Launching your own branded smart lock app alongside private label hardware is achievable in 90 days when you use a white-label OEM approach. This guide walks through every phase — from brand asset collection to App Store approval — so you know exactly what to prepare and when.
The 90-Day Timeline
Days 1–7: Contract & Requirements
Sign OEM agreement. Define: hardware SKUs (NL-700, X2-B, or custom), MOQ (minimum 200 units for app OEM), feature list (which app features to enable/disable), target markets (EU server region or US server region for GDPR compliance), and branding assets checklist.
Days 7–14: Brand Asset Collection
You provide: app name, app icon (1024×1024 px), splash screen, primary/secondary brand colours (hex codes), screenshots for App Store listing (6.5" iPhone, 12.9" iPad, and Pixel 6 sizes), App Store description text, privacy policy URL, and support contact details.
Days 14–28: App Configuration & Testing
Trudian configures the Tuya OEM app SDK with your brand assets, selects your feature set (BLE unlock, PIN code management, e-key sharing, access log, OTA, multi-device support), sets up your Tuya IoT project (data residency region, cloud region: EU/US/India/CN), and conducts internal QA testing across iOS 17+ and Android 13+ devices.
Days 28–42: App Store Submission
You create (or provide access to) your Apple Developer Program account ($99/year) and Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time). Trudian submits the build files (IPA for iOS, AAB for Android). Apple App Store review: 1–3 business days average (can take up to 7 days for first submission). Google Play: 1–7 days. Total submission-to-approval: 1–2 weeks.
Days 1–45: Hardware Production (Parallel)
Hardware runs in parallel with app development. Production lead time for 200+ units: 25–35 days from PO. QC inspection (AQL Level II, critical defect zero-tolerance) on Day 30. Shipping from Zhongshan factory: 10–15 days to EU/UK, 12–18 days to US/Canada.
Days 42–90: Launch Preparation & Go-Live
App approved and live in stores. Hardware arrives at your warehouse. Pair test: scan lock QR code in app, confirm BLE pairing, confirm cloud registration. Prepare user manual with your brand (Trudian provides editable InDesign template). Launch marketing materials. Go-live.
What You Own vs What Tuya Owns
| Asset | You Own | Tuya Owns |
|---|---|---|
| App name & icon | ✓ | |
| App Store developer accounts | ✓ | |
| Customer data (with GDPR compliance setup) | ✓ | |
| Tuya SDK & app source code | ✓ | |
| Cloud infrastructure | ✓ | |
| Device firmware | ✓ (OTA updates managed by Tuya) |
Feature Checklist for Your App Configuration
- BLE unlock — direct Bluetooth unlock when phone is in range, no internet required
- Remote unlock — cloud-based unlock via internet (requires Wi-Fi or 4G at the lock)
- PIN code management — add/delete/schedule PIN codes remotely
- E-key sharing — share temporary or permanent digital keys via app invite
- Access log — timestamped entry history with user ID
- OTA firmware update — push firmware updates to all paired devices from the cloud
- Multi-device support — one account manages multiple locks across properties
- Auto-lock timer — configurable auto-relock after X seconds
- DND mode — silence door alerts during specific hours
- Voice assistant integration — Alexa/Google Home skill linkage via Tuya skill
Frequently Asked Questions: Private Label Smart Lock App
The minimum order quantity for app OEM with Trudian is 200 units per SKU. This covers the cost of app SDK configuration, QA testing, and App Store submission support. Orders below 200 units can use the standard Tuya Smart Life or Tuya Smart app without private labeling. For firmware customization beyond branding — custom cloud endpoint, feature additions, or proprietary integrations — minimum order quantities are typically 500+ units due to engineering resource requirements.
Yes. To publish an app under your brand name in the App Store and Google Play, you must have your own developer accounts: Apple Developer Program ($99/year, requires Apple ID and business entity verification) and Google Play Developer ($25 one-time registration fee). The app is submitted under your accounts so it appears as your company's app in store listings, not the factory's. Allow 1–2 weeks for Apple account verification if you are registering for the first time. Trudian provides the compiled app builds (IPA for iOS, AAB for Android) for you to submit, or can submit on your behalf if you grant access.
Yes. Tuya IoT platform offers data residency region selection: EU (Frankfurt), US (Oregon), India, and China. For European deployments requiring GDPR compliance, specify EU region during the Tuya IoT project setup in Days 14–28 of the launch timeline. EU region ensures user data — device registration, access logs, account information — is stored on Tuya's AWS Frankfurt infrastructure within the EEA. This is a configuration choice made at project setup; changing data residency region after launch requires migrating all user accounts, which is operationally complex. Confirm your target region before signing the OEM agreement.
The Tuya OEM SDK allows configuration of: BLE unlock (tap-to-unlock via Bluetooth), PIN code management (add, delete, set time-limited PINs), e-key sharing (send temporary access to guests via app), access log (view door open/close history), OTA firmware updates (push firmware updates to locks), multi-device support (manage multiple locks from one account), and voice assistant integration (Alexa, Google Assistant). Features can be enabled or disabled per app configuration. Features not available for customization include the core BLE pairing protocol and Tuya cloud communication stack, which are fixed at the SDK level.
Required assets: app name (check availability in App Store and Google Play before finalizing), app icon at 1024×1024 px (PNG, no transparency for iOS), splash screen at multiple resolutions, primary and secondary brand colors in hex codes, App Store screenshots (6.5-inch iPhone, 12.9-inch iPad, and Pixel 6 sizes — minimum 3 per device type), App Store short description (80 characters) and full description (4,000 characters), privacy policy URL (mandatory for both stores — must be publicly accessible), and support contact email or URL. Prepare all assets before Day 7 to avoid delaying the 90-day timeline.
Custom integrations beyond Tuya's standard feature set — such as hotel PMS integration, property management platform webhooks, or custom access control panel connectivity — require firmware and backend development beyond the standard OEM SDK configuration. These are available as custom development projects with separate scoping, timeline (typically 3–6 months), and cost (varies by integration complexity). Tuya's standard OEM app supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice control out of the box. For TTLock-based locks, hotel PMS integrations with Opera, Mews, and Cloudbeds are available as standard features without custom development.
Tuya SDK updates are mandatory for continued App Store compliance — Apple and Google require apps to update to current SDK versions within defined timelines (typically 12 months after a new iOS or Android release). Tuya manages backward compatibility for OEM apps, but major SDK version upgrades require resubmission to both app stores. Your OEM agreement should specify Tuya's SDK update support obligations and the process for resubmission. To reduce platform dependency risk: ensure your locks support offline credential methods (PIN, RFID) that function without the Tuya cloud, and maintain a backup access method that does not depend on the app.
Launch Your Private Label Smart Lock App
Trudian provides OEM hardware + white-label iOS/Android app as a combined package. MOQ 200 units. 60–90 day launch. CE, FCC certified hardware. EU or US data residency. Contact us to start your 90-day launch plan.