This new feature can make smart locks better than ever
The Connectivity Standards Alliance released the Aliro 1.0 specification, a new digital communication protocol and authentication standard supported by Apple, Google, and Samsung that aims to do for physical access control what Matter did for the broader smart home industry.
Aliro addresses a problem that has persisted in the access control sector for decades, where proprietary card systems, closed software ecosystems, and hardware lock-ins have forced businesses, homeowners, and homeowners to commit entirely to a single vendor instead of mixing compatible products from different manufacturers.
The standard works by storing digital access credentials directly in a native mobile wallet on the user’s phone or wearable, eliminating the need for a separate app or cloud dependency and allowing the same authentication to work across locks from different manufacturers in different locations.
Three wireless technologies support specifications to cover different installation scenarios, with NFC handling tap-to-unlock interaction, Bluetooth Low Energy supporting user-initiated long-range communication, and Ultra-Wideband allowing fully hands-free authentication as the user approaches the door with the phone in his pocket.
UWB hands-free mode mirrors the experience Apple has offered with the Home key on compatible locks since 2021, but Aliro extends that capability to all Android and Samsung devices simultaneously rather than limiting it to a single mobile platform and a handful of certified lock manufacturers.
Authentication stored within the Aliro framework also supports granular access planning built directly into the digital key itself, allowing a guest or contractor-issued credential to manage time limits and specific permissions without requiring an Internet connection or a third-party management application to enforce it.
Industry support and certification
More than 220 companies have contributed to the development of Aliro 1.0, as Apple, ASSA ABLOY, Google, Samsung, Infineon Technologies, and STMicroelectronics among those who have integrated information architecture technologies, and Allegion, Aqara, HID, Kwikset, Nuki, NXP among Semiconductors, and Q0 are expected to benefit the first Alitrocer.
The specification also applies to non-networked areas, including underground car parks and elevators, a practical requirement for commercial deployments where mobile and Wi-Fi signals are often unavailable but access control is still important.
Aliro works alongside Matter instead of replacing it, by handling Matter communication with smart home devices and switches while Aliro handles the point-to-point authentication exchange between the phone and the lock reader directly, meaning that a fully functional smart lock will eventually carry certification for both standards.
The Alliance confirmed that Aliro 1.0 represents the standard of living, with future phases planned to add features including secure authentication sharing while maintaining backward compatibility with hardware certified under the initial release.
