How to Rekey a Smart Lock: A Guide for Homeowners and Renters
Yes, you can rekey a smart lock yourself, but only under one condition: the lock needs a physical key cylinder, and you need the current working key in hand. If your lock is keyless or you’ve lost the working key, DIY rekeying isn’t an option, and you’re looking at a security door lock replacement or a call to a locksmith. Models like Kwikset SmartKey and Lockly are built with this in mind. Progressive Locksmith - Cerrajero Miami handles the rest when the current key is missing or the cylinder won’t cooperate. Success looks simple: the old key stops working, and the new one turns immediately.
Key Takeaways
DIY rekeying works only when your smart lock has a physical cylinder and you still hold the current working key; everything else calls for a locksmith.
Point | Details |
Check for a working key first | SmartKey and cylinder rekeying both require the current key; without it, DIY isn’t possible. |
SmartKey rekey is fastest | Kwikset-style rekeying takes about 15 seconds with the tool and current key. |
Verify keyway before buying | Match KW1, Schlage C, or your specific keyway and pin count before purchasing any kit. |
Reset app credentials separately | Mechanical rekeying doesn’t touch digital access codes; update those in the lock’s app. |
Call a pro when the key is lost | Progressive Locksmith - Cerrajero Miami handles cylinder decoding, replacement, and emergency lockouts when DIY isn’t an option. |
Table of Contents
Three Ways to Rekey a Smart Lock and How to Pick One
Before you grab a screwdriver, figure out which of three paths applies to your lock. Each one solves a different problem, and picking the wrong one wastes time or damages hardware.
SmartKey-style instant rekey: for locks like Kwikset that use a proprietary tool and your current key, done in under a minute.
Traditional cylinder re-pinning or cylinder swap: for locks with a standard 5-pin or 6-pin cylinder, like many Lockly models, requiring a rekey kit and some patience.
Digital credential reset: for keyless smart locks with no physical cylinder at all, where “rekeying” just means deleting and recreating access codes in the app.
Ask yourself three questions first: does the lock have a keyway at all? Do you have the current working key? Is it a SmartKey-enabled brand? If you answered no to the second question, skip ahead to the section on when to call a locksmith. Trying to force a rekey without the current key is the fastest way to turn a five-minute job into a service call.
How to Rekey a Kwikset SmartKey Lock Step by Step
This is the fastest legitimate method for rekeying a smart lock, and it’s the one most homeowners with Kwikset hardware will use. Kwikset’s SmartKey Security system is designed for exactly this kind of self-service rekey, but it depends entirely on having your current working key.
Insert your current working key into the cylinder and turn it 90 degrees clockwise. Hold it there.
Insert the SmartKey tool into the small hole above the keyway and push it in until you feel or hear a click.
Remove the tool, then remove the current key, keeping the cylinder untouched.
Insert the new key you want to use going forward and turn it a full 360 degrees, in two complete 180-degree rotations.
Remove the new key, then reinsert it to confirm it operates the lock smoothly.
Pro Tip: The 90 degree turn on your current key has to be exact. Even a slight deviation stops the SmartKey tool from seating, and pulling the key out too early is the single most common cause of a misprogrammed cylinder.
If you’re doing this for the first time, watch the manufacturer’s rekeying support video before you start. And remember: without the current working key, this entire method is off the table.
Rekeying by Cylinder Replacement for Non‑SmartKey Locks
If your smart lock doesn’t use SmartKey technology, you’re working with a standard pin-tumbler cylinder, and the process looks more like traditional locksmithing. This applies to many Lockly models and other smart locks built around conventional hardware.
Remove the lock from the door and extract the cylinder using the manufacturer’s release method.
Insert a follower tool as you pull the plug free, so the pin chambers stay aligned and springs don’t scatter.
Remove the old pins with tweezers and set them aside.
Match new pins to your new key using a pinning kit and key gauge.
Reassemble the cylinder, reinstall the lock, and test the new key several times before calling it done.
Check your keyway before you buy anything. A Kwikset KW1 kit won’t work on a Schlage C cylinder, and mismatched parts can damage the mechanism permanently. Expect 15 to 20 minutes per cylinder your first time through, longer if you’re unfamiliar with pin-tumbler mechanics.
Tools and Parts You’ll Need
Gather the right kit before you start so you’re not stopping mid-job to run to the hardware store.
For SmartKey rekeying: the SmartKey tool, your current working key, and the new key.
For cylinder re-pinning: a rekey kit, a follower tool, tweezers, a small pin tray, and a key gauge.
For a full cylinder swap: a replacement cylinder matched to your lock’s keyway, plus spare keys.
Pro Tip: Verify your keyway and pin count, 5-pin versus 6-pin, before you buy anything. Lockly’s Deadbolt Editions use 6-pin cylinders while Latch Editions use 5-pin cylinders, and the wrong kit simply won’t fit. Buy factory-cut or locksmith-cut keys. The cheap copies from big-box key kiosks are a common source of sticking and misreads.
When to Call a Locksmith Instead
Some situations aren’t worth the risk of DIY. Call a professional when:
You’ve lost the current working key. SmartKey rekeying is impossible without it.
The cylinder gets misprogrammed and manufacturer recovery steps don’t fix it.
