The Connectivity Standards Alliance has released the Aliro 1.0 specification, a new communications protocol and digital authentication standard backed by Apple, Google, and Samsung. This is aimed at physical access control, similar to what Matter has done for the broader smart home industry.
Aliro addresses a decades-old problem in the access control field. In this case, proprietary card systems, closed software ecosystems, and hardware lock-in forced businesses, landlords, and homeowners to rely entirely on a single vendor rather than a mix of compatible products from different manufacturers.
The standard works by storing digital access credentials directly on a user’s phone or wearable’s native mobile wallet, eliminating the need for separate apps or cloud dependencies and allowing the same credentials to work across locks from different manufacturers in different locations.
Three wireless technologies form the basis of the specification, which covers a variety of installation scenarios: NFC handles tap-to-unlock operations, Bluetooth Low Energy supports user-initiated long-range communications, and Ultra Wideband enables full hands-free authentication when a user approaches the door with the phone in their pocket.
UWB hands-free mode mirrors the experience Apple has been offering through Home Key on compatible locks since 2021, but rather than limiting its functionality to a single mobile platform and a small number of certified lock manufacturers, Aliro extends it to Android and Samsung devices simultaneously.
Credentials stored within the Aliro framework also support detailed access schedules built directly into the digital key itself, allowing you to apply time limits and specific permissions to credentials issued to visitors or contractors without forcing an internet connection or third-party management app.
Industry support and certification
More than 220 companies have contributed to the development of Aliro 1.0, and companies that have combined their expertise to build the specification include Apple, ASSA ABLOY, Google, Samsung, Infineon Technologies, and STMicroelectronics, and the first companies expected to receive Aliro 1.0 certification include Allegion, Aqara, HID, Kwikset, Nuki, NXP Semiconductors, and Qorvo.
This specification also works in areas without network coverage, such as underground parking garages and elevators. This is a practical requirement for commercial deployments where cellular or Wi-Fi signals are frequently unavailable but access control remains essential.
Rather than replacing Matter, Aliro works alongside Matter, with Matter handling communications and automation for smart home devices, while Aliro directly handles point-to-point authentication exchanges between phones and lock readers. This means that a fully functional smart lock will eventually be certified to both standards.
The Alliance has confirmed that Aliro 1.0 is a living standard, and future stages are planned to add features such as secure credential sharing while maintaining backward compatibility with hardware certified in the initial release.
