Had something similar happen to me once, though not quite as dramatic—my lock just froze mid-update and had to do a full reset. Seems like certain brands handle firmware updates better than others... might be worth checking user reviews before your next upgrade.
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, even solid reviews don't always mean smooth firmware updates. Had a top-rated lock installed on one of my rental properties—reviews were glowing, company reputable... still ended up locking tenants out for half a day after a botched update. Turned into a headache with locksmith fees and frustrated renters. Since then, I've stuck with simpler keypad locks that don't rely on updates or Wi-Fi connections. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes simpler is better, especially when reliability matters more than convenience.
Yikes, getting tenants locked out sounds like a nightmare. I totally get leaning towards simplicity, especially after something like that. But I wonder if it's more about the specific brand or model rather than smart locks in general? I've got an older house—like, seriously old—and was hesitant at first to put anything "smart" on it. Eventually gave in and installed one of those Wi-Fi locks because, honestly, I kept forgetting my keys (yeah, embarrassing). Surprisingly, it's been pretty reliable so far, knock on wood...
But now you've got me thinking—maybe I've just been lucky? Or maybe it's because I haven't had it long enough to run into a botched update yet. I do agree simpler tech usually means fewer headaches, but the convenience factor is tempting. Maybe there's some middle ground out there that's reliable enough without being overly complicated.
"Maybe there's some middle ground out there that's reliable enough without being overly complicated."
That's exactly it. I've found the sweet spot is usually tech that's been around a bit—proven reliability, fewer surprise updates. Had a similar lockout scare once... trust me, you're not alone there.
I learned my lesson the hard way with smart locks. A couple years back, I installed one of those fancy Wi-Fi-enabled locks on our old Victorian front door. Thought it'd be great—no more fumbling for keys when my hands were full of groceries or tools. Worked like a charm...until it didn't.
One rainy evening, I came home late from work, phone battery dead (of course), and the keypad decided it was the perfect moment to glitch out. There I was, standing on my porch, soaked and frustrated, staring at a blinking red light that basically said "nope." Ended up climbing through a half-open basement window—thank goodness I'd procrastinated fixing that latch!
After that fiasco, I swapped it out for something simpler. Went with a keypad lock that's battery-powered and doesn't rely on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's not as flashy, but it's been rock-solid reliable ever since. Batteries last forever, and there's no app updates or connectivity issues to worry about. Plus, it blends in nicely with the historic look of the house.
I guess my point is, tech is great until it isn't. Sometimes simpler really is better, especially when reliability matters most.