You have a high-security or restricted keyway that requires specialized cutting.
Electronic components look damaged, cracked housings, corroded contacts, unresponsive keypads.
You’re rekeying multiple locks across a property and need consistency across every door.
A locksmith brings tools most homeowners don’t own, key decoders, pinning kits for less common keyways, and the experience to spot a bad cylinder before it fails on you at 11 p.m. When the working key is genuinely gone, a locksmith typically decodes the existing cylinder or replaces it outright, which restores security fast without waiting on a factory key order. For Miami-area homeowners, Progressive Locksmith - Cerrajero Miami handles exactly this kind of on-site cylinder work.
Fixing Common DIY Rekeying Mistakes
Most rekeying failures come down to timing, not broken hardware. Try these fixes before assuming you need a new cylinder.
If the SmartKey tool won’t seat, re-check your key rotation. It needs to be a precise 90 degrees, not close to it.
If the new key won’t turn, make sure it was fully inserted before you started the 180-degree rotations, not partway.
If neither key works, try a different key cut from the same original set. A worn key can misread as a bad cylinder.
If the mechanism feels stiff, apply a small amount of graphite lubricant rather than oil, which attracts grit.
If something jams mid-process, stop immediately rather than forcing it.
Forcing a stuck tool or key is how a $20 fix becomes a $150 cylinder replacement. Most misprogramming is recoverable by following the manufacturer’s recovery steps or watching their troubleshooting video again from the start. If recovery steps don’t resolve it after two attempts, it’s time to call a locksmith rather than keep experimenting.
What Rekeying Actually Costs in Time and Money
SmartKey rekeying takes roughly 15 seconds once you have the tool and current key in hand.
Cylinder re-pinning runs 15 to 20 minutes for a first attempt, faster with practice.
A rekey kit typically costs less than a single locksmith service call, though prices vary by brand and keyway.
Hiring a locksmith for a standard rekey generally costs more than a DIY kit but includes labor, correct pinning, and a guarantee the job is done right.
Lost-key scenarios push costs higher across the board, since decoding a cylinder or replacing it outright takes more time and specialized tools than a straightforward rekey.
Identifying Your Keyway Before You Buy a Kit
Check the key blank itself first. Codes like KW1 or SC1 are usually stamped right on the blade, and they tell you exactly which kit or cylinder you need. Look at the lock face too. Manufacturer marks often confirm the brand and cylinder type.
KW1 fits many Kwikset locks, while Schlage C fits most Schlage hardware, and the two aren’t interchangeable. Pin count matters just as much: a 5-pin kit won’t rekey a 6-pin cylinder correctly. Buy kits from reputable lock-supply retailers, or skip the guesswork entirely and have a locksmith match the parts for you.
Safety and Warranty Considerations Before You Start
A few warnings worth taking seriously before you open up any smart lock:
Disassembling some smart lock bodies can void the manufacturer warranty or damage internal electronic modules. Check the manufacturer’s guidance first.
Mechanical rekeying changes the physical key, not your app settings or access codes. Reset those digital credentials separately if you’re changing who has access.
Work on a flat, stable surface, keep small pins and springs contained in a tray, and stop immediately if something doesn’t move as expected.
When DIY Makes Sense and When It Doesn’t
I recommend SmartKey DIY rekeying for a single door when you’re comfortable with small tools and have the current key. For property turnover, high-security cylinders, or lost keys, hire a locksmith instead. The stakes are higher than a stuck tool.
Professional Rekeying and Lockout Help From Progressive Locksmith - Cerrajero Miami
Progressive Locksmith - Cerrajero Miami is the practical backup when your current key is gone, your cylinder is misprogrammed beyond the manufacturer’s recovery steps, or you’d rather have a technician handle it right the first time. Unlike ordering a mismatched kit online and hoping the keyway matches, a technician verifies compatibility on the spot, whether you’re running Kwikset SmartKey, Lockly, or another cylinder-based smart lock.
Our scope covers emergency lockout response, cylinder decoding and replacement, factory-grade rekeying, and compatibility checks specific to smart lock hardware. If you’re locked out right now or your rekey attempt left the cylinder jammed, our team responds fast across Miami and Homestead, FL. Visit our workshop page to see the cylinder cutting and key duplication services available, or reach out for on-site help the same day you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every smart lock be rekeyed? No. Only smart locks with a physical key cylinder can be mechanically rekeyed. Fully keyless models manage access through app-based digital credentials instead.
Do I need my old key to rekey a smart lock? Yes, for both SmartKey-style locks and standard cylinder rekeying, you need the current working key. Without it, you’ll need a cylinder replacement or a locksmith.
Does rekeying my smart lock affect my access codes or app settings? No. Mechanical rekeying only changes which physical key operates the lock. Digital access codes and app-based credentials need to be reset separately if you’re changing who has access.
How long does it take to rekey a smart lock myself? A SmartKey rekey takes about 15 seconds with the tool and current key. Traditional cylinder re-pinning usually takes 15 to 20 minutes the first time.
What if my SmartKey lock gets misprogrammed during rekeying? Most misprogramming happens from turning the key less than a full 90 degrees or removing it too early, and it’s usually fixable by following the manufacturer’s recovery steps rather than replacing the cylinder.
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