How to Set Up Smart Lock Automations - Complete Guide

1. Home app → Automation → +
2. "An Accessory is Controlled"
3. Select lock → "When" → "Unlocked"
4. Next → Add Action
5. Select same lock → "Lock"
6. Time of Day → "After" → "5 minutes"
7. Name: "Auto-lock Front Door"
8. Done

1. Google Home app → Automation → +
2. Starter: Device → [Lock] → Unlocked
3. Action: Delay → 5 minutes
4. Then: Device → [Lock] → Lock
5. Save

1. Alexa app → More → Routines → +
2. When this happens: Smart Home → [Lock] Unlocked
3. Wait: 5 minutes
4. Add action: Smart Home → [Lock] → Lock
5. Save

1. Automations → + → Add Routine
2. If: Device status → [Lock] → Unlocked
3. Delay: 5 minutes
4. Then: Control devices → [Lock] → Lock
5. Save

1. Automation → + → "People Leave"
2. When: "Last Person Leaves"
3. Location: Current (home)
4. Time: Anytime
5. Add Action: Lock → [Lock Name]
6. Done

1. Automation → +
2. Starter: Home & Away → Everyone leaves
3. Action: Device → [Lock] → Lock
4. Save

Note: Requires Echo with location services
1. Routines → +
2. When: Location → You leave home
3. Add action: [Lock] → Lock
4. Save

1. Automation → + → "People Arrive"
2. When: "Anyone Arrives"
3. OR: "First Person Arrives"
4. Location: Home
5. Add Action: Unlock → [Lock]
6. Important: "Ask Before Running" → ON
7. Notification appears when arriving
8. Tap to approve unlock

Requires Hub Max or Nest Hub with Face Match
1. Home & Away Routines
2. When: Someone arrives home
3. Add: Unlock [Lock]
4. Requires voice confirmation via hub

1. Automation → + → "A Time of Day Occurs"
2. Time: 10:00 PM
3. Repeat: Daily OR select days
4. Add Action: Lock → [Lock]
5. Done

Repeat for unlock (6:00 AM)

Similar process:
- Trigger: Time of day
- Days: Select which days
- Action: Lock or unlock

Trigger: Say "Goodnight" OR button OR time
Actions:
- Lock all doors
- Turn off lights
- Lower thermostat
- Arm security system
- Close garage door

Trigger: Say "Goodbye" OR geofence
Actions:
- Lock all doors
- Turn off lights/appliances
- Adjust thermostat  - away mode
- Arm security

Trigger: Geofence OR say "I'm home"
Actions:
- Unlock door  - with confirmation
- Turn on entry lights
- Adjust thermostat  - home mode
- Disarm security

Trigger: Unlock
Condition: After sunset
Action: Lock after 5 minutes

Why: Don't auto-lock during day when active

Trigger: Someone arrives
Condition: Other family member already home
Action: Unlock (safe, someone inside)

If outside temp < 32°F:
- Delay auto-lock to 10 min  - cold weather = slower entry

Trigger: Doorbell motion OR Ring pressed
Condition: Between 9am-5pm
Action: Send notification to unlock remotely

Trigger: Security alarm triggered
Action: Lock all doors (prevent exit)

IF: Door unlocked for >30 minutes
AND: After 10pm OR nobody home
THEN: Send notification "Front door unlocked!"

□ Test trigger works
  - Manually trigger condition
  - Verify automation executes

□ Test action works
  - Lock/unlock actually happens
  - Correct device controlled

□ Test timing
  - Delay works as expected
  - No premature execution

□ Test conditions
  - Only runs when supposed to
  - Doesn't run when shouldn't

□ Test edge cases
  - What if phone battery dead?
  - What if internet down?
  - What if multiple people arriving?

□ Monitor for 1 week
  - Does it work consistently?
  - Any false triggers?
  - Any missed triggers?

❌ Auto-unlock without confirmation
   - Security risk
   - Most platforms prevent this

❌ Too-short auto-lock delay
   - 1 minute = Locks before you get inside
   - Use 3-5 minutes

❌ Forgetting to test
   - Automation looks good but doesn't work
   - Test thoroughly before trusting

❌ No backup access method
   - Automation fails = Locked out
   - Always have PIN/key backup

❌ Geofence too small
   - Arrives at door before automation triggers
   - Use 100-200m radius

❌ Conflicting automations
   - Auto-lock vs manual unlock battle
   - Review all automations together

□ Check automation enabled (not paused)
□ Verify conditions met
□ Check device online
□ Check hub online
□ Review automation logs (if available)
□ Delete and recreate automation

□ Check for conflicting automations
□ Review trigger conditions
□ Check for sensor false positives
□ Adjust geofence size/sensitivity

☑️ Start simple
  - One automation at a time
  - Test thoroughly
  - Add complexity gradually

☑️ Name descriptively
  - "Auto-lock Front 5min"
  - Not "Automation 1"

☑️ Document automations
  - What, when, why
  - Review quarterly

☑️ Have backup access
  - Don't rely only on automation
  - PIN, key, app always available

☑️ Adjust based on usage
  - Too frequent? Lengthen delay
  - Missing triggers? Adjust conditions