In short:
- A keypad lock opens with a code. A smart lock adds an app, a hub or a home-automation link. Many models do both.
- They run on batteries, not mains power, so a power cut won't stop the lock, but flat batteries will. Know where the emergency power point and backup key are before you need them.
- Change the factory master code and switch off settings you don't use the day the lock goes in.
- Buying a unit that wasn't originally sold in South Africa can cost you the local warranty. Read the warranty terms before you order.
- Entry logs and fingerprints are personal information. Think about who can see them, especially if tenants, staff or guests use the lock.
Keypad, smart or both?
The words get used loosely, so it helps to separate what the lock does from how it connects.
- Keypad (digital) lock: you enter a PIN on the outside to open it. It works on its own, with no phone or internet needed.
- Smart lock: adds remote control through an app, a home-automation system or a hub. You can usually issue and cancel codes from your phone and see when the door was used.
- Extras: key fobs or tags, fingerprint readers and voice prompts appear on many models.
Yale's Keyfree, as one example, is a keypad lock that stores up to 20 PIN codes, accepts an optional key fob, and can be linked to a home-automation system by adding a separate module. So a "keypad" lock can become a "smart" lock later, which is worth knowing when you compare prices.
Batteries, warnings and the flat-battery day
Most keypad and smart door locks run on ordinary batteries inside the lock. That has an upside in Johannesburg: a mains power cut doesn't stop the lock opening. Features that rely on your home Wi-Fi or a hub may drop out until the power is back, so plan on using a code, fob or key during an outage rather than the app.
The flat-battery day is the one to prepare for. Using the Yale Keyfree manual as an example:
- it runs on four AA alkaline batteries, and the manual says all four must be replaced when the red low-battery light flickers or the voice says "Low Battery";
- if the batteries die completely, a 9 volt (PP3) battery can be held against a contact on the front of the lock to give it enough power to accept your code;
- a backup key is supplied, and Yale suggests storing it "in a safe & convenient place".
"Safe and convenient" doesn't mean the car cubbyhole or under the mat. If the backup key is inside the house and the batteries die while you're out, you're locked out. Keep a 9V battery and the backup key somewhere you can reach from outside without making it easy for anyone else.
Other makes do it differently: some have a hidden key cylinder, some a USB-style power point, some neither. Read the manual for your model before the lock goes on the door, not after.
Is your door and entrance suitable?
A digital lock is only as good as the door it's fitted to, and the right model depends on what's already there.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What lock is on the door now: mortice, cylinder, multipoint or rim? | Digital locks are designed around particular lock bodies. Some replace the whole lock; others work with an existing one. |
| How thick is the door, and what is it made of? | Each model lists the door thicknesses and materials it suits. Outside that range it may not fit or seal properly. |
| Is there a security gate in front of the door? | If you still need a key for the gate, a keypad on the door behind it saves less than you might think. |
| How exposed is the outside face to sun and rain? | Keypads have to live outdoors. Look for the maker's guidance on exposure, and consider a porch or gate overhang. |
| Who will use it? | Children, older relatives, domestic workers and guests all need a method they can manage reliably. |
Note one detail from the Keyfree manual that applies to many locks of this kind: if you don't lift the inside handle to lock fully, the door is held on the latch only. A digital lock doesn't remove the need for good habits.
Settings to change on day one
- Change the master code. The Keyfree manual gives the factory master code as 123456, and a reset returns it to that. Many locks ship with a similarly simple default. Change it before you set up user codes.
- Give each person their own code. Then you can remove one person without changing everybody's.
- Delete codes you no longer need, such as a builder's or a previous tenant's.
- Check auto-lock and passage settings. Keyfree's "passage mode", for example, stops the outside handle relocking so people can walk in without a code. Useful for a party, risky if forgotten.
- Keep codes private. Don't write them on the door frame or share them in a group chat.
- Clean the keypad gently. Yale says to use a soft damp cloth and no chemicals, which can also affect the warranty.
Warranty and where you buy it
Online marketplaces sell plenty of imported smart locks, and the price can look tempting. Before ordering, read the local warranty terms. ASSA ABLOY's Yale warranty policy for South Africa is a good example of what to look for:
- mechanical parts are covered for two years, but electrical and electronic components for 12 months, and batteries are not covered at all;
- products not originally sold in South Africa by ASSA ABLOY are excluded;
- products that were improperly installed, or fitted without following the installation instructions, are excluded;
- products not maintained according to the maker's care recommendations, or exposed to corrosive chemicals, are excluded.
Other brands have their own terms, but the pattern is common: buy locally from the official channel, keep the slip, and keep the installation instructions.
Privacy: codes, logs and fingerprints
A smart lock collects information about people: who opened the door, and when. Fingerprint models store biometric data. South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) defines personal information to include an identifying number, location information, an online identifier and biometric information about a person.
For a family home this is mostly about keeping your own account secure. It matters more if you're a landlord, a short-let host or a business owner whose lock records tenants', guests' or staff members' comings and goings. Decide who has access to the app and its logs, don't keep logs longer than you need them, and get proper advice on your POPIA obligations if the lock is part of a business. This is general information, not legal advice. Our article on key control for landlords and short-let hosts covers codes and access between occupants.
When something goes wrong
Digital locks fail in a few predictable ways: batteries die with no emergency power to hand, the backup key is lost or locked inside, the keypad or motor fails, or the mechanical lock underneath wears out like any other lock.
If you're locked out, we try non-destructive entry first and ask for proof of ownership or residence before opening the door. If the lock is beyond repair or no longer suits the door, our lock replacement service covers swapping it for another digital lock or a conventional one. In a sectional title building, read the sectional title rules on upgrading a front-door lock before fitting a keypad to a door that faces a shared corridor.
We're a fully mobile Johannesburg mobile locksmith, open 24/7. It's an R250 call-out, the technician quotes on site before any work starts, and payment is by EFT, cash or card. Please send the make and model of the lock, or a photo of both sides, when you get in touch.
Questions
Will load-shedding or a power cut lock me out of a keypad lock?
Not if the lock runs on its own batteries, as most do. App and Wi-Fi features may stop working during the outage, so use your code, fob or key until the power returns.
Do I still need keys with a smart lock?
Usually yes. Most models come with a backup key for emergencies, and your security gate may still need one. Store the backup key carefully.
Is a keypad lock more secure than a normal lock?
Not automatically. Security depends on the lock body, how it's fitted, the door, and how you manage codes. Its main advantage is control: you can issue and remove codes without collecting keys.
Need a locksmith to look at it?
If this hasn't solved the problem, our lock replacement service covers it. We're a mobile locksmith in Johannesburg, so we come to your door.
Sources and further reading
- Yale: Keyfree digital door lock user manual (PDF) — PIN code capacity, batteries, 9V emergency power, backup key, default master code, passage mode, cleaning
- ASSA ABLOY South Africa: Yale General Products Warranty Policy (PDF) — warranty periods and exclusions, including products not originally sold in South Africa
- POPIA section 1: Definitions — definition of personal information, including biometric information