Imagine giving your maid a code that only works between 9 and 11 in the morning, a delivery partner a code valid for a single afternoon, or an Airbnb guest access that activates on check-in day and expires at checkout — all automatically. That is the power of time-based access, one of the smartest features a modern lock offers. This guide explains what time-based access is, how it works, and where it makes a smart door lock genuinely more useful.
What is time-based access?
Time-based access is a smart-lock feature that grants entry only during specified hours, days or date ranges, rather than giving someone permanent access. Instead of a code or fingerprint that works any time, you create access that is valid, say, only on weekday mornings, only for a single day, or only between two dates. Outside those windows, the same code simply will not open the door. It turns a smart lock from a simple keyless entry device into a genuine access-control system, letting you decide not just who can enter, but exactly when — a level of control a physical key could never provide.
Common uses for time-based access
This feature solves real, everyday problems. The table shows the most common scenarios where time-based access helps.
| Scenario | How time-based access helps |
|---|---|
| Maids & staff | Entry only during work hours |
| Deliveries | A code valid for one window |
| Rentals & Airbnb | Access only for the booking dates |
| Tuition / visitors | Scheduled, recurring entry |
| Offices | Staff access on working days only |
How time-based access works
Setting up time-based access is done through the lock’s app. You create a user or a code, then assign it a schedule — a one-time window with a start and end, a recurring daily or weekly pattern, or a date range. The lock stores these rules and checks them every time the code or fingerprint is used, granting entry only if the current time falls within the allowed window. Covlor® locks manage this through the Tuya / Smart Life app, so you can create, edit and revoke time-limited access from anywhere. Because the schedule lives in the lock, it enforces the rules automatically, with no action needed from you.
Perfect for domestic staff
One of the most popular uses of time-based access is managing domestic help. A maid, cook or cleaner can be given a code that works only during their expected hours, so they can let themselves in to do their job without you needing to be home, yet cannot access the house at other times. If their schedule changes, you simply update the window; if they leave, you delete the code instantly — no re-keying, no awkward key collection. For busy households, this combines convenience and control beautifully, giving staff reliable access while keeping you firmly in charge of your home.
Ideal for rentals and guests
Time-based access is a game-changer for rentals and short stays. For an Airbnb or holiday let, you can issue each guest a code that activates on their check-in date and automatically expires at checkout, enabling seamless self-check-in with no keys to exchange and no risk of an old guest returning. The same applies to house guests, tutors or anyone with recurring, scheduled visits. Because access ends on its own, you never have to remember to revoke it. For hosts and landlords, this automation removes a huge amount of hassle while keeping every stay secure and self-managing.
Great for deliveries and one-off visits
For a one-time event — a delivery, a repair, a parcel drop — time-based access lets you grant entry for just the window you need. Create a code valid only for the afternoon the technician is expected, and it stops working the moment the window closes. This is far safer than sharing a permanent code you might forget to delete, and more convenient than being home to let someone in. The access log then confirms exactly when they entered. For the many one-off visits every household handles, a short, self-expiring code is the ideal, worry-free solution.
Time-based access for offices and businesses
Beyond homes, time-based access is invaluable for offices, shops and small businesses. Staff can be given access only during working hours and on working days, so no one can enter the premises overnight or at weekends without authorisation. Contractors and cleaners get access only for their scheduled slots. Combined with the access log, this gives business owners both control and accountability — a clear record of who entered and the assurance that access matched approved hours. For commercial spaces, time-based access turns a smart lock into a simple, effective access-control system without the cost of a complex enterprise setup.
Security benefits of scheduled access
Time-based access is not just convenient — it is a genuine security feature. By limiting when a code works, you shrink the window in which it could be misused, and self-expiring access means forgotten, lingering codes are no longer a risk. Combined with the lock’s access log, anti-peep passwords and tamper alarm, scheduled access gives you precise, auditable control over your door. Covlor® locks match biometrics and enforce schedules on the device itself, so the rules apply reliably even if the internet drops. This blend of convenience and tightened control is exactly what makes time-based access so valuable.
Setting it up on your lock
To use time-based access, choose a smart lock whose app supports scheduled and temporary codes, then simply create a code and assign its window. Covlor® locks on the Tuya / Smart Life app let you set one-time, recurring or date-range access and manage it remotely. Confirm the lock fits your door (40–120mm) and enrol the people who need regular access normally, reserving time-based codes for staff, guests and one-off visits. With a few taps you gain powerful, automatic control over exactly who enters your home or business, and when — all without a single physical key.
Time-based access versus permanent codes
It helps to understand when to use time-based access and when a permanent code is fine. Permanent access suits the people who live in the home — family members who come and go freely at any hour. Time-based access is for everyone else: staff, guests, tradespeople and anyone whose need to enter is limited to certain times. Using the right type for each person keeps your access list clean and secure, with no lingering permanent codes for people who only needed temporary entry. This simple discipline — permanent for residents, time-based for everyone else — is the key to getting the most from the feature, giving each person exactly the access they need and nothing more.
Why time-based access is the future of access control
Time-based access reflects a broader shift in how we think about security: from a single key that works forever to precise, conditional access tailored to each situation. As homes and small businesses adopt smart locks, the ability to grant entry by schedule is becoming an expected feature rather than a luxury. It brings the kind of access control once reserved for large commercial buildings to ordinary homes, PGs, shops and rentals, at no extra cost. Combined with biometrics, app management and access logs, time-based access makes a smart lock a genuinely intelligent gatekeeper. For anyone who regularly grants others access, it is one of the most practical and forward-looking features a lock can offer.
Related guides
Keep exploring smart security on the Covlor® blog: OTP and temporary passwords, smart locks for holiday rentals, and smart locks with mobile apps. You can also browse the full smart door locks collection or return to the Covlor® homepage. For background, see access control on Wikipedia.
Recommended Covlor® Models
Ready to upgrade? These Covlor® models suit the common door types and budgets: the CR L88 and CR L99 push-pull locks for premium main doors, the CR L51-S and CR L51-B for a sleek everyday front door, the slim CR L45 for apartments, and the feature-rich CR L108 — all with face, palm and fingerprint recognition plus a mechanical-key backup. Browse the full lineup on the smart door locks collection or the main shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time-based access in a smart lock?
It grants entry only during set hours, days or date ranges. A code or fingerprint works within its window and not outside it, giving you control over exactly when people can enter.
What is it used for?
Managing domestic staff, self-check-in rentals, scheduled deliveries and repairs, recurring visits like tuition, and limiting office access to working hours.
How do I set it up?
In the lock’s app, create a code or user and assign a schedule — one-time, recurring or a date range. Covlor® locks manage this via the Tuya / Smart Life app, remotely.
Is time-based access secure?
Yes. It limits when codes work, removes lingering-access risk, and pairs with the access log for an auditable record. Schedules are enforced on the lock itself.
The takeaway
Time-based access turns a smart lock into a true access-control system, granting entry only when you want — ideal for staff, rentals, deliveries and offices. It is convenient, automatic and genuinely more secure than a permanent key or code. Explore Covlor®’s smart door lock range to put scheduled access to work.
