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The Rise of Smart Locks in Singapore: What to Know Before You Buy

How digital and smart locks work in Singapore homes, the features worth having, and the fire-safety certification to check before fitting one on your main door.

  • By the Lookup team
  • Updated
  • 2 min read

Digital and smart locks are now a common upgrade in Singapore homes, especially for HDB flats and condos. They let you unlock a door with a PIN, fingerprint, card or phone instead of a key. This guide covers what they offer and what to check before you buy.

Why people switch

  • Keyless entry: PIN, fingerprint, RFID card or app, depending on the model.
  • Temporary access: many models let you issue a time-limited code for family, cleaners or tenants.
  • Activity logs and alerts: some connected models record who entered and when, and can send notifications to your phone.
  • Remote control: models with Wi-Fi or a gateway can be locked or unlocked from the app.

Check fire certification first

Most HDB main doors are fire-rated. According to a 2026 buyer's guide from The Money Bees, digital locks fitted to fire-rated doors have had to be fire-certified since 1 March 2024, with a Certificate of Conformity from an SCDF-approved body and a mechanical fail-safe. Rules and approved lists change, so confirm the requirement with SCDF or HDB, and ask the seller for the certificate and fire rating of the exact model, which should be at least that of your door.

Brands you will see

Digital locks sold in Singapore come from lock specialists and electronics brands, including Samsung, Philips, Hafele and Gateman (an Assa Abloy brand). Availability and models change often, so check that the specific model is currently sold locally, comes with a local warranty and has the certification above.

What to compare

  1. Lock type: mortise locks replace the whole handle set, while rim locks mount on the surface and may suit homes that keep the existing handle.
  2. Unlock methods: decide if you want fingerprint, PIN, card or app, and whether you need a mechanical key backup.
  3. Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth models add remote features, but also depend on the app and battery.
  4. Power and backup: check battery life, low-battery warnings and what happens if the batteries die.
  5. Installation and after-sales: ask who installs it, what is covered by warranty and how repairs are handled.

Security tips

Change the default PIN at set-up, avoid obvious codes, keep the firmware and app updated, and remove access codes for people who no longer need them. A locksmith or the installer can advise on fitting the lock correctly to your door.