Ring Reveals a Smart Lock You Can Recharge by Hand When Power Runs Out

A dead battery is one of the least reassuring things a smart lock can have. Ring thinks it has a solution: a lock with a small built-in dial that can be turned by hand to restore enough power for entry. Announced on October 7, 2026, the Ring Smart Lock is the company's first entry into the category and is planned for a U.S. launch in early 2027.

The idea is straightforward. If the lock's battery is empty, a person can turn the power dial a few times instead of looking for a spare battery, external power bank or physical backup key. Ring is positioning the feature as an answer to the worry that a connected lock could fail at the worst possible moment.

Four ways to unlock the door

Ring says the new lock supports fingerprint recognition, a backlit touchscreen keypad, the Ring app and Alexa. That gives household members and visitors different ways to get in without relying on a conventional key. The company also plans temporary or scheduled access, which could be useful for relatives, cleaners or guests who only need entry during certain hours.

The Ring app is intended to show whether the door is locked and let users control access remotely. Ring says the lock can work with its doorbells, cameras and alarms, as well as compatible Amazon Echo and Alexa devices. Lock activity will appear in the Ring app's activity feed.

There is an important networking detail. Ring says the lock uses Amazon Sidewalk for connectivity, enabling remote status updates, locking and PIN synchronization without depending solely on a home's Wi-Fi network. Actual Sidewalk coverage varies by location, so its usefulness outside supported markets should not be assumed.

The hand-powered dial is the headline feature

The emergency dial is the most distinctive part of the announcement, but it is worth separating the claim from the evidence. Ring has described how the backup works, yet real-world durability, charging effort and long-term battery performance have not been independently tested in shipping consumer units. The feature is promising, but the final product will need to prove that the mechanism works reliably after years of daily use.

Installation is designed around a standard single-cylinder deadbolt, and Ring says no additional wiring is required. The company plans black, silver and brass finishes. It has not published a final retail price in its announcement.

Is it coming to the Philippines?

Not yet, at least based on the official launch details. Ring lists early 2027 availability in the United States only. There is no confirmed Philippine release date, Philippine suggested retail price or local compatibility announcement. Buyers in the Philippines should also consider door hardware fit, electrical and radio approvals, and whether Amazon Sidewalk and other connected features will work in their area.

Ring's announcement includes a regulatory note: the product had not yet received the required U.S. Federal Communications Commission authorization at the time of publication and could not be sold until that authorization was obtained.

The new lock's appeal is less about adding another app to a front door and more about addressing a basic reliability problem. If Ring can deliver the manual power backup without making installation or daily use complicated, it could make keyless entry more practical. For now, it remains an announced product rather than one that buyers can independently review.

See the official Ring Smart Lock announcement for the manufacturer's current details.