Aqara's smart gate lock can be unlocked with a fingerprint from both sides. It is compatible with Google Home and SmartThings and is already sold in the Czech Republic

A gate lock has one disadvantage compared to a front door lock: it can be reached from both sides through bars or over a fence. The Aqara Smart Gate Lock U500 therefore doesn’t just have a fingerprint reader on the outside. Both fingerprint and key work from the outside and inside, so the lock cannot be easily operated by a hand reaching through the gate.

Alza has the new product in stock for 7,099 CZK, customer reviews are still missing. For Android owners, it’s particularly interesting that the lock doesn’t rely solely on Apple’s ecosystem: you can connect it to Google Home, SmartThings, and Home Assistant.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense if: you have a gate with a profile of 22–28 mm and want to open it without a key, preferably connected to Google Home, SmartThings, or Home Assistant.
⚠️ Consider: the gate and frame must be flush, and expect to drill holes of 2 × 12 mm and 50 mm. Unlocking via Apple Home Keys is designed for iPhone and Apple Watch.
💡 The lock already has a built-in cylinder and the package includes four AA batteries, two mechanical keys, and a strike box.

Fifty fingerprints and passwords that can be distributed

The fingerprint reader has a resolution of 160 × 160 pixels and can store up to 50 fingerprints. This is more than enough for a family, grandma, and the neighbor who waters plants in the summer. Access data remains stored directly in the lock and is encrypted with the AES algorithm.

Anyone whose finger is not in the database can use a permanent, offline, or scheduled password. The latter is suitable for someone who should only enter at a specific time. Further options include an NFC card, remote unlocking from the app, voice control, and finally, a regular key.

Android gets Google Home and Matter, Home Keys remain for iPhones

The lock communicates via Bluetooth and Matter over Thread. It works independently and via a central unit, and in addition to the Aqara Home app, which also has a Czech interface, it pairs with Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, or Homey. You can control it by voice via Google Assistant and Alexa.

However, the most convenient unlocking method is aimed at Apple. A key added to Apple Wallet opens the gate with a tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch and, according to the manufacturer, even works with a dead iPhone.

Locks itself and opens with the main door with one tap

The built-in gyroscope detects when the gate has closed, and the lock automatically locks it. If you also have another Aqara smart lock at home, you can pair them and unlock both the gate and the front door simultaneously with a single tap.

There is a dedicated doorbell button on the panel. With the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410, you can see who is at the gate, and if-then rules can, for example, turn on the lights after opening. The Do Not Disturb mode mutes regular notifications at a set time but continues to inform you about attempted forced entry or a partially open gate.

Outdoor panel for frost, batteries for seven months

The gate stands in rain and sun, which is why the outdoor panel has IP65 protection, and the manufacturer specifies operating temperatures from –35 to 66 °C. The inner side has IP54. The frame is all-metal with a reinforced double hook, and the entire lock weighs 1.4 kg.

It is powered by four AA batteries, which, according to the manufacturer, should last up to 7 months. A notification will be sent before they run out, and if the batteries do run out, you can revive the lock from the outside with a power bank via USB-C.

Before ordering, measure your gate

The lock is suitable for gates with a thickness of 22 to 28 mm, with a gap between the leaf and the frame of 3 to 7 mm, and a spacing between the frames of 40 to 45 mm. Two holes with a diameter of 12 mm and one 50mm hole need to be drilled into the profile. The installation itself, according to the manufacturer, only requires a PH1 Phillips screwdriver, but for different dimensions, it may be necessary to modify the gate.

The strictest condition concerns geometry: the gate leaf and frame must be flush. Anyone whose gate rests on an overlapping frame will not be able to install the U500, no matter how appealing the features are otherwise.

Do you still open your gate with a key, or is it already integrated into your smart home?