Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology might not be a household name like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but it’s quietly revolutionizing how devices interact with each other.
In the past few years it has become increasingly popular, appearing in smartphones and accessories like location trackers.
But while its main use cases so far have been powered by the likes of the Apple AirTags, Samsung trackers and keyless car systems, it’s a technology that’s likely to play a part in the smart home revolution in the coming years.
But what exactly is it, and how does it work?
We’ve compiled this guide to provide a comprehensive overview of UWB, so you can get right up to speed.
What is ultra-wideband technology?
Ultra-wideband technology (UWB) is a short-range wireless communication technology that transmits data over a wide bandwidth – hence the name – exceeding 500MHz at very low power.
This wide bandwidth enables UWB to transmit and receive data in extremely short pulses, often measured in nanoseconds.
Originally developed for military and radar applications, UWB is now making its way into consumer tech, and there are a number of useful use-cases, which we’ll come to next.
While accuracy can vary based on environmental conditions, UWB offers a high degree of precision, typically within 10-30cm in optimal settings.
How is UWB different from Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
Like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, UWB is a short-range wireless communication protocol that uses radio waves.
However, UWB operates at higher frequencies and leverages its wide bandwidth to achieve significantly greater accuracy in distance and location measurements.
Unlike Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which are primarily designed for data transfer, UWB is designed for spatial awareness.
Additionally, UWB’s short pulses and wide bandwidth enhance its resistance to interference and eavesdropping, providing improved radio frequency security.
It’s important to note that these technologies often work in tandem though.
For example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) may be used for initial device discovery – think pairing a location tracker to a phone app – and then UWB can be used to handle precise location tracking.
Newer versions of Bluetooth are also increasing their ability to provide location services, narrowing the gap between the two technologies.
What devices use ultra-wideband?
UWB chips are integrated into a growing range of devices, including smartphones, smartwatches, tracking devices and earbuds.
Apple’s U1 chip, found in iPhones since the iPhone 11, and AirTags, uses UWB for precise location tracking and the likes of Samsung and Google also use UWB for their tracking tech.
File sharing via Apple’s AirDrop and Android’s Nearby Share also use UWB.
Apple, Google, and Samsung employ UWB in their respective location services: Find My, Find My Device, and Samsung Find.
Beyond location tracking, UWB is finding applications in secure access control, such as keyless entry systems for vehicles; payment systems, for secure and contactless transactions; and industrial automation, for improved precision in manufacturing and logistics.
But it’s a more recent use-case that is most interesting for the smart home space.
The first UWB smart lock
At the start of last year, Silicon Valley smart home specialist Xthings took the covers off of the Ultraloq Bolt Matter Fingerprint Edition, touted as one of the world’s first smart Wi-Fi deadbolts compatible with Matter, and also the first Matter-over-Thread smart lock to feature a fingerprint reader.
And then, over at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the Union City brand was back with another first: the Bolt Mission UWB+NFC, which is the first smart lock to support UWB technology.
This means a more reliable, hands-free unlocking experience compared to existing methods that rely on Bluetooth, GPS, or Wi-Fi.
UWB on the Mission lets the lock to accurately detect when an authorized user approaches, using the UWB chip in their phone, so the lock can be unlocked automatically and securely.
And the lock can also detect if the user is the outside side of the door, so it won’t just unlock the door every time somebody walks through the hallway, near the door, for example.
We’d expect a bunch of UWB powered smart locks to follow the Bolt Mission’s, er, mission, in the coming months and years.
That’s because there’s plenty of momentum behind it. In mid-2024, as part of the iOS 18 update, Apple announced that it will support UWB unlocking in smart locks through Apple Home and Home Key.
This is part of the new Aliro smart access standard, which was announced at the end of 2023.
In a move toward to hopefully streamline the smart lock experience, the Connectivity Standards Alliance – of Matter fame – are behind Aliro, which is an innovative effort aimed at transforming how users unlock doors or other entry points using their mobile devices or wearables.
If you’ve done your Matter homework then you’ll know that the CSA comprises over 675 technology companies dedicated to open standards for the Internet of Things (IoT), and the launch of Aliro meant that, once again, the Alliance has got the likes of Apple, Google and Samsung all singing from the same hymn sheet, which is no mean feat.
The goal of Aliro – which means ‘access’ in Esperanto – is to establish a consistent user experience across certified hardware, in order to foster widespread adoption of consumer electronic devices for unlocking doors and openings.
In more simple terms it’s designed to make the smart lock industry less of a confusing mess than it currently is.
The Aliro communication protocol, at the heart of the standard, supports a wide range of transmission technologies, including Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low-Energy (LE), and UWB, as well as asymmetric cryptography and credential data.
Final thoughts
UWB is one of those behind-the-scenes technologies that doesn’t grab headlines but is fundamentally changing how we interact with the world.
With its unmatched precision, security, and low power consumption, it’s poised to become a core component of future smart homes, wearables, and connected devices.
So while you may not see it, UWB is quietly shaping the next generation of tech.
FAQs
It depends on what you need. Bluetooth is more common and works well for general tracking, but UWB offers far more precise location data, down to centimeters rather than meters. That’s why Apple’s AirTags and Samsung’s SmartTags+ use both: Bluetooth for general discovery and UWB for pinpoint accuracy.
No, only select models have UWB chips. Apple’s iPhones since the iPhone 11 (with the U1 chip) and newer Samsung Galaxy models (like the S21 and later) include UWB support. Google has also added UWB to some Pixel models. If your phone doesn’t have UWB, you’ll be limited to Bluetooth-based tracking and access control.
