Bold Smart Locks: How They Work

A Bold smart lock is a keyless euro cylinder that replaces the existing cylinder in your front door, so your phone becomes your key. You keep your door, handle and multi-point locking. Only the cylinder changes, and fitting takes around five minutes.

No more lost keys, no spare under the plant pot, and no waiting in for the cleaner or a delivery. You can give family, guests or staff access from the free Bold app and take it away again just as easily.

Below we explain how Bold smart locks work, how secure they are, and how to pick the right size from the Bold range at Maplin.

Bold smart locks have no keyhole and no motor. The outside knob spins freely until the lock recognises an authorised phone, then it engages with the cylinder so you can turn it and open the door as normal.

1. You approach the door with the Bold app on your phone.
2. Your phone talks to the lock over Bluetooth, using two-factor authentication and extra encryption.
3. The lock engages. The free-spinning outside knob now connects to the cylinder.
4. You turn the knob and the door unlocks, just like turning a key.
5. When you leave, the knob returns to spinning freely, so nobody else can turn it.

Most smart locks use a motor to throw the bolt, which drains batteries fast. Bold's design uses your hand to do the turning. That is why the battery lasts for years rather than weeks.

• Bold app: tap to unlock, or let Elite models unlock automatically when your phone is nearby.
• Bold Smart Clicker: a slim keyring button for people without a smartphone, such as children or elderly relatives. One Clicker works with up to 50 locks, and the battery lasts over 4 years.
• Remotely, with Bold Connect: a Wi-Fi module placed within 2–3 metres of the lock. It lets you unlock from anywhere, for example to let in a courier or a guest.

The app lets you add users and choose when they can get in. Give a dog walker weekday mornings only, or give a family member permanent access. If someone loses their phone or Clicker, block it in the app in seconds. No locksmith, no new keys.

Maplin stocks two ranges of smart locks: Bold Smart Lock and the newer Bold Elite. Both come in seven sizes, so you can match the cylinder already in your door.

Choose the standard Bold lock if you want simple, secure keyless entry. Choose Elite if you want live status and alerts, or to link the lock with other Matter devices.

The model number tells you the size. The first digit is the inside length and the second is the outside length, both measured from the centre of the cylinder's fixing screw hole.

Yes. Every Bold lock at Maplin carries the SKG*** (three-star) rating, the highest level in the Dutch SKG standard for heavy-duty burglary resistance.

• Physical security: there is no keyhole to pick or bump, and Bold's Duracore technology is designed to resist drilling.
• Digital security: Bluetooth connections use two-factor authentication plus extra encryption. Bold's servers use the same kind of encryption as online banking.
• Lost phone or Clicker? Block it from the app straight away, so it can no longer open your door.
• Elite extras: tamper detection spots banging or forced-entry attempts, and you get a push notification if the door is left unlocked overnight.

If you need a specific rating for your home insurance, check your policy wording before you fit any new cylinder.

Fitting a Bold lock takes around five minutes with a screwdriver. No drilling, wiring or locksmith is needed.

1. Measure your current cylinder. Measure from the centre of the fixing screw hole to each end, inside and outside, then pick the matching model from the size table above.
2. Remove the old cylinder. With the door open, undo the retaining screw on the edge of the door, turn the key slightly and slide the cylinder out.
3. Slide in the Bold cylinder and secure it with the supplied retaining screw.
4. Fit the battery and inside knob as shown in the quick start guide (Elite models include a CR123A battery).
5. Set up the app. Download the free Bold app, create an account and follow the on-screen pairing steps.
6. Add users and accessories, such as family members, a Smart Clicker or a Bold Connect for remote access.

The Elite box also includes three length adapters, an installation tool, a cylinder retaining bolt and an engine mounting screw.

No. The lock works over Bluetooth with your phone, so it keeps working without Wi-Fi. You only need Wi-Fi if you add a Bold Connect for remote unlocking.

Use a Bold Smart Clicker on your keyring as a backup, or ask another household member with access to open the door from their phone.

Because there is no motor, the lock's battery lasts for years. The Smart Clicker's battery lasts over 4 years.

Bold locks fit standard euro cylinder doors, which are common on UPVC and composite doors in the UK. Measure your cylinder and pick the matching SX model.

Yes, with a Bold Connect Wi-Fi module (£99.99), placed within 2–3 metres of the lock. One Connect can control several Bold locks.

Both ranges work with smart assistants such as Google Home and Homey. Bold Elite adds Matter support, so it can join a wider smart home setup with devices from brands like Shelly.

Yes. In the Bold app you can share access for set times or permanently, and remove it whenever you like.

A Bold smart lock gives you keyless, phone-based entry in about five minutes, with SKG*** security and batteries that last for years. Pick the standard range for simple keyless entry, or Elite for live status, tamper alerts and Matter.

Shop the full Bold smart lock range at Maplin, and add a Bold Connect or Smart Clicker to complete your setup.