Amazon Alexa can now control Wink-compatible smart locks

Today we’re excited to announce a brand new category of Wink-compatible products that work with Amazon Alexa: locks! 

You can now ask Alexa-enabled devices to lock any of the locks (including those from Schlage, Kwikset, and Yale) that work with Wink or check the status of a lock with a simple voice command. For security purposes, Alexa cannot be used to unlock a door at this time.

Connecting your Wink-compatible door locks to Alexa is easy:

1. If you haven’t already, connect your locks with the Wink app and set individual names for each if you have more than one (Front Door, Back Door, etc.).
2. Then, enable the Wink Skill within the Alexa app (Settings > Skills > Wink > Enable).
3. Sign in with your Wink username and password.
4. From there, say “Alexa, discover new devices.” This can take up to 20 seconds. Your locks will then appear in the Alexa app as the name you gave it in step one.

From there, just say “Alexa, lock the front door” when you’re walking in with arms full of bags after work or “Alexa is the front door locked?” after you’ve parked up on the couch. She’ll take care of the rest. 

Wink was the first smart home platform to work with Alexa when we introduced voice control for select Wink-compatible lighting products in 2015. We’ve since tripled the number of Wink-powered light bulbs and switches that work with Alexa, extended support to Wink-enabled Nest Thermostats, and are thrilled to bring compatibility to locks!

Wink Now Works with the August Smart Lock

Today, we’d like to formally welcome August Home to the Wink family! 

With a suite of intuitive, beautifully designed products and services, August Home gives you total control over your front door no matter where you are.

Through our latest mobile app release, you can now use an August Smart Lock paired to an August Connect with Wink. The August Smart Lock is compatible with most single-cylinder deadbolts used in many homes and only replaces the interior side. Your exterior lock hardware stays the same. The August Connect is what enables remote access and control of your lock.

Once connected to Wink, you can monitor the status of your August Smart Lock, lock or unlock it from afar, and receive alerts when activity takes place, all within the Wink app. 

You can also add the August Smart Lock to existing or new Wink Shortcuts and Robots to further automate your home. For example, a “Goodnight” Shortcut could be used to automatically lock your front door while turning off the lights and adjusting the temperature with just one tap in the Wink app. With an “I’m Home” Robot, unlocking your August Smart Lock can trigger the hallway lights to illuminate and your smart blinds to open.

Wink strives to bring the best products from the most trusted brands together, and we’re very excited to expand our smart home security footprint with Wink + August Home.  

Enjoy!

How To: Create Schlage Lock User Codes

Smart locks are a great addition to any home. They combine flexibility and convenience with high quality security so you’re always in the loop on what’s happening back at the ranch. 

A great feature of the many Wink-compatible Schlage locks is the ability to create user codes. Say you’re going on vacation and need to provide the house sitter and dog walker access to your home. Or your family has a knack for losing their keys, rendering them stuck outside while you’re away at work. User codes are an easy way to grant or revoke access to whomever you choose, while eliminating a little stress along the way. 

User codes can be created directly from the lock’s keypad, or remotely through the Wink app. You can even set a reminder within Wink to delete a code if it was created for someone who only needs to get inside once - a babysitter, for example. 

Getting started is easy:

1. Go to the Locks screen and tap the arrow next to the lock to access the User Code Settings page. You will be asked to enter your Wink Account Password in order to proceed.

2. Select Add User Code to create a code of your preference. New user codes will have to be entered twice for verification. Note - all of the codes you create for a given lock must be the same length (4 digit minimum, 8 digit maximum). If you enter a new code that is longer or shorter than previous codes, those older ones will be deleted.

3. Next, add a name to the user code, along with an optional reminder (you can choose when it is sent) to delete the code if you wish to revoke access. 

That’s it! Once a code is created, it will appear under the User Code Settings page and you can reference it at any point. You will not be able to edit a code once it is created, however you can delete the code and re-create it to your liking. 

To extend the functionality of user codes further, try setting up a Wink Robot that triggers certain actions when a particular code is used. For example, if you typically get home late from work, your user code could be set up to automatically turn on the downstairs lights.