Ring’s first smart lock can be hand-cranked when its battery dies

The anxiety of being locked out of your smart home is now a solvable problem with a manual backup.

Ring, an Amazon-owned company, is releasing its first smart lock, designed to address consumer concerns about battery failure. The new lock features a hand-crank power dial that can generate enough electricity to open the lock if the main battery depletes. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff conceived the idea while seeking a lock for a vacation home with infrequent use. The device's rechargeable battery is expected to last about a year and will send low-battery alerts to the Ring app. Users can also grant temporary access via the app, and the company plans to enable third-party app integrations for specialized uses, such as for Airbnb hosts. The lock offers multiple entry methods: fingerprint, a backlit touchscreen keypad, the Ring app, and Alexa. It is compatible with standard single-cylinder deadbolts and will be available in the U.S. in Q1 2027, pending FCC authorization, in black, silver, or brass finishes. Ring also announced four new 4K cameras.

Ring's introduction of a hand-crank backup for its smart lock directly confronts a primary user objection: battery depletion leading to lockout. This addresses a significant barrier to adoption in the smart home security market, potentially drawing in consumers who previously hesitated due to reliability fears. The company's strategy appears to be leveraging this unique, practical feature as its main differentiator in a competitive landscape.

By solving the battery anxiety, Ring may pave the way for more widespread smart lock adoption and increased integration within the broader smart home ecosystem. The planned support for third-party app developers could further expand the lock's utility, making it more appealing to property managers and short-term rental hosts. This move also signals a potential trend toward more robust and user-centric solutions for smart home hardware.