Smart Lock Connectivity

I gathered three years of feedback, tied it to a drop in star ratings across retail platforms, and presented the findings to product and executive leadership. The work was approved in 2026.

A connection depends on Bluetooth range, Wi-Fi, and how the lock connects: built-in Wi-Fi, a Smart Module, or a Wi-Fi bridge. I built the logic for all 19 recovery scenarios first, then translated it into UI.

The lock screen now shows whether the lock is connecting, connected, or not, and over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Tapping the status explains what’s happening. If it changes while the explanation is open, it updates live.

Connection timeouts differed by platform: 30 seconds on Android, 15 on iOS. I standardized them at 10. When time runs out, “I Can’t Connect” opens step-by-step troubleshooting that adapts to the lock’s hardware.

A weak signal now shows up as a warning, with a way to test it. The test checks the router, bridge, and lock, rates each connection strong, weak, or absent, and explains what that means for remote access.

Many users didn’t know what each connection allows. The app explains it: Bluetooth works up close and every lock has it; Wi-Fi works from anywhere but may need a module or bridge.

As the only designer on the project, I ran all of the research: 5 user interviews and 20 unmoderated tests on the new status, troubleshooting, and connection-test flows.

The app sent a push notification every time Wi-Fi dropped. Users with notifications off never found out, and everyone else got alerts for temporary drops. Now an email goes out only if there’s no Wi-Fi for 24 hours, or the connection drops more than 5 times in an hour.

I designed a way to switch between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi once connected, when both are available. Testing confirmed its value, but engineering’s estimate put the launch date at risk. Engineering, product, and I agreed to build it after launch.