Getting locked outside home happens to many people at some point. It’s frustrating and can throw off your entire day. When you suddenly realize, “I locked myself out of my house,” the stress hits fast. But don’t worry. You can handle this calmly and efficiently. Let’s walk through what to do right now and how to prevent this situation in the future.
Being Locked Outside: What to Do Right Now?
Stay Calm and Assess All Entry Points
First things first—take a deep breath. Panicking won’t help when you’re locked outside apartment or house. Instead, slow down and think clearly. Walk around your home and check every possible entry point. Look at the front door, back door, and any side entrances. Don’t forget ground-floor windows—sometimes they’re open or unlocked. If you have pets, check pet doors too. You might find an unexpected way in without causing damage.
These small details can save you the trouble of calling a locksmith. Check carefully. If you find any unlocked windows, make sure they're secure before climbing in. This simple step can save you time and money.
Calling a Family Member, Roommate, or Neighbor with a Spare Key
If you don’t find any open doors or windows, think about who might have a spare key. Does your roommate, family member, or trusted neighbor have one? Calling them could solve your problem quickly. Having someone nearby with a spare key is a lifesaver when you are locked outside home. If you don’t already have this setup, consider arranging it for the future. It’s an easy way to avoid spending hours outside waiting for help.
Maybe Open the Door with a Card?
You might have heard tips about opening locked doors with a credit card or plastic card. This trick only works on spring bolt locks, not deadbolts or smart locks. Trying this on the wrong lock can damage your door or card, making things worse. So, if you’re locked out of my house, don’t rush to use this method unless you’re sure your lock supports it. It’s better to save this for emergencies and know your door hardware well.
The Importance of Having a Pre-Check Routine Before Leaving Home
Here’s a tip to stop lockouts before they happen. Before you leave, check that you have your keys or smart device in hand. Confirm the door locks behind you correctly. This simple habit can save you from saying, “I locked myself out of my house” again. Make it part of your daily routine—just like grabbing your phone or wallet. A quick pre-check keeps your day running smoothly.
Professional Solutions to Get Back Inside
If you’re locked outside apartment or house and can’t get in any other way, it’s time to call a locksmith. Professionals have the right tools and skills to open doors without damage. Though this option might cost money and take time, it’s often the safest choice. Still, you can avoid this hassle in the future by upgrading your door security with smart locks. They offer more control and flexibility for home access.
The "Never Again" Strategy: Upgrade to Smart Locks
Getting locked outside home can be a thing of the past when you switch to smart locks. These innovative devices let you unlock your door without physical keys. You use fingerprints, passwords, apps, or even voice commands. Let’s explore Aqara’s smart lock lineup and how each model fits different needs.
Aqara Smart Lock U50: The Essential Entry-Level Security
The Aqara Smart Lock U50 is the perfect entry point for those looking to transition from traditional keys to a smarter, more secure lifestyle. Built on the Zigbee 3.0 protocol, it offers incredible stability and integrates seamlessly with Apple Home, supporting the highly convenient Apple Home Key feature—simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock. Its sleek, weather-resistant design (IPX5) fits most standard deadbolts, ensuring a hassle-free installation.
Key Highlights:
-
Apple Home Key Support: Unlock with a touch of your iPhone or Apple Watch, even when your device is out of battery.
-
Versatile Access: Entry via permanent/periodic passwords, NFC cards, the Aqara Home app, or a mechanical emergency key.
-
Matter Compatibility: Future-proof your home with Matter-over-Bridge support, working across Alexa, Google Home, and more.
-
Exceptional Battery Life: Enjoy up to 12 months of battery life for peace of mind and low maintenance.
-
Security First: Features an auto-lock function and an anti-peep password protection to keep your home safe.
The U50 ensures you’ll never have to ask "what to do if I’m locked out," providing a reliable, budget-friendly digital backup for your entire family.
card
Aqara Smart Lock U100: The Premium Choice for Apple Home Users
For users who seek both high-end security and a relaxed, luxurious experience, the Aqara Smart Lock U100 is the ideal choice. As a flagship smart lock, it features a built-in high-speed fingerprint scanner that can recognize up to 50 different fingerprints with a recognition rate of up to 98.6%. The U100 smart lock is fully optimized for the Apple ecosystem and is one of the few smart locks on the market that supports Apple Home Key and can seamlessly integrate with numerous smart home devices.
Key Highlights:
-
Advanced Biometric Access: Unlock in under 0.5 seconds using the high-precision fingerprint scanner.
