Article

SmartKey Rekeyable Locks

Updated October 11, 2026

Rekey without a locksmith visit

Kwikset SmartKey cylinders repin with the included tool and a new key: insert tool, remove old key, insert new key, done. No cylinder removal, no pin kits. That makes SmartKey locks (980 with SmartKey, Halo family, 912 lever) the default pick for anyone who rekeys often.

Where SmartKey pays

• Turnover rentals — rekey between tenants in minutes, price the savings in the rekey guide.
• Lost keys — invalidate the lost key the same evening.
• Keyed-alike resets — realign the whole house to one key without a service call. Plan it in the keyed-alike planner.

Honest limits

SmartKey is a repinning shortcut, not high security — bump-rated attacks have been demonstrated on early generations. For key control against copying (not just rekeying speed), restricted keyways from a locksmith shop are the real answer.