A keypad deadbolt gives you code entry without an app, an account or Wi-Fi. You program codes at the lock, batteries last a long time, and there is a key backup. We install Schlage, Kwikset and Yale keypad locks on front doors, garage entry doors, ADUs and rentals across San Diego County, usually in well under an hour.
What you get
- Code entry with no app, hub or subscription
- Long battery life and a key backup
- Great for garage-to-house doors, ADUs and rentals
- Programmed and tested before we leave
- Key rekeyed to match your other doors on request
Who keypad-only locks are for
Not everyone wants a lock that needs a phone. A keypad-only electronic deadbolt suits:
- Parents who want kids to get in after school without carrying keys.
- Older homeowners who want one simple code and no app updates.
- Landlords who want to change a code between tenants rather than manage accounts.
- Garage-to-house doors, side doors and ADUs where a full smart lock is overkill.
- Small offices and shops that want staff codes on a lever handle.
They cost less than connected smart locks, need fewer batteries and have nothing to go offline. If you later decide you want remote control, we can swap in a connected model and reuse the door prep.
Keypad lock or smart lock?
The difference comes down to connectivity and what you are willing to manage.
| Keypad-only deadbolt | Connected smart lock | |
|---|---|---|
| Code entry | Yes | Yes |
| App and remote control | No | Yes |
| Scheduled or one-time codes | Limited or none | Yes |
| Entry log | No | Yes |
| Battery life | Long, often a year or more | Shorter, especially with Wi-Fi |
| Setup | Program at the lock | App, account, Wi-Fi |
| Key backup | Yes | Most models |
If remote control, guest scheduling or an entry log matters to you, look at our smart lock installation page. If simple and reliable is the goal, keep reading. Our smart lock buying guide includes a no-app pick as well.
Need keypad & electronic deadbolts today?
Call or text with your address and door count. You get a firm price before we roll.
Keypad models we install
The Schlage keypad deadbolt line, including the long-running BE365 in Camelot and Plymouth trims, is the workhorse: a backlit, silicone-coated keypad, a single 9-volt battery, a standard Schlage keyway we can rekey, and simple programming at the lock. The matching Schlage keypad lever is the usual pick for office and shop doors that need a handle rather than a deadbolt.
The Kwikset SmartCode series offers keypad deadbolts with SmartKey cylinders, which means we can rekey them in minutes to match any other Kwikset lock in the house.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 without a module is the closest Yale comes: Bluetooth is built in, so codes are managed in the Yale Access app at the door rather than at the keypad, but there is no router or remote access to maintain, and a Wi-Fi or Z-Wave module can be added later. Compare all of them on the brands page.
Setup and programming
Keypad locks are programmed at the lock itself using a programming code. We set your programming code, add the user codes you want, and write down the steps for adding or deleting codes later, because the manual is the first thing people lose. Depending on the model we also set the auto-lock behavior, keypad sounds and the lock-out delay after wrong entries.
As with any deadbolt, the install includes checking that the bolt throws cleanly into the strike with the door closed. A keypad lock that has to force the bolt will wear out its motor and batteries, the same failure behind most of our smart lock repair calls.
Where they shine in San Diego homes
The garage-to-house door is the most-used door in most San Diego homes and the one people most often leave unlocked. A keypad deadbolt there means it is always locked and always openable. ADUs and granny flats in Clairemont and City Heights get a keypad so the tenant has their own code and the main house stays separate. Rentals in El Cajon and Oceanside get a new code at every turnover, which pairs well with a turnover rekey of the remaining keyed doors. Landlords can read more in rekeying between tenants in California.
Small businesses use keypad levers on back doors and stock rooms so staff turnover means changing a code, not collecting keys.
Keep the backup key useful
Every keypad lock has a key override for the day the batteries die. That key is only useful if it is the key already on your ring. We key the new lock alike with your existing Schlage or Kwikset locks whenever the keyways match, so one key opens the front door, the garage entry and the keypad lock. If you are replacing an old lock at the same time, see lock replacement and deadbolt installation for what that involves.
Keypad & Electronic Deadbolts: common questions
What is the difference between a keypad lock and a smart lock?
A keypad lock stores codes in the lock and has no app or internet connection. A smart lock adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or a hub connection so you can control it from your phone, schedule codes and see an entry log. Keypad locks are simpler, cheaper and last longer on batteries.
Do keypad locks need Wi-Fi or a phone?
No. Keypad-only deadbolts are programmed with the buttons on the lock itself and work entirely offline, so there is no app, account or router involved. That simplicity is the main reason people choose them over a connected smart lock, and it means nothing stops working when the internet does.
How many codes can a keypad deadbolt hold?
It varies by model, from a handful on basic locks to dozens on others. For a family, a cleaner and a couple of guests, any current model has enough. If you need one code per guest with automatic expiry, a connected smart lock is the better tool.
Can a keypad lock be rekeyed?
Yes. Keypad deadbolts from Schlage, Kwikset and keyed Yale models have a regular cylinder behind the key slot. We rekey it like any other lock and can match it to your other doors.
What happens when the batteries die?
The lock warns you first with a light or beep, and the key override always works. Some models, key-free Yale locks among them, also accept a 9-volt battery held against terminals under the keypad to power the lock for one entry. We show you the backup on install day.
Can you put a keypad on a door with a handle instead of a deadbolt?
Yes. Keypad lever locks replace a standard passage or privacy lever and are common on office doors, back doors and storerooms. Tell us the door type when you request a quote and we will bring the right unit.
More answers on the FAQ page. Not sure what your door has? Send us a photo and we will tell you.
Where we do this
We do this everywhere in San Diego County, same day in most cases. Some of the places we cover:
- Del Mar
- Chula Vista
- Eastlake & Otay Ranch
- National City
- Imperial Beach
- Coronado
- Bonita
- La Mesa
- El Cajon
- Santee
- Scripps Ranch
- Rancho Peñasquitos
- Rancho Bernardo
- Carmel Mountain Ranch
- Black Mountain Ranch & Del Sur
- Torrey Highlands & Pacific Highlands Ranch
- Downtown San Diego
- Hillcrest
- Mission Hills
- Bankers Hill
- All service areas
Related guides
- Best Smart Locks for San Diego Homes (2026 Installer Picks) – An installer's picks for the best smart locks in San Diego by use case: keypad with key backup, retrofit, Airbnb, no-app keypad, Apple Home and budget.
- Rekeying Between Tenants in California: What Landlords Should Know – California has no statewide law forcing landlords to rekey between tenants, but deadbolt rules, liability and cost point the same way. A San Diego guide.
- Smart Locks for ADUs and Granny Flats in San Diego – How to lock a San Diego ADU or granny flat: its own key or code, garage conversion and junior ADU doors, Wi-Fi reach, gates, rental rules, owner access.
- Keypad Lock vs Smart Lock: Which One Does Your Door Need? – A keypad deadbolt gives you codes with no app or Wi-Fi. A smart lock adds remote control, schedules and logs. Which fits your door, household and budget.
Ready to get it done today?
Call or text for a straight answer and an upfront price. Mon–Fri 7am–8pm · Sat–Sun 8am–6pm.