common:
Trigger: Doorbell pressed
Action:
- Show camera feed
- Notification with "Unlock" button
- Requires auth - Face ID/PIN
Use case:
- Trusted visitor
- You're busy - cooking, showering
- Quick remote entry
2. Scheduled Auto-Unlock
For expected visitors:
Trigger: Doorbell pressed
Conditions:
- Between 3pm-4pm - delivery window
- OR specific day - cleaner
Action: Auto-unlock (no confirmation)
Use case:
- Expected delivery
- Regular service provider
- Time-limited trust
3. Person Detection Auto-Entry
Smart doorbells with AI:
Trigger: Doorbell detects person
Conditions:
- Face recognized as "Family"
- Between allowed hours
Action: Auto-unlock
Use case:
- Kids coming home
- Family forgot keys
- Hands-free entry
4. Delivery Notification
Track access:
Trigger: Doorbell motion
Actions:
- Record video
- Notify: "Package delivered"
- If unlocked: Log who accessed
- Combined record: video + access log
Use case:
- Package tracking
- Security monitoring
- Accountability
Security Best Practices
Safe integration:
☑ Always require authentication for remote unlock
- Face ID, Touch ID, PIN
- Never auto-unlock unknown person
☑ Use person detection wisely
- Only auto-unlock truly trusted faces
- Kids yes, "neighbor" maybe not
☑ Set time restrictions
- Auto-unlock only during day
- Require manual at night (11pm-6am)
☑ Log all access
- Review weekly
- Video + lock log combined
- Notice patterns
☑ Have backup access
- Physical key
- PIN code
- If tech fails
Use Cases
For Families
✓ Kids home from school
- Face detected → Auto-unlock
- Notification to parents
- No key needed
✓ Spouse forgot keys
- Rings doorbell
- You unlock remotely
- See it's them first
For Deliveries
✓ Expected package
- Doorbell motion detected
- See delivery person
- Unlock garage/door briefly
- Relock after 30 sec
✓ In-home delivery
- Amazon Key compatible
- Unlock for verified delivery
- Camera records entire time
For Airbnb/Rentals
✓ Guest arrival
- Rings doorbell
- You verify identity
- Unlock remotely
- Welcome them in
✓ Early check-in request
- See guest at door
- Check booking
- Unlock if confirmed
- Update checkout code
For Elderly/Accessibility
✓ Caregiver arrival
- Face recognized
- Auto-unlock
- No need to answer door
- Log visit time
✓ Difficult mobility
- See who's there
- Unlock without walking to door
- Safer than leaving unlocked
Limitations
What integration CAN'T do:
✗ Unlock without any confirmation (most platforms)
✗ Auto-lock when camera sees person leave (unreliable)
✗ Unlock based on doorbell audio only
✗ 100% reliable person detection (AI not perfect)
Realistic expectations:
- 90-95% person detection accuracy
- Always need backup - key/PIN
- Sometimes cloud delay
- Video may lag
Troubleshooting
Integration not working:
□ Both devices online?
□ Same platform/account?
□ Automation enabled?
□ Permissions granted?
□ Hub online (if required)?
□ Recent firmware updates?
Delayed notifications:
□ Check internet speed
□ Restart both devices
□ Restart hub
□ Check cloud status
Related Resources
Integration:
- [Platform Integration] - /guides/smart-home-platform-integration - Setup guides
- [Set Up Automations] - /support/set-up-lock-automations - Automation creation
Access:
- [Share Access Securely] - /support/share-access-securely - Guest management
- [Remote Unlock] - /support/remote-unlock-not-working - Troubleshooting
Summary Checklist
Integrate doorbell + lock:
- ☑️ Check compatibility (same platform?)
- ☑️ Add both devices (to platform app)
- ☑️ Create automation (doorbell → unlock option)
- ☑️ Set security (require authentication)
- ☑️ Test integration (ring doorbell, try unlock)
- ☑️ Set restrictions (time limits, person detection)
- ☑️ Have backup (physical key, PIN)
Best combo: Same brand (Ring+Ring, Nest+Nest, Arlo+Arlo)
Pro tip: Don't over-automate unlock. It's tempting to set up "face detected → auto-unlock" for everyone you know, but this is security risk. Keep auto-unlock for ONLY immediate family (kids, spouse). Everyone else gets "notification with unlock button" requiring your active decision. The 10 seconds to tap "unlock" is worth the security of verifying who's actually there!
Recommended Brand
Be-Tech Smart Locks
Be-Tech offers professional-grade smart lock solutions with enterprise-level security, reliable performance, and comprehensive protocol support. Perfect for both residential and commercial applications.
* Be-Tech is our recommended partner for professional smart lock solutions
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