I’ll be honest, I’m incredibly forgetful, and at this point, I’ve pretty much made peace with it. I’ve misplaced my phone in the most random places, stepped out of the house without carrying my wallet or keys, and had to turn back home mid-way just to grab what I left behind. The worst of it, though, has always been the keys. There have been days when I’ve locked the door from the outside, only to realize I left the keys inside. That usually meant calling on my neighbor in the middle of the night for the spare key. It’s one of the many reasons why I decided to switch to a smart door lock.
I did look at a few options from Yale, Godrej, TP-Link, and Mygate at a couple of friends’ places before settling on the Mygate Lock SE. What worked for me was the combination of fingerprint unlock, PIN access, and app-based control, all within a budget that made sense. Looking back, it’s easily one of the smartest home security investments I have made. Now, I don’t have to worry about carrying the keys anymore or being anxious about locking myself out. After all, I’m not exactly going to forget my fingers, so this just works.
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There’s more than one way in
Why, hello there — come on in
The smart door lock I’m currently using gives me more than one way to get inside, which is exactly what I needed. The fingerprint scanner is easily my go-to option, especially because it works almost like unlocking a smartphone. That said, there are moments when it doesn’t read my finger perfectly on the first try, but a couple more attempts do the trick. That’s still far less frustrating than standing outside because I forgot my keys for the umpteenth time.
It doesn’t stop there. The lock also comes with RFID tags. I don’t personally use them because there’s a high chance I’ll misplace them, too. They have been perfect for my flatmates and house help, though. It’s simple, quick, and something they’ve taken to almost instantly.
When my parents visited recently, I hadn’t set up their fingerprints, so I gave them a PIN instead. They picked it up within seconds. It was new for them, but the process in itself is particularly easy since the lock displays the digits clearly. They were equal parts impressed and amused by how easy it was. And while a basic keypad lock could handle this part, having multiple options means I’m not relying on just one method to get in.
There’s also an app-based unlock option, which comes in handy more often than I expected. If someone visits while I’m not at home, I can unlock it through the app without having to rush back. Since I have the lock connected to my Wi-Fi, it can be triggered from miles away as well. Moreover, it also uses Bluetooth unlock, in case the Wi-Fi connection is iffy. The only requirement is that the phone be within a certain radius of the lock.
Locking the door is no longer a concern
Security that keeps up with my forgetfulness
For me, forgetting the keys is one thing, but being unsure whether I actually locked the door while rushing out is a whole other level of stress. I tend to get anxious about it, especially since I have my precious PC and other valuables in the house. The last thing I want is to leave the door unsecured and worry about someone breaking in.
Thankfully, my smart lock has completely taken that anxiety off my plate. I’ve set it to auto-lock after a set time — and I can tweak this anywhere from five seconds up to 30 seconds — so even if I forget while heading out, the door locks itself behind me. The companion app also alerts me with a notification if the door is left open.
The perks just keep piling on
It thinks ahead for you
While the basics are important, this smart door lock really shines with its additional features. Take me, for example. I love hosting parties and having friends over on weekends for a game night. With Passage Mode, I can keep the door unlocked for a specific time frame for easy access. My friends don’t need keys or codes to get in, and I don’t have to keep running to the door every few minutes.
It gets even more impressive from there. The lock also offers a forced fingerprint feature. You can register a designated emergency fingerprint, which can trigger an alarm inside the lock’s system that immediately sends notifications to all your emergency contacts. It’s a thoughtful touch (no pun intended) that adds security without complicating anything.
A few quirks, but still a hero of a lock
Smart gadgets, as amazing as they are, do come with their own set of quirks. The smart lock handles many things brilliantly, but it is far from perfect. Sometimes the fingerprint scanner might not register on the first try, especially if your fingertips are sweaty. The remote unlocking feature can be disrupted by power cuts or an unstable Wi-Fi connection. During these instances, you could be left outside waiting for a few moments, which can be frustrating.
There’s also the practical side of things to consider. Installation isn’t always as simple as it sounds, especially in apartments or rental homes. You need to make sure your door is compatible, and in some cases, like mine, even account for clearance between your main door and a secondary grill door. And if you are renting, this might also mean checking with your landlord, since you’ll be replacing the entire lock. In my case, my landlord was quite on board with the idea, as long as I kept the original lock safe and could reinstall it.
That said, every device has its pros and cons, and here the benefits clearly outweigh the annoyances. I’m naturally forgetful, and I can’t always get everything right, so minor hiccups like these feel small in comparison to the convenience of never fumbling for keys or worrying about leaving the door unlocked. For me, it’s a trade-off that’s completely worth it.
