Nuki Fob — Simple Keyless Entry
The Fob is a compact, keychain-sized device with a single button. Press it once within range of your Smart Lock, and the lock toggles: locked becomes unlocked, unlocked becomes locked. There is no screen, no LED feedback beyond a brief blink, and no configuration beyond initial pairing.
It communicates via Bluetooth Low Energy with a range of about 5 meters — enough to operate the lock from your doorstep, but not from across the street. This is intentional: Nuki does not want someone in a parked car unlocking your door. The limited range is a security feature, not a limitation.
How It Works
Setup takes about 90 seconds. Open the Nuki app, go to "Manage Access," add a new Fob, and hold the Fob near the lock during pairing. Done. The Fob stores the pairing credential internally — it does not need your phone to operate after setup.
The button press triggers a Bluetooth command to the Smart Lock. Response time is about 1-2 seconds — you press the button, hear the motor engage, and the lock turns. There is a brief vibration in the Fob to confirm the command was received. It is not as fast as Auto Unlock (which pre-unlocks as you approach), but it is reliable. In six months of use, we had zero failed unlock attempts with the Fob.
The Fob runs on a single CR2032 coin cell battery. Nuki rates it at approximately one year, and our experience matches — about 11 months with 3-5 uses per day. Replacement batteries cost under €3 and swap in 10 seconds.
Who Is the Fob For?
The Fob exists for people who cannot or prefer not to use a phone to unlock their door. Three groups come to mind immediately.
Elderly parents or grandparents who are not comfortable with smartphone apps. Give them a Fob, show them the button, done. No app to install, no Bluetooth to pair, no password to remember. It goes on their keychain next to their (now redundant) physical key.
Children who are too young for a smartphone. A 7-year-old can press a button. They cannot reliably use a fingerprint sensor on a wet day, and they will forget a PIN code by Thursday. The Fob is foolproof.
Anyone who runs without their phone. If your morning jog is phone-free, the Fob in a running vest pocket lets you back in without hiding a key under the mat.
Fob vs Keypad — Which Do You Need?
The Keypad 2 NFC costs €179 and offers fingerprint, PIN, NFC, and Apple Home Key. The Fob costs €29 and offers a button. So why would anyone buy the Fob?
The Fob is personal. It goes on one person's keychain. The Keypad is shared — it sits on the wall and serves everyone. If you need phone-free access for one family member who visits occasionally (a grandparent, a teenager), the Fob is six times cheaper than the Keypad. If you need phone-free access for multiple people, or you want Airbnb-style temporary access, the Keypad is the right choice.
You can also use both. Keypad on the wall for daily family use, Fob on grandma's keychain for Sunday visits. They do not conflict.