The ring smart lock battery backup is a built-in power dial: when the lock’s battery runs flat, you give the dial a few turns and the lock wakes up so you can get inside. Ring revealed the lock, its first, on October 7, 2026, and plans to start selling it in the U.S. in early 2027.
That dial is the headline, and for good reason. It promises no spare key, no spare batteries and no locksmith on the night the battery quits. Everything else the lock does, from fingerprint unlocking to guest schedules, depends on that small dial pulling its weight.
How the ring smart lock battery backup works
Ring calls the part a Backup Power Dial. It sits on the outside of the lock, and spinning it by hand produces enough electricity to bring a drained lock back to life. Think of it as a wind-up charger on your door.
What Ring has not shared yet is the fine print. There is no official figure for how many turns it takes or how long the lock stays awake afterward. Amazon’s announcement only says a few turns are enough, so treat any exact number you come across as unconfirmed until it shows up in Ring’s own specs.
Once the lock has power again, you open it the same way you would on any normal day. Ring lists four options:
- The built-in fingerprint reader
- A PIN on the backlit touchscreen keypad
- The Ring app on your phone
- A voice command through Alexa
Why Ring built a lock you can recharge by hand
Jamie Siminoff, Ring’s founder and chief inventor, pins it on something he calls “smart lock anxiety.” It is the nagging fear that a dead battery will leave you stuck on your own porch, and it explains why so many people still carry a metal key after going keyless.
A lock has to work every time.
Jamie Siminoff, Ring founder and chief inventor
Amazon goes as far as saying the lock gets rid of the key entirely, with nothing extra to carry. That is a big promise. On paper, the ring smart lock battery backup is the piece that makes it believable, because the usual reason to keep a key is the dead-battery scenario.
What it means for your family’s front door
A busy front door is where the ring smart lock battery backup earns its keep: kids getting home from school, a grandparent dropping by, a dog walker who shows up on a schedule. In the Ring app you pick who gets in, which method they use and when their access runs out. Amazon’s own example is a dog walker allowed in on Tuesdays between 2 and 3 p.m.
Will it fit your door? Ring says the lock is made for a standard single-cylinder deadbolt and does not need extra wiring. If you would rather not install it yourself, Ring offers professional installation starting at $129.99 per device.
Does it need Wi-Fi? Not for the basics. The lock connects over Amazon Sidewalk, which handles remote locking, status checks and PIN syncing without your home network. Actual unlocking happens at the lock. Amazon adds that Sidewalk coverage depends on where you live.
What does it work with? Ring doorbells, cameras and alarms, plus Echo speakers and Alexa for voice control. Lock activity lands in the same Ring app feed as your camera clips. Read up on how Ring handled its police partnership plans if privacy is part of your decision.
Price and colors. The Ring Smart Lock product page lists it at $249.99, and the finishes are black, silver and brass.
Common myths about the ring smart lock battery backup
Myth: you never have to think about the battery. The lock still runs on one. The ring smart lock battery backup is a safety net for the day it dies, not a reason to ignore low-battery alerts. Ring has not published battery life figures yet.
Myth: you can buy it today. You cannot. According to Amazon’s announcement, U.S. availability starts in early 2027, and the lock still needs FCC authorization before it can be sold. For now, Ring’s page lets you sign up for updates.
Myth: the dial opens the door. Going by Ring’s description, the ring smart lock battery backup restores power rather than acting as a mechanical key. You still unlock with a fingerprint, PIN, the app or Alexa once it wakes up.
Myth: it works with every smart home system. Ring and Alexa are the only platforms Amazon names. Apple Home, Google Home and Matter are not mentioned, so homes built around those should wait for the full spec sheet. For a Google-side comparison, see our look at AI features on the Nest Doorbell.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ring have a smart lock?
Yes. Ring announced its first smart lock on October 7, 2026, and plans to sell it in the U.S. starting in early 2027.
What happens if a smart lock battery dies?
It depends on the lock. On the Ring Smart Lock, you turn the built-in power dial a few times to wake it up, then unlock with your fingerprint, PIN, the Ring app or Alexa.
Is the Ring Smart Lock compatible with my deadbolt?
Ring says it fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt with no extra wiring. Other lock types are not mentioned, so check your door before you order.
Is the Ring Smart Lock worth waiting for?
If your home already runs on a Ring doorbell or Echo speakers and a dead battery is the only thing keeping a key on your ring, the ring smart lock battery backup makes this one worth a few months of patience. If your house lives in Apple Home or Google Home, or you need a lock before winter, shop elsewhere for now. A lock you can wind back to life beats one that leaves you waiting on the porch.
