Retrofitting Made Simple: Why Lockin Smart Locks Stand Out

8 min read ·

Executive Summary

Upgrading to a smart lock used to mean one of two things:

Strapping a clunky gadget onto your old deadbolt and hoping it behaved
Or biting the bullet, calling a locksmith, and doing a full hardware makeover

Lockin’s Veno series — especially the Veno Plus Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock — rewrites that story. It’s built for real homes, real doors, and real families, with:

A retrofit‑friendly design that fits most standard single‑cylinder doors
Multiple unlock methods (palm vein, fingerprint, PIN, app, mechanical key) so everyone has an option that feels natural
A built‑in 2K camera and motion detection — no separate hub, no subscription
Matter-compatible smart home integrations with Apple Home, Alexa, Google, and more
Weather‑ready durability and long battery life, plus an optional solar panel

We’ll walk through why retrofitting matters, the usual headaches people hit when upgrading an old lock, and how Lockin makes going smart simpler, safer, and way less stressful—without turning your front door into a weekend-long IT project.

The Moment You Realize Your Old Lock Isn’t Enough

You know that tiny jolt of panic you get halfway to the airport:

“Wait… did I lock the front door?”

Or that delivery notification that says “Package left at door” — and you’re just hoping it’s still there when you get home.

Or your parents show up while you’re stuck in traffic, and you’re texting them a blurry photo of a key hidden under a planter, suddenly realizing this might be the world’s least sophisticated security system.

These aren’t emergencies, but they’re constant little frictions. They’re exactly why smart locks took off.

But making the jump from a traditional deadbolt to a smart lock raises some totally fair questions:

Will it even fit my door?
Will my family actually use it — or hate it?
Is this truly secure, or just a shiny gadget?
Am I signing up for monthly fees just to open my own house?

This is where retrofitting comes in. The best smart lock isn’t just clever; it’s the one that drops quietly into your existing life and door with minimal chaos. That’s the space Lockin is stepping into — and nailing.

Why Retrofitting Matters in Smart Home Upgrades

Retrofitting is basically the “renovate, don’t demolish” philosophy applied to tech. Instead of tearing everything out, you upgrade what you already have.

For door locks, that means:

Keeping your existing door and frame
Working with standard cutouts and latch styles
Installing the lock with basic tools in minutes, not hours

The Old Pain Points of Smart Lock Upgrades

Anyone who’s tried modernizing their entryway has probably hit at least one of these:

Compatibility Confusion
- Different latch shapes: round vs rectangular
- Confusing lock types: mortise vs single‑cylinder deadbolts
- Storm doors blocking cameras or keypads
Overly Technical Setups
- Hubs, bridges, and mystery “gateways”
- Multiple subscriptions: one for video, one for alerts, one for storage
One‑Size‑Fits‑Nobody User Experience
- Grandma wants a key, not an app
- Kids forget PIN codes constantly
- Guests can’t figure out which code works which day

A truly retrofit‑friendly smart lock has to solve all three: fit, friction, and familiarity.

The Smart Lock Market: Lots of “Smart,” Not Enough “Simple”

Scroll through smart locks online and you’ll see two main camps:

Add‑On Devices that attach to your existing hardware
- Pros: Easy install, often renter‑friendly
- Cons: You still have a traditional keyhole outside, no camera, and the look can be… let’s say “industrial chic”
Full Replacement Locks
- Pros: Clean, modern appearance, more features, stronger security
- Cons: Trickier installation, compatibility issues, sometimes “call a pro” territory

Then layer on the extras:

Separate camera
Separate video doorbell
Separate hub or bridge
Separate subscription for recordings

Most people don’t want a Frankenstein setup at their front door. They want one device that:

Actually improves security
Makes daily access easier for the whole family
Plays nicely with their existing smart home
Doesn’t sneak in recurring fees

This is exactly the gap where Lockin starts to stand out.

What Makes Lockin’s Approach Different?

Lockin’s Veno series was clearly built with real homes and real people in mind. The Veno Plus Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock shows where smart locks are headed when retrofitting is the priority, not an afterthought.

1. Palm Vein Recognition: Biometric That Actually Works for Everyone

Fingerprint sensors sound great — until real life happens:

Your hands are sweaty from a workout
You’ve been doing yard work and your skin is wrecked
Kids’ fingerprints are too shallow or constantly scraped
Aging skin makes prints harder to read

Lockin’s Venokey™ Palm Vein Recognition takes a completely different route. Instead of reading the outside of your skin, it scans your unique vein pattern beneath the skin’s surface — like a hidden map only your body has.

