Amazon ships more than 1.6 million packages a day, on average. That’s a staggering number, especially considering that figure comes from just one company. It shows that people place a lot of online orders, to the point where online ordering could be phasing out in-person shopping.
The problem with online orders is that those items you order will need to arrive safely at your home. If you’re not home to receive packages during the day, you might be concerned about keeping packages secure until you can bring them inside. Amazon’s solution to this problem is Amazon Key, a security service that lets delivery drivers place your packages in a secure spot you choose, like inside your locked gate or garage.
If you get a lot of Amazon packages each week, Amazon Key could be a good solution for you.
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What Is Amazon Key?
Amazon Key is a service for individuals and businesses to receive packages and groceries from Amazon securely when they’re away from home. For example, you can let a delivery driver place your Amazon packages inside your garage to keep them out of the rain or inside of a locked gate to protect them from potential porch pirates.
While Amazon used to offer in-home delivery to customers, allowing delivery drivers to place packages securely inside a home, Amazon Key stopped providing this service at the start of the pandemic. Now, customers can choose between In-Garage Delivery and In-Gate Delivery. There’s currently no indication that in-home delivery with Amazon Key will return, but it’s also not off the table.
The Amazon Key service does cost extra in addition to your regular shipping costs, but only in some cases. The fee is $1.99, but if you choose to get your delivery on your free Amazon Delivery Day noted during checkout, you can save money.
Who Qualifies for Amazon Key?
Amazon Key is only available to Amazon Prime members, giving subscribers an additional membership benefit along with numerous other perks, like reduced shipping costs and an extended catalog of movies and TV shows through Prime Video.
You can also qualify for Amazon Key with different forms of Prime membership. For example, a Prime Student membership counts, as well as Amazon Fresh and Amazon Household customers. And, if you’re using a free trial of any of these services, you can also test out Amazon Key.
However, some ZIP codes are ineligible for the Amazon Key service, even if you’re a Prime member. You can check whether your address is eligible for Amazon Key by visiting the Amazon Shopping app. Then:
- Visit the settings for Amazon Key.
- Enter your home address’s ZIP code.
- Click “Get started.”
The app will let you know whether your address can receive Amazon Key packages and, if so, you can enter your full address to get started.
What Services Are Available with Amazon Key?
| Service | Estimated Cost | Delivery Type | Compatible Devices | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Garage Delivery | $1.99 per delivery* | Inside garage | MyQ, Aladdin Connect, OHD Garage Door Openers | One-time access, live video monitoring, notifications |
| In-Gate Delivery | $1.99 per delivery* | Inside gated area | Ring Access Controller Pro 2 | Remote gate access, live video monitoring, automatic access on package scan |
| Grocery Delivery | Varies by service | Fresh groceries | MyQ Garage Door Openers (for In-Garage Delivery) | Available through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market, secured and weather-protected |
One of the perks of Amazon Key is that it’s not just for traditional Amazon packages of items you order from the Amazon website. You can also get your groceries delivered through Amazon’s partnered grocery services, like Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. Here’s an overview of the services you can use with Amazon Key:
- Amazon: Amazon Key works with regular Amazon packages for virtually any item, including household goods, clothing, electronics, and toys.
- Subscribe and Save Deliveries: Order recurring subscriptions of items from Amazon that you use frequently, like toilet paper, hand soap, or pet supplies, using Subscribe and Save. Amazon Key can come in especially handy in these cases, when you may have packages from Amazon coming weekly or multiple times per week.
- Amazon Fresh: Amazon Fresh offers same-day and next-day grocery delivery at eligible addresses, allowing you to shop for everyday items, pantry staples, fresh produce, and more, right from your home. Amazon Key allows your food to stay safely inside your home with In-Garage Delivery.
- Whole Foods Market: Amazon purchased Whole Foods in 2017, so it extends a lot of its benefits to Whole Foods shoppers, including Amazon Key. Get your fresh and organic groceries delivered inside your garage to keep them safe until you can get home and put them away.
Be sure to set Amazon Key as your default delivery option in your Amazon account if you’d like to use it for most or all of your Amazon and related service deliveries. You can change this setting at any time.
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Is Amazon Key Worth It?
Amazon Key could be a worthwhile service to add to your home if you’re all about having smart tools to make your life easier. Perhaps you have a typical 9 to 5 job and end up being away during most delivery windows. Or, maybe you split your time between your house and your family who lives in another town. In these cases, you could end up missing a lot of deliveries to your home, potentially leaving packages exposed to the elements or thieves.
Sure, a smart garage door opener can come in handy to open the garage door remotely for delivery drivers when you aren’t home, but you’re also not guaranteed to be able to monitor your cameras all day to see when someone arrives. With Amazon Key, a driver just scans the barcode of your package to trigger a signal to your Amazon Key-compatible smart garage device, allowing the garage door to open for secure delivery.
