How to Program a Kwikset Halo Lock

On this page (8 sections)

1. What do you need before you program a Kwikset Halo lock?
2. How do you connect the lock to Wi-Fi in the Kwikset app?
3. How do you add user codes to a Halo lock?
4. How do you set schedules and auto-lock?
5. How do you change settings and check the event log?
6. How do you remove a code or reset the lock?
7. Which Halo model makes programming easiest?
8. The short version of programming a Halo lock

To program a Kwikset Halo lock, open the Kwikset app, connect the lock to Wi-Fi, and set up codes, schedules and auto-lock from the lock's settings screen. The app does most of the work, and the touchscreen handles the in-person steps.

The Halo line is built around app control. Every model in the family connects over Wi-Fi without a hub, so once the lock is on your network you can program it from your phone instead of standing at the door.

This guide walks through each part of how to program a Kwikset Halo lock, from first connection to removing a code you no longer want.

What do you need before you program a Kwikset Halo lock?

You need the Kwikset app, a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and a charged phone before you start. The lock's batteries should be fresh, and the door should be installed and working as a normal deadbolt.

Download the Kwikset app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account. Have your Wi-Fi network name and password handy, because the app asks for them during setup.

The 2.4 GHz band matters; many Halo connection problems trace back to a phone or router sitting on 5 GHz only.

Check the lock's battery pack before you begin. Kwikset includes batteries in the box with the Halo Wi-Fi, Halo Select and Halo Select Plus, so a new lock should be ready.

If the lock has been sitting a while, swap in fresh batteries so a weak pack doesn't interrupt pairing.

Have your door closed and the deadbolt extended when you start. The app walks you through a guided setup, and Kwikset says installation only needs a screwdriver, so most readers are programming an already-mounted lock.

If yours is still in the box, our walkthrough of how to install a Kwikset Halo smart lock covers mounting first.

How do you connect the lock to Wi-Fi in the Kwikset app?

Connect by adding the lock in the Kwikset app and following the guided Wi-Fi steps with the door closed and your phone near the lock. The app finds the lock and walks you through joining your network.

Open the app, choose the option to add a device, and pick your Halo model. The app prompts you to put the lock into pairing mode; on the Halo line this means touching the keypad as directed and waiting for the light pattern.

Keep the phone within a few feet of the lock during this step.

When the app asks for Wi-Fi, enter your 2.4 GHz network details exactly. A typo in the password is the most common reason a lock won't join.

Give the connection a minute or two to finish, then name the lock and assign it to a home or room so you can find it later.

Once the app shows the lock as connected, test it right away: lock and open from the app while you stand at the door. That confirms remote control works before you start adding codes.

If you're still deciding which Halo to program, our roundup of the best Kwikset smart lock options compares the models.

How do you add user codes to a Halo lock?

Add a code by opening the lock in the app and creating a user with a name and a PIN. Kwikset says the touchscreen supports up to 250 access codes, so most homes have far more room than they need.

In the app, go to the lock's access or user section and choose to add a user. Give the person a name so the event log makes sense later, then set a 4 to 8 digit code on the touchscreen keypad when prompted.

Some models also let you assign the code entirely in the app and send it to the lock.

Kwikset's app supports temporary, scheduled and permanent codes. A permanent code suits family who live there.

A scheduled code works for a cleaner or dog walker who comes on set days. A temporary code is the right pick for a one-off visitor, since you can set it to expire.

Name each user clearly rather than leaving "User 1" and "User 2" in place. When the app shows activity later, the names tell you who came and went.

Test a new code at the door once before you rely on it.

How do you set schedules and auto-lock?

Set schedules and auto-lock in the same app settings area where you manage codes. The Halo app lets you give a code active days or hours and set the door to lock itself after a delay.

For a scheduled code, open the user, choose the schedule option and pick the days and time window. A dog walker who arrives between 11 and 2 on weekdays gets a code that only works then.

The lock checks the schedule on its own, so you don't have to remember to disable the code.

Auto-lock is a separate setting on the lock. Kwikset says you can set a duration for the door to lock automatically after entry or exit.