It’s:

Incredibly fast (a blink-and-you’re-in kind of experience)
Highly accurate
Extra private, because vein patterns are subdermal and practically impossible to copy

And crucially, it works for:

Kids whose fingerprints haven’t fully developed
Adults who work with their hands and constantly damage their skin
Seniors with thinning or very dry skin

In a family home, that’s huge. You’re not stuck with one “ideal” biometric that works great for some people… and not at all for others.

2. True Multi‑Method Unlocking

The Veno Plus doesn’t insist you become a palm-scanning cyborg overnight. It gives you options:

Palm vein recognition
Fingerprint
PIN code
App control
Mechanical key

Think of it like a flexible access menu:

Tech‑comfortable adults: Palm vein or app
Kids: Fingerprint or PIN
Cleaners, dog walkers, guests: Temporary PINs
Elderly parents: Palm vein or a good old‑fashioned key

From a retrofit perspective, this is key (pun intended): you’re upgrading the lock, not forcing your entire household to change their habits overnight.

3. Built‑In 2K Camera and Smart Detection (No Hub, No Fees)

Instead of adding a video doorbell and a separate camera, the Veno Plus simply bakes it all in. There’s a LockinCam™ panoramic camera built right into the lock, with:

A full‑body, ultra‑wide view so you’re not just seeing from the shoulders up
Crisp 2K HD video
2‑way video doorbell functionality so you can talk to visitors

Paired with dual motion sensors, it focuses on actual people, not every leaf that dares to move in the breeze.

The best part? Video is stored locally with 8GB of built‑in storage. That means:

No forced monthly cloud subscription
No separate hub or bridge cluttering your router shelf

For anyone retrofitting a traditional deadbolt, this is a big win: you get better visibility and security at the door with one device and one app, not a pile of parts and new logins.

4. Designed to Play Nicely With Your Smart Home

Lockin’s Veno Plus is Matter‑compatible, which is smart‑home speak for “plays well with others.” It works with:

Apple Home
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
Samsung SmartThings

So you can:

Ask your voice assistant: “Is the front door locked?”
Have your porch lights flip on automatically when someone approaches at night
Tie your security system to lock/unlock events

Instead of being a stand‑alone gadget, your lock becomes a team player in your existing smart home. For retrofit buyers, that means you’re extending your current setup, not rebuilding it.

5. Power Solutions Built for Real Life

Battery anxiety is real with smart locks — nobody wants to come home and discover their front door has “gone offline.” Lockin tackles this like people who actually live in houses:

A removable rechargeable battery that lasts for months between charges
An optional solar panel that trickle‑charges the lock (perfect if your door gets some sun)
Low battery alerts via the app well before things get critical
Emergency options if the battery runs low:
- Use the backup key
- Temporarily power the lock with a power bank to get in

This is especially important for retrofits because most doors don’t have wiring ready and waiting. Lockin assumes battery‑only operation — then makes it easy enough that you’re not constantly thinking about it.

6. Durability That Matches (or Beats) Traditional Hardware

A “smart” lock that can’t handle weather, dust, or a slammed door isn’t smart at all. Lockin’s Veno series is built like actual hardware, not a delicate gadget:

Rugged performance standards you’d expect from traditional locks
Strong resistance to dust and water, so it can handle real‑world weather
Comfortable operating range from winter freeze to peak summer heat
A frosted tempered glass front panel that resists smudges and doesn’t peel, bubble, or crack easily

Layer on anti‑tamper alerts, anti‑peep PIN entry, and vacation mode, and you get something that behaves like a security upgrade first, and a smart toy second.

Retrofitting: Will Lockin Actually Fit Your Door?

Here’s the big question that makes or breaks any retrofit:
Will this thing actually go on my door?

Lockin is refreshingly clear about fit.

Compatible With

Most standard single‑cylinder doors (your classic front‑door setup)
Doors using a rectangular latch faceplate cutout

Not Compatible With

Storm doors in front of your main door that would block the camera’s view
Doors with round latch cutouts (unless you swap the latch)
Many mortise locks (Lockin has mortise options, but the Veno Plus is aimed at standard entry doors)

The install is designed for one person and one screwdriver, in about 15 minutes if you’re vaguely handy. No need to:

Drill new holes
Rebuild your door frame
Call a professional unless you really want to

Before you buy, a quick look at your latch shape and door setup will tell you if you’re ready to go.

