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 in the TTLock platform. Many users enable it and then start receiving repeated notifications with nothing physically wrong.

This guide covers:

• What Tamper Alert is and how it works on compatible hardware
• Why McGrath Locks and the NX1 do not support it
• Why enabling it on an incompatible lock causes phantom alerts
• The difference between Tamper Alert and the incorrect PIN attempt alarm
• Best practice for the Tamper Alert setting in TTLock

For broader context on how TTLock platforms work, see Using TTLock for Airbnb in Australia and the TTLock User Manual reference.

Last updated May 2026.

McGrath Locks Do Not Support Tamper Alert

Before getting into what Tamper Alert does, the most important point for McGrath owners is this:

If you are receiving tamper notifications on any TTLock-based smart lock, follow the step-by-step instructions in our dedicated procedure guide: How to Turn Off Tamper Alert on Any TTLock Lock.

What Is Tamper Alert?

Tamper Alert is a hardware-based security feature designed to detect physical interference with a smart lock. On the small number of older models that include the required hardware, it 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 the TTLock app, and record the event in the activity log. The exact behaviour depends on the specific model and its firmware.

Are All Smart Locks Compatible with Tamper Alert?

No — and most modern smart locks are not. The TTLock platform serves a wide range of hardware from many manufacturers. The app interface is standardised, which means features can appear as toggles in the app even when the underlying lock hardware does not support them.

This is not a flaw in the lock; it is simply a platform-level display issue. The TTLock app does not always know which hardware features a connected lock physically has. The consequence is that a user can enable a feature that silently does nothing — or worse, generates incorrect alerts.

For a deeper understanding of how access method hardware works across platforms, see Chapter 03 — Access Methods in the Smart Lock Buyer’s Guide.

Why Enabling It Causes Phantom Alerts

If you enable Tamper Alert on a lock that does not support it, the app may generate repeated tamper notifications even though nothing is physically wrong. This happens because:

• The app expects a regular 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 a stream of phantom alerts — notifications reporting a tamper event that did not occur.

Tamper Alert vs Incorrect PIN Attempt Alarm

These are two different systems that are often confused. Understanding the distinction matters, because one can be disabled and one cannot.

The incorrect PIN protection exists to prevent an intruder entering hundreds of codes rapidly to guess the correct one. It is an intentional, non-configurable security safeguard — not a bug, and not something that should be worked around. For more on how lock security features interact with the app, see Chapter 12 — Installation & Troubleshooting.

Another commonly misunderstood feature that operates in a similar way — disabling credentials without disabling the mechanical key — is the internal snib (Secure Lock mode). See: The Perils of the Internal Snib (Secure Lock Explained).

Best Practice for Tamper Alert in TTLock

Smart locks may share the same app platform without sharing the same internal hardware. A toggle existing in the interface is not confirmation that the connected lock supports it. If you are unsure about any setting in TTLock, the safest approach is to leave it in its default state and ask before changing it.

Related Guides

Getting Phantom Alerts You Can’t Resolve?

If disabling Tamper Alert doesn’t stop the notifications, our team can help identify the cause before you change any other settings.