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LK101 Series - Bluetooth Deadbolt Smart Lock: Auto-Unlock Tips

The LK101 Series Bluetooth Deadbolt Smart Lock's Auto-Unlock is a convenient feature that automatically unlocks your door as you approach your property. However, factors like environmental conditions, phone settings, or device positioning can affect the reliability. To ensure the Auto-Unlock feature works effectively, follow these tips for both iOS and Android devices.

Note: To set up auto-unlock in the Lorex app, see the "Lock Settings" section in the guide Lorex App Settings.


What is a Geofence?

A geofence is a virtual boundary around your property that helps your smart lock know when you are nearby. When your phone enters or exits this boundary (usually within 200 meters), it triggers actions like Auto-Unlock. For Auto-Unlock to work properly, your phone needs to have location services, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi enabled to communicate with the lock when you are in range.


General Auto-Unlock Flow

  1. The Lorex app must detect that you have exited the geofence area before it can trigger an Auto-Unlock when you re-enter.
  2. When you re-enter the geofence area (approximately 200 meters), the app searches for the lock using Bluetooth and attempts to unlock the door based on signal strength.

iOS Auto-Unlock Best Practices

1. Always Allow Location Access:

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Always Enable Location

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap the Lorex app.
  3. Ensure "Location" is set to "Always."

2. Enable Background App Refresh:

This allows the Lorex app to perform geofencing tasks even when it is not open.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Enable Background App

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap the Lorex app.
  3. Ensure "Background App Refresh" is enabled.

3. Enable Bluetooth & Wi-Fi:

To ensure the Lorex app can connect with the smart lock when you enter the geofence, always keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Enable Bluetooth Wi-Fi

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap the Lorex app.
  3. Ensure "Bluetooth" and "Local Network" are enabled.

Note: Enabling Airplane Mode, or turning off Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, will stop Auto-Unlock from working. Keep these settings enabled for proper function.


4. Cellular Data:

Ensure Cellular Data is enabled for the Lorex app if you are using 4G or 5G. This helps improve location accuracy when you are not connected to Wi-Fi.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Enable Cellular Data

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap the Lorex app.
  3. Ensure "Cellular Data" is enabled.

5. Battery Health:

Ensure sure your iPhone’s battery is charged above 50%. If your iPhone is in Low Power Mode or has a low battery, geofence and Bluetooth services may not work as expected.


Android Auto-Unlock Best Practices

1. Allow Location Access:

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Enable Location

  1. Open Settings on your phone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Apps, then select Lorex from the list.
  3. Tap Permissions, then tap Location and select "Allow all the time" to ensure the app can always access your location.
  4. Ensure "Use precise location" is enabled just below the location access option.

2. Battery Optimization Settings:

To prevent the phone from closing the app in the background, disable battery optimization for the Lorex app.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Unrestricted Battery

  1. Open Settings on your phone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Apps, then select Lorex from the list.
  3. Tap Battery and select "Unrestricted" to ensure the app can always access your location.

3. Enable Bluetooth & Wi-Fi:

Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on at all times for proper communication with the smart lock. To check, pull down the control panel from the top of the screen and make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Enable Bluetooth Wi-Fi


4. Enable Background Data:

Ensure Background Data is enabled for the Lorex app to detect when you enter or leave the geofence.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Allow Background

  1. Open Settings on your phone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Apps, then select Lorex from the list.
  3. Tap Mobile Data.
  4. Ensure "Allow background data usage" is enabled.

5. Adaptive Battery Settings:

To avoid issues with Auto-Unlock, either disable Adaptive Battery or ensure your phone’s battery is above 50%.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Disable Adaptive Battery

  1. Open Device care on your phone.
  2. Tap Battery, then select Background Usage Limits.
  3. Tap the More Options icon (three-dots) at the top right and select Adaptive Battery.
  4. Turn Adaptive Battery off.

6. Location Accuracy:

For better geofence detection, make sure Google Location Accuracy is turned on in your phone's settings.

Phone Settings > Lorex App > Improve Location

  1. Open Settings on your phone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Location, then select Location Services.
  3. Tap Location Accuracy.
  4. Ensure "Improve Location Accuracy" is enabled.

Additional Tips for Both iOS and Android

  • Check Your App Permissions: Ensure the Lorex app has permission to access your Location, Bluetooth, and background activity.
  • Wi-Fi/Cellular Data: Stay connected to a reliable Wi-Fi or cellular network for better accuracy in detecting when you enter or leave the geofence.
  • App Updates: Always keep the Lorex app updated to ensure you have the latest features and fixes for auto-unlock.

Troubleshooting

If auto-unlock stops working, try the following steps:

  1. Restart Your Phone: Sometimes a simple restart can fix background service issues.
  2. Re-pair the Smart Lock: Remove the lock from the app and re-connect it, following the setup instructions.
  3. Reset Geofence Settings: Go to the app’s settings, disable and re-enable Location Services to refresh the auto-unlock feature.
  4. Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure your phone has a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data).

For more information on using your smart lock, check out:


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