Gone are the days of hiding a spare key under the mat—for good reason, too! The Internet of Things (IoT) is modernizing the deadbolt, making it even easier to stay safe & sound.

By connecting your smartphone and door lock, you won’t have to dig through your black hole of a bag in search of keys—just walk in. This allows you to ditch that physical ol’ key that hasn’t been improved in many, many years… for one that works with your lifestyle.

There are multiple options on the market that allow you to ditch your keychain entirely. Swap the metal key for a key fob, or a hybrid, which can use a regular key with smart features. Finding one that works with your particular habits can simplify a daily need.

Through an IoT protocol (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Z-Wave), you’ll never have to circle back home to check that you locked the door, or run downstairs in the middle of the night to see if you flipped the deadbolt. Autolocking features that ensure the door is locked after you walk away, or enable the lock at certain hours of the day, will ease your mind. Some smart locks even keep a log so you always know who is entering and when.

Smart locks are not just about keeping people out, but are also about letting people in—in a safer way. The August Smart Lock allows you to give access to friends and/or family for an allotted amount of time. For example, if you’re hosting a brunch, you don’t have to be on the lookout for the doorbell or leave the door unlocked for anyone to enter, just create a virtual key for an allotted amount of time—whether it be hours for a brunch or weeks for a dog-sitter.

You may be thinking, “What if my Wi-Fi is down? Can I still get into my house?”. Absolutely. If you opt for a hybrid system, you’ll always have a key to fall back on. Still, others will work even when not connected to Wi-Fi.

If you’re considering a smart lock, there’s certainly one that will accommodate your lifestyle.