A keyring you’ll never need again. Share and revoke access with ease, without copying keys. Let someone in remotely when you need to. Get smart notifications as reminders or alerts, and always know if your door is locked.

That’s the promise of a Bold cylinder smart lock. But how does it actually work?

Bold is a Dutch brand that replaces traditional door locks with Bold smart lock technology (Bold Lock Tech). Instead of a physical key, you use a digital key on your smartphone. The lock fits into your existing door by replacing the cylinder, with no major changes required.

You can switch to Bold in just five minutes. Installation is simple, and you get access to a range of smart features straight away.

What really sets Bold apart is the balance between ease of use and control. Your door doesn’t open automatically when activated, you still turn the knob yourself. This prevents it from opening unintentionally, for example due to a gust of wind, while you still benefit from the convenience of a smart lock.

It’s built for everyday use, with a battery life of at least three years, extendable up to eight years with the Battery Saver.
There’s nothing new to learn. You just don’t need a key anymore.

Let’s start at the beginning. Maybe you’re tired of always searching for your keys, or you’re interested in the extra security and control that smart features offer. Whatever the reason, it all starts with measuring your current cylinder. Luckily, that’s easy to do. This guide shows you step by step how to find the right size.

Found the right Bold lock and placed your order? It’ll arrive in no time. You can replace your old cylinder with the new Bold cylinder in just a few minutes, without any hassle. Want to know exactly how it works? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the installation step by step.

Once the lock is installed and connected to the Bold app, your daily routine changes straight away.

You can activate your lock through the app when you’re at the door, but it can be even easier. With Auto Entry, a smart feature in the app, you don’t have to do anything at all. Just walk up to your door with your phone in your pocket, and the lock recognises you automatically. All you need to do then is turn the knob. No key, no need to open the app unless you want to, and you’re straight inside.

Behind that simple action is smart technology. The lock connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and checks if you have a valid digital key. Only then does it activate.

Opening a Bold lock without a key quickly feels completely natural. Your phone becomes your digital key, and it’s almost always with you.

Opening your door is always just three simple steps:

1. Activate the lock via the app, Auto Entry, Clicker or another method
2. Turn the knob to unlock the door
3. Open the door and walk in

Once the lock is activated, you simply open the door as you normally would.

Locking your door is just as simple:

1. Activate the lock using the inside knob
2. Step outside and close the door
3. Turn the knob on the outside to lock it

In the Bold app, you can instantly see which doors you have access to and activate your lock with just one tap.

There are several ways to open your Bold smart lock, depending on what suits you best:

• Auto Entry – walk up to your door and your Bold lock activates automatically
• Bold Clicker – ideal if you prefer not to use a smartphone
• Bold Connect – open your door remotely and easily share access
• Backup PIN – useful if you don’t have your phone with you
• Apple or Garmin watch – open your door directly from your smartwatch

 

The Bold app sits at the heart of the system. It’s where you manage everything around your lock and control who has access.

After installing the app, you start by signing in. You can do this using your email address and password, or via Google, Apple or Microsoft Entra ID.

Want to make sure you always have access to your locks? Add multiple sign-in methods via Settings > My account > Sign-in methods. This helps prevent accidentally creating multiple accounts and keeps everything clearly organised in one place.

Once you’ve added your lock, you can start using it straight away. Activate it when you’re at the door, or open it remotely with Bold Connect.

The app also gives you full control. You can add users per lock, manage their access and set schedules with ease, for example for a cleaner between 08:00 and 10:00.

You also have full visibility of how your lock is used. In the activity log, you can see exactly when and by whom a door was opened. You’ll receive smart notifications when someone activates the lock, so you’re always up to date.

What stands out is how quickly it becomes second nature. You walk up to your door with your phone in your pocket, open it without a key, and carry on without thinking twice.

You stop thinking about keys because you simply don’t need them anymore. No more stress if you forget them, no more hiding spare keys under the mat, and no more uncertainty about who still has access.

Instead, you get smart features that make everyday life easier. Everything is managed digitally - clear, flexible and fully under control.

A smart lock naturally raises the question: what about security? That’s only natural, your door isn’t something you want to compromise on.

At Bold, security is at the core of the design. Both physically and digitally, the lock is built to minimise risk and keep control firmly in your hands.

Digital security: encrypted and controlle

The Bold smart lock uses encrypted communication between your smartphone and the lock. Only devices with a valid digital key can activate it. You’re always in control of these keys - you can share, adjust or revoke access at any time.

Unlike a physical key, which can be copied without you knowing, Bold gives you clear visibility of who has access at all times.

No keyhole means less risk

Because the Bold lock doesn’t have a traditional keyhole, many common break-in methods are ruled out straight away. This includes techniques where cylinders are manipulated or forced. The smart cylinder is designed to remove this vulnerability.

Smart doesn’t mean vulnerable

There’s a common misconception that smart locks are less secure by default. In reality, the opposite is often true, as long as the system is well designed.

Bold is built with cybersecurity at its core. Potential digital risks are continuously monitored and addressed. Regular updates, encryption and secure communication protocols help keep the system protected against unauthorised access.

Always in control, even remotely

One of the key advantages of a smart lock is control. You can see exactly when your lock is used and by whom, and revoke or adjust access at any time without needing to collect physical keys.

That means a Bold smart lock isn’t just more secure - it’s also more intuitive to use.

What starts as a useful gadget soon feels like a natural next step. A Bold smart lock simplifies your daily routine and gives you more control over who comes in.

No key, just more convenience and security.