🧠 Things You Didn’t Know Smart Locks Could Do
- Jessica Zhang
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
You’ve seen the basics. Now here’s the cool stuff.
I love watching people’s reactions when I introduce our smart locks.That "Whoa, seriously?" look when they realize these locks aren’t just convenient—they’re actually smart.
Because once you go beyond the basics—fingerprints, passcodes, eKeys—you’ll start unlocking features most users don’t even realize exist.
And that’s where the magic happens.
When you learn how to use these hidden tools, your lock becomes more than just a way in—it becomes personalized to your lifestyle. Whether it’s timed access for your cleaner, logs to track who came in, or knowing your door locked itself while you were still loading the car, the experience is built around you.
Let’s take a look at the smart stuff you didn’t know you needed (until now)…
⏰ Auto-Lock… But Smarter Than You Think
Everyone knows you can set your smart lock to auto-lock after a set time.
But did you know…
You can choose the exact delay (e.g., 5 sec, 30 sec, 5 mins)?
Some locks let you disable auto-lock during specific hours (like school pick-up times)?
Others even support geo-fencing, so your lock automatically secures itself when your phone leaves the area.
Customizing the auto-lock timer means your smart lock fits your routine—not the other way around.
Here’s how the timing plays out in real life:
🕒 5 Seconds? Great for Forgetful Speed Demons
You close the door and instantly walk away. Boom—locked before you even hit the driveway.
✅ Ideal for parents with toddlers, people living in busy apartments, or anyone with a goldfish-level memory.
⏳ 30–60 Seconds? Perfect Balance
Gives you just enough time to close the door, grab your bag, or say a last goodbye.
✅ No need to rush, but still secure shortly after.
🧘 2–5 Minutes? For People Who Need Wiggle Room
Maybe you go in and out for groceries. Maybe you're unloading the car.
✅ Longer delays give you the flexibility to move without the door locking on you every 10 seconds like an overzealous hall monitor.
👉 Personally, I go for the 2–5 minute delay—because let’s be honest, I always forget something. My water bottle, My daughter’s lunch bag, or that one random thing I swore I packed already. A bit of wiggle room saves me from locking myself out five times a morning.
📅 Timed & Recurring Access
Smart locks don’t just replace keys—they replace the awkward key handoffs, the "I forgot to leave it under the mat", and the “Can you come back in 20 minutes?” messages.
Instead, you can give people access exactly when you want—and only when you want.
And honestly? That’s what I love most about it.
👉 I like everything in my control—who comes in, when, and how.
It’s not just about security—it’s about that nice feeling when your home runs exactly the way you planned.
🧼 Have a cleaner every Thursday at 10am?
Set up a recurring code that only works during that window.
✅ No more messaging or waiting around.
🐶 Dog walker popping in at 2pm weekdays?
Give them a permanent eKey that you can pause or delete anytime.
✅ Peace of mind with total control.
🧳 Hosting BNB guests this weekend?
Send a time-limited PIN code that expires at checkout.
✅ No awkward check-ins, and no keys to track down if they leave early.
🧠 These access types don’t just add convenience—they help you run your life (or your side hustle) like a pro.
📋 3. Activity Logs & Unlock Records
Think of it as your door’s secret diary—no gossip, just facts. 😎
Your smart lock keeps a timestamped log of who unlocked the door, how they did it (code, fingerprint, app), and exactly when it happened.
🔍 Why is that awesome?
You can see who came and went, and when—no more guesswork
It’s perfect for parents, BNB hosts, or landlords
Some locks even let you export the logs—great for insurance, business reports, or the occasional “he said, she said” moment
And let’s be real: we never want accidents or misunderstandings…But being prepared means you don’t panic—you just pull up the records and know exactly what happened.
🧾 “My dog walker said she came… my smart lock says she didn’t.”Mystery solved.
👉 I personally love having the log for those “Did I forget to lock the door?” moments.(Yes, I still doubt myself. Yes, the lock always proves I didn’t.)
📶 4. Offline Access (No Wi-Fi? No Problem!)
Some people start to panic the moment the Wi-Fi drops—like the world’s gone dark and the lock’s suddenly useless.
But don’t worry. Our smart lock series all support Bluetooth via the TTLock app—so even without internet, your door’s still got your back.
Here’s what still works when you're offline:
🔢 Passcodes & fingerprints work like normal
📲 Bluetooth unlock still functions within range (just open the app and tap to unlock)
🆘 Emergency codes can be stored and used even if your phone dies or you're in airplane mode
⚡ So when your Wi-Fi throws a tantrum? Your smart lock doesn’t.
Reliable, calm, and unbothered—exactly how your door should behave.
👑 5. Admin Powers Most Users Never Touch
You might think you’ve already seen all your smart lock can do.But if you're the administrator, you’ve got a secret weapon: full control mode.
Here’s what most users don’t realize they can do as an admin:
🧑💼 Add or remove other admins (perfect for couples or co-hosts)
❄️ Freeze or delete eKeys remotely—especially handy when someone moves out or you change cleaning services
📱 Enable unlock notifications so you know exactly when someone comes in
🗝️ Change the lock name (yes, “Fort Jack” is a totally acceptable name)
🧠 Connect your lock to Alexa, Google Home, or Tuya Smart for voice control
🔄 Transfer the lock to someone else if you sell or move
🔧 Import/export data when switching phones or reinstalling the app
🧠 It’s basically smart lock god mode—and if you’re not using it, you’re missing out on half the fun.
Once you dive into the admin settings, it feels less like a door… and more like mission control.
🚨 Bonus Safety Feature: Forced Fingerprint
Most people don’t realize this is even possible.
If someone ever tries to force you to unlock your door, you can use a forced fingerprint—a special print that still opens the door, but silently sends an alarm message to the admin.
✅ Just click “Forced Fingerprint” in the app to set it up.
⚠️ Your lock must be online for this function to work.
🔐 It’s one of those features you hope you’ll never need—but feel safer just knowing it’s there.
🎯 Final Thoughts:
If you thought smart locks were just about ditching your keys… well, now you know better.
From auto-lock delays and timed guest access to Bluetooth backups and silent alarms—your smart lock isn’t just smart. It’s personal.
And the more you learn how to use it, the more it starts feeling like your home’s most loyal assistant.
Whether you're a parent, host, landlord, or someone who just forgets where they put their water bottle (me), there's a feature in here for you.
🔐 Ready to unlock your lock’s full potential?
Explore Bear and Me’s smart lock collection👉
Need help setting up your favorite feature?👉
It’s not just about locking the door.
It’s about making life a little easier—every single day.
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