-
The Apple Experience: Seamlessly integrates with Apple HomeKit; use Siri voice commands or your Apple Watch for a hands-free entry.
-
Rugged Durability: Boasts an IP65 rating and a zinc alloy shell, designed to withstand extreme weather from -31°F to 151°F.
-
Emergency Power Backup: Never worry about dead batteries; use the USB-C port for emergency power or the physical key.
-
Complete Automation: Pair with an Aqara Hub to trigger home scenes—like turning on lights and adjusting the AC—the moment you unlock the door.
With the U100, "locked outside house" moments are a thing of the past. Whether you use your fingerprint or your Apple Watch, entry is always instant and secure.
card
Aqara Smart Lock U200: The Retrofit Solution for Global Doors
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 is designed for those who want smart security without the hassle of changing their existing door hardware. As a retrofit solution, it fits directly over your current lock cylinder, making it ideal for renters or those with unique global door setups (including Euro Profile and UK Oval cylinders). Despite its easy installation, it doesn’t compromise on features, offering a built-in fingerprint scanner on the external keypad and native Matter-over-Thread support for lightning-fast responsiveness.
Key Highlights:
-
Zero-Drill Installation: Keep your existing keys and hardware; the U200 installs in minutes without damaging your door.
-
Apple Home Key & Fingerprint Access: Unlock with a tap of your iPhone/Apple Watch or use the high-precision biometric scanner (stores up to 50 fingerprints).
-
Native Matter Support: The first of its kind to support Matter-over-Thread, ensuring seamless integration with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa without needing a proprietary hub.
-
Quiet & Powerful: Features a high-torque motor with a "Quiet Unlock" mode to minimize noise during late-night entries.
-
IPX5 Weather Resistance: The external keypad is built to withstand rain and snow, ensuring reliable access in any climate.
The U200 is the perfect "no-commitment" upgrade that ensures you are never locked out of your house, even if you’re renting.
card
Aqara Smart Lock U300: The Future-Proof Matter-over-Thread Solution
The Aqara Smart Lock U300 is a game-changer for doors that require a lever-style handle, such as side entries, garage doors, or home offices. It is the world’s first smart lever lock to feature Matter-over-Thread technology, providing a future-proof, ultra-reliable connection that works across all major smart home ecosystems. Combining sleek aesthetics with heavy-duty security, the U300 is designed for both indoor and outdoor versatility.
Key Highlights:
-
Matter-over-Thread Excellence: Enjoy industry-leading battery life and instant response times with native Thread connectivity—no more lagging Bluetooth connections.
-
All-in-One Lever Design: Replaces your entire handle set; perfect for doors without a separate deadbolt, offering a clean and modern look.
-
6-in-1 Unlocking Methods: Access your home via biometric fingerprint, Apple Home Key, permanent/temporary PIN codes, voice assistants, the Aqara app, or a physical emergency key.
-
Auto-Lock & Passage Mode: Set the door to lock automatically behind you for security, or enable "Passage Mode" for easy entry during parties or high-traffic hours.
The U300 ensures your home is future-proof and accessible, eliminating the stress of "locked outside house" scenarios with cutting-edge connectivity.
card
FAQs
What should I do if I am locked out after multiple authentication failures?
After 10 incorrect password attempts, the Aqara lock disables password input for 30 minutes. You can still unlock the door using Bluetooth or the Aqara Home app during this time. This feature protects your home from unauthorized access.
Can I unlock my Aqara smart lock remotely when I’m locked outside home?
Yes. As long as your lock is connected to your home network, you can use the Aqara Home app to unlock your door remotely. This is especially helpful if you forgot your keys or need to let someone in when you’re away.
What happens if the door is locked from inside and I’m locked outside apartment?
If the door is locked from the inside, an administrator fingerprint or password can unlock the door from outside using Aqara smart locks. Emergency keys won’t work in this case, so contacting household members is sometimes necessary.
Conclusion
Being locked outside home is never fun. But by staying calm and checking all possible entry points, you can often solve the problem quickly. Calling someone with a spare key or a locksmith helps when you’re stuck. However, the smartest move is to prevent lockouts altogether by upgrading to a smart lock system.
Aqara’s range of smart locks offers security, convenience, and peace of mind. Whether you want a simple upgrade or the latest tech, they have a model for you. Don’t wait until you’re locked out again—explore Aqara’s smart door locks today and take control of your home access.
