The Nuki Keypad 2 Becomes One of the First Aliro-Certified Devices on the Market

The Keypad 2 NFC will allow users to upgrade any Matter-enabled Nuki smart lock to handle near field communications via the Aliro security standard.

Published: March 25, 2026Nick Boever

Photo courtesy of Nuki

Nuki has become one of the first smart locks in the U.S. to become fully certified on the Aliro standard with the release of its Keypad 2 NFC (the NFC standing for Near Field Communication).

Why This is Important

Released at the start of March 2026, the Aliro specification aims to work as a unified standard for digital keys, much in the same way Matter is intended to work as a unified means of communication for wireless devices. On paper, this means that under Aliro, users can employ their own personal digital key to unlock a variety of devices securely and easily.

Nuki’s Keypad 2 comes in as the first device capable of supporting the standard in full, with it extending contactless unlock capabilities to any Matter-capable Nuki Smart Lock on the market, no extra installation required.

How Does the Keypad 2 NFC Work

While a variety of methods can be used to enable contactless access, Nuki’s Keypad 2 runs on Near Field Communications, much like how contactless payments run, allowing encrypted data exchange within just a few centimeters of the locking device via a digital key housed on a smartphone or wearable device.

Users can use either an Apple Home Key, Samsung Digital Home Key, or Nuki’s Tap to Unlock function in the app; however, fingerprint unlocks and a personalized access code are other available options for unlocking the device. A Matter-enabled hub from the respective key provider is needed to use them with a Nuki device, however.

Contrasting that, Nuki says its Tap to Unlock feature functions with any Nuki device, regardless of a hub being present. The only requirement is that the user’s phone be capable of conducting near field communications.

All information regarding key data, biometrics and codes is stored locally, though cloud usage remains options.

Considerations for Integrators

While the Aliro standard presents itself as a more convenient means of accessing one’s home, the seeming requirement for a hub to allow full freedom of choice with different digital keys does pose a slight limitation by adding an additional device requirement to the mix. Whether this will apply to all Aliro devices is to be seen.