Kwikset SmartKey Rekey & SC1 Conversion | Residential Locksmith
Why Choose Speedway for SmartKey Service
Kwikset SmartKey Rekey Services in the East Valley
Speedway Locksmith installs, rekeys, and converts Kwikset SmartKey cylinders for homes throughout Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the greater East Valley.
Kwikset SmartKey is not a regular pin-tumbler lock. It uses a patented wafer-and-sidebar cylinder that can be rekeyed in seconds without taking the lock off the door. Kwikset designed it to resist common picking and includes BumpGuard™ protection against bump-key attacks. The practical advantage for homeowners is speed: when you need the lock on a new key, the cylinder can be reset far faster than a traditional residential rekey.
This page covers both versions we service:
Standard SmartKey (KW1 keyway) — the common Kwikset key
SmartKey SC1 (Schlage C keyway) — the version that accepts a standard SC1 5-pin key
Need a traditional house rekey instead? See our standard residential rekey service.
What SmartKey Does, Simply
A normal lock is rekeyed by changing the pins inside the cylinder. SmartKey works differently. The current working key plus a small learn tool reset the cylinder to a new key. Old keys stop working. You can do this an unlimited number of times.
That makes SmartKey useful after:
A roommate, tenant, or contractor no longer needs access
Keys were lost or copied
You want every door on one key
You are adding a new Kwikset lock to a house that already uses Schlage SC1 keys
SmartKey cannot be master-keyed. Only one key cut operates the lock at a time.
KW1 vs SC1 Why the Keyway Matters
The keyway is the shape of the slot the key slides into.
KW1 is the standard Kwikset shape. Only KW1 keys work.
SC1 is the Schlage “C” shape. Any standard SC1 5-pin key can operate it.
Kwikset added the SC1 SmartKey cylinder so homeowners can keep existing Schlage-style keys while using Kwikset hardware. According to Kwikset’s 2020 product launch, the SC1 version works in most SmartKey-compatible locks and supports up to 100,000 key combinations. It does not accept KW1 keys or SC4 6-pin keys.
On this job we converted a black Kwikset deadbolt to the SC1 cylinder so the customer’s existing Schlage key operated the new lock.
When to Call Us Instead of Doing It Yourself
Homeowners can rekey a working SmartKey lock with the included tool. Call us when:
The original key is lost
The cylinder was programmed incorrectly and no longer works
You need several doors matched to one key
You want a KW1 cylinder swapped to SC1 (or the reverse)
The lock is on a smart lock / electronic deadbolt that uses a SmartKey backup cylinder
We use the correct learn tool for each keyway and test the lock before we leave.
Related services: standard residential rekey and residential locksmith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between regular SmartKey and SC1 SmartKey?
Same rekey system and same security features. The difference is the key. KW1 takes Kwikset keys. SC1 takes standard Schlage-style SC1 keys.
Is SmartKey more pick-resistant than a regular house lock?
Kwikset rates SmartKey as pick-resistant and bump-resistant because of the sidebar design. The tradeoff is convenience: when you want a new key, the reset is much faster than pinning a traditional cylinder.
Can I keep my existing Schlage keys?
Yes, if they are standard SC1 5-pin keys and we install or convert to the SC1 SmartKey cylinder.
Can SmartKey be master-keyed?
No. Kwikset states only one key cut will operate the lock.
Do you service SmartKey cylinders on electronic locks?
Yes. Many Kwikset electronic locks use a SmartKey cylinder as the mechanical backup.
How long does the work take?
Most single-door SmartKey rekeys or SC1 conversions are completed the same visit. We test the lock on site.