Amazon Key lets you take control over your deliveries when you’re away from home, which could be a home security game changer. Of course, it also has some drawbacks, such as giving delivery drivers access to a part of your home and an additional charge on top of your Prime membership.
Let’s dig into how it all works.
How Amazon Key Works
The original form of Amazon Key was a smart lock system that Amazon delivery drivers could use to enter the front door of a home while being monitored by a connected camera to drop off Amazon packages when a homeowner wasn’t home. When the pandemic began, Amazon dropped this service to ensure safety for homeowners and drivers.
Now, the service is only available with In-Garage and In-Gate Delivery. In-Garage Delivery is best for single homes with a garage and without a gate, while In-Gate Delivery is used for gated homes and multi-unit complexes. With either system, a delivery driver can scan the barcode of your package to allow them access to your Amazon Key device, which will open your garage door for them to put your package inside. You can monitor your driver the entire time by connecting Amazon Key cameras.
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Here’s a breakdown of each service, their compatible devices, and the cameras that work with Amazon Key.
In-Garage Delivery
With Amazon Key’s In-Garage Delivery, your Amazon delivery drivers can place your packages inside your garage door by gaining one-time access to your garage door opener. They do this by scanning the barcode on the package, which sends information to Amazon Key to ensure that the driver is at the right address and is allowed to access the garage. Your compatible door opener will open the garage door automatically without you needing to approve it.
However, you’ll be able to watch the entire interaction from your connected device if you have Amazon Key cameras installed. Once your driver arrives, Amazon Key sends a notification to your phone to let you know they’re there, and you can continue to watch as the driver drops off your package and closes the door by pressing a button on their delivery app. Once your door is closed, the driver can’t gain access again without a compatible Amazon Key delivery connected to your home.
This service costs $1.99 per delivery on top of your Amazon Prime membership, which is required to take advantage of Amazon Key, but only if you choose one of Amazon’s quicker shipping options. If you opt for your free Amazon Delivery Day, you won’t need to pay the $1.99 fee.
Remember that In-Garage Delivery isn’t something you’ll need to use for every Amazon delivery. For example, you might want to save it for higher-priced items or packages that shouldn’t get wet. You can customize your delivery preferences with each order you place from Amazon once you have Amazon Key set up in your account.
In-Garage Compatible Devices
Amazon Key’s In-Garage Delivery works with select MyQ, Aladdin Connect, and OHD devices. You’ll need to make sure you have a compatible device to be able to use the Amazon Key service.
MyQ
MyQ creates smart home products to boost convenience and security, including indoor and outdoor cameras, video keypads, smart locks, and smart garage door openers.
- Remote garage control via app
- Supports Amazon Key deliveries
- Share access while away
- Night auto-close scheduling
- Works with 1993+ openers (photoelectric)
The CHAMBERLAIN Smart Garage Control is a MyQ-connected device that works with most garage door openers made after 1993. It works with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to send you real-time notifications when your garage door is opened. You can also use the app to open and close your garage from anywhere.
Aladdin Connect
Aladdin Connect is known for its Genie smart garage door devices and other security products for homes and businesses, like locked porch boxes and LED garage lighting.
- Remote control with WiFi
- Alexa and Google compatibility
- Door position alerts
- Supports 3 doors (extra sensors required)
- Automated close times and virtual keys
The Genie ALKT1-R Smart Garage Door Opener from Aladdin Connect is one of the most popular devices for those using the Amazon Key service. It offers control for up to three garage doors, scheduling for garage door opening and closing, and virtual key creation for friends, family, or anyone else you want to give access to your garage door.
OHD
OHD, also known as Overhead Door, creates garage doors and garage door openers for homeowners and businesses.
The OHD Anywhere Wi-Fi Retro Kit can give you access to the Amazon Key service. It connects to the OHD Anywhere app for scheduling, remote opening and closing of your door, virtual key creation, and continuous monitoring when you’re away from home. The device controls up to three garage doors simultaneously with the purchase of additional sensors.
In-Gate Delivery
If you have a gated home or live in a multi-unit gated community, you can opt for In-Gate Delivery instead of In-Garage Delivery. Large complexes and businesses can also use Amazon Key for Business to allow residents or employees to receive packages.
In-Gate Delivery is set up a bit differently than In-Garage Delivery, as it works through the Ring app using a specific Ring device for remote gate access. You can open and lock the gate remotely using the connected app, but Amazon delivery drivers can also gain access to your gate by scanning your package’s barcode, similar to the process for In-Garage Delivery.
You can also connect compatible Ring cameras to keep an eye on your deliveries and drivers through live video or recordings.
In-Gate Compatible Devices
Ring Access Controller Pro 2
- Remote gate control, Shared Access
- Ethernet or cellular connection
- Ring product compatibility
- Amazon Key delivery support
- Professional installation recommended
Amazon Key In-Gate Delivery is compatible with just one device: Ring Access Controller Pro 2. This device connects seamlessly to the Ring system, so you can operate it using the Ring app and get notifications when your delivery driver arrives.
