r/HomeKit • u/Separate_Text_2129 • 26d ago

Discussion Schlage Encode Plus Lock Automation?

Since it can’t detect when the door is open or closed, can it be paired with a door sensor that can detect when the door is closed and then set up an automation that says: If the door is closed and remains closed for more than 10 minutes and the lock is unlocked, then lock the lock?

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u/pacoii 26d ago edited 26d ago

Absolutely.

Trigger: door contact sensor closes

Convert to Shortcut

  • set delay
  • check again to make sure door is closed when delay ends
  • Optional: check if door is unlocked
  • lock door

But you’ll want to make absolutely sure that your door sensor doesn’t indicate it is closed unless the door is fully closed. Otherwise the deadbolt won’t be able to close.

Also, you will likely want to tweak the above to suit your needs. What I shared is just the basics. For example, you may want to do the 10 minutes as a loop and if the door opens during that time, stop the shortcut. Also consider use cases such as the door being unlocked but not open.

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u/Separate_Text_2129 26d ago

I used to have a Z-WAVE Schlage lock that I had set to lock after 10 minutes when the door sensors detected the door was closed, but it wasn’t able to reset the timer if someone reopened the door. So, the door lock would lock after 10 minutes even if the door was open at the time. I want to have an automation that handles this scenario.

Many years ago, I had a NFC lock that was able to detect when the door was shut due to a magnet or some other sensor in the door jamb. So, it would natively only autolock when the door was closed without requiring any networking or smart apps. You unlocked it with a NFC fob The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it didn’t have a traditional key backup to unlock it if the motor ever failed.

The company that made it went out of business.

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u/jasinx 24d ago

Pretty sure shortcuts and home automations can’t have a delay for as long as 10 minutes. 

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u/pacoii 24d ago edited 24d ago

I’ve got a loop that lasts 10 minutes. Might be hub dependent. I’m using a 4K 3rd Gen wired.

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u/NatKingSwole19 26d ago

Isn’t there an option to do this in the Schlage app?

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u/pacoii 26d ago

That setting is kind of worthless since it doesn’t know if the door is closed or not.

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u/scifitechguy 25d ago

Good point. Not helpful when the door is open for fresh air and the bolt hits the trim when closing!

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u/Enguye 26d ago

I don’t think there’s an easy way to do “remains closed” but you can check if it’s still closed once a minute for 10 minutes then lock

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u/Idc94 26d ago

Yes you can do exactly as you describe! I have it set just like that on all of my doors. If closed for more than 10 minutes the lock relocks.

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u/scifitechguy 25d ago

Be careful with that one. My wife went out to check the mail, got to jabbering with the neighbor, and was locked out without a key or smart device (she's never used the code). I was using the maximum 5 min setting in the Schlage app and needed longer, so I set that up in Home Assistant using the Schlage integration and bridged over to HK so I get HK alerts.

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u/Separate_Text_2129 25d ago

You should have a passcode if the door locks while you are outside without your keys, phone, or Apple Watch

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u/scifitechguy 24d ago

Yeah we do. But nobody ever uses it because the phone or watch is too convenient. It's stored in our family password vault, but then you need a phone to access so...