Tamper Alert on Smart Locks

What It Is, Why It Appears in TTLock & Why You May Get Phantom Alerts

Some smart lock apps (including TTLock) display a setting called Tamper Alert. It sounds serious — and on the right hardware, it can be — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood toggles inside the TTLock platform.

This article explains what Tamper Alert is, why most modern locks (including McGrath Locks) do not support it, why it can cause phantom alerts, and how it differs from the incorrect PIN attempt alarm system.

McGrath Locks do not support Tamper Alert.

Tamper Alert is a legacy TTLock feature that was only compatible with a very small number of older imported smart locks that contained dedicated tamper detection hardware.

Most current smart lock models and brands (including McGrath) do not include this hardware — which is why we recommend ensuring Tamper Alert is left switched off.

Tamper Alert is a hardware-based security feature designed to detect physical interference with a smart lock.

On the small number of models that include the required hardware, Tamper Alert may activate if:

• The front panel is forcibly removed
• The lock body is interfered with
• The internal tamper sensor detects abnormal movement

When triggered (on compatible hardware), the lock may:

• Sound an alarm
• Send a push notification to your app
• Record the event in activity logs

The exact behaviour depends on the specific lock model and whether it contains the required tamper hardware.

Tamper Alert only works if the lock physically contains the required tamper detection hardware.

This includes:

• A dedicated tamper sensor
• Internal detection circuitry
• Firmware support for tamper events

If a lock does not contain this hardware, the feature cannot function correctly — even if the TTLock app still shows a toggle for it.

No.

In fact, most modern smart locks are not compatible with Tamper Alert.

For example:

McGrath Locks do not support Tamper Alert (even though the option may appear inside TTLock).

The NX1 is also NOT compatible with Tamper Alert.

These locks do not contain the internal hardware required for physical tamper detection, so the setting should remain off.

If you enable Tamper Alert on a lock that does not support it, the app may generate repeated or “phantom” tamper notifications.

This happens because:

• The app expects a signal from a tamper sensor
• The lock does not have that sensor
• The system interprets missing, null, or inconsistent signals as a tamper event

The result is repeated tamper notifications — even though nothing is physically wrong with the lock.

Good news: when a lock is paired, Tamper Alert is typically OFF by default.

If you’re receiving tamper notifications, it’s worth checking this setting and ensuring it remains disabled.

• Leave Tamper Alert switched OFF unless you are 100% sure your lock supports it
• Do not assume an option shown in TTLock means your lock has the required hardware
• If you are getting phantom alerts, check this setting first
• If unsure, ask before changing settings

Need advice?

If you’re unsure whether your lock supports Tamper Alert or you’re receiving unexpected notifications, you can ask our expert team here and we’ll help clarify before you change any settings.