Practical Tips for an Easy Smart Lock Retrofit

Whether you’re going with Lockin or just exploring retrofit smart locks, a bit of planning makes the whole experience smoother.

1. Do a 5‑Minute Door Audit

Take a quick lap around your front door and check:

Door type
- Single main entry door? Perfect.
- Storm door in front? Make sure it won’t block the lock’s camera view.
Latch faceplate shape
- Rectangular: You’re in Lockin Veno Plus territory.
- Round: You may need to swap the latch or look at another compatible model.
Door thickness
- Most modern residential doors are supported; it’s worth glancing at the product specs just to confirm.

2. Map Out Who Needs What Kind of Access

Before you start enrolling fingers and palms, make a quick list:

Primary users: You, partner, older kids
Secondary users: Guests, cleaners, dog walkers, relatives

Decide in advance:

Who gets palm vein access (daily users)
Who gets fingerprints or PINs (kids, close friends, sitters)
Who uses the app (tech‑savvy adults)
Who keeps a physical key (anyone who truly insists)

A bit of planning on day one saves you from “Wait, which code did I give the dog walker?” chaos later.

3. Connect It Smartly, Not Excessively

When you add the lock to Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, or SmartThings, start simple:

Turn on auto‑lock after the door has been closed for a bit
Have a porch or hallway light turn on when motion is detected at night

Avoid making your front door dependent on a super‑complex routine. If your Wi‑Fi hiccups or a routine fails, you still want to be able to walk in the door like a normal human.

4. Use the Camera and Storage Wisely

With local 8GB storage and no subscription, you can be a little more relaxed about using video:

Enable motion and human detection so you’re capturing people, not just passing cars
Check and clear old footage once in a while if you like to keep things tidy
Use the 2‑way audio to talk to delivery drivers (“Please tuck that behind the planter, thanks!”)

You get most of what a video doorbell offers — without an extra rectangle bolted next to your lock.

5. Plan for Power Before It Becomes a Problem

A few tiny habits make power a non‑issue:

Turn on low‑battery notifications in the app so you get plenty of warning
If your door gets sun, consider the optional solar panel for worry‑free trickle‑charging
Keep a small power bank around as a last‑resort backup

That way, power is just a quiet background detail, not a late‑night emergency.

Why Lockin Stands Out for Retrofit‑First Buyers

If you look at smart locks specifically through a retrofit lens —

“Can I live with this on my current door, with my current family, in my current routine?”

a few Lockin Veno Plus traits really pop:

Palm vein recognition works reliably across ages, skin types, and conditions where fingerprints often fail.
Multiple access methods let you mix modern and traditional access depending on who’s using the door.
An integrated 2K camera, motion detection, and local storage replace a separate video doorbell and subscription.
Matter-based smart home integration keeps you out of proprietary lock‑in and lets you use your favorite ecosystem.
Battery, solar, and emergency backup options mean you’re not getting “locked out by your own tech.”
A retrofit‑friendly design respects your existing door and your time — no carpenter or electrician required.

In other words, it’s not just a smart lock. It’s a thoughtfully retrofit‑ready smart lock.

Upgrade Your Lock, Not Your Entire Life

Your front door lock is one of the most important objects in your home. When you upgrade it, you deserve something that feels:

Safer, not just flashier
Simpler, not more complicated
Inclusive, so everyone in your household can use it comfortably

Lockin’s Veno Plus smart lock hits that sweet spot for people who want a real security upgrade, everyday convenience, and an installation that feels more like a quick project than a home renovation.

If you’ve been holding off on smart locks because you’re worried about complexity, compatibility, or subscription creep, this is a good time to reconsider. The tech has grown up — and retrofit‑ready designs like Lockin’s prove it.

Ready to Make Retrofitting Simple?

Here’s your game plan:

Check your door:
Make sure you’ve got a standard single‑cylinder door with a rectangular latch cutout, and no storm door blocking where the camera would look.
Define your access plan:
Decide who gets palm vein, fingerprint, PIN, app access, or a physical key — and set it up intentionally from day one.
Explore Lockin’s Veno lineup:
Compare the Veno Plus and Veno Pro to see which one matches your security needs, style preferences, and smart home setup.

You don’t have to choose between “smart” and “simple” anymore. With the right retrofit‑ready smart lock, you can finally have a front door that feels secure, modern, and easy to live with — every time you come home.