Pick a delay that gives you time to get inside with groceries but doesn't leave the door open long. Auto-lock pairs well with one-touch locking when you leave.

Some readers also turn on geofencing, which Kwikset says opens the door as you approach home. Geofencing needs location permission on your phone and works best when the app can run in the background.

Test it for a few days before trusting it as your main way in.

How do you change settings and check the event log?

Change settings by selecting the lock in the app and opening its settings menu. You can rename the lock, adjust auto-lock, manage users and review activity from the same place.

The event log shows lock and open events with the user name attached. Kwikset says the app also sends intrusion alerts for invalid code attempts and lock tampering, so a string of failed entries shows up as a notification.

Check the log after a trip or a service visit to confirm who used the door.

Settings you can adjust include the auto-lock delay, one-touch locking and the keypad light behavior. The app is also where you connect voice control.

Kwikset says the Halo Wi-Fi works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, and the Halo Select adds Apple Home through Matter. Our guide to the best cheap smart lock picks covers budget options that also run on an app.

If you have the Halo Select or Select Plus, Matter setup happens in your smart home app after the Kwikset app connection. Add the lock there to get it into Apple Home, Alexa or Google Home alongside your other devices.

How do you remove a code or reset the lock?

Remove a code by deleting the user in the Kwikset app, which stops the code working immediately. A full reset is a separate step for when you move house or sell the lock.

To remove a single code, open the user list, select the person and delete them. The app sends the change to the lock, and the PIN stops working.

This is the fastest way to revoke a guest's access without changing anyone else's code.

A factory reset clears all codes, users and Wi-Fi settings. Kwikset builds this into the lock, and the app or the lock's own reset sequence guides you through it.

Use it when the lock changes hands or when you can't recover app access. After a reset, you'll pair the lock and set codes again from scratch.

If the app won't connect to the lock, check the Wi-Fi band and the battery pack first. A lock that dropped off the network after a router change usually just needs re-pairing.

Our piece on whether smart locks are weatherproof is worth a read if the lock sits on an exposed door, since moisture and temperature swings can affect electronics over time.

Which Halo model makes programming easiest?

The Halo Select is the easiest of the three to program for most readers, because it combines Wi-Fi with Matter so the lock slots into Apple Home, Alexa or Google Home as well as the Kwikset app. Kwikset lists the Halo Select with Wi-Fi and Matter, up to 250 codes and geofence auto-open.

Pick the base Halo Wi-Fi if you want the simplest app-only setup and don't need Apple Home. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home and carries the same 250-code support.

The Halo Select Plus adds tap-to-open with an iPhone or Apple Watch through Apple home keys, which suits Apple households but adds a step if you don't use those devices.

The short version of programming a Halo lock

Program a Kwikset Halo lock by connecting it in the app first, then adding named users and their codes, and finish with auto-lock and any schedules you want. The order matters: a solid Wi-Fi connection makes every later change easier.

Test each code at the door before you hand it out. Name users clearly so the event log reads well, and delete old codes as soon as someone no longer needs access.

If you're choosing a model before you program one, the Halo Select covers the most smart home setups, while the base Halo Wi-Fi keeps things simple in the Kwikset app alone.

Frequently asked questions

How many codes can a Kwikset Halo lock hold?

Kwikset says the Halo touchscreen supports up to 250 access codes. You can set them as temporary, scheduled or permanent in the app, which suits family, guests and service visits.

Can I program a Kwikset Halo lock without the app?

The main programming lives in the Kwikset app. Some basic lock and open actions work from the touchscreen, but codes, schedules and auto-lock settings are set in the app after the lock is connected to Wi-Fi.

How do I remove a code from a Kwikset Halo lock?

Open the Kwikset app, find the lock, and delete the user or code from the access list. The code stops working right away, which is the quickest way to revoke guest access without touching the lock.

What Wi-Fi network does a Kwikset Halo lock need?

The Halo locks use Wi-Fi and connect on the 2.4 GHz band. Keep the router within normal range of the door and have the network name and password ready before you start the in-app setup.