There are a couple of drawbacks to be aware of. First, since this is your only option for In-Gate Delivery, it won’t integrate as well with other smart home ecosystems, like Apple HomeKit or Google Home You’ll likely need a professional to install the Ring Access Controller Pro 2, unlike the smart garage door openers needed for In-Garage Delivery, which are generally more straightforward to install.
Amazon Key Cameras
Amazon Key works with select security cameras from Amazon, Ring, and MyQ, and you can use each brand’s compatible app to control your camera and connected garage door. If using In-Gate Delivery, you’ll need to use Ring cameras compatible with the Ring Access Controller Pro 2 to sync delivery notifications.
Of course, you can use other security cameras to monitor your deliveries. However, if they aren’t compatible with Amazon Key, you won’t get notifications when your garage door or gate opens when a delivery arrives, nor will you be able to get recordings that sync to your deliveries’ start and stop times.
These cameras are popular choices for Amazon Key:
Ring Indoor Cam
- 1080p HD video, Live View, Color Night Vision
- Advanced Pre-Roll, extra seconds before motion events
- Manual Privacy Cover for camera and mic
- Real-time alerts, customizable motion zones
- Flexible swivel mount, easy plug-in setup
- Multiple color options, Alexa-compatible
The Ring Indoor Cam is a plug-in camera that works well for In-Garage Delivery monitoring. The 2nd generation is available in multiple color options to match your surrounding decor, and its compact design keeps it out of the way and discreet.
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Ring Stick Up Cam
- See, hear, speak via phone
- Battery-powered, indoor/outdoor
- Live View, Ring app access
- 180-day video storage option
- Easy Wi-Fi setup
- Alexa-compatible
If you don’t have a convenient spot in your garage to plug in a camera, the Ring Stick Up Cam is a good alternative. It’s battery-operated, and you can use one of several mounting options to keep it positioned where you need it.
myQ Smart Garage Security Camera
- Garage camera with myQ app
- Syncs with door openers
- Bluetooth setup
- Video storage subscription
- 1080p, two-way audio
- HDR, Night Vision
Specifically designed to monitor your garage when you’re away, the myQ Smart Garage Security Wi-Fi camera features two-way audio, night vision, motion detection, and a magnetic base to attach easily to magnetic surfaces in your garage.
Is Amazon Key Safe?
Understandably, your first thought when reading about Amazon Key might be, “Is this really safe?” After all, you’re technically letting strangers into your home when you opt for In-Garage Delivery with Amazon Key. Who’s to say they’re trustworthy?
However, Amazon has put several safeguards in place to improve the security of this service. First, delivery drivers can’t gain access to any other part of your home besides the gate or garage they’re supposed to deliver to. Keep any other doors to your residence locked to protect against unwanted access.
Drivers also can’t open your connected garage door until they scan the barcode on your package. This scan verifies through Amazon that the driver is at the right address and you’ve allowed the Amazon Key service. Only then will the door open for the driver. Once it closes, it locks and the driver cannot get access until they have another Amazon Key package to deliver to your home.
Finally, you can use Amazon Key-compatible cameras to monitor every Amazon Key delivery. The camera allows live video and can record a video clip of your delivery to review later.
Should I Use Amazon Key?
Studies show that more than half of Americans have had Amazon packages stolen from their porches. More than 115 million packages from all carriers were stolen last year alone. That’s a lot of missing packages and, depending on the carrier and business you bought from, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a replacement or refund.
If you don’t normally have issues with porch pirates, Amazon Key may not be necessary for you, especially if you’re usually home to receive packages. But if packages go missing in your area or you typically work during normal business hours, Amazon Key could give you just the right amount of security to keep your packages protected. Plus, if you opt for In-Garage Delivery, you can also keep your packages protected from the elements until you get home.
FAQs
No. Amazon Key is only for Amazon deliveries, so USPS and other delivery companies cannot use the system. For other services, consider using a porch lock box to keep deliveries secure.
Amazon Key lets you choose delivery options at checkout. If you want typical 1-2 delivery like you get with Amazon Prime, your delivery will cost $1.99. However, you can choose to get your package delivered through Amazon Key on your Prime Day Delivery for free. You can select between these options each time you place an order.
Your garage door might already be compatible with Amazon Key without needing to upgrade or switch out any components. MyQ, OHD, and Aladdin Connect devices that work with their associated apps to open and close your garage door should be compatible with Amazon Key. If not, you can install a compatible garage hub or retrofit kit to upgrade your system to work with the Amazon Key service.
Amazon has protections in place for stolen packages. If an item you ordered shows as delivered but you haven’t received it, you can file a claim with Amazon support. The customer service department will investigate the alleged theft and, if eligible, issue a refund or replacement of your order.
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