It’s funny how quickly “tap to pay” became second nature. A few years ago it felt like a novelty now it’s how most of us pay for everything. Phone, watch, quick tap, done. With the new Keypad 2 NFC, they’re taking that exact same tap experience and bringing it home, literally. Walk up to your door, tap your phone or watch, and you’re in. No apps, no keys, no friction. And honestly, it just makes sense.
The same tap experience, just at your front door
Under the hood, this is all powered by NFC, the same tech that’s been quietly running contactless payments for years. It’s fast, secure, and crucially, it’s already trusted. That familiarity is what makes this feel like such a natural step.
If you’re using Apple Home Key or Samsung Digital Home Key, the experience is exactly what you’d expect. Tap and go. But what I like here is that Nuki hasn’t made this an ecosystem-only feature.
If you’ve got a 4th or 5th gen Nuki Smart Lock and an NFC-enabled phone, you can still use “Tap to Unlock” through Nuki’s own app mode, no Matter setup or extra hub needed. That’s a big win for flexibility, and very on-brand for Nuki.
More ways to unlock than you’ll probably ever need
What stands out with the Keypad 2 NFC is just how many options you’ve got.
You can still go down the usual route with fingerprints or access codes, but now you’ve got tap-based unlocking layered on top, whether that’s via Apple, Samsung, or Nuki itself.
In total, it supports:
- Fingerprints (up to 20)
- NFC keys (up to 35)
- Access codes (up to 200)
It’s the kind of setup that works just as well for a busy household as it does for guest access or short-term rentals.
Security hasn’t taken a back seat
Whenever you add convenience, security questions usually follow, but Nuki is leaning on the same approach it’s always taken.
Everything is protected with end-to-end encryption, using standards similar to what’s used in payment systems. And importantly, your data stays local unless you choose otherwise. That balance between convenience and control is still very much intact.
The Nuki Keypad 2 NFC is available immediately at Amazon (Ad)
Still very “Nuki” when it comes to setup
If you’ve used Nuki before, none of this will surprise you. Installation is quick, no wiring needed, and you can stick it on or screw it in place in minutes. It’s also built to handle everyday conditions, with IP54 protection against dust and splashes.
Battery life is rated at around a year, which is helped by the fact the keypad isn’t constantly chatting to the lock, it only wakes up when it needs to.
A glimpse at where smart access is heading
This launch is also interesting for another reason, it’s one of the first real-world uses of Aliro, a new smart access standard built on top of Matter.
Nuki has been early with Matter support already, and this feels like the next logical step. The Keypad 2 NFC is being positioned as the first Aliro-certified keypad for homes, which gives us a pretty clear idea of where things are going. More interoperability, less ecosystem lock-in, and a smoother overall experience.
Conclusion
This is one of those updates that doesn’t feel flashy but actually changes how you use something day to day. Tapping to unlock your door feels like an obvious next step, and once you start doing it, it’s probably going to be hard to go back.
The fact Nuki has made it work across different setups, without forcing you into a specific ecosystem, is what really makes this stand out. If you’re already using a Nuki Smart Lock, this feels less like a “maybe” upgrade and more like the way things are heading.
The Nuki Keypad 2 NFC is available immediately at Amazon (Ad)
Related Links:
Nuki Joins Works with Home Assistant
Getting Started with Apple Home
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